Locked On Titans - Daily Podcast On The Tennessee Titans - Locked on Titans: Trade Deadline Deals; Titans-Ravens History

Episode Date: November 1, 2017

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Welcome in to another edition of Locked On Titans. I'm your host, Jimmy Morris. Joined as always by Terry Lambert. Terry, how are you tonight? Doing good. What's going on? Not too much. Coming off of what ended up being a crazy NFL trade deadline, which is abnormal for the NFL. Usually it kind of comes and goes without much movement. Every now and then you'll have a player who's got a bad contract on a team that they want to get rid of or a guy that's not happy that they'll ship out somewhere. But there were some big moves.

Last night we talked a little bit about the Jimmy Garoppolo trade and the Dwayne Brown trade for Jeremy Lane, which ended up – Jeremy Lane failed his physical coming from Seattle, so the Texans end up picking up an extra third-round pick in this coming draft for that deal with that going on. And today you had Kelvin Benjamin going from the Panthers to the Bills, and you had Jay Ajayi going from the Dolphins to the Eagles. So it was kind of a busy day, which I said is a little bit different.

And those guys, I mean, two really impact players. They were good players on their team and looked to have a say in what happens the rest of the season. Yeah, and the weirdest part of the day was the deal that didn't get done for AJ McEwen with the Browns and the Bengals. So apparently they had a deal in place. Everything was good to go. The Bengals sent in their papers to the league right before 4,

and the Browns just forgot to. So you just – the Browns just never cease to amaze. They just find ways to screw things up. And the crazy part was they were going to give a 2 and a 3, which would have been more a steeper price than what the Niners got

for Garoppolo. So it's kind of odd that their obsession with A.J. McCarron, you know, you can trace that back to last offseason. I wouldn't give up a 2 and a three for A.J. McCarron. You're that Bama fan here. Would you do that?

No, absolutely not. And the funny thing is, you know, A.J. McCarron got picked. It was the fifth round, I think it was, in the draft that he went. Yeah, it was day three for sure. And he hasn't played since then, you know. And, I mean, very limited action. He did play a little bit a couple years ago, I think, right? When Andy Dalton got hurt. I think he got that playoff game.

Yeah, he did. That's right. But, I mean, I don't know what he has done since he got drafted that would move his value up that much. And I don't understand what the other thing I understand is what do the Browns have against drafting a quarterback? Like, it's funny to me.

They draft quarterbacks, but not high, not early in the first round. They pass on all these guys. I mean, the list of guys that they could have drafted that they didn't just kind of goes on and on. understand what they think the um the value is in getting a guy like aj mccarran instead of taking a guy with you know what they're going to have as a top top 10 you know whatever's going to be picked maybe that says a lot about this quarterback draft i mean maybe you know the fact that the the 49ers were willing to uh trade a tube for garoppolo and the fact that the browns were willing to give up so much to get aj mccarran you, maybe that gives us an indication of what they're feeling about this draft coming up.

But, you know, I mean, he did okay. A.J. McCarron, looking back at numbers, it was 2015 that he got, it looks like three starts, went 2-1, 66.4% completion, 854 yards, six touchdowns, two picks. I mean, he was good in his time there. You know, we were talking a little bit before we started about his time in Alabama. Threw a good deep ball in college. Was kind of hit or miss on the underneath stuff and the intermediate stuff.

But he was also throwing that deep ball to Julio Jones. And, you know, it doesn't really take that much of a special talent to throw a deep ball to Julio Jones, you know, against college cornerbacks. Yeah, it's just wild. You know, you talk about the Browns. They've passed on Carson Wentz. They've passed on Deshaun Watson. They took Kaiser this year, who looks like he's probably the worst of the bunch. They've got Cody Kessler.

And, you know, they've picked high every year. So you'll see that jersey floating around Twitter of all the names on it. And they just seem snakebitten. You know, there's already reports out that they're wanting to blow up this front office and the coaching staff again. You know, it just seems like every two years they're back where they started. So, you know, one of my best friends is a Browns fan, so I've kind of lived it through him.

It's brutal over there. You know, any time you're feeling down about the Titans, you can just be thankful you're not a Browns fan. Yeah, it really is. I mean, it's unbelievable. And, you know, Hugh Jackson was a guy that I really wanted the Titans to go after. After, I guess it was before they hired Wisenhunt. He was a guy, he was a hot name, obviously the coordinator for the Bengals.

