Locked On Titans - Daily Podcast On The Tennessee Titans - Locked on Titans: Still waiting on Suh, taking your questions

Episode Date: March 23, 2018

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Welcome in to another edition of Locked On Titans. I'm Jimmy Morris, joined as always by Terry Lambert. Terry, how are you? Doing well. What's going on tonight? Not a whole lot. We're going to talk a little bit about the Indomitian Sioux watch, which is still going on. Titans signed an office of lawman tonight. We'll talk about that, and then we'll get a little bit into some listener questions that we had. So we appreciate all those. Before we do that, a reminder that you can read our stuff on musiccitymiracles.com. We're the Titans for SB Nation. We have all the stuff there. So check it out.

We've got draft profiles. We've got free agency stuff. I mean, just all kinds of stuff going up there all day. So check that out. Follow us on Twitter. I'm at jmorrismcm. Terry's at tlambertfb. Podcast is at LockedOnTitan.

So that's where you can get us. And then if you want to subscribe to the podcast, iTunes, Stitcher, wherever you do that, just search LockedOnTitan so you can find us there. All right, so we're still waiting on a decision from Indomitian Sioux. Recording this Thursday night. Haven't heard anything on him other than, you know, we talked last podcast, which we recorded, I guess, Tuesday night, that he was going to visit the Raiders. And he decided against taking that visit, shut it down after the Rams visit.

There was a report today that it was down to the Titans and the Rams. And then Jordan Schultz, who is a guy that has Indomitian Sioux's ear, said that he wasn't sure that the Saints were eliminated. But we talked about it the other night as far as Kaepernick and all that stuff. It's going to be really complicated for the Saints to try to get something done. So it does seem like it's down to the Rams and the Titans. And so now we just kind of wait and see which team he preferred um and you know which team could offer him the better package uh in that report today it was it was reported that

the Rams would have to release Tavon Austin to make this happen um so I don't I'm not an expert on our cap situation but the Titans don't have anybody they have to release or anything to get that type of flexibility so I don't know we'll see to release or anything to get that type of flexibility. So I don't know. We'll see. I mean, at this point, we're hoping, obviously, that he comes here. But, you know, I don't know. I don't really have, I think, just a pessimist in me. Keeps thinking he's going to sign with the Rams. But Terry made a point before we came on, the longer this goes, maybe the better it is for the Titans.

And because we chose to record tonight, it's pretty much guaranteed that he's going to sign in the morning. So just keep that in mind. But, yeah, it feels really strange. It feels like the Titans and Rams are battling it out for a five-star recruit. I'm not – it's weird. I just haven't been in many of these big-time free agent battles, so it's cool to see them going for it.

But, yeah, I really feel the fact that he didn't sign with the Rams right after the visit. I felt pretty good about that. He's giving the Titans a legitimate shot. You know, he called off the thing with the Raiders. I don't know how I feel about the Saints. That's one that I just don't seem to buy. I could be wrong.

But I think that they would have to move too much money around. So down to the Rams and the Titans, and it seems like he's torn. You know, he'd have two great running mates on the defensive line wherever he chooses. So I don't know. 50-50 right now. We know both teams have contingency plans. I would think the Titans would get in on Jonathan Hankins if it falls through.

But we'll see. I think we know for sure by the end of the weekend. Yeah, that was a point that Jordan Schultz made. He was on the midday 180 again today. And he said that Indomitian Sioux understands that these teams do have backup plans and all that kind of stuff they need to move on to, whichever team he doesn't sign with. So basically that he's respectful of that,

and so his decision will come sooner than later. So, yeah, I think definitely by the end of the weekend we'll have an answer. So just hang out. We'll do our best to update that as soon as we have some news there. The Titans signed a backup offensive lineman tonight, Kevin Pamphil, who has been with the Buccaneers for the last, I think, four years, a guy that can play all five offensive line spots. He's not a guy that they're bringing in to be a starter by any means,

but a guy that has experience. Like I said, it's always good to have versatile backup offensive linemen and he's that guy. Just add in depth to the position there and hopefully it doesn't come down to that, but could also maybe be an indication

that they're not sure about Jack Conklin being able to start camp after he turned ACL in the game against the Patriots. So you need to have a guy that can step in and play if he's not able to get back in time. They've still got Dennis Kelly. But it would be nice to have some competition for him. So, I mean, I think that's pretty much what this signing is about.

