Locked On Titans - Daily Podcast On The Tennessee Titans - Locked on Titans: Our first 53 man projection

Episode Date: May 18, 2018

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Welcome in to another edition of Locked on Titans. I'm Jimmy Morris, joined by Terry Lambert. Terry, how are you tonight? Doing good, man. What's going on? Not too much. Tonight we're going to go through our 53-man roster prediction. We've talked a little bit about it, but haven't sat down and looked at each other's 53-man, so we'll kind of bounce some things off each other as we go through this. Before we do that, remind you, you can see miracles.com where we cover the Titans for SB Nation. You can check us out there.

Follow us on Twitter. I'm at jmorrismcm. Terry is at tlambertfb. And the podcast account at LockedOnTitans. Alright, so this is a fun exercise that we get to do probably two or three times a year. We'll do it today. We'll do it probably at the

beginning of training camp. And then we'll probably do it probably at the beginning of training camp, and then we'll probably do it in the last week of the preseason. I think, Terry, is it still that they only have to make the one cut? So this year they can go from 90 to 53 in one cut. So, you know, they changed that rule last year. Always before they had gone from, what, 90 to 75 and then to 53? Yeah, I think that's the case this year. So it'll be another wild day of the NFL free agency gaining, you know,

something like 40 players per team. Yeah, so I think, and obviously this is a new group, so I'm not 100% sure what they're going to do. But the Titans did a little bit. They didn't do it all in one swoop. They did it a little bit throughout a couple days, so that did make it a little bit easier. But, yeah, that's what we'll be looking at. And we'll talk about this as we go along, too.

We talked about it a little bit on the last episode. There are some spots where these numbers or these players are definitely in pencil because the Titans are going to be looking to add somebody different at that position. So we'll start with the quarterbacks, obviously. I mean, I don't have any doubt that they're going to keep three. You know, you've got Mario, obviously, as a starter. They signed Blaine Gabbert to be the backup, drafted Luke Falk in the sixth round.

I think the plan for Falk is for him to be the future backup. I think they would love it if he could be the backup in 2019. So I don't know. I mean, I guess if he was just a disaster in camp, then I'd cut him and try to get him on the practice squad. But the way that I see it, they're going to be a team that carries three quarterbacks this year. Yeah, I'd say probably a 95% chance the Titans are going to carry three.

Like you said, Falk is just a disaster. He doesn't get it. You know, the stuff we don't see, he doesn't get it in the classroom. He doesn't get the playbook. I could see that. You know, you see six-round picks cut every year. But they have a clear need for a future backup. They only had four draft picks,

so I think it would be a little tougher to cut Falk there. So, yeah, I'm rolling with three. Okay, so moving to running back, I've got Derrick Henry, Deion Lewis, David Flewellen, and Akram Wadley. Again, caution on getting too high on undrafted guys. There's reasons they're undrafted. But when you look at Wadley and his skill set, I just think he makes sense for something that this team would want.

And then there's David Flewellen. I mean, we talked with Mike Keith about him, and he talked about how much they like him on special teams and all that kind of stuff. So, you know, I don't think they're keeping David Flewellen as, you know, an answer at running back if one of these guys gets hurt. I think that would be kind of Wadley's role. But I see them carrying four here because, again,

I think Deion Lewis is going to have a very integral part in this offense, and I think if he goes down, you need somebody that can do something similar to what he can do, and David Flewellen's not that guy. Yeah, same here. I've got four, just for the reasons that you laid out, Flewellen and the special teams ability. With Wadley, though, I'm interested to see how they try him out on special teams, and if he can do some of the things that David Flewellen did. So maybe that frees up a spot.

Maybe they don't need Flewellen if Wadley shows out like that. But in today's NFL, I'd feel a lot more comfortable with four. Just with the injuries, you know, they were so fortunate last year. I say this all the time, but they really escaped the injury bug in the backfield. So, yeah, I'm rolling with four with Flewellen and Wadley, rounding out number three and four. Yep, so moving on to receiver, we've got Corey Davis, Richard Matthews, Taewon Taylor, Tajay Sharp, Michael Campanaro,

and then I've got Deontay Burnett on here right now. And I think that sixth spot I think they are going to carry six receivers but I think that's up in the air you know they signed Nick Williams the other day he could be a guy that you know is in the mix here and then as we talked about in the last episode that they're going to

be scouring the waiver wire when that time comes looking at anything that they can add that could bring them some, you know, just veteran presence in that room. Yeah, I went six as well, but I've only got five names on my list. So, obviously, Matthews Davis, Taylor Sharp. Then I went Campanaro, who I think is going to be a little more of a factor than maybe the average person thinks.

