Locked On Titans - Daily Podcast On The Tennessee Titans - Tennessee Titans Preseason Ends: Final Game Takeaways, Position by Position Recap & COVID List Grows

Episode Date: August 29, 2021

The Tennessee Titans concluded their preseason with a 27-24 loss to the Chicago Bears, but the biggest takeaway is that preseason is OVER!! Roster cuts are around the corner and Tyler goes position by position through the offense and defense to give his final thoughts on each spot. Tyler updates all of the top roster battles and who looks like the winner. Even loses a bet on the back up QB spot!! Finally, the Titans are still in the midst of a COVID breakout, Tyler gives you the latest.Follow Tyler on Twitter @TicTacTitansFollow the show on Facebook @LockedOnTitansPodSubscribe to the Locked On Titans YouTube page:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP3332GMOh4y5PX3q9NFybwSupport Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!Built BarBuilt Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKED15,” and you’ll get 15% off your next order.BetOnline AGThere is only 1 place that has you covered and 1 place we trust. Betonline.ag! Sign up today for a free account at betonline.ag and use that promocode: LOCKEDON for your 50% welcome bonus.Rock AutoAmazing selection. Reliably low prices. All the parts your car will ever need. Visit RockAuto.com and tell them Locked On sent you.NorthOneWith NorthOne, you’ll never pay overdraft or NSF fees again, saving you hundreds of dollars per month. To get started, visit apply.northone.com/locked.RunYourPoolCheck ‘em out TODAY and get $10 off at RunYourPool.com and use promo code LockedOn at checkout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to the Locked on Titans podcast. I am your host, Tyler Rowland. Titans fans, this preseason instant reaction edition of the Locked on Titans podcast is presented by the Locked on Ultimate Season Preview 2021. The Locked on Podcast Network is partnering up with Odyssey and their NFL experts to go team by team and division by division through the NFL to get you ready for the upcoming season. The ultimate season preview is going to begin on Monday, August the 30th and run through September the 8th. Again, every team, every division. through September the 8th. Again, every team, every division.

Make sure you check out Locked On's Ultimate Season Preview 2021 feed on the Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcast and make sure to tune in starting on Monday. But I want to come to you guys with an instant reaction video here following the Titans 27 to 24 preseason loss against the Chicago Bears. But we're going to do things just a little bit differently. I'm going to go position by position and give you my overall takeaways every single step of the way after the preseason has now been completed to get you guys ready for cut down day coming up on Tuesday where we will finally see the Titans 53 man roster.

So an instant reaction to the Titans final preseason game and a roster review on this special edition of the Locked On Titans podcast. Let's get it. of the Locked On Titans podcast. Let's get it. You are Locked On Titans, your daily Tennessee Titans podcast. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. That's right, Titans fans. The preseason is finally over,

and the regular season is almost here. What I want to do on this instant reaction pod for you guys is give you my final thoughts on every single position now that the preseason is, in fact, over. The Titans took their first now that the preseason is in fact over. The Titans took their first loss of the preseason against the Bears 27-24, but of course those results, those scores do not matter now. What does matter now is though that roster cuts are coming by 4 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on Tuesday.

The Titans will have to cut down to their final 53. So my final preseason thoughts on who I think gave themselves the best chance to make the roster going position by position. Before we get into that, do want to remind you guys, I'm going to be putting out daily, Monday through Friday, Tennessee Titans content here on the Locked on Titans podcast. Make sure that you never miss an episode of the number one Tennessee Titans podcast in the world by subscribing to the Locked on Titans podcast on whatever platform you do

stream. Also, subscribe to the Locked on Titans YouTube page and make sure you smash that notification bell so you always know when my videos go live. Remember, the Locked on Titans podcast is on every platform and it's always free. So let's dive right in. We are going to start on the offensive side of the ball and the biggest headline coming out of Saturday night's game against the Bears was probably the backup quarterback competition seems to be over.

