Locked On Titans - Daily Podcast On The Tennessee Titans - Cam Ward MUST PLAY MORE SNAPS v Atlanta Falcons, Tennessee Titans O-Line Focus & Defensive Battles

Episode Date: August 14, 2025

The Tennessee Titans take on the Atlanta Falcons in their second preseason game and it sounds like Cam Ward is not going to play anymore than he did last week. It could be a mistake for Brian Callahan. Ward will need the Titans offensive line to play similarly to what they did against the Buccaneers and eyes will be focused on the big guys to make sure of it. The rookie weapons have been a constant focus, but Gunnar Helm is starting to emerge at tight end and it would be nice to see him make some plays this week. On defense, the Titans suddenly have some real position battles starting at linebacker and cornerback which will deserve attention. Subscribe to the TicTacTitans Film Channel:https://www.youtube.com/@TicTacTitans TicTacTitans Merchandise: https://dixons-dream.square.site/shop/tictactitans-gear/C3AAPNWXSXA6SBYG3USV2I7R?page=1&limit=30&sort_by=category_order&sort_order=asc Follow Tyler on Twitter @TicTacTitans Follow the show on Facebook @LockedOnTitansPod Subscribe to the Locked On Titans YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/c/LockedOnTitans/videos Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!Yahoo FantasyPresented by YahooFantasy #YahooPartner. Play Now at https://yahoofantasy.com/lockedonnfl.GametimeDownload the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNFL for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.FanDuelToday's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Football season is around the corner, visit the FanDuel App today and start planning your futures bets now.Monarch MoneyTake control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNFL at monarchmoney.com/lockedonnfl for 50% off your first year.FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

It doesn't sound like the Tennessee Titans are going to play Cam Ward any more than they did last week. And I think that's a big mistake. I'll explain on today's edition of Locked on Titans. You are Locked on Titans, your daily Tennessee Titans podcast, part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. Welcome to the Locked on Titans podcast. I am your host Tyler Rowland Titans fans. Today's edition of the Locked on Titans podcast is brought to you by Monarch Money. Take control of your finances with Monarch Money.

Use code locked on NFL at monarchmoney.com for 50% off your first year. On today's show, we are going to preview the Tennessee Titans second preseason game of the year against the Atlanta Falcons on Friday night. I'm going to talk about why I think Cam Ward needs to play more than what the Titans plan to play him. talk about the rookie weapons that still need to step up after a tough week and we got some actual position battles to talk about on the defensive side of the ball before I get into all of it do want to thank you for making Locked-on Titans your first listen each and every day remember Monday through Friday

Tennessee Titans content all year round always for free make sure that you get subscribe stay subscribed it's your team every day here on the Locked-on Titans podcast speaking of every day shout out to my everydayers out there tuning in Monday through Friday couldn't do it without you guys if you aren't in You need to be what I'm going to be going live immediately after the game ends on Friday night Breaking out everything you need to know then we're one week away from cut down day We got a lot of roster conversations to have next week and the Titans will be 14 days away from kicking off the season once we hit Sunday

So if you're not locked in to the Locked on Titans podcast I don't know what you're doing get subscribe stay subscribed It's your team every day with that being said though cam ward needs to play more I'm already upset I don't understand why we can't learn. I don't understand why things can't get better. So, Brian Callahan said on Wednesday that he expects everybody to play about the same amount that they did last week.

Expect two series from the offense, expect one series from the defense. And Cam Ward is obviously the center of the discussion because his development and his readiness is most important. But this isn't just a hey, Cam Ward needs to play more This is for everybody Like what happened to the old school way of handling the preseason Where you played your least amount in the first game You played well back when they had four preseason games

You didn't play it all in the first game And then you played a couple of drives Half of a quarter And then you played About three or four drives And then the last preseason game of the year people used to play an entire first half. That's not going to happen here.

And last year, I remember. I remember the Tennessee Titans offense acting like they checked boxes and they were ready to go and they were following this limited plan. I'm sorry, I think it's crap. And especially, look, if you're the Philadelphia Eagles, if you're the Chiefs, if you're the Buffalo Bills, the Baltimore Ravens, the Detroit Lions, and you only want to play your guys a couple series,

each preseason game, maybe not at all. All right, I get it. You've earned that right. You're good to go. But the Tennessee Titans who went 3 and 14 and have one of the youngest rosters in the entire NFL, they cannot afford to treat these preseason games like they're a playoff team.

