Locked On Titans - Daily Podcast On The Tennessee Titans - Locked On Titans-Jan. 2- Titans Close Season With Win

Episode Date: January 2, 2017

The Titans closed out the 2016 season with a 24-17 win over the Texans. #BHop #TerryMc #GregA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

That's for my crazy day. My packed commute. All those unread emails in my inbox. But I'm getting stronger, faster, and pushing myself further every day. I don't care if I'm not like everyone else. This punching bag is the best way to end my day. Fearless is knowing yoga isn't your style. That's the power of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employee Program.

Learn more about our healthy benefits at fepblue.org slash getmore. You are Locked on Titans, your daily podcast on the Tennessee Titans. Part of the Locked on Podcast Network, your team every day. And welcome to Locked on Titans, your daily source for all Titans news and information with your co-host Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com, Greg Arias and former Tennessee Titans all-pro left tackle Brad Hopkins. Guys, it's Monday and the 2016 NFL regular season came to a close on Sunday with the Titans winning their ninth game of the season,

defeating the Houston Texans 24-17 to finish 9-7. Ironically, the same record as those Houston Texans that they defeated, but Houston wins the division title and continues on to the playoffs while the Titans close their season. Brad Terry, there certainly is a lot to talk about in this win and a lot of things, obviously, heading into the offseason for the Titans. But, Brad, you've lived through this in the NFL. Kind of take us through what this day is like as a player. Obviously, you go out on a positive note,

winning the game, finishing 9-7, which the Titans haven't done since 2011, have a winning season. But still, it's kind of a bittersweet moment, isn't it? Yeah, you're right. It's been a long season, but still it's kind of a bittersweet moment, isn't it? Yeah, you're right. It's been a long season for these guys. And one of, I guess you could say, limited expectation going in and the way that they actually finished the season 9-7,

sharing the division, albeit not the playoffs, but at least still having a stake in the South, that's a huge stepping stone. And Terry, you've covered this team ever since I actually played, and you can almost sense this, like, sense of relief, if you will, that, you know what, all their hard-fought effort is finally over. It didn't necessarily reach the marks that this team could have, you know, if you think about the potential.

But I would say that, you know, there's job well done by all, and there's something to definitely work forward to moving in 2017. Yeah, I would agree with that. For the most part, guys were pretty upbeat after winning yesterday. The locker room was pretty positive. Obviously, they were unhappy that they didn't make the postseason, didn't make the playoffs, because I think a lot of guys in that locker room felt like the Titans were the best team in the AFC South this year,

but they just didn't take care of business in some games that they needed to. I think this reminds me of a couple of seasons past, and Brad, you were part of one of those, and I think you had already retired by the time the other one came around, but it kind of reminds me of a couple of years, 1998 and 2006. In both those years, the Titans actually finished, I think, 8-8 in those years, but it was 8-8 kind of with the arrow pointing up. You know, I guess there's two different ways you could look at 8-8, and both those years were 8-8 pointing toward better things to come in the future, and this team is 9-7.

I think, you know, a lot of guys are pointing toward better things to come in the future because they've got a young, strong new coach, especially on the offensive side of the ball. And I think they know that there are a few more pieces left, like in 1998 when you guys finished 8-8, then the next spring, drafted Javon Kers, and that kind of put the defense over the top and made you a Super Bowl team and a playoff contender for the next several years. And then in 2006, you know, there was the heroics of Vince Young. There was, you know, the uptick after a couple of down years.

And I think, you know, that team went to the playoffs the next couple of seasons. I think there are better things on the horizon, provided that everything keeps going the way it's going. Let's look at you journalists bringing out all that information, and actually it makes so much sense because, Terry, I remember in 1988, 1998 rather, I was in high school in 88, I remember in 1998, basically this team started to discover its identity. I think I remember the eight and eight

seasons you're talking about preceding them were the seven and nines preceding that was a 2 and 14 season you know so there had been this steno incremental um uh improvement i think as you say and then ultimately when we got our new digs at adelefield coliseum there all that hard work from the previous couple of years, the moving, it all came together. And that's why I think it was easier for us in that first year at our new home to go to the Super Bowl. And you're right.

This does kind of feel like that season that was a precursor to the year that we went to the Super Bowl. Because this team now knows with nine wins that it can compete with anybody. It ran through the AFC West, fellas. Ran through it. So with that, I think this is one of those beginnings, like you just said, of them recognizing just what a talented team this is. And we talked about this earlier in the program, guys.