And, I mean, I guess that's the tie there to A.J. McCarron. But, you know, he was a guy that I was really excited about. So I don't know if it's him or if it's his front office. And I don't know if you saw, I mean, there's apparently been, you know, some quarterbacks maybe that he wanted that he didn't get to to pick because the front office didn't want him uh anyways i mean it just seems like things are things are kind of spiraling out of control uh in cleveland and i wouldn't be surprised if you see a shake-up you know from the front office down there because it just doesn't seem like that's the only way on the same page there and obviously whatever they're doing is not working right now yeah Yeah, and I guess we need to kind of discuss DeMarco Murray

before we go any further. There were rumors out there that the Titans could deal DeMarco Murray. I think Rap Sheet, he may have just been speculating this, but he talked about the possibility that the Cowboys were going to come after DeMarco Murray. You know, I said on Twitter when I saw that, it's just not going to happen. You know, DeMarco has too much value to this team right now. He's the only third down back that they trust.

You know, he's still needed for pass blocking, still needed catching balls out of the back field. Again, he's the only guy that Mike Malarkey really trusts to stand in there in the shotgun and help protect Mariota and go run routes. Not that Derrick Henry can't. I just don't feel like the staff thinks that he's there yet. So I never bought into any of that. You know, if the Titans were going to do anything,

I could see them adding another back, but definitely not taking away a guy like Murray yeah I wrote about that on musicmiracles.com um you know just that it didn't make sense I mean for the things that you talked about um you know and obviously pass protection uh you know I think that Derrick Henry has had his issues with that um and that's obviously something that's very important when you have a young guy that, you know, is your franchise quarterback. And just the fact, too, that, you know, they're in the playoff race. They're currently tied for the division lead.

I mean, technically they are the leaders in the division right now. So to trade off Murray for a draft pick just doesn't make any sense for where they are. If they were, you know, in the position the Colts are in, out of the race, whatever, you know, you could pick up a draft pick for this next draft to build on. Something like that would make sense. But where they are right now, you don't give up a valuable piece of your offense for a return that's not going to be – and it's not like they're going to get a second or third round pick for it.

So that was kind of nonsense. I never really understood why there would be anything to that. And just real quick before we move on. There were so many people who wanted the Titans to make a bunch of moves today, and I just don't understand. Like I said, this was the craziest trade deadline in the NFL that I can ever remember. But, you know, these deals don't just pop up. And, again, you know, you want them to add a corner.

Do you really want them to give up a second-round pick for Dominic Rodgers-Camardi or a third-round pick, whatever it would have taken? I mean, sure, he'd be a help in the short term, but I'm just not sure that – I don't know. I just don't think you're getting the value back there that a lot of people think you are. I mean, there's all these guys they wanted to add, and none of it really made sense to me. So, anyway, that's kind of where I'm on that. All right, so before we move on,

we're going to talk about the Titans-Ravens rivalry real quick because that's what we've got, the Ravens, coming up this Sunday. But before we do that, we will take a quick break. All right, so the Titans play the Ravens on Sunday. And like I said before, it's a huge rivalry for those of us who have been Titans fans for a long time. It's faded away a little bit since the, you know, realignment of the divisions.

The Titans moved to the South. Don't play the Ravens nearly as often as they did when they were both a part of the AFC Central. So some of these games go back a little bit further than a lot of people are really going to remember. But there's three games in particular that stand out to me, all playoff games. The most recent one was at the end of the 2008 season, a season in which the Titans were 13-3. We're pretty clearly the best team, at least in the AFC, maybe in the entire NFL.

The Ravens came to Nashville. I don't remember what the stadium was called at that point. It was LP Field or whatever, whatever. It's a three-quarter name since it's been here. And again, the Titans, you know, really, you know, if you look at the stat sheet, the Titans were the better team that day, but you had a fumble from Lindell White. You had a fumble from Algie Crumpler.

that day, but you had a fumble from Lindell White, you had a fumble from Algie Crumpler, and the Ravens were able to find a way to win that game. It was a heartbreaking deal because, again, the Titans, I think, really had a chance to go back to Super Bowl that year, and the Ravens once again came out of here and snatched it away. Yeah, it was brutal. That 2018 was so special.

Just that whole year, starting 10-0, even with Kerry Collins and virtually nothing at receiver. We were just running through the roster, and it was just kind of funny to hear some of the names. It was a team built on defense. It was really fun to watch. Albert Hainsworth was an absolute monster. And just to have it fall apart just so quickly, it was just, it ripped your heart out.

