Locked On Titans - Daily Podcast On The Tennessee Titans - Cam Ward BOUNCE BACK COMING in Week 15, Slowing Christian McCaffery & Robert Saleh Coaching Preview

Starting point is 00:00:00 It's Titan 49ers in week 15, a locked-on podcast network crossover. Niners fighting for seating in the NFC playoffs. The Titans may be fighting for a draft pick that they might have booted away last week. All that more on today's Locked-on 49ers, Locked-on Titans crossover. You are Locked-on NFL crossover, part of the Locked-on Podcast Network. Your team every day. Welcome to another locked on podcast network crossover episode. Brian Peacock here of Locked on 49ers with Tyler Rowland.

Starting point is 00:00:43 Locked on Titans host. And we're going to break down this week 15 matchup between the Tennessee Titans and the San Francisco 49ers. This one going down at Levi's Stadium, 125 p.m. Pacific time start wherever you are in the world plan accordingly. to that Pacific time because that's where I operate. I know, Tyler, you're operating in a different time zone. And it feels like at times that the Tennessee Titans are operating in a different time zone than the team they're playing with. But coming off a big one, and what is the big storyline right now out of Tennessee

Starting point is 00:01:17 and the Titans with how this season is going for a 2 and 11 football team? Well, Brian, I'll tell you, I don't always control the narrative here in Titans land. And if I could, I would not have this be the biggest storyline. But the big storyline is Cam Ward was not happy after the Titans won. He was angry at the podium. You could tell by watching the presser that he was, he was salty, he wasn't happy. And, you know, all the coaches have been asked about it now. Other players are being asked about it now.

Starting point is 00:01:46 It's kind of one of those things where the media, the story was the football this week. But that's not fun to talk about for a lot of people who cover the team because they don't actually know anything about football. They're just good at writing, you know what I mean? So there had to, you know, some story had to be drummed up, you know, about, to write about, to be dramatic because, you know, writing about how the Titans design their run playing against Miles Garrett and blah, blah, blah, that's not going to get the clicks, you know, so we've got to talk about something dramatic.

Starting point is 00:02:14 Like, the Titans won, so you all aren't mad, but let's make you mad about this. So Cam Ward's attitude has kind of been the big storyline. But for me, and it ties into what I actually want to see on the field is, Okay, you were upset that you didn't play well. The offense had moments of sluggish periods, even though you won. I would be upset about that too. Well, then go out and don't be upset about the way that you play. Play better in this game.

Starting point is 00:02:39 And I think there are some things about San Francisco where I think there's the chance that Cam Ward could play better in this game. And we'll talk about the nuts and bolts of that. But it's been an up and down season for Cam Ward. Look at what he's dealing with if you really want to dive into the context of his best wide receivers, all three of his best targets on offense are fourth round rookies. It's going to be hard to do that.

Starting point is 00:03:01 They're leading the league in sacks allowed. It's going to be hard for a rookie quarterback to operate. And then the coaching staff on the offensive side of the ball is absolutely miserable. Like we are talking about by far the worst offensive coaching you could get in the NFL. So you want to talk about the context there, but outside of that context,

Starting point is 00:03:18 Cam Ward can play better than what he played the last two weeks, just his own responsibilities, he's doing his job. And I want to see him do that and then have a better attitude after the game because you did play better, maybe if you want. I had almost forgotten that there was already a firing involved with the Tennessee Titans this year because it happened so long ago felt like a different season ago when Brian Callahan was fired and Mike McCoy took over and apparently that didn't fix any of the

Starting point is 00:03:49 issues there? I would say not that it didn't fix anything. I think the Titans are a better football team overall. But when you talk about, you know, and I'm talking to you, Brian, you have the best offensive coach in the NFL, in my opinion. And the 49ers were the example that Titans fans pointed to as Mac Jones out there. You know, the offensive line banged up. You don't have Kittle.

Starting point is 00:04:13 You don't have Jennings. You don't have Pearsall. You don't have Iyuk. I mean, Sean McVeyn. Kyle Shanahan, all the names up in my head. Kyle Shanahan was able to build a plane or, you know, he's able to build the Ironman suit with a box of scraps in a cave.

