Locked On Titans - Daily Podcast On The Tennessee Titans - Locked On Titans-Nov.30- Wednesday is WOAS, HDH & Pro Scope.

Episode Date: November 30, 2016

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Starting point is 00:00:25 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 Lockdown Podcast Network, your team every day. And welcome to Locked on Titans, your daily source for all news and information with your host, Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com, Greg Arias and former Tennessee Titans all-pro left tackle Brad Hopkins. It is Wednesday. Boy, do we have a lot of things to get to this morning, folks.
Starting point is 00:01:00 Current news, as always, we've got our What Others Are Saying segment, Hump Day Happenings. I think you'll find this one really interesting. And our pro scope news as always, we've got our What Others Are Saying segment, Hump Day Happenings. I think you'll find this one really interesting and our Pro Scope as always. Brad, Terry, let's jump right into the current news. Not a lot of news obviously on the Titans front. It's the bye week. The team practiced on Monday and now are off the entire remainder of the week, the weekend, and we'll be back to work on Monday to prepare for next week's contest. They did sign DeJohn Smith, a third-round pick, a cornerback to the practice squad, though, Terry, on Tuesday. So that's really the only news that we've got this week, other than obviously the team
Starting point is 00:01:36 being off to get a little rest. Yeah, DeJohn Smith was a guy picked last year by the Colts. It's odd that a third-round pick would be somebody that would be given up on that quickly by Indianapolis, which is also kind of needy in terms of defensive players. But he suffered a knee injury as a rookie, wasn't able to get back, had a setback during the offseason, and I guess the Colts kind of lost patience with him.
Starting point is 00:02:01 They released him in final cuts. He spent some time with the Lions on their practice squad and was let go a couple of weeks ago, and the Titans had a need for an additional body at cornerback on the practice squad. They had cut Parrish Cox, promoted Kalen Reed, so DeJuan Smith was brought in, and he'll be added to the practice squad.
Starting point is 00:02:24 The other news, Bleedy Ray Wilson, former Titans cornerback, Brad signed by the Falcons. Good news for him. He is a really nice young man, but he struggled a lot during his career, and we've seen that continue with defensive backs here, even this season with the Titans, as they still try to find the answers on the back end. Absolutely, and it's not like Parrish Cox has done with football. this season with the Titans? Do they still try to find the answers on the back end? Absolutely.
Starting point is 00:02:45 It's not like Parrish Cox is done with football. Someone will give him an opportunity, just like Lady Ray Wilson is getting the opportunity in Atlanta. These are young, developing corners, young, developing secondary pieces that at some point in time will find a home and they'll start to mature in process and maybe rebound and have healthy careers. Brad, maybe you can speak to this as to why this happened.
Starting point is 00:03:07 Why is it that you see guys, it happens fairly often, not that that's the trek you want to take, but it happens fairly often. Guys will bounce around to two or three different places and all of a sudden they'll find the right coach or the right system or the right team, and they become a productive player. And they last for four or five years in that system, and it's the right fit for them. Why does that happen around the league, that certain guys just seem to have to bounce around a little bit,
Starting point is 00:03:36 and then they find a home? Because the bouncing football is oblong-shaped, and you can't ever determine what path it's going to take. I know that sounds kind of crazy and being very philosophical, but I think that when you look at fits and chemistry, that's a huge part of a guy's comfortability and that comfortability
Starting point is 00:03:54 leads into confidence. A guy really feels like he's part of the fold. You can listen to people when they're talking about being free agents. They talk about their desire. They talk about whoever is actually chasing them, their suitor being desire. They talk about whoever is actually chasing them, their suitor being desirable. They want to be around. That being part of it,
Starting point is 00:04:10 it's not guaranteed in every stop. It might take a couple of stops before you find that one place and say, hey, look, I really want to give my heart and soul to this. This is the place I may want to retire. Then that mentality leads to you playing better and ultimately your success.