This might be one of the most talented or at least parity-filled divisions in football coming up in 2017 because of all the potential contenders in the AFC. Absolutely. I would certainly agree with that 100%, Brad, that the Titans are in a good spot. And, Terry, Brad, obviously you'll know this too, but there are going to be changes with this roster. There will be some guys that will be moving on.

Obviously there will be some free agents added to this thing, some draft picks to be added to this thing as well. So while we see what the team looks like today as they finish up and close out this season, the product next year could be very much different in a lot of ways, but there's still, Terry, that core group of guys that are going to return that are going to be the engine, so to speak, driving this thing forward. No doubt about it.

Look at the guys that they have, it starts with Marcus Mariota, obviously, but then it filters down to the young receiving core. You saw Rashard Matthews have a big day yesterday. You know, he's still relatively young in his career. Obviously, you've got the running game with DeMarco Murray, backed up by Derrick Henry, who looks like he is emerging and coming into his own. You've got the offensive line that looks now to be a strength of this team. I think once you add a few more pieces, maybe one more receiver,

a young tight end to go with Delaney Walker, and then once you add a couple of pieces on defense and the secondary to go with the front seven that seems pretty solid. I think, you know, you're talking about a team that, you know, certainly on paper at least looks like it could be opening a window where it can be a contender for the next, you know, four, five, six years. Hey, Terry, let me ask you something. Obviously, well, you too, Gary.

I want to hear your thoughts too. I got into a little discussion on Twitter yesterday about some potential moves as far as free agency, and of course, we had talked about Kendall Wright, we talked about Chance Womack earlier, possibly being casualties to free agency. And I actually went on Twitter with the thought that with the seasons that both of these guys have had, or even the past couple of seasons, it's really not very complimentary. Therefore, the market wouldn't be near as rewarding, I don't think. Would it behoove these guys to really look at their contracts,

figure out exactly what they need, maybe do some restructuring, still stick as part of this foundation? Because these guys are both draft picks here, and I'd hate to see them actually do all this work after being rookies and then watch this team go to the playoffs time and time again while they're on other teams. So do you think it will behoove them to maybe even work out deals to where they understand where they are

and basically stick around for Tennessee? I think they'll be good, some good depth pieces, in my opinion. Yeah, I think it all just depends on the perspective of the player now because as unrestricted free agents, they're going to go out into the market and see who wants their services. There may be a team out there that thinks that Kendall Wright is a missing piece in their offense. You look at a team like the Atlanta Falcons,

where Kendall could possibly be a really good fit as a flop receiver, that sort of thing. Or you look at reuniting with Dow Loggins with the Chicago Bears. You know, with Chance Womack, he's a guy that, you know, if he re-signed here, there's no guarantee that he would go back into the lineup as a starting right guard. And I think, you know, in terms of, you know, his future, you know, I think, you know, he's probably looking for a fresh start

to kind of reestablish himself. You know, the option, I would think that, you know, I think, you know, he's probably looking for a fresh start to kind of reestablish himself. You know, the option, I would think that, you know, if they want to come back here and compete for, come in and compete for a roster spot, the possibility may still be there. But I think in terms of, you know, as far as, you know, their own careers, they may look for an opportunity elsewhere. I kind of agree with both of you, actually, Brad. I think there is some benefits, as you said, for both these guys coming back here, because

when you look at this team, obviously it looks like a team that's on the rise, that certainly invested in these guys, drafted them. They could come back and play a part in it. But then, Terry, what you said as well, and I kind of feel like that Chance Wormack, he's been kind of MIA with this thing since he went on IR. He hasn't been seen around. I've not seen him in a game. You know, I think, as Terry said,

he's probably looking at this as an opportunity to see what the market holds. Obviously, a lot of it, I think, will have to do with what the Titans decide to do. If they even decide to make him an offer, we'll have to see as well what they decide they want to do with Kendall Wright, but he certainly has some options as well. So that will certainly be something interesting to follow with these two guys going forward. I think there's a place for them here if they want to be here. I just don't know if they're, you know, where their head is

and if they want to be here or not. I just don't see a whole bunch of deaf and veterans running around at receiver. And Kendall Wright, sure, he might have aspirations to be the quote-unquote guy, but I mean, being part of a receiver and core that actually gets notoriety because it's pretty good is one thing. And Chance Wormack, I mean, the one complaint that Chance had earlier in his career is that he wasn't getting good offensive line instruction, and he wasn't. But, I mean, Russ Graham? I mean, seriously.