Starting point is 00:04:30 You know what I mean? While the Titans don't have excellent parts to work with, but it's just so obvious for me as someone who watches the tape to see, oh, they're scheming up open guides even though the talent isn't there. Oh, they have a smart plan to attack what the defense does best and attack their tendencies. The Titans don't do that every week.

Starting point is 00:04:49 They have a very basic scheme, In Cincinnati there are complaints about that too because it's a similar scheme because that's where Callahan came from where they aren't very diverse in their passing game and the Titans don't have the talent the Bengals have. So it's not even going to be close to what they're doing. So I would say that the team like the end game management motivating the team all that different stuff that a coach does, that has gotten better than Brian Callahan because that was his biggest problem areas. But as for like the creativity of the scheme on offense and helping getting some of these guys open and helping your young players by the coach doing part of it,

Starting point is 00:05:21 the Titans are 32 out of 32, 33 out of 32 in that in the NFL. It's funny because you bring up coaching. That's the big storyline to me this week for the San Francisco 49ers is what the coming off a bye for the Niners. So they will be well rested for this game against the Tennessee Titans. Yes. Which probably doesn't vote well for the Titans. Yeah, Titans on the road off a big win.

Starting point is 00:05:45 Really for the 49ers, we don't want to look past the Titans. You know, one of the worst teams in the NFL. I thought for a second, you were going to say that Cam Warb was upset because they screwed up their chance of the number one pick in the draft. No, that's just the fans. Trading all that. I know fans always want the teams to tank, and it's just not reality for the building. It's just it's so hard to do. And, you know, you might start to kiss away, kiss goodbye those potential draft picks for a trade down.

Starting point is 00:06:14 If there's maybe only that one quarterback that's worth going number one overall, if you don't have the number one overall pick now. and obviously the Titans already have their quarterback. But the biggest, and I want to talk more about Cam Ward and the Titans running game, some of those things. But you mentioned the coaching. And I don't know why Kyle Shanahan's name isn't on Coach of the Year list with what he's been able to do. There's no Bosa, no Fred Warner.

Starting point is 00:06:36 He missed his quarterback for multiple weeks. Tide-in, George Kittle, heart and soul player, the football team. He was out for five weeks. And what they've been able to put together on both sides of the ball has been phenomenal to get this team to nine and four right now, currently the sixth seed in the NFC and even climbing from seven to six while they were on a buy. And when you look around the league and some, you know, I know, you know how fans are, Tyler. And sometimes fans, you know, they don't like the way a certain coaches doing thing.

Starting point is 00:07:01 Maybe they screw up late in the game or they screw up a draft pick or whatever. And they're like, man, this guy, you know, this guy's got to go. And for the 49ers fans, you look around the league and you look at some coaching staffs. And it's like, man, the 49ers right now are very lucky to be in the situation they are. And I think the coaching staff, Kyle Shanahan, bringing back Robert Sala defense coordinator, has been massive for this team. And it's hard for me to picture a coach that deserves coach of the year more. And I know the 49ers don't have the most wins, but they've got a lot of wins.

Starting point is 00:07:34 And what they've been able to do, I think his name should be at least on the short list, and he's probably number one. And I think you're probably right about that, even looking into some of the data. Like, you know, I'm not watching the 49ers as much as I'm watching the Titans each week, although I keep my eye on everything, as you do as well as just football fans. And the 49ers have not been able to run the ball with consistency. They are last in the NFL in sacks. Like, we're going to talk about some of this stuff here in a second.