Logan Woodside played better than Matt Barkley on Saturday night, although both guys had terrible interceptions in the game. I wouldn't say that it was a major win for Woodside in any way, but here's the reality. He played a little bit better than Matt Barkley in this game. He's familiar with the system. The Titans organization is invested in the development of Logan Woodside and on the field. He has a little bit more mobility because he's a younger

player than Matt Barkley. All of those things considered, it does look like Logan Woodside will win that competition. Now, of course, I know that I am not a big Woodside guy. And as a matter of fact, I'm going to be making a $100 donation to Taylor LeJuan's Food Drive Foundation with a little competition with Justin M. over at Broadway Sports. We did put $100 on who the backup quarterback would ultimately be. Now, I'm a good sport, guys. I want what's best for the Titans. If Woodside is the best choice, then'm a good sport, guys. I want what's best for the Titans. If Woodside is the

best choice, then great. Go with Woodside. But I think the real takeaway here at quarterback is regardless of who the Titans pick, neither of those guys are a very good backup and the Titans will still have one of the worst backup quarterback situations in the league. So yeah, I was wrong and Logan Woodside is going to be the backup. He was better than Matt Barkley, but I don't think that that's what's best for the Titans either way. So moving forward at running back, I think Makai Sargent really did give himself a good chance to make this team. Although he didn't have the best statistical output on Saturday night, he's been the most explosive Titans runner throughout preseason. He looked more explosive and more elusive on the night on Saturday

than Brian Hill, who also got a ton of carries. Now, Jeremy McNichols, like Logan Woodside, is a guy this organization has put a lot of investment into. So I wouldn't be shocked to see Jeremy McNichols get this final third running back spot. But for my money, I'd like to see Makai Sargent get it. And one thing that I think makes it possible for that to happen is Kari Blossom game took some snaps at running back tonight. He caught an awesome screen pass from Matt Barkley on a third and long

and converted it to a first down and a big gain. If Kari Blossom game gives the Titans an extra guy who they can count on in pass protection, which is what Jeremy McNichols has really been relied on, then the Titans have that pass protection specialist in Kari Blossom game, and then they can keep a pure runner like Makai Sargent around. So hopefully the drill sergeant will find a way on the roster. I think he deserves it. He did get hurt in the game, but I don't think the Titans have to worry about that

when they're putting together the roster at this point because Jeremy McNichols has been hurt a lot of the time throughout this year. He's been on the COVID list, all kinds of things. So I don't think that should factor in it. Wide receiver Marcus Johnson did get hurt in this game. That could make things a little more complicated. Cam Batson was very good in this game. Again, catching a touchdown pass from Logan Woodside.

Those guys seem to have chemistry. But hear me out on this. I think the Titans should consider trading Cam Batson. He has NFL experience. Again, catching a touchdown pass from Logan Woodside. Those guys seem to have chemistry. But hear me out on this. I think the Titans should consider trading Cam Batson. He has NFL experience. He has punt return experience that could be valuable to another team in the way of not wanting to try to get him off waivers if the Titans cut him. But I think the Titans could trade Cam Batson for a seventh-round conditional draft pick. If Cam Batson makes the team he's traded to, the Titans get a seventh rounder. If he doesn't, they don't. I think that's the best way to go because there's

too much talent at wide receiver and the Titans simply cannot keep them all. I think Nick Westbrook Akina makes this team. I think Des Fitzpatrick makes this team. Just so much invested in the fourth round pick, traded three picks up to get him. I don't think the Titans bail out so early. Racey McMath, we're going to talk about him later. He did go on the COVID list. I think that gives the Titans an opportunity there to have their cake and eat it too on the roster. I'll explain that at the end of the show, though.

Mason Kinsey, going to be tough for him to make the squad. He's a good story, but maybe practice squad, but I got a feeling he's going to get scooped up by somebody else. I don't see him making the roster. One other thing that I want to say here about Cam Batson is Amani Hooker took the second punt return of the game. And I think that's a sign that Cam Batson and Mason Kinsey are, are not going to get themselves a roster spot on this team because Chester