And the way that this team loves to run the football? I think any place other than Tennessee right now would be a step backwards for him as far as his development. He didn't have the year that he would have wanted. He got injured. Obviously didn't feel like a part of the team at all going on IR, and I can understand how that feels. But when you look at his development, Terry, Greg,

when you look at who this guy could be and under what offense, what better offense than being coached by a guy that's a Hall of Fame offensive lineman and a team that loves to run the football with two bell cow backs. It doesn't get any easier than that. Yeah, you're exactly right there. The only other place I could see him going where it would be probably a good fit for him would be to go play for the guy that drafted him

and go to Pittsburgh and play for Mike Munchak again. You're right. Other than that, I think, you know, in terms of what an offensive lineman would want to do, you know, this would be one of the premier places to be coached by a Hall of Famer and be on a team that loves to run the football, like you said. Guys, let's jump in and talk a little offense from yesterday where the Titans, of course,

obviously with Marcus Mariota being out on injured reserve with the leg and the surgery. Matt Castle stepped in as the quarterback and had a decent day. 16 of 26, 150 yards, one touchdown, did have one interception, 74.2 the quarterback rating. Not spectacular numbers, but certainly efficient enough. He made some good throws, timely throws I think probably would be a better way to describe it, and was able to move the football at times when they needed to, and did just enough with that running game, obviously, to get this done. Of course, they had the help from the defense that got the scoring

started, Brad, and as an offensive player, when the defense scores for you like that and gives you an early lead, that's got to be a big boost. Oh, absolutely. I can't tell you how happy it makes us as an offense. We can go up on points and not have them step a foot on the football field. That is awesome.

It sets the pace, it controls the tempo of the game, etc. I will say them going 9 to 15, third down efficiency yesterday, it helped a lot. They weren't in third and long situations. They didn't get Matt Castle hit a lot because they didn't have to be in a lot of passing downs, et cetera, et cetera. But I will say, as balanced as they were, just over 100 yards rushing

and just that much more over in passing, Matt Castle's not a guy that, in my opinion, is the guy that replaced Tom Brady back in the day and threw for over 400 yards. It's just not that same guy. So they need Marcus Murray to help them get back. Right. But that said, I give credit to Matt Castle for this. He's kind of what he is, as people say.

He's a backup quarterback at this juncture of his career. But he was able to pull the Titans through, help them win the ballgame, and do exactly what you want a number two quarterback to do, is be able to kind of steer the ship and, you know, not run it into an iceberg or anything like that, just do a game or two, and be able to, you know, still win a ballgame,

even though your star quarterback is out of the game. I mean, you need only look at the situation that the Oakland Raiders are going through having lost Derek Carr and what happened to Ben yesterday to see how disastrous it can be when you lose your starting quarterback. Did you reference the Titanic because we're doing Locked on Titans, Terry? That's pretty good. Yes, I did. Well, now, Brad, you mentioned the numbers running the football.

The Titans did rush as a team for 103 yards. Derek Henry led the way, 15 carries, 65 yards, and a touchdown to Marco Murray. 11 carries, 21 yards, did not score a touchdown in the game. But he did, however, manage to get just enough yards with those 21 that he ends the season as the AFC's leading rusher. Of course, Le'Veon Bell did not play yesterday, held out by the Steelers. They're headed to the playoffs. They gave him a day of rest to

get ready for that playoff run, but guys, DeMarco Murray, you can't really stress enough how important and how big of an acquisition that was by John Robinson and his team for what they've done with that guy this year and how he has bounced back. And if he is not the comeback player of the year, and I know he said he really didn't want that award, but I think he's certainly deserving of it. Yeah, I think so, too.

And, you know, here's the thing with demarco he played the last half of the season with a torn planter plate in his in his right foot and uh you know at the end of when he revealed what it was you know he said it's a torn planter plate whatever that is you know so he's not a he's not a doctor nor does he play one on tv and nor do i but uh i think you know it does sound like it's a fairly significant, fairly painful injury. And the fact that he was able to play through that and have the trainers tape it up and gut it out and make it through the season, I think that's also a testament to a guy that

came in here and established himself not only as an offensive threat and one of the top running backs in the league, but also as a leader. When you see a guy playing through that sort of an injury, going out there and giving it what he's got week in, week out, despite not being close to 100%, that gets guys' attention, and that makes everybody else want to pitch in and contribute and be part of things. I didn't realize that Garrett Murray was part of NASCAR having a restricted play issue. You know, but it's a tight track.

You know, things happen. I will say, guys, we have a conundrum in the future. And what I mean by that is I think that Derrick Henry's desire to be more productive in this offense is going to come to a full head. And, of course, DeMarco Murray is slated to be the starter. You know, I think they have to find that balance to be able to get both of these guys involved because Derek Henry is growing as a talent, five touchdowns on the season.

