NASHVILLE – When linebacker Nick Dzubnar signed with the Titans back in March, he could hardly wait to join his new team, and continue his NFL career.
He ended up waiting a long time, because the coronavirus pandemic wrecked Dzubnar's plans – and everyone else's, for that matter.
"Everything this year has been so interesting," said Dzubnar, a special teams ace with the Chargers who was signed by the Titans in free agency. "I had five good years with the Chargers, but I was so excited to sign with the Titans. Then it's like, all the excitement, and then you're stuck hanging out, meeting guys on Zoom for the offseason.
"The first two weeks being here, finally actually seeing guys' faces, getting to know these guys on a more personal level and just starting to vibe with the team. ... You can already tell it's obviously a great organization and a good group of guys. It's been pretty easy for me to fit in and it's pretty good."
The 6-foot-1, 240-pound Dzubnar, who has played in 65 career games since entering the NFL in 2015, reported to training camp at the end of July and he's been working with his new teammates during the last few weeks.
Dzubnar played in all 16 games during the 2015, 2016 and 2019 seasons. In 2019, Dzubnar recorded 12 special teams tackles for the Chargers. He ranked first or second in special teams tackles in four of his five years with the Chargers. He had a team-best 21 special teams stops in 2017.
In Tennessee, Dzubnar plans to keep playing like a wild man on special teams.
"I feel like that's why the Tennessee Titans brought me here," he said. "I can't tell you if there's a certain trick, all I know is to go 100 miles an hour with my hair on fire -- 100% effort, nonstop, nonstop, nonstop until I get to the ball carrier or whatever it is, whoever is returning. I think it's more of a mindset and attitude that I had, growing up, playing sports.
"That's helped me excel especially in special teams, because special teams to me is a dogfight every single one. Whether it's punt, punt return, kickoff, kickoff return, it's just a straight fight. If it's a one-on-one battle, it's you against the other guy. I don't like to lose. I look forward to good competition with other good special teams guys, and like I said, it's a battle. It's a fight. I like to think that I can come out on top."
Dzubnar played collegiately at Cal Poly – San Luis Obispo, where he earned All-America honors as a linebacker and was the second-leading tackler in school history with 414 stops, four sacks, seven forced fumbles and five interceptions.
With the Titans, he'll add depth at linebacker while playing under veteran inside linebackers coach Jim Haslett.
Dzubnar is also excited about being reunited with Titans special teams coach Craig Aukerman, his special teams coach for two seasons with the Chargers.
"Just from being here you can tell everyone is always excited -- it's a great organization," Dzubnar said. "The tempo is very fast, but there's a lot of excitement. Auk brings a lot of really good energy. It's go, go, go, go go, which obviously fuels everyone else and that's the way we should play. So, energy is really high, but it's great. It's exciting. Everyone's excited to be out here playing football because we've been off for so long. There's really good energy. A lot of guys are working hard. We're trying to make everyone better. So far we're doing really well.
"… Auk is great. I have so much respect for him, and what he does, and the way he does it. I'm really happy to be reunited with Auk and I think it's going to be good pairing for us."
Chances are, on Sundays this fall, you'll see Dzubnar sprinting down the field like a heat-seeking missile on special teams.
He'll be decked out in No.49.
If you say his name, well …
"I've heard it said every single way," he said with a smile. "Announcers used to just call my name like, 'Oh, number 41 or number 48, Nick,' and then they'd stop at the last name. The correct way is (duh-ZOOB-nar). A lot of people think there's a silent 'D' or a silent 'Z.' Anyone that says something with a 'Z' I look back at that, because I don't hold anyone accountable for trying to get it right the first time."
A look back at linebacker Nick Dzubnar's first five NFL seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers. (AP Photos)
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Nick Dzubnar (48) is seen in action during an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Monday, Nov. 18, 2019 in Mexico City. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Nick Dzubnar (48) before an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
San Diego Chargers' Nick Dzubnar celebrates his sack against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL preseason football game Saturday, Aug. 22, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Nick Dzubnar #48 during an NFL preseason football game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Aug. 13, 2017 in Carson, Calif. (Ric Tapia via AP)
San Diego Chargers linebacker Nick Dzubnar (48) runs during a week 1 preseason NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. The Titans won 27-10. (Scott Boehm via AP)
San Diego Chargers linebacker Nick Dzubnar (48) during a preseason NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Friday, Aug. 19, 2016, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (2) runs on San Diego Chargers linebacker Nick Dzubnar (48) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
San Diego Chargers linebacker Nick Dzubnar (48) runs during a week 3 NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, in Indianapolis. The Colts won 26-22. (Scott Boehm via AP)
San Diego Chargers linebacker Nick Dzubnar (48) celebrates a stop against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
San Francisco 49ers running back Kelvin Taylor (23) gets tackled by San Diego Chargers linebacker Nick Dzubnar (48) after catching a fourth quarter pass plus a face mask penalty that gives the Niners a first down inside the Chargers two yard line during the 2016 NFL preseason football game against the San Diego Chargers on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016 in San Diego. The 49ers won the game 31-21. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
San Diego Chargers linebacker Nick Dzubnar (48) during a preseason NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Friday, Aug. 19, 2016, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
San Diego Chargers linebacker Nick Dzubnar (48) plays during a preseason NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Friday, Aug. 19, 2016, in San Diego. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Nick Dzubnar (48) runs in pursuit during a Week 13 NFL game against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, December 3, 2017, in Carson, Calif. The Chargers defeated the Browns 19-10. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
San Diego Chargers linebacker Nick Dzubnar (48) looks into the backfield during an NFL game against the Miami Dolphins on December 20, 2015. The Chargers defeated the Dolphins 30-14. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
San Diego Chargers linebacker Nick Dzubnar (48) in the first quarter during an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
San Diego Chargers linebacker Nick Dzubnar (48) celebrates after sacking the quarterback during the 2015 NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2015 in Glendale, Ariz. The Chargers won the game 22-19. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