Rogers is going to be that full-time punt returner and the Titans need to look for who the backup punt returner is going to be when they actually cut down to 53. So that's my read on that. On the offensive line, we'll quickly go through here. Guys, I think David Questenberry is starting at right tackle on day one. Kendall Lamb played tonight, and so didn't Ty Sambrello. They were the second team right tackle and left tackle

with Lamb at right tackle and Sambrello at left tackle. I think Questenberry starts at right tackle and left tackle with Lamb at right tackle and Sambrillo at left tackle. I think Questenberry starts at right tackle at this point. Lamb's been hurt, Sambrillo's been hurt, and Questenberry's been the starting right tackle the entire time. Also worth noting that Taylor LeJuan and Roger Saffold started in this game. So in my opinion, three-fifths of the Titans' starting offensive line was out there at the beginning of the game tonight. Also just want to mention that Dylan Radins,

Chandon Herring, and Cole Bonwart on the second team offensive line on the right side, I thought they were great tonight. They opened up a ton of holes. I know Chandon Herring's probably not going to make the roster. Cole Bonwart with Aaron Brewer coming back probably not going to make it either. But if the Titans could find a way to get those guys on the practice squad, I think that would be

a great move. Also worth noting that current backup center, he's been starting throughout the preseason, has been Daniel Myrner. I haven't been impressed. He did get injured tonight. I'm hoping that with Aaron Brewer coming back off the NFI and getting healthy, that Daniel Myrner probably won't make this roster. I'm sorry. I hate to say it. I don't want to see anybody lose their job, but I just don't think he's bringing a lot to the table. But we are going to talk about the defensive side of the ball next. My final preseason thoughts following the Titans' third preseason game of the year. Before we get into the defense, do want to remind you guys that the safest and easiest way to bet on all the football action this fall

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even your favorite casino games, make sure you head over to betonline.ag today. BetOnline, your online sportsbook experts. today. BetOnline, your online sportsbook experts. Titans fans, let's get defensive. Before we go over my final preseason thoughts

on the defensive side of the ball, I do want to remind you guys, check me out on social media, at TicTacTitans on Twitter. You aren't going to want to miss the film breakdowns that I do throughout the regular season. Also, check out the Facebook page at Locked Tac Titans on Twitter. You aren't going to want to miss the film breakdowns that I do throughout the regular season. Also, check out the Facebook page at Locked on Titans pod as well. Let's dive into the defense.

Number one, John Robinson was in the booth on Saturday night with the Titans media guys who were covering the game, and he mentioned two positions that have some incredible competition. It's going to be difficult to cut down. He mentioned wide receiver, which we all know and we've all talked about. But he also mentioned the interior defensive line. And I think that that's going to be a tough call for a totally different reason entirely. The wide receiver position, the Titans have too many good receivers and they can't keep them all. At the interior defensive line spot, they don't have enough guys.

Of course, you've got have enough guys. Of course, you got the three starters, Tart, Autry, Simmons. You got Larell Murchison as a primary backup for Jeffrey Simmons, but Kyle Pecco was the best nose tackle of the bunch, and he's on IR. The Titans had Anthony Rush in there. He went on COVID. Now, he came off COVID, but did he have enough practice time to make a way to get on this roster? Do the Titans feel comfortable with that? Another guy is Woodrow Hamilton, and does he just win by default at this point? Trevin Colley on IR.

Kyle Pecco on IR. Anthony Rush, like I said, missed a bunch of time with the COVID list. So I guess it's Woodrow Hamilton who's going to get that fifth interior defensive lineman spot to be a backup nose tackle. But I wouldn't feel very confident about that if I was the Titans, because he kind of just won by default. I would keep an eye out on the Titans picking up a player off waivers who was cut by another team that has

more depth along the defensive line. That would be what I would be on the lookout for because I simply don't trust or believe in anybody past Larell Murchison and the Titans need at least one more guy, a backup nose tackle to fill the spot behind behind Tyer Tartt because I do believe that Rashad Weaver at outside linebacker can fill in for Danico Autry as that defensive end in the Titans multiple front on the defensive line. So that's how I'm seeing that right now. Woodrow Hamilton. But I think the Titans will get someone off waivers to fill that fifth interior defensive

lineman spot at inside linebacker. I'm just not a big fan of any of the options. Nick DeZubnar is currently on COVID. He wasn't awesome last year, but at least the Titans know what they're going to get with Nick DeZubnar. Guy plays pretty solid on special't awesome last year, but at least the Titans know what they're going to get with Nick DeZubnar. Guy plays pretty solid on special teams. Not going to help you as a linebacker. Outside of that, Justin March-Lillard on COVID.

