Locked On Titans - Daily Podcast On The Tennessee Titans - Carnell Tate FIXES Tennessee Titans RECEIVER ISSUE & Brian Daboll MUST STAY Two Years with Cam Ward

Starting point is 00:00:00 If the Cornell Tate hype is real, the Tennessee Titans have solved their wide receiver issue for years to come. 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 on today's show. I'm going to be answering your mailbag questions from the locked on Titans every day or group chat. We're going to talk about some unsung veterans who need a little bit more credit, need to step up this year.

Starting point is 00:00:47 We're going to talk about what the plan is with Brian Dable, and I'll tell you why I think he needs to be around for two seasons at minimum for it to actually work. But we'll start with the question of, have the Titans solve their wide receiver issue? We came into this season, saying, A, the Titans needed long-term answers at cornerback, the offensive line, edge rush or wide receiver.

Starting point is 00:01:15 Basically, four out of the five most important positions in the NFL, the Titans did not have the solution. They weren't able to fix it. And a common phrase that I have said, but that other people say a lot to is they couldn't fix everything in one off season. which leads me to ask the question, what have they fixed at all? You can't fix everything, but they fixed something, right?

Starting point is 00:01:41 It certainly isn't the offensive line. The offensive line is not fixed. Edge rusher is still a major question mark, depending on what happens with Femiola DeGio and Keldrick Falk, of course. Cornerback, if Alante Taylor, Cordell Flott, and Marcus Harris are the answers. Maybe they have solved cornerback. maybe that is a problem that is fixed. Alante Taylor,

Starting point is 00:02:04 Cordoff, both signed three-year deals. If you can have your starters and have good starters for multiple seasons under contract, that is fixed. Now, you can't call something fixed if it's, don't have to worry about it for a decade.

Starting point is 00:02:22 I mean, how many things are like that in the NFL outside of quarterback? If you find a good quarterback, you'll have them for 15 years, you know? But outside of that, you can't, count on anything to stay the same for a decade. So to me, Windows are about three years. If I don't have to worry about that position for three years, it's probably fixed. Now, that doesn't mean that you do nothing there. The Titans can look for depth and this and that.

Starting point is 00:02:48 They'll always be looking to add players and if the right value is there. Like, it doesn't mean that you stop adding pieces at certain positions. But at the same time, you don't have to... to be desperate to do it. And that's why when Johnny Titan said, does Cornell Tate solve the wide receiver problem? Is the wide receiver problem fixed?

Starting point is 00:03:12 My answer is if Cornell Tate is the guy that we've heard about in OTAs, and it's been two OTAs. It's been two OTAs. Everybody else around the NFL thinks we're losing our minds because they're like, it's been two weeks of all-season practices and Titans fans are acting like

Starting point is 00:03:29 Cornell Tate is the best player of all time. But I would say this. There was a graphic that I saw going around Twitter the other day. I retweeted it where at Who's the best wide receiver group in the AFC?

Starting point is 00:03:46 It had the Patriots with A.J. Brown and Romeo Dobbs, Kishab booty, Kyle Williams, Pop Douglas, Mac Collins. It had the Bengals with their high-end talent. They're a little top heavy. Andre Yoseva

Starting point is 00:04:02 and Charlie Jones and Colby Young, who they just drafted. That's not that great. Not as good as the Patriots depth for sure. But when you have T. Higgins and Jamar Chase, all right, fair enough. Denver Broncos, who just traded for Jalen Waddle, and they have Cortland Sutton, Troy Franklin, Marvin Mims. You know, they have a good group. Pretty good. Pat Bryant, who might be the best of that depth.

Starting point is 00:04:27 The Jags were on there. The Jacks have an excellent wide receiver group when you have Parker Walsh. and Brian Thomas Jr. Jacobi Myers. Add in Travis Hunter as a wide receiver because that's still a thing and still happening. That's a great group, but you know who else they had on the graphic? The Tennessee Titans.