Cam Ward is a rookie. A lot of the players that have to step up not only on offense but on defense as well are young players. So I just hate this That Cam Ward's gonna play the same amount that he played last week He should be ramping up Not two series, two series

And again, no matter what happens on those series He's playing two series What if they go three and out twice Against the backup Atlanta Falcons defense Like I'm sorry But to be ironclad and only have Cam Ward play two series In this game I think is a massive mistake From Brian Callahan

Who needs to get this team ready to go And this team is not ready to go to go. He even said that himself. On Thursday, no, the team is not ready to go. He said he doesn't think anybody's ready to go. But I'm sorry a team like the Eagles or the Chiefs or the Ravens or the Bills

or the best teams in the NFL. They probably are more ready to go than you are ready to go, Brian Callahan. And to make up that gap, you need to play them more. Cam Ward should be playing more than two series in this game. He should be playing at least

three drives maybe even four, depending on how late. I don't want him playing in the second half of the second quarter. But three drives, why aren't we ramping up towards the season? Why are we stagnant? And the defensive side of the ball, don't even get me going on that. After the way the defense played against Tampa Bay, second string offense last week,

and then the way the defense got absolutely cut up in practice against the Falcons, you're only going to let the starting defense play one series? Like, Callahan's not. getting this team ready to go. It's frustrating. And no Jeffrey Simmons, no Kevin Zeitler. And I pushed back against that last week too.

I don't care if Jeffrey Simmons is a successful qualified player in the NFL. I don't care if Kevin Zeitler's 35. The offensive line needs to play together. They need to gel together. The defense needs to be fully out there and play together. to get ready. They go to Denver week one. They play the Rams week two.

They play the Texans week four. They're staring down the barrel of one and three. Like, this could get ugly. This team has to be on its best behavior to start the season if they want to give themselves any hope and any semblance of a chance to compete, which is what they need in the locker room. I talked about earlier this week

how I think this team could lose confidence quickly. If they don't perform in the joint practices, which it's been up and down. If they come out in the preseason games and even if the results don't matter, they're getting shalacked. The first team defense isn't looking good. The second string offense of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is driving down the field at will on both drives.

Cam Ward has a three and out. you know, like I just think it's clear that this team is not ready to come out and throw out a good first punch we've been talking about slow starts all week because of the joint practices if the Titans start the season slow

after being 3 and 14 with a guy like Brian Callahan who probably isn't the best motivator just personality-wise I think things could go bad quickly so I hate this plan from Brian Callahan I think that Cam Ward should be playing more. The defensive starter should be playing more.

Zeitler and Simmons should be out there playing. Now, as for my expectations for Cam Ward, I want no bone head plays. None of these sideline throw away things like what got picked against the Falcons on Wednesday or almost got picked against the Buccaneers on the third down to start the first drive. No bone head throws.

You gotta get better, improve. But other than that, some of the stuff that we talk about last week. Clean operation. Clean operation. No pre-snap penalties, no false starts, no illegal formation, illegal motion, just clean operation. So no boneheaded plays, clean operation. And I want to see Cam have a faster start. I want to see him be calmer early. We talked about that third down. Brian Callahan said that Cam Ward got off the read a little too quick. There was a little bit of a stunt. I broke it down in my offensive line breakdown which came out earlier today. There was a little bit of a stunt. Cam Ward got a little bit of

happy feet left a good pocket a little too early. I want to see him be calmer to start the game since this isn't his first NFL action anymore. That happened in preseason last week. So no bone headed plays, clean operation from the offense and a calmer faster start for Cam Ward. That's what I'm looking for. But that's not the only thing I'm looking for on offense because this offensive line even without Kevin Zitler played pretty well against Tampa Bay. I broke it down on the film review and I want to see them continue that when they're probably not going to see starters from the Falcons either. Today's episode is brought to you by Monarch Money. Most people can't name all their