Starting point is 00:04:26 Let's move on to our what others are saying segment this morning, guys. And as always, we take that from the guys at Pro Football Focus. And we normally talk about the offense, and rightly so. They've been putting up big numbers. Marcus Mariota had another big week. But I want to talk about the defense today just a little bit. A little bit of equal time here because one of the things and places that graded out the highest for the Titans, in fact, were the linebackers in this contest as the highest rated player guys for the Titans in the Chicago game was Wesley Woodyard with a 91.5.
Starting point is 00:05:01 And here's a little bit of what they had to say about the linebackers forming the bedrock of the Titans' defense. Defending the perimeter provided, or proves rather, beyond the Titans this week, but their linebackers ensured that the middle at least was off limits. Wesley Woodyard was rabid in his responsibilities, trapping receivers in his vice-like jaws. He certainly gobbled up Matt Barkley's throw late over the middle, intercepting the pass and taking points off the board.
Starting point is 00:05:31 On his other six targets, he gave up only two catches for 24 yards and a pair of deflections. Also in that, guys, Avery Williamson, 77.2 and Sean Spence, a 60.3. So the linebackers certainly graded out highly in that game. although they weren't able to get a lot of pressure on the quarterback they did a good job in pass coverage and that's something i think interesting and a development and an improvement with this team yeah i think that's something that uh you know one of the areas i think that have been targeted for improvement in the offseason with those inside linebackers. And not necessarily in terms of needing to be outright replaced,
Starting point is 00:06:10 but I think the depth there is one of the things that has to improve because I think when you look at it mainly from a coach's perspective, I think that probably both Avery Williamson and Wesley Woodyard are regarded as two down linebackers and not necessarily suited per se to be in the nickel package like, say, a Sean Spence. I think what the Titans are going to have to look for in the offseason is more of the guys who can play in the nickel package and maybe allow Woodyard and Williamson to be two down linebackers
Starting point is 00:06:42 if both of those guys are back next year, which obviously Williamson is expected to be. But Woodyard, you know, as a veteran, you know, is a guy that may or may not be in their plans for 2017. But you want those guys who can come in and play in that nickel package and allow those guys to be run stuffers and to be guys who can be put in the position to succeed, which is probably on first down and second down more so than being in the nickel package and being on the field for a good 80% of the snaps. And to add to that, Terry, and kind of bring it back to you again,
Starting point is 00:07:14 what are your thoughts about maybe the pass rush kind of aiding in those areas? When you see guys like Brian Arakbo and Derek Morgan, who are ranked in the top 15 in sacks, and Jarrell Casey has been very effective in the middle, speeding up that clock makes it very opportunistic for linebackers like Wesley Woodley, particularly when we saw on Sunday him getting his hands on balls. Actually, he should have had two picks in that game. So I kind of see what you're saying exactly,
Starting point is 00:07:35 but maybe it's connected with how effective the pressure has been this year. Oh, exactly. And I think, you know, in the games where the Titans have been able to get to the quarterback consistently, it's made everything else work a lot better, even on the back end where they've struggled at times. Guys like Arakpo and Morgan, they've got 17 combined sacks. And, you know, the thing of it is it's come in bunches. You know, we've seen Arakpo have a couple of multi-sack games. We've seen Morgan have some multi-sack games.
Starting point is 00:08:03 I think, you know, spread out over the course of the season, I think we'd like to have that be more consistent rather than come in bunches. But sacks, you'll take them however you can get them. In fairness, guys, equal opportunity here. The offense, Marcus Mariota at 87.9. Jack Conklin rated out at 84. Even. Delaney Walker, 81.6. Derrick Henry at 77.9. Jack Conklin rated out at 84 even. Delaney Walker, 81.6. Derek Henry at 77.6. And left guard Quentin Spain, 74.7. So certainly the offensive guys did their part to contribute as well. And it's good to see
Starting point is 00:08:36 a couple of guys in Derek Henry and Quentin Spain score highly for their performance. They haven't scored highly. Obviously Henry hasn't had opportunities in a few games of late, and Quentin Spain out with the injury. So that certainly says he's bouncing back and playing good football again. Yeah, I think so. And Spain, I think, was given a game ball for his efforts on Sunday by the coaching staff.