And then I left this slot open for a free agent. I feel like I've harped on it. But I just think they're going to add someone with some experience. I don't know a name. That name might not even be available right now. I just don't think they can go in this shallow at receivers. So if I had to guess right now, they would carry six receivers. Yeah, and, you know, they haven't needed as many receivers in the past

because they didn't run a lot of, you know, three and four wide receiver sets, but they're going to do more of that this year. So I definitely think they do end up with six. Moving on to tight end, you've got Delaney Walker, Johnnie Smith, and Luke Stocker. You know, I know in the past this team has carried four, five, sometimes even six tight ends. I don't think that this regime is going to do that.

And so I don't see a need for anybody past those three guys. I think your list might be different here and I got attacked on Twitter the other day for not including Phillip Supernaw. But I don't see how they need him on this team. Yeah, I made a last second change and I went with 3-2. So I cut Supernaw there. So yeah, sorry about that.

The people are going to hate you. That's all right. That's all right that's all right um so i kept luke stalker look that could easily be super nah luke stalker you're not bending over backwards to keep him uh you're likely that's likely coming down to what you can do as a blocker what you can do on special teams uh so could they carry four absolutely could they carry three absolutely uh it Could they carry three? Absolutely. It's interesting with the fourth running back, the fourth tight end,

the sixth receiver, those all come down to special teams right now. But right now I've got three tight ends. Yeah. And like you said, if one of these guys can be a standout on special teams and can do something there that they don't think anybody else can do, then you can see the numbers be a little bit different just based on that. Moving to the offensive line, obviously you've got LeJuan, Conklin, Josh Klein, Quentin Spain, Ben Jones. You figure those are your starters.

You've got Dennis Kelly, who's your swing tackle. Jones, you know, you figure those are your starters. You've got Dennis Kelly, who's your swing tackle. And then I've got Pam Field, Kevin Pam Field, and Xavier Suofilo. I don't know if I'm saying that right. But the two guys, they signed a free agency. And I mean, I think that's what they probably

go with. You know, I think, didn't Pam Field, he's played some center, right? So, I mean, I think you've got the guy there that can do that. But those are the eight names that I have there. All right, so we're finally different. I went LaJuan Conklin, obviously, with Dennis Kelly.

And then I kept John Theus. We didn't touch on this to start the show, but they claimed John Theus, a guy that's bounced around the league, a backup tackle that would make sense to have some insurance if Jack Conklin can't go, you know, still recovering from that ACL. So I kept him. That gives me four tackles. And I come back with Klein, Spain, and Ben Jones.

And then I kept Pam Field. And then I went Corey Levin, the young center and guard out of Chattanooga over a guy like Xavier Suofilo who if you listen to the Texans guys they've just said he's been an utter disaster. I'm kind of thinking that

they're going to keep one or the other when it comes to Pam Field or Suofilo. I think that makes sense. Has Pam Field played center? Maybe I made that makes sense. Has Panfield played center? I think he's played everywhere, honestly. You've got to have somebody in there that can snap the ball if Ben Jones were to get hurt. If he hasn't, then it would make sense for them to go with a guy that has before.

I think we've got a few different names but our numbers are basically the same so you've got what 13 16 24 players on offense so that leaves some some interesting stuff on the defensive side of the ball uh so after the break we'll talk a little bit about how we see the defensive side of the roster shaking out all right so when you look at the defensive side of the ball, I did one of these a couple weeks back on Museum Miracles, and my defensive line had to change as of tonight. I had Jarrell Casey, Daquan Jones, Antoine Woods, Benny Logan, David King, and Austin Johnson. Well, Antoine Woods was released tonight

when they signed the offensive lineman, so obviously he's not going to be a part of this group now. I don't know that they need to necessarily add anybody else there. I'll say this. I don't know that they're going to keep anybody that's on the current roster in that spot for right now. So I would say they keep six, but kind of like you did with the receivers, I'm going to stick with five names that are on the roster,

and they find somebody that becomes available during the cutdowns. Yeah, Casey, Jones, Johnson, Logan, King, those are the obvious five there. It's interesting that they chose to replace Woods. I think you've kind of created a need there now, just in terms of numbers and depth. So that's a spot where, like you said, just like receiver now, I'm expecting them to go sign someone, whether it be a veteran or maybe a young player that they like.