Yeah, I think you can pretty much chalk him up to the new Brian Schwenke, a guy that's going to be, you know, Jason Wolfe for the Tennesseans said that he's expected to push Quentin Spain, assuming Spain stays here for the starting job. I don't know about that. But a guy that's going to be a good depth piece, and you've got to have those guys, especially with Conklin being up in the air. So just another piece for the Titans to work with.

You just never know what the NFL is going to throw at you. The Titans were pretty fortunate last year with injuries up front. But you've got to be prepared. And this is a guy that John Robinson was connected to back to his Buccaneers day. So, it certainly makes sense from that standpoint. Yeah, and like you said, they've been very fortunate on the injury front. connected to back to his Buccaneers day. So it certainly makes sense from that standpoint. Yeah, and like you said, they have been very fortunate on the injury front. Hope it doesn't get down to something like that.

But it's just good to have options. So that's kind of the news for tonight. And we'll, again, just keep an eye on the Sioux thing. I've been staring at Twitter for like three days now waiting for something to come across. So I think we'll probably get an answer on friday but it could drag on into saturday but anyway so like i said we'll keep you updated on that all right so coming up in just a sec we will get to uh some of the questions that we got on twitter and try to answer those as best we can okay uh the first question that we're going to tackle is a question that we actually got

a couple different ways a couple different times matthew braz and south texas titan both asked about backup quarterback and that's what we've been talking about you know from before free agency opened before the legal tampering period even was the titans would sign a veteran backup because they let Matt Castle go. You've got to have that guy behind Marcus Mariota. Anyway, but especially with Mariota's injury history, those guys flew off the board. And so we're at a point where we're down to names like, I mean,

Drew Stanton, Derrick Anderson, Mark Sanchez, Matt Moore, Geno Smith, Blaine Gabbert, who they brought in for a visit, Mark Osweiler, Brandon Whedon, who was here last year. I mean, that's the type of guy they're talking about at this point. I think we both agree that they will sign one of those guys, unless they decide to trade for a guy, and I'm not sure how realistic that is, because they have to have a veteran. They're not going to draft a quarterback before day three

and probably mid to late day three. So whoever that guy is they end up drafting, if they do draft a quarterback, you can't afford to go into the season with him as the backup. So they're going to end up signing one of these guys. It's kind of impossible to say who it is at this point. Yeah, and honestly, they're all the same guy. I mean, you take Matt Cassel out of the equation, who's clearly not resigning here.

Stanton, Matt Moore, Derek Anderson, James Smith, it's hard to really separate any of those guys. None of them get you excited. Matt Moore is probably the best of that group, a guy that could come in and complete some passes and keep the offense somewhat moving. So, yeah, you're not going to get excited about the Titans' backup. It's just not going to happen.

They were never going to pay a guy $8 million to $10 million like some of those backups got. So I think you're spot on with signing one of these guys, maybe a late-round draft pick, similar to what we saw with Zach Mettenberger a few years ago. So, yeah, I'm still not totally sold that the trade market is closed either. You know, we saw the Hunley deal. I'm not sure if Hunley's a name they could circle back to,

but I would think they could get a better name on the trade market. Yeah, I mean, it seems like there would be some better guys available. We'll just kind of have to monitor that as it goes. You know, one interesting development, I guess, Johnny Manziel threw it at a pro day today. And, you know, he's a guy that has been you know apparently he's cleaned his life up um has been out there trying to get a chance yeah you know i mean you can't i don't i think it'd be foolish to count on johnny manziel um but you know he's a guy that listen he played

at a&m he single-handedly beat alabama one year and almost single-handedly beat him the next year so i'm obviously familiar with what he's able to do. You know, you don't want him to be your starter by any means. But I don't know. I mean, Johnny Manziel or Blaine Gabbert, you know, I just don't know. I think that if you're convinced that he's got his life cleaned up, I might bring him in. Yeah, and he worked out at San Diego State,

or San Diego University at their pro day today. And reportedly the Titans were in attendance. So that's interesting. And I'm intrigued by him. I mean, it's probably because I'm such an SEC fan. I just watched him set that fire. But there's just something about him. And I don't know, if you bring him in, you know,