Starting point is 00:08:58 So that certainly tells you what they thought of his play against the Bears. Brad? Oh, yeah. I was actually going to just kind of add to that and say when I saw Quentin Spain downfield blocking, when you see guys really making an effort past the line of scrimmage, they're clicking and they're engaged. I think it's definitely one of the strengths of this team. When you see their confidence at a high level
Starting point is 00:09:21 and they're actually able to overcome injuries and things like that by plugging guys in and still playing at a high level, that's part of to overcome injuries and things like that by plugging guys in and they're still playing at a high level, that's part of the reason why the Titans have been good this year, at least consistently. You're listening to Locked On Titans on the Locked On Podcast Network. Football season is in full swing, and SeatGeek is the smartest, easiest way to find tickets for the games you want to see up close and in person this season.
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Starting point is 00:11:37 GEICO. Expect great savings and a whole lot more. Guys, as we move forward, our Hump Day Happening happening segment and we've got a good one i think this one uh may run us a little bit long today because uh brad obviously it's someone that you are familiar with in your former head coach jeff fisher he and hall of famer eric dickerson of course dickerson the rams great fisher the head coach coach of the Rams at this point in time, have got a little feud going that brewed up this week. And it's been a little interesting, to say the least, what's been going on between those two. Yeah, a little he said, she said there.
Starting point is 00:12:17 And, of course, when both sides get a chance to talk about the same conversation they had, they are at complete ends of the discussion because they're basically pointing the finger at each other. But kind of looking at how the situation kind of developed, when you've got a guy that's obviously a monumental figure in the L.A. sports community, and Eric Dickerson, who still was from a distance, even in St. Louis, a part of the Rams organization, and had a voice when asked specifically, a part of the Rams organization and had a voice.
Starting point is 00:12:49 When asked specifically about the struggles of the Rams, he kind of said what he thought. He didn't think that Chris Winkie had enough experience to develop quarterbacks, particularly one drafted so high with so much, you know, right on his success. He thought that someone more tenured should have been developing him. So, therefore, he didn't agree with the, you know, staff position there. And obviously, he didn't agree with a lot of other things that, you know, the Rams organization was doing. So when basically Eric Dickerson called via someone else and asked for a favor, you know,
Starting point is 00:13:17 to basically have tickets for someone on the sideline, you know, Jeff took this as an opportunity to communicate with him, which he hadn't done before. And basically picked up the phone and called Eric and told him that he, in his comments, really weren't welcome on the timeline. And, of course, when asked publicly about it in front of the podium, he said, well, I don't know what he's... Daddy, where do babies come from? Uh, well, uh... Honey? Mommy went to the store.
Starting point is 00:13:44 Oh, well, you see, um... well, there's a mommy and a daddy, right? Right. And see, when they call GEICO, uh, they could save a bunch of money on car insurance. Oh, really? And that makes them happy? Yes, that makes them very happy. That's good. Yeah, well, I'm glad we could have this talk, sunshine. GEICO, because saving 15% or more on car insurance is always a great answer. Conversations coming from, you know, so this is what Eric said. But basically, I think that it's a lack of communication between both sides. Eric hasn't been in the building enough to know just what kind of an effect Chris Winkie does have or doesn't have to be able to give an educated opinion. Guess what kind of an effect Chris Winkie does have or doesn't have to be able to give an educated opinion.
Starting point is 00:14:28 Now Jeff is saying, hey, look, there's an open door to you. But that's something that we haven't seen Jeff be a part of necessarily in the past. Even here in Nashville, there really wasn't an open door policy to alums, you know, like there is today with my malarkey system. We can come back anytime we want to, basically. That wasn't the case when Jeff was here. So I'm not saying that that's the case there, but, you know, it really does sound a little false. You know, you're talking about just the ability for guys, and guys that haven't even had relationships with him intimately.