San Diego Chargers linebacker Nick Dzubnar (48) in the first quarter during an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Nick Dzubnar (48) looks on during a week 15 NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017 in Kansas City, Mo. Kansas City won 30-13. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Miami Dolphins strong safety Reshad Jones runs around San Diego Chargers linebacker Nick Dzubnar after an inception during the first half in an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 20, 2015, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
San Diego Chargers linebacker Nick Dzubnar (48) runs in pursuit during an NFL game against the Cleveland Browns at Qualcomm Stadium on October 4, 2015. The Chargers defeated the Browns 30-27 (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Nick Dzubnar (48) gets set during the 2018 NFL preseason week 4 football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018 in Santa Clara, Calif. The Chargers won the game 23-21. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Nick Dzubnar (48) and Seattle Seahawks defensive back Bradley McDougald (30) poses for a photo after an NFL preseason football game on Saturday, Aug. 18, 2018 in Carson, Calif. The Chargers won, 24-14. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback R.J. Archer, top, throws over San Diego Chargers linebacker Nick Dzubnar during the second half of an NFL preseason football game Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Travis Benjamin is brought down by San Diego Chargers linebacker Nick Dzubnar during the first half in an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 4, 2015, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Nick Dzubnar (48) points and celebrates after recovering an apparent fumble on a fourth quarter kick return subsequently ruled out of bounds and not a turnover during the NFL week 4 regular season football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018 in Carson, Calif. The Chargers won the game 29-27. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Alex Tanney (11) runs out of the pocket against San Diego Chargers linebacker Nick Dzubnar (48) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Nick Dzubnar (48) chases the action during the NFL week 12 regular season football game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018 in Carson, Calif. The Chargers won the game 45-10. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Nick Dzubnar (48) leaps and celebrates with Los Angeles Chargers defensive back Casey Hayward Jr. (26) and Los Angeles Chargers defensive back Desmond King II (20) after Dzubnar recovers an apparent fumble on a fourth quarter kick return subsequently ruled out of bounds and not a turnover during the NFL week 4 regular season football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018 in Carson, Calif. The Chargers won the game 29-27. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Pace Murphy (71) blocks Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Nick Dzubnar (48) during the 2018 NFL preseason week 4 football game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018 in Santa Clara, Calif. The Chargers won the game 23-21. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Denver Broncos running back Devontae Booker runs back a kick off defended by Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Nick Dzubnar during the first half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Kyle Emanuel (51) (center), linebacker Nick Dzubnar (48) (right), and other players run onto the field prior to an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018 in Carson, Calif. (Jacob Gonzalez via AP)
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Nick Dzubnar (48) lines up on special teams during an NFL Week 4 game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Carson, Calif. The Chargers defeated the 49ers 29-27. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Denver Broncos running back Devontae Booker runs back a kick off defended by Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Nick Dzubnar during the first half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Nick Dzubnar (48) at training camp Friday, July 26, 2019 in Costa Mesa, Calif. (Caitlyn Epes via AP)
Los Angeles Chargers defensive back Rayshawn Jenkins (23) and teammates wide receiver Geremy Davis (11) and linebacker Nick Dzubnar (48) celebrate after a two-point conversion against the Kansas City Chiefs during an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Nick Dzubnar during the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Los linebackers de los Chargers de Los Ángeles, Uchenna Nwosu (42) y Nick Dzubnar (48), buscan tacklear al receptor de los Patriots de Nueva Inglaterra, Julian Edelman (11), durante la primera mitad de un juego divisional de la NFL, el domingo 13 de enero de 2019, en Foxborough, Massachusetts. (AP Foto/Steven Senne)
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Nick Dzubnar during an NFL football training camp in Costa Mesa, Calif., Tuesday, July 30, 2019. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Nick Dzubnar works out during an NFL football training camp in Costa Mesa, Calif., Monday, May 20, 2019. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Anthony Lanier (90) celebrates with Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Nick Dzubnar (48) after sacking the quarterback on a two point conversion attempt while trying to protect a Chargers lead late in the fourth quarter during an NFL preseason football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Aug. 18, 2019 in Carson, Calif. The Saints defeated the Chargers 19-17. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Nick Dzubnar (48) prior to an NFL football AFC Divisional playoff game on Sunday, January 13, 2019 in Foxborough. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Nick Dzubnar (48) chases the action during the NFL football training camp on Tuesday, July 30, 2019 in Costa Mesa, Calif. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Nick Dzubnar (48) celebrates during an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. Denver won 20-13. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Nick Dzubnar (48) celebrates with linebacker Drue Tranquill (49) during an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2019, in Carson, Calif. The Chargers defeated the Packers, 26-11. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Nick Dzubnar (48) runs in pursuit during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019 in Chicago. The Chargers defeated the Bears 17-16. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Los Angeles Chargers fullback Derek Watt (34) and Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Nick Dzubnar (48) rush on special teams punt coverage during an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019 in Carson, Calif. The Raiders defeated the Chargers 24-17. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Nick Dzubnar (48) in action on special teams during an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019 in Jacksonville, Fla. The Chargers defeated the Jaguars 45-10. (Joe Robbins via AP)
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Nick Dzubnar (48) runs up field on special teams kick coverage during an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2019 in Carson, Calif. The Chargers defeated the Packers 26-11. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) makes a catch in front of Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Nick Dzubnar, rear during the second half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