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and finally feel in control. of your money without ever touching a spreadsheet. Don't let financial opportunities slip through the cracks. Use code locked on NFL at monarchmoney.com in your browser for half off your first year. That's 50% off your first year at monarchmoney.com with code locked on NFL. Titans fans, let's continue today's preview of the Titan second preseason game of the year. It's going to be against the Atlanta Falcons on Friday night. I talked about Cam Ward and wishing that Brian Callahan would handle this playtime situation differently,

but also some expectations for Cam Ward. Now I want to move to the rest of the offense because there is so much to keep. our eye on. Before I do, thanks again for making Locked on Titans your first listen. Again, I'll be going live immediately after the game on Friday night, so make sure that you're here on the Locked on Titans YouTube channel. I'm going to post it as a podcast immediately after. It's going to be there Friday night into Saturday morning whenever you have time. I'm going to be there for you to break down everything that you need to know coming out of that game.

But the offensive line was dominant against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Zero pressure is allowed. I'm talking about the first team offensive line and the rest of the offense, whatever. But the Titans first team offensive line, even with two backups out there, and Andrew Ruppstitch and Corey Levin, lockdown. And I did my film breakdown and J.C. Latham was locking guys out. Peter Skoronsky, so strong, so smart. Those guys were obvious stars on the line and it makes everything else work.

But I want to see that continue. I think Tampa Bay is a little bit more of a challenge than Atlanta. And Atlanta is not going to play many of their starters in this game. Atlanta is a team that feels very confident in themselves. and they're not going to play very many starters in the game and rest guys. And sure, if that's what you want to do, Atlanta, go ahead. I don't feel that strongly about Atlanta in the NFC. They're better than the Titans.

But that doesn't mean that they're good enough to, you know, not play any of their starters in the preseason like there are a playoff team last year or anything like that. But regardless, not the team that I'm talking about. But the point is, I want to see the Titans' offensive line dominate again. I want to see them have an exactly the same performance. The Titans' first team offensive line should dominate the second team defensive line of the Atlanta Falcons. I want to see a little bit more in the run game this time, though.

I want to see a little bit more in the run game. Not only that, but diving in a little bit deeper. I thought some things on the depth chart were very interesting from the game. Not the depth chart that they put out that we've talked about, but the real depth chart, the one they're using in the game. Last week, we've heard a ton about Jalen Duncan, Jalen Duncan, Jalen Duncan, Jalen Duncan. Jalen Duncan's been so good. So I'm like, okay, Jalen Duncan

Jalen Duncan listed as second string right tackle Okay, that's cool So I'm thinking Jalen Duncan is going to be the backup swing tackle that'll be at left tackle and right tackle So you would think if Jalen Duncan is the backup right tackle and he's gotten rave reviews in training camp that he would have been

part of the second string offensive line but he wasn't. It was John Ojuuku and Oli Odo. Odo. Oli... Oli Udo. Switching all the vowels around like it's whirdle. Ali Udo.

And then Jalen Duncan and Brendan Crenshaw Dixon came in as the second third string offensive line. So why is Duncan listed as a second stringer but he didn't get out there with the second team? and then and then

we've heard about Jackson Slater getting opportunities with the first team offensive line when Kevin Zitler has missed some time during training camp because he's old and they're managing him well Jackson Slater wasn't the backup guard

with the first team offensive line in that preseason game was he no it was Andrew Rups So in my mind, it's clear that some of the things that we've heard from camp about Slater and about Duncan are potentially a bit premature because when the Titans actually went out on the field and played a game, they didn't go in the order that either we've heard about or that the depth chart said that they were going to go in with Duncan's case.

So we've heard about Slater getting first team, reps and we've seen Duncan on the depth chart and neither of those things really matched up with the way the Titans deployed them during the game so I have my eye on that but also with the rookie weapons so we talk about Elicio Manor and he didn't have a great week attacking the football and using his physicality that was one of the things on his scouting report is he needs to use his size and his physicality a little more to his advantage Chim D.K I think Jim D.K. has been very solid

All right, but I want to see more. And then, is Xavier Restrepo going to get to play enough in this game? Those are all real questions. But I'll be honest with you. When we talk about rookie weapons right now and what we want to see in this game, the number one player that I have my eye on is Gunner Helm. I watch back that tape and you can see it in the offensive line breakdown, but Gunner Helm already a better blocker than Chigaconquo.