Starting point is 00:04:45 The Tennessee Titans. They had Cornel Tate, Calvin Ridley, Wondell Robinson, Chim D.K. Elick Iommano Manor, KJ. Osborne. That's the Titan 6th wide receiver, which I think is realistic, quite honestly. I think Bryce Oliver and K.J. Osborne are the top depth wide receivers right now, the 6 and 7, where Oliver is more of a special

Starting point is 00:05:07 team's player, Osborne is a better receiver in my opinion right now. So that makes sense to me. But just the fact that the Titans are on that graphic, the Tennessee are Titans with the problems that we've had since A.J. Brown was traded with Burks. And, you know, we had NWI as one of the main. and there was Robert Woods was in there. You know what I mean? And Van Jefferson last year,

Starting point is 00:05:36 like the fact that the Titans are even in consideration, they aren't the best wide receiver group in the AFC. Let me answer the question of the graphic and put it there. They aren't. I would take the Bengals as top end talent. I would take the Patriots or the Broncos or the Jags as depth. But think about what could be, if Carnell Tate is the alpha.

Starting point is 00:06:03 If he is a number one true wide receiver dog number one, and Calvin Ridley gets to be a rotational too, and Wondell Robinson is one of the best slots in the NFL. The depth, Chim D.K. and Elykeyeo Manor as depth, that might be, Chim D.K. and Elico Manor is one of the best four, five, wide receiver combos in the entire NFL, period. Now, you could talk about the Titans first three

Starting point is 00:06:31 and how much better it can be compared to other teams. But I would take that 4-5 over pretty much any other 4-5 on this list other than maybe the Broncos. Maybe you would look at the Broncos 4-5 and you would say, you know, Marvin Mims and Pat Bryant have proven more in the NFL. But heck, with D.K.'s returnability,

Starting point is 00:07:00 Imoan are in there. Like, I would take that over Charlie Jones, Colby Young. I would take that over Travis Hunter and whoever Cameron is. As the fifth, I would take that over Matt Collins and Pop Douglas. So that is elite depth.

Starting point is 00:07:17 So if Carnell Tate is an alpha number one, yeah, Calvin Ridley isn't the number one receiver that the Titans signed him to be, but it's not like he's a chump all of a sudden. If Calvin Ridley's healthy, he's going to produce. He's going to make plays. and with him not having to be the number one wide receiver that takes the majority of the attention, that's going to open things up even more for Calvin Rith.

Starting point is 00:07:40 And we know who Wondale Robinson is. He's one of the most consistent players in the league. So, I don't know. I don't have a time machine. I don't have a crystal ball. I can't tell you with 100% certainty right now guaranteed that Carnell Tate is going to be a true number one alpha wide receiver. I can't guarantee it.

Starting point is 00:08:02 But if what we've seen in the first couple of weeks of OTAs, and again, it's just a couple of weeks of OTAs, I know. But if that's real, if that's what we're actually getting, then the answer is yes, the Titans have solved their wide receiver issue. Now, could they add, you know, Calvin Ridley in his 30s? would they still need a good long-term number two wide receiver?

Starting point is 00:08:34 Yes. So am I saying that if Carnell Tate proves that he is the guy that he looks like he might be, that the Titans don't have to draft wide receiver for three more years? No. You need as many good wide receivers as you can have, you're going to have it. but is it a desperation position that we go into every single draft saying the Titans need to consider wide receiver early on? No, it becomes a luxury position

Starting point is 00:09:03 where if a certain talent falls to you, you don't pass on it, but the Titans aren't desperate for wide receiver help. As long as you have Wondell Robinson, Cornell Tate as the alpha number one, DK and IO is really great depth in role players who can rotate in those spots. at that point you're good.

Starting point is 00:09:27 You have a really good wide receiver group for years to come and if you find the right talent to replace Calvin Ridley and you take it, go ahead, but are you desperate? Absolutely not. And that is kind of nice.