Next year I think that he's going to have an improved year, being more familiar with his offensive line. And, you know, in situations like that, I think that his carries will go up. And with that, I hope that DeMarco Murray can at least share the backfield. And there won't be an egotistical situation coming about when a guy gets some of his reps taken away. I would certainly agree with that. And as you said, Henry, a rising talent in this league. But, guys, we all had the opportunity to, at points in time, meet DeMarco Murray during the season.

Terry and I certainly during training camp and throughout the course of the year, and Brad, I know you've had the opportunity as well. He's more than just a leader on the field. This is a guy that brings the personality, that has the work ethic, that has just those characteristics about him otherwise. And the maturity level, having been in the NFL the length of time, I think, was as invaluable as what he did on the field to what he's been able to do for this team in the NFL the length of time, I think, was as invaluable as what he did on the field to what he's been able to do for this team in the locker room.

And certainly, Brad, obviously, having been in the locker room and being around guys like that and being one yourself in the latter part of your career, that's a big thing, especially for a young team trying to learn and grow, is to have those guys in the locker room that do it the right way there as well as what they do on the field. Yeah, you're right, Greg. And I think that he can appreciate really, like you just said,

I think it was you, Terry, that was saying that he might be a comeback player of the year because of him sitting on the sidelines, so to speak, in Philadelphia while Ryan Matthews ran the football and showed to be a better fit in Chip Kelly's offense. So I think that he almost has an appreciation for the role that he's in right now and a love and understanding for this coaching staff because they've always seemed to embrace the players, and that's one of the things that I think that has gotten the most out of them, the fact that they're approachable,

the fact that the guys feel like they're a part of a family. I'm not going to talk about previous coaching regimes because, first off, they didn't coach me. So I'm just saying there's an obvious difference in how these players kind of revere one another. And DeMarco Murray feels like he's a fit here in Nashville as well. I think he's a fit here. You know what I mean?

And guess what, Terry Gray? The guy loves country music. He's in the right spot. Absolutely he is. Let's jump over on the defensive side of things, guys. And as great as Dick LeBeau is as a defensive coordinator, and there's no denying his credentials, the track record that he's produced, this might have been, guys, one of his better efforts defensively.

And I say that because this team finishes 9-7, and we've talked repeatedly throughout the course of the season about how ineffective, I guess. I don't want to say bad, but ineffective, and certainly the secondary has struggled, yet he was able to do enough to nurse this team through to a 9-7 record with an inadequate, I guess, secondary unit. Pretty good up front, Terry, but that secondary certainly is an area

that we talked about that will have to be addressed, and I think Dick LeBeau should deserve a lot of credit. Yeah, I think he pulled out a lot of the old tricks that he's learned over the years, but certainly got the most out of what he could with this defense. I think when this defense was able to get pressure on the quarterback, I think they were pretty effective. When they weren't, then you saw the weaknesses, especially in the secondary, exposed.

I think as far as the other thing, it kind of went unnoticed. They did a pretty good job mostly here in stopping the run. I think that's where it all starts, stopping the run. I think the defensive line, I don't think anybody would argue, is the strength of this defense. I think guys like Terrell Casey, Jaquan Jones, who had a fumble recovery for a touchdown yesterday, those guys are key parts of this defensive line.

And I think that's what this team is going to be built on. Now you've got to add depth at linebacker, overhaul the secondary, and then I think you'll see Dick LeBeau be able to do a lot of the things that he wants to do that maybe he was not able to do as fully this year as he had hoped. I remember Derek Morgan being one of the stalwarts at rush end in the ACC coming out of Georgia Tech. And I think that he's now starting to work himself back into that shape.

Brian Arapa was the guy that came in here with a lot of street cred. And the fact that both of these guys are on the precipices of double-digit sacks, and you threw Darrell Casey in as the guy that collapsed in the pocket, this could be one of the most ferocious pass rushes in the AFC, you know, bar none. And I think when you look in the back end, obviously it's Kevin Byard outplayed himself this year, I thought. A lot of youngsters, LaShawn Sims. LaShawn Sims has come in to be a part of this defense.