Starting point is 00:14:55 You know, I knew Jeff intimately. You know, that wasn't the case for us. We didn't have that kind of liberty. So I can kind of see where, you know, basically Eric from the outside is looking at the situation and saying, hey, look, I want my franchise to be as best as it possibly can and these are the deficiencies I see just like everybody else. But Jeff hasn't done at least extending an open door to at least allow him
Starting point is 00:15:15 to come into the building and see exactly what he needs to see to make an educated response to the question that he's getting about the franchise. So maybe this is where it starts. Yeah, I mean, I've known Jeff for a long time and been around Jeff and covered Jeff. Obviously, don't know him as well as you do, Brad, but having been around him from 1997 to 2010,
Starting point is 00:15:43 basically, with the exception of the time in Houston, his entire run here in Tennessee and with the franchise. You know, this is kind of classic Jeff, you know, covering his tracks and backtracking. You know, Jeff is certainly savvy with the media. And, you know, and he was able to do that here in Nashville with a small market. And, again, in St. Louis with a small market there, there are certain things of the message that he would want out and that he didn't want out.
Starting point is 00:16:13 And I know from personal experience, having reported things that he didn't really appreciate or like very much, that certainly you can get sideways with him. And, you know, Eric Dickerson apparently got sideways with him. And the thing is, you know, when you're in a market like Los Angeles, you're not going to be able to control the message like you can in a smaller market like Nashville or even St. Louis. You know, and I'll give you a couple of examples from when I was on the beat and Jeff was there. You know, there were incidents in 2010, you know, in his final season here where,
Starting point is 00:16:51 you know, Jeff didn't really want things out there. The fact that Vince Young and Chris Johnson stayed behind in Miami after a loss to the Dolphins and didn't accompany the team playing back. And, you know, those are things that, you know, Jeff didn't really want out there. And when they got out there, he didn't really appreciate it, you know, in terms of the media. There was a time where, you know, I did do Jeff a favor. There was a time when the Titans were playing in Arizona. And there was a wide receiver who had a cup of coffee with the team. I think he was a wide receiver who had a cup of coffee with the team.
Starting point is 00:17:26 I think he was a wide receiver. And he had apparently been poking dope in his room before a team meeting, before the game. And so he was sent on his way. And I knew from having talked to sources that that was why the guy was no longer on the roster. And, you know, Jeff, I talked to Jeff about it, and I, you know, I agree. You know, he didn't want me to report the reason and so to do a favor for him i didn't report the reason and you know later
Starting point is 00:17:53 on you know i kind of you know regretted that i hadn't done that but it was a situation where you know jeff wanted to try and control the message as much as he could here at times. And, you know, at times, you know, I gave him a pass, and at times I didn't. But in this situation in Los Angeles, he's not going to be able to control the message the way he has been in the smaller market. I just think that you can kind of see both sides of the world. You know, on the outside, relatively, even though Eric Dickerson is part of the LA community, the Rams are new to that community, and him not understanding just how much of an influence Eric Dickerson is part of the LA community, the Rams are new to that community, and him not understanding just how much of an influence
Starting point is 00:18:27 Eric Dickerson has there, he basically picked up the phone to tell him how much he didn't appreciate the negative conversation that he was having about his team. Well, if they basically sat down and had an open line of dialogue, then I think that Eric Dickerson would have a more educated response,
Starting point is 00:18:42 like I just said earlier, to what's actually being asked of him when you're talking about why is this team not winning, you know, with the first pick this year? Why wasn't he even on the field? But he has to be a part of the process to even understand. And that's just not something that, you know, and Terry, you know, specifically this is just not something that Jeff has been willing to do. They're very close guarded when it comes to, like, you know,
Starting point is 00:19:04 the dealings inside the locker room and in the building. Even though I may be an alum, Eric Dixon may be an alum, there are certain doors that we just couldn't go through. That's not always the case with a lot of teams. Right now, it's being viewed negatively because
Starting point is 00:19:20 of the popularity and just the power and the weight of a guy that wears a gold jacket. Well, that's true. I mean, but you know this as well, too, Brad. I mean, I see both sides of it. I understand that, you know, Jeff doesn't want Eric Dixon coming around asking for favors that a former player may be able to pull off when that former player has been critical of the organization and how things are being handled. I certainly get that and understand that. But by the same token, Jeff also has to understand that there are certain maybe untouchables