Starting point is 00:09:41 Kind of nice to think about it as a possibility. So let's hope that that's what it turns into. Tate is that guy and the Titans wide receiver problem is solved because Lord knows the offensive line and the edge group is not solved yet. So those are, remain to be seen, but cornerback and wide receiver. There's at least a chance. But with that

Starting point is 00:10:00 in mind, we need to talk about Brian Dable. Do want to let you know that today's episode is brought to you by Square. The business platform that helps sellers become neighborhood favorites. Whether you're gearing up for a busy season or just trying to keep up with everyday demand, Square keeps businesses running smoothly from payments to online orders, inventory, staff, and more, all in one place so you can focus on your customers and not your to-do list. Square helps businesses simplify the day-to-day while still giving them room to grow. There are a few of my favorite local businesses that run on Square. I notice that the entire process is seamless, whether it's payments, receipts, loyalty programs.

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Starting point is 00:11:04 That's SQU-A-R-E dot com slash go slash locked on NFL. Get started with Square and build a setup that works the way you do. Let's continue today's mailbag edition of the Locked on Titans podcast again. Getting all the mailbag questions from our Locked on Titans every day or group chat.

Starting point is 00:11:43 Good question about whether the Titans have solved the wide receiver issue of Carnel Tate is who he looks like he might be. But now we've got to talk about another issue that could pop up for the Titans long term. And that's the offensive coordinator spot. So Brian Daible had interviews to be a head coach again this all season. Ultimately, he did not get picked for those jobs or however you want to frame it, decided to take the Tennessee job. Could he have had the Raiders job?

Starting point is 00:12:09 I think that they wanted Clint Kubiak more than Brian Daibble anyway. could he have been hired elsewhere, potentially. But either way, the point is, we know that Brian Dable still has a little bit of juice as a head coach candidate around the league. Which means that if the Titans do have a good offensive season,

Starting point is 00:12:34 if Cam Ward blows up, if the Titans go to the playoffs, you know, stuff like that happens, Brian Dable could likely be gone and he could get that head coaching opportunity around the NFL. And a question that I thought was interesting

Starting point is 00:12:55 from Tick-Tac Titans fan love that. How many seasons do you think the Titans will have Brian Dable? I'm going to say two. And I think it needs to be two. Two years is the minimum

Starting point is 00:13:11 that I think Brian Dable can be. be here and it have the intended impact that it's supposed to have. If it's just one year and then they go into a succession plan, which I'll talk more about in a second. I just don't think that Cam Ward is getting the, listen, one year of Brian Dable is going to help Cam Ward. But I think for Cam Ward to become the best version of himself to have to go from Brian Callahan to Brian Dable to a new

Starting point is 00:13:43 person, just that much change, combined with not having a talent coach like Brian Dable with you for two years to, because think about in the NFL, team has a really good year with a new coach. Think about the Bears. Think about the Patriots. Think about the Jacks, for example. Well, a lot of time in the NFL, what happens is that team comes back. down to earth a little bit the next year. Teams have tape on them from a whole season. They know, hey, because what happens is at the beginning of the year, they're doing something new. Teams figure out what they're doing, scout them, and then try certain things to stop them. It works, it doesn't work, this, that.

Starting point is 00:14:33 Original team on offense, adjusts to the adjustments. And then the chess game begins, back and forth adjusting to adjustments. Well, after your first year, teams know how you are going to adjust to certain adjustments. There is no more newness, uncertainty. And that can make it difficult. My whole point for telling you that is, when Brian Daible does what he's going to do on offense this year, and the Titans adjusts, they face adjustments, going into the next season,

Starting point is 00:15:14 I want Brian Dable to be the guy giving Cam the new answers when people adjust in year two, when they aren't caught off guard, when there aren't any new things, when there aren't any unanswered questions of how are the Titans on offense going to react if we do this? So when teams catch up to the Titans originally and then catch up to their adjustments, in the third year of Cam Ward's career, the second year, hopefully of Brian Dable, I want dable around to help cam Ward go through those answers as well because that's really where I think there's going to be huge mental growth for Cam Ward of oh if we do this they're going to do that oh when we did this and they thought we were going to do that