And the way it happened, you know, with the Joe Flacco, the play clock expiring. Play clock on zero and it doesn't get called. It's a huge moment in that game. So to just run through that whole season, go 13-3 and just have it ripped away from you just so quickly. That was probably the

most upset I've been as a Titans fan. Yeah, it was tough. And like you said, I mean, just the – it was the big play. It was hot heap, right, to cut that ball when the play clock expired. Was it hot heap that it was? I think it was. I don't remember.

But anyway, you know, they got a first down there. I think it was like a third and pretty long even. That was just brutal. That was the game where Chris Johnson kind of got bent over backwards a little bit and didn't come back in the game. It was just so many things that went wrong. Like you said, it was a special team.

That defense, man, was so good. Like you said, Hainsworth dominating the middle. Kyle Vandenbosch kind of took a lead by storm that year. Javon Kirst? It was one storm that year. Javon Kirst? It was one of those teams. Javon Kirst was back before he jumped in the bins and went home.

It was one of those things where you really thought it was all going to come together that year. Like you said, it just kind of all disappeared in an instant. The game before that that was the playoff game was January 3, 2004, so on the heels of the 2003 season.

It was a game that the Titans played in Baltimore. And the game, I guess we could have done this in the other order, but we'll talk about the 2001 game in a few minutes. But that was a game where the Titans had been knocked out by the by the ravens following the 2000 season so if you remember 1999 was your time when the super bowl um lost you know had the play that was you know obviously one of our short we've all seen it a million times um times with kick the extra point that would have tied the game um but the next year the times were even they were a lot better actually in 2000 they were 99 did one of the best fences in the history of the league

nobody talks about because the Ravens defense was really good that year too. I guess I will talk about that game real quickly because it sets the stage for the 0-4 game. The Titans were 13-3 again that year. Got the first run by.

Had the Ravens coming here to Adelphia Coliseum. It was the second year that the Titans were – the fourth year the team was in Nashville, or third year the team was in Nashville. Second year they were the Titans. Had not lost a game at then Adelphia Coliseum since the stadium had opened and they had been named the Titans. And, you know, again, coming off the one-yard short thing,

best team in the league, all that stuff. And they get a Ravens team that was really good, had a defense that gave up the least amount of points, at least to that point, ever in a season. The Ravens did. So Ray Lewis, remember all that. And the Titans in that game, as we were talking about before we started this, the Titans gained 317 yards of total offense.

The Ravens had 134, but the Ravens won the game 24-10, and you had a blocked field goal return 90 yards for a touchdown in that game. You had a Ray Lewis interception 50-yard return for a touchdown. I mean, just brutal. Still to this day for me is the most heartbroken i've ever been leaving a professional sporting event because i mean that was the year i really thought that was the other times we're going to do it uh it was just in the city was a buzz i mean it was great and for those of you that remember what it was like last summer

when the predators were in the stanley cup finals i mean that's what that's what the city felt like with the titans back then um and so anyway so all that to set the stage for the 2004 game when the Titans went to Baltimore. So kind of the exact opposite of that game. And also one thing I failed to mention, the Ray Lewis, in that game in 2001, they threw a little pass out to Eddie George to the side, and Ray Lewis ripped the ball out of his hand, and it was like he stole Eddie George's soul.

Never forget that. Anyway, so in the 2004 game, they went up there, and there's a play going to the sideline, and Ray Lewis comes to tackle Eddie George. And Eddie George stiff-arms him. I mean, Ray Lewis tackles him, but Eddie George goes down on top of him with his hand on Ray Lewis's face and just, like, bounces him off the ground. And it was just like – it was one of the greatest moments ever as a Titans fan

because it was like Eddie got his revenge in that moment. Anyway, but the Titans won that game. Gary Anderson kicked a 46-yard field goal that barely got over the crossbar. And I just – I don't know if you remember when Gary Anderson kicked. it was so awesome because he looked like a bobblehead out there he's this tiny dude with this big old head with his helmet on and i mean he would run out there he would kick and as soon as he kicked the ball he was turning around the field um but obviously with that one he stayed out there and they celebrated because it was the game winner so anyway all that to say that there's a lot of history between these two teams and again it's not it's not as recent because they don't play as often as they did.

They used to play a couple times a year back when they were in the AFC Central. But it's a series that does have quite a bit of history behind it. And, you know, this game will probably look a little bit like some of those games. The Ravens have a pretty good defense. The Titans' defense, I think, is improving, but the Ravens' offense is pretty bad. So I don't expect it to be a very pretty game to watch, which is a lot of what you saw against those teams,

and that was really because the defenses were so good. But I think we'll see a game this week that kind of resembles some of those games. Yeah, I agree. And I couldn't add too much to the conversation because I was, you know, 10 and 11 years old. Yeah. So, you know, Jimmy's the old man of the bunch.