Marcus Struggles or the idiot portion of the fan base is going to, you know, start chanting Johnny in the stands. That's what I worry about about him. But, you know, you're still talking about Johnny Manziel versus Derek Anderson, Drew Stanton. but you know you're you're still talking about johnny manziel versus derrick anderson drew stanton there's something to be said about getting an athlete back there that can just kind of make things up as he goes i don't think that's the worst idea in the world honestly but it's not a guy that you just sign you say he's our backup you know forget starter that's

not a guy you rely on to be your backup so yeah i think you i think you sign him in addition to a derrick anderson in addition to a geno smith someone like that it's almost like drafting one you know sure and i'd rather have johnny manziel than a day three pick you know so i mean i think that you know i don't i don't think that's going to happen here but i think it's the worst idea. And like I said, the big thing would be if he's gotten his life cleaned up or not. So, anyway, that would be something to keep an eye on if a team does give him a chance. Our friend Skins, who sent a question in last week and another one this week, we appreciate him,

asked if we could do a mock draft as part of a podcast. We kind of talked about that a little bit before we came on tonight. Made sure to do that when we get a little bit closer to the draft. Maybe even bring somebody else on and do like a three-man or something like that. But, yeah, that's something we'll definitely look into as we get a little bit closer. And then talking about just top five realistic players we'd like to see drafted at 25. It's such a hard question to answer uh just when you talk about 24 picks having to happen before before the titans are on the clock um you

know harold landry is a guy that we've we both have been talking about really since the since this process started both probably agree that you know after the the combine workout that he had, he probably vaulted himself up enough that he's not going to be on the board when the Titans pick. You're seeing a lot of movement in mock drafts these last few days or last week or so after free agency inside linebackers. Rashawn Evans, the Vander Esch kid. Those would be fine options for me, guys that I would like to see. You know, if you think one of those guys can be a three-down linebacker,

I think that's definitely something the Titans could use. And maybe you get another year out of Woodyard, but then you've got, you know, the guy to take over after that. So that's kind of what you're looking at. I think it's going to be on the defensive side of the ball. Hopefully a pass rusher. I think we agree that's the thing they need the most. They could still stand and improve

at an inside linebacker. I don't know anything about the safeties in this class, but they could upgrade on Ciprian. I think that's what they're going to do at 25, but I think that would be a viable option. Other than that, I can't see them going interior offensive linemen in the first round.

They're not going running back first round. They're not going tight end. You know, I don't know. I don't see an offensive player, really, that fits the combination of need and what will be available there. So, I mean, I'm just thinking one of those inside linebackers or ideal pass rusher, but I'm just kind of afraid they'll all be gone. Yeah, if I had my pick, it's going to be Landry.

Josh Sweat, the guy out of FSU, is another guy that you're going to start seeing pop up more and more in mock drafts. I guess the Titans have already been connected to. Those are two viable options. And I agree with what Jimmy said about the inside linebacker spot. Vander Esch,

Rashawn Evans, both viable options there. We don't really know how they feel about Jaylen Brown. We don't really know if he's ready to step into that full-time role. I don't know.

Inside linebacker seems like I just don't see it happening. I don't know. I'm weird about that. But I could see guard. And I know that's not the popular opinion, but, you know, all these pass rushers start coming off the board. You can't work a deal to go get who you want. If the Hernandez kid from UTEP is there, Isaiah Wynn is there out of Georgia,

and something happens, falls through with Quentin Spain, I could see the Titans pulling the trigger there. I mean, that's a spot where I think we agree that they could stand to upgrade. I don't think it's the most in need, certainly. But, again, this is kind of uncharted territory for us. It's just going to be about how the board falls. Yeah, I think that's the key point because if you get into a situation where they're not happy with any of the pass rushers that are left,

then you're looking at who are the best available players on the board. And if that's a guard, take the guard. If that's an inside linebacker, take the inside linebacker. I mean, you know, you could get into that type of situation at 25. And, again, you know, it's a good problem to have that they don't have to necessarily reach for something there. I mean, you know, it's debatable whether or not they should reach for a pass rusher there because they really, really need one.