Starting point is 00:16:01 they reacted next time by doing this oh we did this to these guys last year they're trying this this year and now I'm going to do this to beat them now we're going down layer by layer by layer down the well of how do I deal with what defenses are doing to me. Seeing every possible look. Seeing every possible adjustment. And I'm sorry, but I just think it would be nice for Cam Ward to have at least two years with the same voice in the same mind so that they can get on the same page, speak the same language, and talk through how to fix these problems and adjust to the adjustments to the adjustments. So I think only one year of Brian Dable

Starting point is 00:16:44 Not gonna be It's like watching a movie The first time you watch a movie It can be a lot of fun You can really like the movie But the second time you watch a movie You start to see different things You start to see things differently right

Starting point is 00:16:59 You just have a It's like any job The first time you do something You're just doing it Then the second time You start to understand the intricacies. It's like cooking a steak for me. First time I cooked the steak, pan wasn't hot enough, so the sear wasn't good enough, too much oil,

Starting point is 00:17:20 didn't leave the steak out to tamp, didn't dry brine it, and that, you know, you learn so much through this, I just want to have the same teacher and student together. So I think Brian Daibble, two years for Brian Daible is the minimum. Now, Ticktack Titans fan asked also if Brian Dable is only here for a short period of time, is it worth it to pick up people who fit his scheme? And my answer is an easy yes. And the reason why is, because I think the Titans have a succession plan in place for Brian Dable that will keep his scheme in place. So it's not like the Titans are going to totally change their entire schematic approach when Brian Dable

Starting point is 00:18:05 leaves rendering certain players that are there for that scheme and fit best in that scheme useless. I don't think that's going to happen. And when you ask about the succession plan, I have been consistent throughout the process. I think that the succession plan is Luke Stocker,

Starting point is 00:18:24 who was the Titans' tight end coach last year, stayed on his tight end coach this year, has been largely credited with really assisting the Titans run game at the end of the year last year. He's been praised by Sala. as a guy that they wanted to keep around,

Starting point is 00:18:41 I think that Luke Stocker is the succession plan for Brian Dable and it makes sense, it would be a tight end coach because tight ends are involved with everything. The run game, the past game, red zone planning, pass protection, run ball,

Starting point is 00:18:55 they're involved in everything. Tight ends often know every nook and cranny of an offense as well as a quarterback does or a second close to the quarterback in that regard. So Luke Stalker, but even if not,

Starting point is 00:19:09 I think we could see a situation where and maybe not, because I think Shea Tierney could be loyal to Daible and just follow him. But if Daible goes to get a head coach job somewhere and he says, I'm calling plays, the Titans could keep Shay Tierney,

Starting point is 00:19:26 their current quarterback coach, as their offensive coordinator, so he can call plays. Because eventually he's going to want to be a head coach in the NFL, and he's got to have to call plays to get that opportunity, and he might not get to call plays under Brian Daib. Now, Mike Kafka called plays for Brian Daible last year or throughout the time.

Starting point is 00:19:45 So maybe Brian Daible will let Shay Tierney be the play caller at their next stop together, maybe. But maybe that's the succession play. So, I think for multiple reasons, it's all right. Green Titan says, do you regret or do you think the Titans will regret losing Daible similarly to, I think he said, Ben Johnson, Dan Campbell,

Starting point is 00:20:11 Matt Lafleur, Mike Vrable? Could it be a situation where Daible leaves and the Titans regret that they stayed with Sala instead of Daibal? I absolutely think that's a possibility. We can't rule that out right now. Brian Daible took Daniel Jones and the Giants to a playoff victory in his first year. Brian Daible is a good coach. He's a good coach.