Starting point is 00:07:58 The fact that the 49ers are struggling in some of the areas that were so powerful for them when they were at their best, and they're still winning regardless in the division they're in with the Seahawks and the Rams. Again, I, early in the season, before the season, I'm like, you know, if things go bad in San Francisco sometimes we see it around the league where it's just it's time for change we know that the coach isn't a bad coach

Starting point is 00:08:22 we know that the team isn't a bad team but sometimes it's just time for change like we saw that workout as a win win for Philly right Philly got two titles of their own Andy Reid got three of his own like you know everybody happy so I was hoping maybe it'll just be time if the 49ers have another down year

Starting point is 00:08:39 Brock Purdy got paid doesn't look good the roster's falling apart the injuries start happening at the beginning of the year, and I'm like, it's all coming together. And then Kyle Shanahan literally does the exact opposite. He's so incredible that it keeps the team afloat and they're winning. What do you think the ceiling is for the 49ers this year? Because you're right, they're a team that's won a lot of games.

Starting point is 00:08:57 And I'm part of this too on Locked on NFL, the national conversation. Like, they do not get talked about as a serious team this year. Do you think that they are a serious team, even with the injuries on defense? It's such a strange year that I think once you get into the tournament, it's anybody's game and I could make the argument for any of these football teams that end up among the top 14 in the NFC and the AFC

Starting point is 00:09:22 and the way I've put it to 49ers fans is the 49ers could beat any team that's going to be in the NFC playoffs and they've beat a couple of them already who are probably the two best teams who are also in their division in Seahawks and the Rams. Now the Rams was a Thursday nighter

Starting point is 00:09:38 the Seahawks was week one when they were at full power and so that'll look very different when they play them again in week 18 but it's hard for me to envision the 49ers going through everybody. So the 49ers could beat them all, but they could lose to all those teams too. I think that's how close it is.

Starting point is 00:09:55 At this point for the 49ers, I think it's like, look, this has been a fun season, enjoy the ride, expectations is where you're going to start to get in trouble. Let's have fun. Let's see if you can go wins and playoff games. That's kind of a fun place to be for a football team, quite frankly. I'm hoping the Titans can be in that spot, maybe in a couple of years. It'd be fun.

Starting point is 00:10:12 Maybe some playoff games. It looks really good from, it looks a lot different from different angles when you start looking at where football teams are right now. I want to talk about run games. I want to talk about EPA per play. I want to talk about the 49ers and the Titans and some key matchups Sunday next. Today's episode of crossover Thursday, as are all crossover Thursdays brought to you by our friends at Prize

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Starting point is 00:11:36 That's code locked on NFL to get $50 in lineups after you play your first $5 lineup. Price picks, it's good to be right. Crossover Thursday, Brian Peacock of Locked on 49ers with Tyler Rowland of Locked on Titans, breaking down the week 15 matchup between the Titans and the San Francisco 49ers. I do want to thank everybody for making Locked on 49ers

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Starting point is 00:12:37 All right, Tyler, let's break this thing down with the 49ers. and the Titans, and one of the things that impressed me about the Tennessee Titans was the run game. And you mentioned where the 49ers are with their run game, and the EPA per play is not great for the 49ers run game. The past game is a little bit better, but they're able to stay balanced on offense. And for Christian McCaffrey, it's a volume play for him, how much he's involved in the game plan. And even though it's only 3.6, 3.7 yards per carry for Christian McCaffrey this year, and some games less than that, he's been able to handle the workload and then give you extra value as a receiver. And he's been actually a lot more valuable, not just a little bit, a lot more valuable as a receiver than as a runner this year.

Starting point is 00:13:22 So as long as Christian McAfee's healthy, the offense is going to go through him, even if they're not highly efficient in the run game. And obviously, when you have a rookie quarterback and you've spent first round picks on offensive linemen, you know what the game plan is going to be for a team like the Titans. You want to protect your young quarterback. and usually a good running game does that. And we saw that for the Titans last week. So talk to me about the Titans run game. What's working with that group?

Starting point is 00:13:46 Because I think it's one place to the 49ers, when you lose your star linebacker, when you lose defensive linemen, you know, it's one place that you worried that the 49ers would not have an advantage against the Tennessee Titans, that they'd be able to run the football and keep this thing close.