Yeah. So those wounds are still fresh for him. But, yeah, it's going to be an ugly game. I totally agree with that. It's going to be a game where if you play DFS, stay away. It's just not going to be pretty. But it's a game that the Titans can win, and we've talked about that. Ravens team really shouldn't scare you.

I really think that so many Titans fans, they see Ravens and they immediately just go back to those early 2000 teams. Nothing has changed. And to a certain point, they're right on that. They still play that same style. But this isn't the same team. I mean, we talked about it yesterday. They ranked 29th against the run so far.

That's kind of crazy to think about. So it matches up well with the Titans' strengths. It's a spot where the Titans should be able to consistently rip off chunks of yardage in the run game. That's going to be the biggest thing I'm watching for. This run game has to get fixed because we've said they're not going to change

their philosophy. They're going to run the football. They've got to find a way to make it work. I think this is a good spot to jump start it. Coming I think this is a good spot to kind of jump start it. Coming off the bye, coming off a little bit of a favorable matchup. Let's get the run game going.

Yeah. And we got a Vegas line today. So we'll talk a little bit about that after we take one more quick break. Okay. So last night when we talked, I guess there was still a little bit of uncertainty surrounding joe flacco uh but i mean it looks like now that it's it's pretty certain that he's going to play um so the the site that i've been looking at the titans opened as a one point

favorite i guess the ravens uh game has a total of 40 uh so, you know, I think it's probably about right. I mean, I think the Titans are a better team here. I think, you know, definitely considering that it's a home game, I think it's a game the Titans should win. But I do think they'll struggle a little bit. I don't think it's going to be an easy thing by any means. I do look for the defense to play pretty well here and to look good. There's not anything really on the Ravens that scares you.

You know, they've got some guys. I mean, they've got a Jeremy Macklin, Mike Hollis. But, I mean, those guys are not, you know, what they were in their prime. Joe Flacco is not what he was, quite honestly, in his prime. And he was never, you know, great or he was never elite as he wanted to think that he was. You know, won a couple of Super Bowls playing with some really good defensive teams. So, you know, I don't know. I think, like you said, ugly game, a 40 over-under is not something

that you necessarily want to attack from a fantasy perspective. But that really does seem about right. Yeah, it totally does. And, you know, it's not really the passing game that I'm concerned with. The Ravens are sneakily good on the ground. Maybe not with names. Buck Allen and Alex Collins aren't going to scare you, but they've got some things done.

Alex Collins has kind of emerged into that bleak guy. But Buck Allen can hurt you in the passing game. So that's where I'm looking for this Titans defense to kind of key in. But, again, you can't go to sleep on Mike Wallace. And we'll see kind of what the matchups are. But Jeremy Macklin is still capable too. It's just kind of a matter of Joe Flacco. And he's really falling off.

He's not what he once was. I don't know that he was ever great, like you were kind of saying, but he's been pretty bad this year. So I really think if the Titans can play firm against the run, I think the Titans should be able to escape this one with an ugly win. Yeah, and so we'll have a little bit more tomorrow on, I guess, status of guys. You know, we talked yesterday about Corey Davis, John Ciprian being limited. And again, I think that they were more limited just because of the layoff

and that stuff. So, I mean, I think even if we don't see them uh be a full go in practice the next couple days i still wouldn't be that concerned about it um i think cory davis is going to i don't know that they're going to throw him in he's going to you know leave the receivers in snaps just considering how long he's been out and he talked a little bit about how um he thinks he came back a little bit too quickly last time so i think he's in a little bit but it'll be good to have him back out there but anyway we'll get a better indication of all that stuff. And Delaney wasn't able to practice on Monday.

We'll see if he's able to go tomorrow. So that's kind of the key things that we'll be looking at for tomorrow, just the injury report and seeing where they are. Anything else, Terry, before we jump out? That's all I got. All right, sounds good. Forgot to mention from the top, Pro Football Focus. Again, we still have that promo going.

If you rate and review the podcast on iTunes, leave your Twitter handle in the review. You're entered to win a year-long subscription there. We would appreciate you doing that. It helps us out, and we appreciate any feedback that we can get as well. Follow us on Twitter. I'm at jmorrismcm. Terry is at tlambertfb. Check out the site, museummiracles.com.

Today we looked a lot at the trade stuff that was going on, but we'll get more in-depth into this game as the week goes on. So thanks again for listening. Again, this is Locked on Titans, and we will be back with another episode tomorrow.