Starting point is 00:20:34 Will he get a head coaching opportunity right away? again, I hope not, but there is absolutely a path where Brian Dable goes on to be a better head coach than Robert Sala. I don't think that that is out of the realm of possibility. I hope not. You know, I hope that's not what happens, but I certainly think it's possible. So with that being said, though, there are some veterans on this football team

Starting point is 00:20:56 that not enough people are talking about. They're kind of low-key veterans, but the Titans are going to need them this year if they're going to hit their goals and hit their ceiling, Let's talk about which of those veterans. We need to keep our eye on. And let's cap off today's edition of the Locked-on Titans podcast. We talked about Cornell-Tate,

Starting point is 00:21:34 potentially solving the Titans wide receiver problem for years to come. We talked about how to handle Brian Dable going forward. Now I want to talk about some unsung veteran players. Before I do, do want to thank you once again for making Locked on Titans. You're at first listen each and every day. Remember, you want to get your mail bag questions read on the show. You've got to join the Locked on Titans. Titans Every Day or club.

Starting point is 00:21:56 Hit the link down below in the description. Not only are you going to get your mailback questions read on the show, but you're also going to get added to a Locked on Titans group chat with me and a bunch of other everydayers where you can send those mailbag questions. You're going to get commercial free versions. Yes, commercial free versions of the podcast in your favorite podcast app. That's worth the price of admission. Anyway, hit the link down below in the description.

Starting point is 00:22:20 Support the show. Support me for all the free content I give you all year round. join the Locked on Titans Every Day or Club today. But question from California, Titan. What are your thoughts on Josh Williams? Titans veteran cornerback. Haven't heard a lot about him.

Starting point is 00:22:41 Charlie Lee. Charlie Lee, that's funny. Also asked about those, you know, who are some veterans who we aren't talking about enough. And I feel like Josh Williams gets to be in that group. Josh Williams is a young player. still, but Josh Williams certainly gets to be in the veterans who we don't talk about enough. Josh Williams is going to be an important player for this team.

Starting point is 00:23:02 There will be injuries at cornerback. There's no way that the Titans starting cornerbacks will all play all 17 games every step. They're going to need their number one backup outside cornerback. Now, California Titans fan asked about Josh Williams competing with Marcus Williams in the slot. That's not going to be the case. Like you said in the rest of the question, California Titans fan, he's going to play outside. Now, if Marcus Harris were to get hurt,

Starting point is 00:23:29 Alante Taylor could kick inside and slot where he's played a ton, majority of a time throughout his career. Josh Williams would then be the cornerback who plays on the outside in his stead. Williams is 6'3 with great speed long. I think he's a Mike Borganzi pet. I think Mike Borganzi loves Josh Williams. I think he scouted him.

Starting point is 00:23:48 He brought him over from Kansas City. Josh Williams is a guy who, because they signed Cordell Flott and Alante Taylor, you don't really see a clear path, but he's going to be a special team's contributor. And again, he's a guy who I could see develop into a starter if he turns into the best version of himself. Because of the length, the speed, he could fit perfectly in Robert Salas zone defense as an outside boundary corner. And then maybe that allows them to move Alante Taylor inside long term,

Starting point is 00:24:18 and that is their best three cornerbacks. Josh Williams out there instead of Marcus Harris. That remains to be seen. But I think right now you can say with certainty, Josh Williams is not competing for the slot spot with Marcus Harris. His skill set and his size and length does not fit with the slot. He's an outside cornerback. But Josh Williams is going to be an impact player on special teams

Starting point is 00:24:40 and will have to play during the season. So the Titans are going to need him. I think KJ. Osborne, a guy I mentioned earlier in the show, he's another one. KJ Osborne is going to make this football team. I'm telling you. I have 100% belief he's going to make this football team. And not only that, I think he could make some impact plays.