And look, he's 6'5, he's 250 pounds. Chigacanquo is 6 foot 2, 225, 230 pounds sop and wet. Just naturally, who has the ability to be a better blocker? But there was a specific play where Chigacanquo is climbing up to the second level and he can't seal off a defender. And if he would have sealed off the defender, it would have been a good run for Taji Spears. There's another play on the goal line

Where Gunner Helm has a one-on-one block with a defensive end And he goes to his knees because he's off balance But still fights through and wins the rep And washes the defensive end down And it's like not every block Because Chig had a couple The Titans ran the same exact play twice in a row to score the touchdown They were in the same run play

It was out of 13 personnel It's a GT where they have the guard coming across on a pool and the tight end coming across on a pool and Chica Conquo comes in motion and he kicks out the front side defensive end and then Peter Skoronsky pulls behind him and is a lead blocker. It's a power run.

Chiga executed some of those fine. You know, he executed some of those run blocks fine. It wasn't all bad. But just the reality is Gunner Helm is going to be a better blocker because he's just, a bigger guy and that's just the way that it works all right as a small guy as a short guy sometimes the other guy is just bigger and it doesn't really matter where you are better because they're just bigger you know what I mean that's life and that's football

it's a big man's game that's why the Titans have gone to big guards and they've gone to big edges they want to be a bigger football team and I like that and I like that but with that that means more Gunner Helm. And I go back to some of these people who are at practice every day so Buck Rising tweet that Chigakanco is actually tied end to and it's because Gunner Helm's probably going to be

tight end one and I will continue to say even if Chigaconkwo has better stats more catches, more yards, more touchdowns I think it'll be Gunner Helm who plays the most snaps at Tide End this year and I want to see I want to see Gunner Helm make some sort of play in this game. Let's see him make some sort of play.

Let's get him some more opportunities with Cam Ward and the first team. That's what I want to see. But the last thing that I want to talk about on offense is that running back because we know Tadge Spears isn't going to play in this game. We know that Tony Pollard's only going to be out there for the drives that the first team offense is out there and know more, which he shouldn't be. But after that, who's going to step up at running back?

Who's going to get the bulk of the carries? I want to see more out of Kelle Mullings. He had the most rushing yards of any running back for the Titans last year. You guys know if you've been listening in my everydayers, I am not the biggest fan of Julius Chestnut I wish the Titans would try to do something more with that fourth running back spot but I want to see Collelle Mullings get a lot more carries

than Julius Chestnut like let's invest in the future not a practice squad level guy who we can just count on to be good in practice Julius Chestnut always looks good in the preseason great for him I want to see Collelle Mullings and remember he was a converted linebacker to running back in college

so he needs to get more reps He had a bad pass protection rep last week where he allowed the only sack of the game so I want to see more from Mullings because he's the one who the Titans need to grow more but with that being said we need to talk about defense and we need to talk about special teams

and the Titans the Titans used one of their waiver claims on a brand new linebacker so I'll tell you about that first do want to let you know that today's episode is brought to you by Yahoo! Fantasy it's the best time of the year folks

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or join a public league. Stay tuned for more killer announcements and start playing Yahoo Fantasy Football now. at yahoofantasy.com slash locked on NFL. Expectations for Cam Ward and why I wish that he was playing more. We talked about the weapons on the offensive side of the ball, the offensive line questions. Now we've got to get into defense and special teams. Before I do, do want to thank you again for making Locked-on Titans.

Your first listen. NFL draft season is here, so for your second listen, go find Locked-on Fantasy Football with host Vinnie Eyre and Michelle Majuk. Listen every day to prep your fantasy draft and become the most informed manager so you can take home your league's trophy this season. I'm locked on fantasy football on YouTube or wherever you listen to podcasts.