Maybe one of the undrafted free agents emerges, but I think they end up keeping six, so they'll have to add one from the five locks that I've already got. Yeah, and moving on to outside linebacker, obviously you've got a ragpoe, Darren Morgan, our friend Honor Landry, Kevin Dodd, and then, you know, this gets interesting here, in my opinion, because I don't think Kevin Dodd's the lock to make the roster. I've got Aaron Wallace on this run, but I don't think he's by any means a lock.

I had Josh Carraway at one point, but I had to remove him because I'd forgotten Austin Johnson. So, I mean, I think there's a little bit of room here for some maneuvering. Could they still bring back Eric Walden? Maybe. I mean, I think he's still unsigned. Now, you know, obviously there was a different defensive coordinator and defensive staff that he was with last year.

But, I mean, I think they end up with five guys here, but I'm not necessarily sure what five guys it's going to be. But the way the roster's set up right now, I've got Arakpo, Morgan, Landry, Dodd, and Wallace. I have four, and, of course, Kevin Dodd is not a part of my equation. There you go. No surprise. So, yeah, I went Morgan Arakpo, Landry, and Aaron Wallace.

You can certainly make a case for Josh Carraway. You can make a case for Kevin Dodd, but he's going to have to show me something. I feel like we've been waiting on it. He was finally healthy supposedly last season, and now he's supposedly healthy again. So it's time for him to show something. Uh, so Rapels talked about it and about taking him on as a project. I just don't see it. I don't see the juice there. I see an Aaron Wallace, a guy that has a get off, has some speed on the edge that can do a little more than, than just rush the passer.

So he's kind of a versatile piece. Maybe they do bring back an Eric Walden type. I think he was a great fit for that team last year. But right now I've got four. All right, moving to inside linebacker, you've got Rashawn Evans, Jayon Brown, Wesley Woodyard, Will Compton, and Darren Bates. This is another spot where you can be flexible with the numbers. Also, a guy like Darren Bates is good on special teams,

so he's going to make the team based off of that. They brought in Will Compton. I think they needed some veteran depth in the position because you've got Wesley Woodyard, but behind that that you've got a couple of unproven guys. I mean, Jayon Brown was good in the role that he played last year, but he's only been in the league for a year, and then obviously Rashawn Evans is a rookie. So those are the five names that I came up with there.

Yeah, same here, same five. The interesting thing here for me is Compton because you've got a clear rotation in Woodyard and Evans, and then you're going to have Brown on passing downs. And maybe I'm misreading this. Maybe it's going to be different. But Compton right now seems like nothing more than a depth signing. I know he's been injured, so they might be easing him into things.

But if numbers get tight, that could be a guy that that i see uh being a just a casualty of the numbers yeah probably a guy that's going to need to be on special teams as well so i don't know how much of that he's done or how good how good he is at that but that'll be something to watch in camp with him all right moving on to corners uh keeping five here dory jackson logan ryan malcolm butler obviously those are your three starters we got sean sims and ty Moving on to corners, keeping five here, Dory Jackson, Logan Ryan, Malcolm Butler. Obviously, those are your three starters. We've got LaShawn Sims and Ty Smith. I think for the first time in a really long time,

the Titans are pretty well-stocked at corner. We're obviously really confident in the top three. Even LaShawn Sims and Ty Smith have played well when they've been given opportunities. I think we feel better with them being number four and five versus times when they were two or three or whatever they were. But it's been a while since the Titans have had a good group of cornerbacks, but I think that's a really solid five. Great group.

And it's going to push a guy like Kaitlin Reed almost totally out of the conversation before camp even begins. So I'm like you. I went five. And maybe Crookshank, the safety, plays into this because he's labeled himself as a defensive back, worked a little in college as a cornerback. So interested to see how they use him in terms of being a cornerback.

Yeah, that will be something just to watch. Like we said the other day, he wouldn't answer any questions on you know how he was lining up just yet so uh that'll be yeah like i said something to watch all right moving on to safeties we've got kevin byard jonathan cyprian dane crookshank and then i mean i had on this initial run i just had Brendan Trawick, but that was before they signed Kendrick Lewis. I think he makes the team, Lewis, just because he's, I mean, again, another veteran guy. He gives them some depth at that position. But I wouldn't be surprised to see him keep five here.