Starting point is 00:14:00 Well, you would wonder if last week against the Browns was a step forward for the Titans, where they rushed for 180 yards coming in, the game. They were the worst rushing team in the entire NFL, averaging 80 rushing yards per game. So it is an area that has been a big weakness. And when we talked about when I, you know, everybody, oh, you're making excuses for Cam Ward. Add it to the list. No run game whatsoever. The worst run game in the entire NFL. And it is perplexing to me. The offensive line talent is not bad. You know, that's why I come down to like there is a major

Starting point is 00:14:31 coaching issue happening here. And last week, they actually had a good offensive game plan for Miles Garrett using his aggressiveness against him. They wanted to fly him up field and just box him out and then run underneath them or just run around him and have pullers out in front of him. The Browns do run a four-man front very often. The Jim Schwartz is a four-three-based defense, and I know Robert Sala, who I want to ask you

Starting point is 00:14:55 some questions about Sala at the end of the show after we're through the game because Titans fans have their eye on him as a potential coaching candidate. But Sala is a guy who likes his four-man fronts as well. He's more of a stock four or three. I know teams play defense and nickel, so saying base defenses, but I feel like we're swinging back the other way in the NFL now

Starting point is 00:15:13 with all the heavy personnel on offense. We might get more base defense usage in the coming years. But regardless, a four-man front, there's less guys on the line of scrimmage. It allows guys to get free access to the second level. It allows guys, if you flatten the line of scrimmage with multiple tight ends, you have better access to down blocks where you have leverage on guys. I would imagine that the Titans run game and some of the unique things that they used last week

Starting point is 00:15:38 against the Browns and Miles Garrett. I would imagine they borrow some of that and keep it going against the 49ers because you might get those similar wide fronts that you would see. So I honestly think more than most weeks the Titans have an opportunity to keep that going, but admittedly, you know, they're the worst run team in the NFL by averages, so that's not a huge advantage the Titans have.

Starting point is 00:15:59 But if the Titans are going to win, taking advantage of that against the 49ers, is going to be something that they have to do. I'm just not, I guess I'm just not using last week to make me feel confident that that can happen again. For the most part, they've been a bad run team and I expect it to be bad more, you know? Yeah, it's interesting because even with last week's performance,

Starting point is 00:16:19 the Titans are still 30th out of 32 teams in EPA per rush. The 49ers, not a lot better. Again, it's not an efficient run game right now for the 49ers. They're 25th in the NFL in EPA per rush. And if the Titans, aren't able to run the ball. That's where you start to get into trouble because now you have a young quarterback dropping back and teams can start to tee off. Now the 49ers aren't the best pass rush. Well, that's where I'm going next is I'm looking at the 49ers because the Titans have

Starting point is 00:16:46 given up the most sacks in the NFL. That's been a big issue is Cam Ward's constantly under duress. It feels like even last week against the Browns, they only give up one sack right before halftime. It's not a, you know, a terrible thing. But Cam Ward was under pressure throughout the game. The 49ers don't blitz the least blitzing team in the NFL, and they have the least amount of sacks 16 in the NFL. If Cam Ward has time in the pocket, whether they run the ball or not, that at least gives the Titans a chance to be competitive.

Starting point is 00:17:15 So I'm curious, the matchup I want to see is the Titans O line against the San Francisco 49ers defensive line. Who is on that defensive line right now, and who should the Titans be worried about that, even though the numbers don't look good, could still make a big impact? Yeah, it's Bryce Huff. Bryce Huff is really the only guy left for the 49ers.

Starting point is 00:17:35 Yeah, and he's a rotational player, and he'll come in fresh on third downs, and he's that speed rusher, and he can go bend around the edge. He can create his own sacks, and there's not many other players on the 49ers roster that are left at this point that can create their own sacks. And that's why they've got so few sacks this season. We have seen a nice little bump from Keon White, who was someone who was traded for the trade deadline,

Starting point is 00:17:59 who's a former second round pick from the New England, and you know he's a he's kind of replaced michael williams the first rounder who's done for the rest of the year due to an injury and he's kind of been that big end and he can move inside and move around and he's provided a little bit of a pass rush they brought in cleveland furrow off the street who's uh giving you a little bit he got a sack last game right yeah he did yeah he's got a couple sacks already in in three weeks since he just was brought up off the street yeah and so really they they play the run on the way to the quarterback and and they want to be nasty and they want to be physical up front they