But looking at the defensive side of the ball. We got some position battles breaking out, folks. Finally, it felt like there weren't going to be any position battles. And then all of a sudden, out of nowhere, we got some. All right? So, this week at joint practices, James Williams, who has been what it seems like, the certified starter next to Cody Barton,

James Williams finally gave up some first-team reps to Cedric Gray. Cedric Gray finally got to run with the first team a little bit. And I find that interesting because I think James Williams played significantly better than Cedric Gray last week in that game. But nonetheless, Gray could be playing very well in practice and finally kind of turning things on. Gray seems to be a slow starter. So maybe he's finally putting pressure on James Williams.

So I want to see if Cedric Gray gets any run with the first team in that one series that they, have. Maybe Cedric Gray's out there as the starter. That's what I want to see. And then another position at cornerback. So we know Legerius Sneed is out. You have Roger McCrary and Jarvis Brownley Jr. Well, Daryl Baker Jr., the veteran, has been getting the other starting cornerback starting reps. All right? Well, sounds like in practice this week, Marcus Harris, the Titan 6th round cornerback out of the draft, he got some first team reps with the starters over Darrell Baker Jr. I want to see if the Titans defense, not only going to play

that one series I know, but I want to see if Marcus Harris gets out there over Daryl Baker at all to see how that looks. We know that the cornerback depth is spotty and terrible realistically, so if Marcus Harris can be a guy who can be relied upon some way and be a standout guy, that would be helpful for the Titans. Now, staying at linebacker, the Tennessee Titans made a waiver claim. Brian Osamoa was a third round pick in the NFL draft in 2002, uh, 2020, 2002. Yeah, right.

2002 by the Minnesota Vikings, it was the 66th overall picked. He didn't work in Minnesota. And I gotta tell you, three seasons, he played in 46 games, he had 30 tackles. He was a guy who played a ton on special teams. He's played 285 his rookie year, 196, his second year, 321, last year. So he's a guy who's basically only got opportunities on special teams. He had 119 defensive snaps his rookie year and then went to 36 and 33 the last two years consecutively.

The Vikings gave up on him as a defensive player. Now, the Titans could be bringing him in just as a special teams guy. They are trying everything they can to find linebacker four behind Cody Barton, Cedric Gray, and James Williams. They're trying everything they can to find a fourth linebacker to keep on the roster. But they can't seem to find it, and maybe Brian Osamo will be it. Now, to add Osamoa off waivers, they waved Otis Reese. And it's a bit of a shocker. Otis Reese in his third season with the team.

Undrafted free agent, 6.3, 2.40, big guy with speed. Had some great moments on special teams last year. Thought he would be somewhat of a lock to make this roster. I had him on the bubble, of course. But a lot of people had Otis Reese as a guy challenging for the starting linebacker role this year. Not only is he not doing that, not only is he not. a special teams contributor, barely played in the preseason game. Something happened with Otis Reese and the Titans coaches

where there was a falling out of sorts where they just needed to break up. It's not like Otis Reese wasn't a good enough special teams player to still be on the roster over Ammoni Bernie or Curtis Jacobs or something like that. So something here is different than just the football field with Otis Reese. But either way, Brian Ossemoa in to try to claim that linebacker for a spot. interior defensive line Cam Horsley Number 72, watch Cam Horsley

I think he could be very, very good and I think he's the reason they let Keandre Coburn go because they want to keep him around us some depth but Cam Horsley had some good pass rush snaps last week against Tampa Bay I want to see that continue and finally we touch on special teams

oh well Femi I got to mention Femmy I want to see Femi continue to grow but finally we touch on special teams the returners is Xavier Restrepo going to get a real opportunity? Are the Titans going to have kickoff return and kickoff opportunities

with how many points get scored between these teams? I don't know, but I'm keeping my eye on the returners. Chim D.K., pretty good. Restrepo had a good return in practice on Wednesday. I want to see if we can get Chim D.K. and Xavier Restrepo out there to return kicks because we know that James Prochay is a veteran professional returner.

We know that now. Finally, Johnny Hecker, the Titans punter. I mentioned it on yesterday's show. after practice, shaky warrior. All right, so I hope Johnny Hucker kick some better punts in this one. But that's going to do it for me today, folks. I'll be live with you guys tomorrow after the game to break it all down. As always, I am your host, Tyler Rowland, and this was Locked on Titans.

Thank you.