There are some aging pieces in the back end, but for the most part, if they can actually address some of those issues by getting athletes that can actually be ball hawks and have balls in the air because of the sped-up clock in the quarterback's head because of that pass rush, this could be a very opportunistic defense that could complement that offense that we've seen develop so nicely over the past couple of seasons, guys. Absolutely. And guys, there was a young man that played yesterday, got his first action of the season,

Antoine Woods Sr. He was a guy that, Terry, I know you and I talked about this during training camp, was very impressed with him. And he came in yesterday getting his opportunity over Angelo Blackson, who was a healthy scratch and provided a couple of big plays, an early tackle for loss, and really, I thought, did some good things. And he's a guy that set himself up to head into the offseason and then next season with an opportunity to perhaps find a spot with this team.

Yeah, you know, they didn't do a whole lot of wholesale changes for the sake of playing young guys, but that was one area where they wanted to see what Antoine Woods could do, obviously. And he gave a pretty good account of himself yesterday. First NFL game there in the season finale, and I thought, like you said, Greg, he was active and disruptive on a couple of plays, which is what you're looking for in the middle of that defensive line. Yeah, I mean, I put it this way.

The linebacking core, the secondary, I thought they've had vast improvements. But like you said even earlier in the segment, Terry, the strength of this team is in the defensive front. And you know what? Isn't it crazy when we talk about the proverb that says iron sharpens iron, how well the offensive line has played in complimentary. Maybe it's because of them going against each other during the week.

The line of scrimmage has been a battle that the Titans have usually won on both sides, and maybe it's because they've been working against one another to kind of get a better feel for things and be more successful. That's a great point, Brad. Okay, guys, I'm going to put you on the spot as we head towards the end of our time here on this Monday edition. Looking at the defense, obviously the secondary is a key weakness. I think they have to address that both in free agency.

I'd like to see them sign a veteran and draft a young guy. But they hold the fifth and the 18th pick. Those are locked in now at the end of the season. We now know that the fifth pick, of course, coming in the trade with the Rams, it would have been the Los Angeles Rams pick. The Titans have it. They also have 18, which would be their spot for their season finish. Do you go pass rusher at five or do you go cornerback there, guys? Because I think that both pass rusher and cornerback

are something that this team could certainly look to add. And it's a good depth draft, especially in the first round at both those positions. So you could, I think, address each of those there. Brad, where do you go first with that fifth pick? I see you call khaki pants and see just how interested Jabril Peppers would be for playing in Nashville. Here's a guy that is a multi-purpose guy. He can play, you know, both positions. You know, he can play center field.

He can play, you know, either one of the corners. I mean, he's a tremendous athlete, and I think that he has that kind of ability to reverse the field. You know, somebody like that. I don't necessarily see a pass rusher having to be imperative for this year's draft because of the veterans that we have this year that have been very, very productive. You know, I like the veterans that we have this year that have been very, very productive. I like those guys that we have up front.

But it's the guys when the ball is in the air in the back end that have obviously had issues. And I would want a youngster to develop in those positions back there that's going to be a franchise player for the next dozen years or so. So that sounds like a Jabril Peppers to me or somebody like that. I mean, sure, Jonathan Allen, one of those types out of Alabama would be, you know, a great pass rusher. But I think that some of our issues really, you know, are continuing in the deep end.

What do you think, Jerry? I want the most impact player regardless of position. When you're picking that high, I think you have to go for value. I think you have to go for impact. Now, obviously, quarterback is probably out of the mix because you've got marcus mariota you don't need to uh make any changes there but i think i think i go for the most dynamic player preferably on the defensive side of the ball unless there's you know the next calvin johnson or randy moth sitting there at wide receiver. But I think you go for the guy who has the most potential impact right away

on your football team, whether that's a guy like Miles Garrett, if he's still there, or Tim Williams or Jonathan Allen from Alabama, or the cornerback from Florida, Wilson, I think his name is. Any of those guys, Peppers, any of those guys would be good fits. I just want, if I'm John Robinson, I just want the most dynamic, impactful football player I can find right there. The only thing about it that makes it an issue is that when you pick in the top five, that player has to look like a top five pick.

That's the unfortunate part. And not everybody in this draft looks like a top five pick. You guys know what I'm talking about. Absolutely. Certainly I don't envy John Robinson. His job at this point is now basically he's on the clock for the Titans. He and the scouting

department as they prepare for free agency in the draft and what they need to do to address the issues and get those fixed. Guys, that will do it for us on this Monday edition. We want to tell our listeners thank you so much for being with us, listening to the podcast throughout the year. Stay tuned to social media for details on upcoming editions of Locked on Titans.

That will do it for us. And again, we thank you all for listening. Have a great rest of your day. You are Locked on Titans, your daily Tennessee Titans podcast. Part of the Locked on Podcast Network, your team every day.