Starting point is 00:19:51 in terms of popularity and the fan base that whatever they say about the team most of the time is going to be viewed as sacred because of the type of player that they were. Peyton Manning in Indianapolis, Eddie George here in Tennessee. When those players open their mouth and they say something about the organization, if they say that they don't like the way things are being done or are critical of it, the fans are going to react and say, hey, you know, if it's good enough for Eric Dickerson to say this about the team or it's good enough for Peyton Manning to say this about the Colts
Starting point is 00:20:28 or it's good enough for Eddie George to say it about the Titans, then I'm going to listen to it. And regardless of if that advice or that view is correct or incorrect, it's going to carry a lot of weight in the minds of a lot of fans simply because of the weight and the contribution that that player made to the franchise. Yeah, I totally get that, too. And I'll let you jump in here, Greg, in one second. I just think that when you look at the situation that Jeff was faced with, you know, if Eric
Starting point is 00:20:57 Dickerson were asking to come address the team or if Eric Dickerson were asking to kind of come into the building and see what the process was like, Jeff Fisher would have opened the door very willingly. But that's not what Eric asked him. You know, not only was Eric critical of the franchise, but he didn't want to come be a part of the franchise. He wanted to get tickets for people that he wanted to have on the sideline. And he even was talking with Kerry Champion
Starting point is 00:21:19 and said that he thought it was kind of a, you know, a long shot that he'd actually pull it off. But, of course, he didn't expect the, you't expect the reprimand from Jeff Fisher basically saying, basically, how dare you ask me for something when you're talking so critical of my program? It would be uncomfortable for the guys that know that you're talking bad about those, that know that you're calling for some of these guys' jobs. He had to be standing on the sidelines with us. But he wasn't saying him himself.
Starting point is 00:21:42 He was saying for somebody else. So I think that if he were to say, look, Eric, come down here and have a cup of coffee with us, with our staff, get to know some of our players intimately, be a part of the franchise, and then go out there and answer those questions that the public is going to ask about how this franchise is being run, therefore being more at least intimately introduced
Starting point is 00:22:02 to what they're doing in L.A. I agree. Brad, let me throw it to you this way too, Brad, and this is a double-edged sword, especially for guys like yourself who are former players and are entrenched with an organization, but yet you also have a duty as a media person to offer your opinion on that team. And I see it with a lot of guys around town,
Starting point is 00:22:22 yourself with Derek Mason or Frank Wycheck. There are a number of former players around town who are now working in the media. And so it's kind of a double-edged sword. It allows you maybe extra access that somebody else wouldn't necessarily get to. But it also, you know, when you step on toes or when you say things that the organization doesn't appreciate, then it also can backfire. Can you maybe talk about that a little bit? Yeah, and I'll be brief to you, Greg.
Starting point is 00:22:54 You're right, 100%. If I were to sit here and be critical of everything that the organization did, then I would say I would get the same cold stares and things like that that other media members get, regardless of my connection with the franchise itself. Because I do have a voice, and I do have influence. I have influence over fans that come to the games or understand it better, and they'll understand it from my perspective if I say it. So I do have a, you know, what sounds kind of crazy is I do have the basic responsibility, almost,
Starting point is 00:23:28 to kind of manipulate that, just like most people do. It's like, you know what, if I don't think that a franchise needs, you know, this guy needs a chance, then I'm not going to speak gobbledy of him. But if I think that someone deserves at least a chance to get in there, I'm going to be more supportive of him. See how that goes? Absolutely, guys. Great stuff on both
Starting point is 00:23:46 sides of this, and I don't have a lot that I can add. I'll say this. I have no ax to grind with Jeff Fisher. I didn't cover him as long as Terry did. Didn't play for him as Brad did, but I think this is a bad situation for him simply because, and guys, you can tell me I'm wrong if you think so, but his overall coaching record. This is a guy just barely over.500 as a head coach. He's on the hot seat somewhat, it seems, or at least some media is saying that perhaps he's on the hot seat in Los Angeles because the team struggling again this season. It's kind of a bad spot for Jeff to be in because taking on a guy like Eric Dickerson
Starting point is 00:24:22 in a city like Los Angeles, I don't know that it's a win-win situation for him. It certainly seems like there's more negatives attached to this, and maybe Jeff should figure out a way to just kind of smooth this over and move past it as quickly as possible. That's really the only thing I've got on it. I think there are different metrics, basically. Yeah, it really was, actually. I just think that there are different metrics on how we gauge teams
Starting point is 00:24:47 as far as publicly and as far as those that are actually in the industry itself. They can see a number one-ranked defense. They can see them drafting very high and getting a lot of productivity out of Todd Gurley when they're able to use him, not being behind in games. They see other facets of the game that definitely are improving, but quarterback is definitely connotated with winning. And when they don't have consistency at quarterback, then they don't have consistency at winning.