I mean, again, I think that those guys, you know, a couple of those guys can play special teams, and you just need some bodies behind those top two guys. And you don't necessarily want to roll with just Cruikshank being your only backup. Because there's just a high likelihood that one of those guys could get hurt. And you've got to have somebody step in. We saw Cipri miss a bunch of games last year. And Denora Searcy stepped in and played pretty well.

But he's gone. So they need a veteran there. So, I mean, I think Lewis makes sense from that standpoint. But I wouldn't be surprised to see him keep five. But this could be a spot where this could easily be a trial we didn't make the team. Yeah, and I kept five too. I think it was probably one of the easier calls on the entire roster because, like you said, one of those guys goes down, you can't just rely on Crookshank.

So I think that fact alone probably allows Lewis to make this team. You know, we'll see how much he has left in the tank. He didn't play last year. So it may be something to where he's all of a sudden old and he can't move anymore. So we'll see how that goes in camp. But right now, uh,

that's a pretty easy forecast for the secondary. Yeah. And like you said, I mean, with Trawick, he's been around a year or two, but you know, we haven't seen much out of him,

but I don't know. He's a guy that could emerge in camp. And like you said, I mean, I think if he's battling for a roster spot, he's battling with Lewis. Um, you got your, you know, they're going to keep Crookshank being a fourth-round pick. So I think that'll be something that could be interesting to watch if we think the numbers are getting, you know, tight there.

So that gives us a 50. You've got your last three guys on. Bo Brinkley, the long snapper, Brett Kern, the punter, and Ryan Suckup, the kicker. Don't think there's any doubt that that's how it'll shake out. I guess, you know, I mean, long snappers are kind of interchangeable, but Brinkley's been here for a while now. Trevor will be really excited that Brinkley's still around. Can't talk to him on Twitter, but anyway.

So, you know, not much there, I don't think, that's going to be up for discussion. Yeah, one of the best units the best kicking units in the league. No reason to break that up now. Yeah, and so that gives us 53. And again, this is not how it will play out. There will be shuffling. I mean, like we saw shuffling tonight. You'll see it other times as the season goes along and then

especially once we get into august when players keep start coming free you'll see that so you know and again it's a good place to be because guys that i mean you said this before we came on and i was kind of the same way but you you write everybody down that you think and it always ends up that you don't you don't have 53 you get to a number whatever it is and you're looking for a couple a couple two or three guys to add but you're you're you're pulling those two or three guys from you know a quality pull of players so i don't know how you do it how your process is but basically i'll go through and put my guys i think you're gonna make the roster and then i'll have like you know just on the fringe i'll have a list of those guys and so then i'll go back when i've got 50 or whatever it is and say

okay which of you know i have these five six names which three do i need to add on here uh you know and there have been years in the past where you made the list and you got to like 45 yeah and then you're like oh crap i've got to add eight more players and all these guys suck wasn't that long ago no like two years ago. So it's obviously, and we've talked about this, it's a compliment to what John Robinson has done with this roster. And just the fact that there will be guys cut in August that will make it on another roster.

And I don't know what, but there were two or three years there where the Titans cut people and nobody else in the league wanted anybody that they had cut. So, again, it's just he's done a really good job, and it's just a talented group that they have here finally. Yeah, competitive depth, you know, top to bottom. Like you said, it wasn't all that long ago where you struggle to get 40 names on a piece of paper. So, not the case anymore.

I think I ended up at 49 on my first run. And then I came back and added guys like Flewellen, maybe entertained a supernob, entertained a sixth receiver. So, yeah, it's a fun exercise. And like Jimmy said, it's going to change. It might change tomorrow. You know, this whole episode might be pointless tomorrow. But still, it's fun to go go through see where the roster's at uh identify the needs you know there's still a

clear need i think on the defensive line and at receiver so uh that's going to be fun to follow through the summer uh through training camp as as these rosters start to take shape and some of these veterans don't make the final 53. Yeah, absolutely. So obviously we'll be here through all that and do all this stuff that comes down. Uh,

the Titans are on the field next week for a mini camp, uh, that's going to be open to at least the media. So, um, we'll, we'll have to talk about that comes out of that. So we'll be around for that.

And then obviously between now and then check out me to seeMiracles.com. There's plenty of stuff going on there. Like I said at the beginning, also, Locked on Titans. Search us out on iTunes or Stitcher or Spotify, wherever you get podcasts. Give us a rating. Give us a review. Like us. Whatever you can do there to help it out.

Then you'll get the new episodes as soon as they're available. For Terry, this is Jimmy saying thanks for listening to Locked on Titans. We'll talk to you again next week.