Starting point is 00:18:31 want to be violent and all of those things. And Robert Solid really doesn't like to blitz. And so if they don't get sacks, they don't get sacks. But they're going to try to show some sim pressures and maybe drop, rush four, but maybe drop one of them and show something from somewhere else to try to create some of those advantages, but still have the right amount of people in coverage. And that's just the way that Robert Solid runs his defense. But the big thing that he's changed is the run game.

Starting point is 00:18:58 The 49ers weren't as good in the run game, even with, Fred Warner and Nick both out there. And then all of a sudden, they just were just 100% better this year against the run. So that's been phenomenal. And they've got a rotation of defensive tackles. And I want to see more from Alfred Collins, the second rounder. C.J. West has been as advertised as sort of a plugger, a nose defensive tackle in there that's hard to move and can handle some double teams. So really impressive what the 49ers defense has been able to do, even though they are underman this year.

Starting point is 00:19:27 Yeah, I would say that is going to be a big place. I think it's 134 and a half rushing yards per game. The 49ers allowed in their four losses this year. So looking at that offensive line against, you know, the defensive front of San Francisco, whether it be the run or the pass. I think ultimately that will decide how close the game is. I think the 49ers are an experienced team coming off a buy.

Starting point is 00:19:52 But if you don't want it to be tight, you don't want to have to worry or sweat it off. You're a 49ers fan. Look no further than the run defense. If they let the Titans run a little bit, which they haven't been able to do all year, it should be enough to let the Titans be competitive. I agree. It all starts there.

Starting point is 00:20:07 And then the 49ers will be able to have some fun on defense if they are able to stop the run first. Let's talk a little bit more about this one. Key matchups, how we think this one's going to go on Sunday with the 49ers and Tennessee Titans. Next. Today's episode is brought to you by car gurus. Car shopping should feel exciting, not confusing. with car gurus you get confidence you deserve because they cut through all the noise so you can actually see the best deals on the cars you want because when it comes to a big purchase you deserve

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Starting point is 00:22:50 So talk to me about the Titans defense. The 49ers pass offense has been, as far as EPA per play goes. And look, a lot of people like to try to put the EPA on quarterbacks. It's not a quarterback stat. Team stat. Jimmy G. Mac Jones, Brock Purdy, all of them. They're always really good in EPA per play.

Starting point is 00:23:14 Ryan Tana Hill. Yeah, exactly. Especially in the passing game. Niners are ninth this year. actually as low as they've been, even though it's still, you know, obviously there's been some injuries. No Brandon Iuke this year at wide receiver. Ricky Pearsall's been banged up. Most of the passing games run through running back and then tied in once George Kittle was back. But the Tennessee Titans all the way down to 31. So when you're 30 in the rush and 31 in the

Starting point is 00:23:37 past, you can see why things have not gone great for that Titans offense. But what about the pass rush of those Tennessee Titans, Tyler? And then how are the guys in the back end coverage, especially those linebackers that Kyle Shanahan loves to put in. blender. So this is kind of crazy, but I thought that the Titans pass rush, and I was not alone, you looked at the talent on the roster, their top four edge rushers going into the season where Arden Key, Draymont Jones, Femiola Dejo, they jihad Ward, you know, like, that's got to be the worst pass rush group in the entire NFL. They traded Draymont Jones, Femioleadio, their second round rookie's been on IR for six or seven weeks, and somehow the pass rush got

Starting point is 00:24:20 good. They're middle of the road in sacks at this point with 32. Over the last month or so of the season, they're top 10 in sacks. They're getting constant pressure. DeNard Wilson, the Titans defensive coordinator, will get a job immediately after the Titans bring in a new coaching staff. He is a good defensive coordinator. I don't know if he's so good like Jesse Mentor or Mike McDonald was where he'll instantly get a head coaching job. It may take a couple more years for DeNard Wilson, but he is high level and it's like what you talk about with Robert Sala. When you don't have that elite talent

Starting point is 00:24:54 where you can just rush for non-stop and win, you got to get creative. And the Titans do a ton of simulated pressures. Kevin Winston, their rookie safety out of Penn State is an awesome young player. He's blitzing like an edge rusher off the edge consistently. The Titans are bringing linebackers up the middle, dropping defensive ends, doing all that stuff.