Starting point is 00:25:10 But in other areas, that's where Jeff's strengths are. So I can kind of see where in the industry he's still a popular guy. Let's move on to our Pro Scope segment today, guys, and we'll get through this one quickly as we're pushing time here today. But I wanted to do something a little different in the Pro Scope than we normally do. We're going to do a buy-sell. I'm going to ask you about two teams, one in each conference. Give me your opinion on that team and what you think of them at this point. Let's jump right into this one, Terry. We'll start with you on this one, the Dallas Cowboys.
Starting point is 00:25:43 Well, I think the Dallas Cowboys have probably exceeded expectations this year. The thing that they're built around more than Dez Bryant, more than Dak Prescott, more than even Ezekiel Elliott is that offensive line. They've got the best offensive line in the NFL. We've seen it with the Titans here, how much difference a strong offensive line can turn a team around, and that's what the Dallas Cowboys are doing. It's making life easier for Dak Prescott, a rookie quarterback,
Starting point is 00:26:10 because he knows that that offensive line is going to protect him. He knows he can hand the ball to Ezekiel Elliott, and he's going to gain yards because of that line. The Cowboys have really kind of overnight become a Super Bowl contender, even without Tony Romo at the helm, because of that offensive line and because of that defense that's over on the other side of the football. And the truth of the matter is they've got a fairly easy path to the Super Bowl in the NFC because Green Bay is struggling.
Starting point is 00:26:39 Arizona is struggling. Seattle is probably the only real obstacle unless the New York Giants do one of their deals where they get hot in the playoffs. Really, in the NFC, the Cowboys are the team to beat because of that offensive line. And even in spite of having to play a rookie quarterback this year, I think they're the team to beat in the NFC, with only Seattle really as the only real obstacle to them right now. NFC with only Seattle really is the only real obstacle to them right now.
Starting point is 00:27:10 Yeah, I can definitely see when you look around where they are in the pantheon of the NFC itself, the only other team really that is actually in contention, in my opinion, is within their own division. That would be the Giants. They're 8-3 right now running a six-game winning streak. They're playing very confidently. They're playing very well right now. And then familiarity between those two franchises. This is going to be a bomb burner down the stretch, I think, even
Starting point is 00:27:27 though the Cowboys do hold a two-win lead in the division. You mentioned Atlanta. Atlanta is still right now struggling a little bit. They're 7-4 in the thick of things. Seattle, in my opinion, after this loss this past weekend, really showed their vulnerability. I really didn't expect them to get thumped by
Starting point is 00:27:43 Tampa, even though Tampa Bay does have some weapons. I just don't think that they've been playing consistently enough to rank them among high teams. So the Cowboys are hitting on cylinders right now. Remember Jerry has already said that he's not going to reduce the workload from Ezekiel Elliott, kind of keeping this thing fluid and keeping it moving. Dak continues to not make mistakes and manage the game correctly. And, of course, use his abilities to add spice to that offense.
Starting point is 00:28:06 So defensively, they're the only issues, you know, that they can continue to make plays on offense and put the other team in a pickle and it allows their defense to be more opportunistic. But this team is sitting right in the right position at the right time. So both bye on the Cowboys. Let's jump over to the AFC side. Brad, we'll start with you, the Oakland Raiders.