And, you know know not necessarily this i mean they need depth this year you got morgan aracpo that they're fine but you need you need something behind those guys you're definitely going to need in the next couple of years but those guys are in the final years of their contract so i i mean i would if anything i think they'd reach for that but if there's nothing that they think of value there, then you just go with the best player available, and whoever that is, I think you take. You're talking about Sweat. Mike did an article on musiccitymiracles.com today and gave Sweat the comp of Javon Curse. We kind of had a little text back and forth.

That's a bold proclamation there. For those of you that don't remember, I mean, Kers came in and took a Titans defense, or it was the Tennessee Oilers defense in 1998 that was good. And Kers came in and made them elite, like best, second-best defense in the league, broke the rookie sack record, all that kind of stuff. So that's quite the high bar that he's setting for Josh Sweat there. I mean, I think athletically, you know, I mean, I don't know that anybody athletically is on par with what Curse was

when he came out of college. But obviously Sweat's an athlete. There's no doubt about that. You have questions about production and all that kind of stuff. What do you think about that comp? I don't know about it. I haven't – I'm not done with Sweat. I do know he's an athlete.

You can't take that away from him. And that's what I value in a pass rusher, more so than production. I would take him seven days a week over a guy like Sam Hubbard out of Ohio State just because I think the upside is there. So, I don't know. I see some inconsistencies with Sweat. There's some questions about his get-off. You see

these scouting reports around the league with people who have done a ton of work on him and they say he's lazy and doesn't give it that max effort. That's something. It sounds like a perfect pick at 25 to me because you're not going to get the elite athlete usually at pick 25, me because you're not going to get the elite athlete

usually at pick 25 but you've got the chance to here so you're getting a guy that's kind of underachieved but you're bringing him into the fold with Vrabel who clearly loves coaching these guys up he did it in Houston with all those pass rushers so yeah it would be a really intriguing fit,

and I'm kind of warming up to the idea. Yeah, so, again, and you could see Sweat get drafted in the top 20. I mean, you know, those guys tend to fly up boards, so we'll see. But like you said, if you can get a premier athlete, if you think you can teach him to play football the way that you want him to do it, why not? So I don't know. It's going to be fun, the draft.

And then, you know, if John Robinson's got a guy that starts to fall down his board, I think he'd be willing to move up. Again, if you think you've got that one guy that can put you over the top with a team that should be ready to contend this year, if you've got that one guy that you think makes all the difference, then by all means, go up and get him. So we'll obviously talk a lot more about that. We've got like five weeks, I think, until the draft. So we'll have plenty of time to talk about that.

We'll have some more draft guys on to break down these prospects and get their opinions. So kind of just keep an eye out for that. So that'll do it for tonight. There's a couple more questions we'll roll into next week with odds of winning the Super Bowl and that kind of stuff with AFC South. And that's a conversation that we'll have more after the draft about this division because, I mean, I think you might be able to make

the argument it's going to be one of the better divisions in football, if not the best, next year. And so we'll kind of break down that case at some point in the next few weeks. But that'll hit it for tonight. Again, thanks for listening. best next year. We'll kind of break down that case at some point in the next few weeks. That'll hit it for tonight. Again, thanks for listening. Follow us on Twitter at jmorrismcm, at TLambFB, musicofmiracles.com is where you write.

We'll hopefully get a decision on Indomitian Sioux. The next podcast that we record, whenever that will be, we'll break that down for you. Hopefully, we're talking about him in the two-tone blue. So for Terry, this is Jimmy saying thanks for listening to Locked on Titans, and we'll talk to you again later.