Starting point is 00:25:12 They're lining Jeffrey Simmons up as defensive end, looping him back inside of the A gap to try to get matchups and stuff. Jeffrey Simmons is the heart of the pass rush like I've gone too far without saying his name he is the best stop full stop the best interior defensive lineman in the NFL this year period no doubt no questions he is so he's been great

Starting point is 00:25:32 the names won't catch your eye you don't know anybody but they found a way through you know the sums greater than the whole of the parts I guess to find a way to do it and when you see Brock Purdy you have a 30% drop and completion percent when he's under pressure this year when you see that San Francisco in their four losses has lost

Starting point is 00:25:54 the turnover battle 9 to 1 like it's clear what you have to do against San Francisco you have to stop the run you have to run the ball you have to get turnovers and I think you get those turnovers by forcing Brock Purdy

Starting point is 00:26:10 to hold the ball and throw it downfield because most of his work is 10 yards and under well what do you think the odds are the Titans are able to do all of those things against the 49ers on Sunday how do you think this one's going to go Tyler I think I think that the Titans are actually able to be respectable

Starting point is 00:26:29 on the defensive side of the ball I don't think that they're going to be able to deal with the yards after catch threats of the 49ers I think McCaffrey and Kittle will just kind of give them trouble because what you're talking about is taking advantage of linebackers over the middle of the field and second-year linebacker for the Titan Cedric Gray

Starting point is 00:26:48 is like second in the NFL and tackles. He's an athletic hitter. You know, he's flying all over the place. But Cody Barton, the veteran, who I'm sure you know, he is looking like he's... My friend who also covers the Titan says he runs like he has glass in his cleats. And like, that is the truth. So I think that Shanahan will be able to take advantage of...

Starting point is 00:27:08 And the Titan's safety is Kevin Winston's a great physical young player, but he struggles with route recognition and being in space over the middle. Amani Hooker and Xavier Woods, the other two safeties for the Titans are slow by NFL standards. I just think Kyle Shanahan's going to put the middle of the field defenders in a blender at the end of the day, and that's where it'll take advantage. But I think Brock Purdy will be under pressure,

Starting point is 00:27:30 and I think they'll have to deal with the Titans' defensive line and offensive line who I think can win the game, like win their matchup in the game. But everything else I think will skew so hard to San Francisco that I have a hard time off of a buy saying the Titans will win the game. but I think they'll be more competitive than maybe people will think. Yeah, there are some matchups that I think the Titans can win in this game. And like you said, I mean, the turnovers is a big one.

Starting point is 00:27:53 I don't know if I can envision a Titans upset of the 49ers without some turnovers going the other way. That's going to be key number one for the 49ers is to protect the ball. And we'll see if it's sort of a close to the vest scheme from Kyle Shanahan and this one to try to prevent that. And we might see more of the same and a lot more number 23, Christian McCaffrey out there for the 49ers offense running and receiving. You know, it's interesting.

Starting point is 00:28:19 You were talking there, and you mentioned Robert Sala, and then Dernard Wilton, and there might be just a DC swap in the off season because I know that Robert Sala is going to get head coaching interviews. I don't know if he's going to get a job, but if he does, the Niners going to need their fifth defensive coordinator in five years, and it would be nice to have a young, well-respected defensive coordinator instead of some weird stuff. happened in between Damico Ryans and getting Robert Solibat. And if you think about like the the coaching tree or the path,