Starting point is 00:25:02 If there's an injury at wide receiver, KJ Osborne is not a great player. He is a prototypical end of the roster depth player in the NFL. But he's got real experience, and he's been making some plays with Cam Ward out there with the wide receivers being banged up. it's been Wondale, Cornell, and KJ

Starting point is 00:25:22 with Ridley, IODK, limited early on. So take that for what it's worth. Solomon Thomas, another guy who I think going to have a major impact, especially with how much the Tennessee Titans say they're going to rotate on the defensive line,

Starting point is 00:25:40 Solomon Thomas can still play. A lot of people in Dallas did not like that trade. That was a salary dumped by Dallas. And for what? He wasn't making that much money anyway. They got rid of Osa, Digi Zua, and Solomon Thomas, like the same day. Now, a Diggy Zua, much better player at this point than Solomon Thomas,

Starting point is 00:25:58 but Thomas could still make plays. And keeping Jeffrey Simmons and John Franklin Myers fresh, I think Solomon Thomas and throw in Jordan Elliott in there, they're going to be critical players because what's happened in the past is when the Titans starting defensive line of Tavondre Sweat and Jeffrey Simmons came off field.

Starting point is 00:26:19 The backups like James Lynch or Tommy Horn or you know, shy Tuttle, they got moved around. So the Titans are going to rotate as much as they say they're going to, and I believe them, the backup interior defensive lineman better be good. And heck, Jacob Martin.

Starting point is 00:26:37 Jacob Martin is the only true speed rusher the Titans have. He had five and a half sacks last year. He's 30 years old. He is a 240 pound speed rusher. Jacob Martin is going to be more important to this pass rush than I think what the conversation around him entails. I was pushing the entire draft process

Starting point is 00:26:56 for the Titans to draft a speed rusher to basically play in front of Jacob Martin and allow Jacob Martin to back them up. That never happened. Jacob Martin's going to play an important role on this team, whether we like it or not. And maybe with more opportunities, Jacob Martin could be a seven or eight sack player,

Starting point is 00:27:17 think would make him incredibly valuable based on the contract that he got for only a couple million years. So, hoping for that from Jacob Martin. The last guy I want to mention here, and it's the one I'm the least excited about is Cordell Volson. We've talked about Austin Shloatman a ton because he is the expected start. But Cordell Volson is also starting right now on the offensive line. He has started in playoff games. He is a veteran player. Like, he could very well beat out Jackson Slater and Fernando Mendoza. Fernando Carmona, Fernando Mendoza. hilarious.

Starting point is 00:27:50 So Cordell Voson, even though I don't like it, could be an option. My guy David Yusef asked, Mason Kinsey as a quality control coach, maybe. But I don't think just because Kinsey has been a practice squad player and well liked by the fan base, that he's qualified to be a QC in the NFL yet. He'll probably have to go to college and work his way up. Shocker, Mason Kinsey going to have to work his way up through the coaching ranks.

Starting point is 00:28:14 But David also asked about and you can turn off the podcast right now if you don't care about this question. I won't be mad at you. But good spots in Cincinnati for a date. Number one, Soto. Underground speak-easy Italian restaurant, true Italian.

Starting point is 00:28:32 It's romantic. It's awesome. The food is incredible. Make sure that you get the little beef ravioli type things and they have ricotta don't Donuts. Absolutely must get. The quesio pepe, my favorite dish, Italian dish in the world.

Starting point is 00:28:54 The quiche pepe. I love saying that. Incredible. But got to go to Soto. Can't go wrong with Jeff Rubies, Steakhouse. And if you're looking for a lunch or a brunch-type place, Blue Ash Cafe. Incredible.

Starting point is 00:29:12 But those are my recommendations for since. I'm not from Cincinnati. I'm from Dayton, which is an hour and a half, hour and 15 minutes north of Cincinnati. But if you need places to go in Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Athens, Toledo, Dublin, I'm Mr. Ohio, baby. I love Ohio. Best state in the union. Tennessee's awesome, too, though.

Starting point is 00:29:35 Tennessee is like my second favorite state. So all you Tennessee folks, listen, don't get mad at me. I love Tennessee too, but I'm an Ohio boy, born and raised, always will be. But with that being said, that is going to do it for me to. folks as always. I am your host, Tyler Rowland, and this was Locked on Titans.

Locked On Titans - Daily Podcast On The Tennessee Titans - Carnell Tate FIXES Tennessee Titans RECEIVER ISSUE & Brian Daboll MUST STAY Two Years with Cam Ward

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