NASHVILLE – Vic Beasley said he feels good, and he's ready to help the Titans.
The veteran outside linebacker, who signed with the team earlier this offseason, spoke with Nashville reporters on a video conference call on Friday for the first time since arriving in town.
"I am excited about playing, and I am excited about the opportunity to make my debut," Beasley said. "Hopefully it's this weekend. I am looking forward to it. But the coaches make that decision, and we'll go from there."
A first-round pick of the Atlanta Falcons who has 37.5 career sacks, Beasley was a full participant in practice once again on Friday.
When asked about Beasley on Friday, Titans Coach Mike Vrabel indicated he's looking forward to seeing Beasley play. The Titans face the Minnesota Vikings this Sunday.
Beasley, the No.8 pick of the 2015 NFL Draft, joined the Titans after spending the past five seasons in Atlanta. Beasley said he feels good physically, and mentally. Beasley has been listed with a "knee" on the Injury Report, and he hasn't played in the team's first two games.
"Physically, I am at the point where I feel like I can play," Beasley said. "So going forward, that decision is up to the training staff and whether they feel like I am able to go out there and perform. You can't just go out there and play, you have to go out there and be effective, and make a difference.
"Mentally, I am happy. I am good on the scheme of the defense. I think I am in a good place right now on both ends."
Beasley left no doubt about his desire to help the Titans.
"I love the game – I love playing the game," Beasley said. "I know there's been a lot of question marks about whether or not I love playing. But I wouldn't waste nobody's time if I didn't love playing ball. If I didn't love playing ball, I would tell the coaches: Go look for somebody else that may be a better fit for the organization.
"I am not going to give nobody a half-hearted effort. I want to give them the best of what I've got, and that is by making sure I am mentally prepared, and physically prepared."
A 6-foot-3, 246-pounder, Beasley had eight sacks in 2019, and five sacks in 2018. He led the NFL with a whopping 15.5 sacks in 2016, when the Falcons advanced to the Super Bowl. Beasley was named to his first Pro Bowl and earned AP All-Pro honors for his breakout performance in 2016.
Beasley ranks 16th in the NFL over the last five years in sacks by "edge" rushers (OLB's/DE's).
Beasley played in all 16 games, with 15 starts, for the Falcons in 2019, when he recorded 42 tackles (28 solo), including eight for a loss, eight sacks, 12 quarterback hits, two forced fumbles and two passes defensed.
In his career, Beasley has played in 78 games, with 60 starts, while totaling 156 tackles (119 solo), 37.5 sacks, one interception, 36 tackles for loss, 11 forced fumbles, 12 passes defensed, and 46 quarterback hits.
"There's a number of guys on this team that are so talented, and I think having me out there I am add more versatility, and more volume to the defense," Beasley said.
"I am excited – I feel like this is an opportunity to put myself in that category of being one of the elite pass rushers. This is a new start for me, and I know I am excited about it. I know the coaches are excited about it. There's only one way to find out what I can do, and that's by playing."