Starting point is 00:28:50 like DeNard Wilson studied under Mike McDonald and Mike McDonald is known as like an anti-Shannahan, like a Shanahan stopper guy, like he does his best work against those offenses. And DeNard Wilson has experience with that from their time together in Baltimore and a lot of smart coaches. And I think smart people understand their flaws and their weaknesses and are able to support themselves with the talent around them. And I think if you're Kyle Shanahan, you go, hey, this guy runs a scheme that does pretty good against what I do. Let's bring him in. And not only is that an advantage for us, but I might be able to learn some of the things that he does and make my own offense

Starting point is 00:29:23 better by having answers. I did want to ask more about Sala before we do anything because I think you're right. Dinard Wilson would be a home run defensive coordinator higher if Sala is hired. But I'm really high on Sala as an option for the Titans. The Titans are desperate for a force of personality. They're desperate for a guy who can lead an organization to be a true North Star. So more than the defensive acumen of Sala, I think he does represent that. What's been your take on Sala's return and reunion with the 49ers? Do you think he should get another head coaching opportunity? I think he should. And look, nobody succeeds in New York with the Jets. So I don't think I can put that all on Robert Sala. And there's obviously some weird stuff going on.

Starting point is 00:30:06 They got the quarterback thing all wrong, and people didn't see eye to eye. And then the GM gets fired and Sala gets fired. I've been even more impressed with Sala this year, seeing how things were and seeing how instantly he fixed everything and how sound they are everywhere. With all the injuries too. And when he speaks, you believe him. He has that head coach thing where he talks and you shut up and you listen and you're like, yes, yes, let's go. Whatever you just said, I agree 100%.

Starting point is 00:30:36 And then a guy that I don't think is necessarily cut out to be a head coach, I could envision being a really nice offensive coordinator over there in Miami, and then maybe you pair a couple of X-49ers coaches. I think Robert Sala as head coach. And then you have Mike McDaniel, who is maybe better as a coordinator, not a head guy and his corkiness and let him get in the lab and have fun on offense. That would be a really nice pairing for a football team.

Starting point is 00:31:01 And who knows, maybe the Titans. Yeah, well, Brian, I've been talking about the Mike McDaniel, Robert Sala pairing, for a couple of weeks now as a possibility. I'm less convinced that Mike McDaniel will be fired now. Too many games all of a sudden. Yeah, and the dolphins, you know, they get a couple of wins here down the stretch

Starting point is 00:31:17 that could be impressive against the Steelers. They play the Patriots again. You know, I think he could save his job. But regardless of that, one of the big pools for me with Sala and something that you haven't had to deal with quite some time is when you have a defensive-minded head coach, the big downside is replacing the offensive coordinator

Starting point is 00:31:33 because if you hit with the offensive coordinator, they're probably going to get hired to be a head coach somewhere else and then you've got to keep replacing them and look at Nick Siriani in Philly who's had trouble with that in Demiko Ryans and Houston who is going through that right now that's in Dan Campbell who may be an offensive Genesis guy but dealing with replacing coordinators

Starting point is 00:31:51 Robert Sala has access and relationships to the Kyle Shanahan tree so if there's any defensive-minded head coach who has a better chance of constantly getting good offensive coordinators it might be Robert Salas, so that kind of adds to why I'm high on him as an option. I absolutely love it. I'm going to go a weird number,

Starting point is 00:32:15 22 to 10 49ers, and they are not going to cover that 12.5 point spread, which is the biggest of the week this week. Yeah, I'll go 24 to 13. I'll go a more conventional score, but I think the Titans get one touchdown on the board, a couple of field goals in San Francisco kind of has a 10, 8 point lead throughout to kind of feel comfortable.

Starting point is 00:32:34 with Eddie Panero 49ers kicker back off the injured list this week too and he's been absolutely money De Niro Eddie De Niro they call him all right thanks everybody for making locked on 49ers and locked on titans your first listens of the day here on the locked on podcast network and thanks for making us the number one sports podcast network not only can you find myself and tyler on locked on lockdown 49ers and locked on titans but check out the national shows Tyler on locked on locked on NFL and myself on the NFL six-pack as well. So tune in and subscribe and we'll be back next time right here on the Locked-on podcast network.

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