Starting point is 00:28:24 Oakland Raiders might be the hottest team in football, other than the Dallas Cowboys. When you talk about Derek Carr showing gritty performances after suffering double dislocations in the same game, coming back in the game, albeit with a glove on his finger. I mean, this guy right here shows you exactly the grit and the sand that the Oakland Raiders have shown all year. You know, Jack Lurie has been in situations where he's had to develop young players,
Starting point is 00:28:47 and even though he's talked with Khalil Mack about his numbers being down, not to worry about it, you know, let the game come to him. You know just how effective he is, particularly in that last game against Denver where he was his, or against Carolina, where it was his getting in the backfield, attacking Cam Newton, strip sack that basically closed the deal of the game. So defensively, they've got all the weapons that they need between Carl Joseph in the back end, the first rounder from this year.
Starting point is 00:29:11 Carl Mack, Khalil Mack is another guy. They've even talked about Alden Smith coming back if he gets cleared. Jackson, he'll use him in a heartbeat. So that defense is definitely bolstered there. Amari Cooper and Latavius Murray are obvious weapons for Derek Carr, so this team, albeit young, is really in the right position. The funny thing is, Terry, both of these teams are young and playing very well.
Starting point is 00:29:34 They really are, and I really like what Reggie McKenzie has done as the GM of the Oakland Raiders. He's gone out and founded a quarterback in Derek Carr who has really come into his own now in his third year. He's looking like a potential MVP. He's got two receivers on the outside, Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree, who people seem to forget about because Cooper is so good. But Crabtree has really been a find for them. And as a number two receiver, he is really making plays for Derek Carr in this offense.
Starting point is 00:30:04 They've got Latavius Murray at the running back position, and then you've got Clive Wolford, who's very underrated as a young tight end. Then over on the defensive side of the ball, you mentioned Khalil Mack, who is a difference maker there in terms of the pass rush and being a guy who can really, that opposing offensive coordinators have to account for. You've got Carl Joseph that you mentioned there on the back end. This is an up-and-coming young football team that's only going to get better and better. I really like them.
Starting point is 00:30:33 I think potentially, outside of New England, I think potentially they're the best team in football, probably a better overall team right now than the Dallas Cowboys, but I think because they've got a harder row to hoe in the AFC, even in their own division, where you look at Kansas City and Denver right there nipping at their heels, they may not have the end result. They may not get to the Super Bowl. They may not have it to show this year, but I think overall, they're maybe the second-best team in football behind the Patriots,
Starting point is 00:31:01 maybe even better than the Cowboys, but they're in a tougher spot in the AFC, even in their own division in the AFC West. So, buying on the Raiders, Brad? Oh my gosh, I'm buying and then some. Terry? Oh, absolutely, absolutely. Like I said, the end result may not show with a Super Bowl appearance this year, but I think this is a team that's going to be around for the next four, five, six years as long as they keep Derek Carr and Khalil Mack and Amari Cooper upright.
Starting point is 00:31:30 I'm buying on both. Real quick, kind of tying both teams together. Their successes and we talked about wins connotated with how well the quarterbacks are playing. Ironically, both of these teams have young quarterbacks in place that are set to be there for at least a dozen years or so. Maybe even I don't know if if I can say all things down, but they'll definitely be all-stars, you know, playing in Pro Bowls for years to come.
Starting point is 00:31:51 Oh, absolutely. And, you know, when you look at the Titans, the Oakland Raiders and the Cowboys, those two teams are absolutely the model the Titans should be following. That should be, the Titans should say next year we want to be where the Raiders and the Cowboys are in terms of what they're doing as far as winning football games and building around a young quarterback. Guys, great stuff. I'm buying on both. I think it would be
Starting point is 00:32:17 a great Super Bowl to see the Raiders and the Cowboys against each other. Don't know if that'll happen. Obviously, I agree with what Terry said about the division with Kansas City, Denver there, the Patriots still in the AFC. We'll just have to see. We normally close the show, guys, with final thoughts, but we have run really long today with some really good stuff.
Starting point is 00:32:37 So I'll just leave the listeners with this today, guys. This will be our final show of the week. It's the bye week for the team. We're going to take a little bye week. Enjoy an extra couple of days off and we'll be back with you on Monday to prepare for next week and the next Titans opponent. Enjoy the rest of your week. Enjoy the weekend and we'll talk to you again on Monday. Have a great day, everybody, and thanks so much for listening to Locked on Titans.

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