You also have Jan Johnson, who I wasn't incredibly impressed with throughout the preseason. A couple big hits on Saturday night, but overall, I don't think he's going to help you in the way that you need for that fifth interior linebacker spot. We know it's going to be Evans, Jayon, David Long, and Monty Rice. So that fifth inside linebacker needs to be a special teams dynamo. And we know Nick DeZubnar can at least give the Titans quality special teams.

So that's another spot where I think the Titans could potentially look outside the organization, look to pick up somebody on waivers to fill that spot if they're uncomfortable with the Zubnar coming off the COVID list or Jan Johnson, who I just don't think was worthy of a roster spot based on the play in the preseason. So something to watch there. Moving forward, we have to talk about the outside linebacker group. And I mentioned that I think the Titans are going to keep six outside linebackers. And maybe because of that, they only keep four inside linebackers and they don't care about that fifth inside linebacker. Who's just a special teams player

because that spot could be filled by Ola Dainey. Ola Dainey had another sack on Saturday night when the Titans signed Ola Dainey, they knew that he was a special teams beast. But he's flashed as an edge rusher quite a bit in this preseason. So you get that dual value from Ola Adani. That's great news for the Titans in the rotation on the defensive line, especially on the outsides at edge. The Titans are going to keep Harold Landry, Bud Dupree, Derek Roberson, John Simon, Rashad Weaver, and then Ola Adani. And maybe 10 linebackers total is enough foraver, and then Ola Adanian.

Maybe 10 linebackers total is enough for them, and they're not going to want to hold 11. But I know the Titans like their inside linebackers for special teams reasons, so I would kind of be shocked if they went with 10 linebackers instead of 11. But moving forward into the secondary, Elijah Molden is your starting slot cornerback. I had faith all along. Really, really the reality here is my faith in Elijah to be the starter in the slot comes from my lack of faith of Chris Jackson, the undrafted or the seventh round rookie from 2020 to fill that spot.

I just don't believe in Chris Jackson. I don't think that he's an NFL player right now. He's a practice squad quality player. So Elijah Molden looking great. And I do want to mention about Elijah Molden. He's out there telling other players where to go, where to be. And all the reports are, he's been doing that in practice too. The IQ, the football instincts, all the things we talked about pre-draft with Elijah Molden, all the things we talked about post-draft with Elijah Morton. They're real. There's a reason. It's crazy that he fell to pick 100, but the Titans will surely benefit from that and be happy to do so. So Elijah Morton continues to impress.

Also want to mention Caleb Farley just needs some more physicality. Wasn't very impressed with his physical nature out there. Now I know he's kind of getting back in the swing of things. Missed 20-20. The back injury. I don't expect him to come along strong. I know he's not recovering from an ACL or anything that'll keep him out for multiple games at the beginning of the year, but we got to think about this like a Jeffrey Simmons situation and allow this guy to kind of get up to speed because he's certainly not there right now. But finally at the safety position, been a tough spot for the Titans

throughout the entire preseason and training camp. Saw so many injuries. Brady Breeze, Matthias Farley, Dane Cruikshank. I mean, the hits just kept coming with Tedrick Thompson as well. The Titans tried to sign guys, and they ended up getting hurt. Well, two guys that got signed recently are three guys. McDougal, Clayton Gaithers, Jamal Carter. Just no. Just no. No. They're not good enough. Matthias Farley played

in the game. I thought that was very important for him. I had high hopes that Farley could be that third safety for the Titans, but I'll be honest with you guys. My read on the safety position is probably the worst of any position on the team. I know the Titans are keeping Hooker and Bayard. But what the heck are they going to do outside of that? Matthias Farley, like I mentioned, has barely played. All the other guys that they have at safety just aren't that good. Dane Crookshank, you cannot count on Dane Crookshank.

Maybe it's his fault. Maybe it's not. The guy cannot stay healthy. And your best ability is availability. And Dank Cruikshank is never available. The Titans have to be getting frustrated with that. And at some point, they're going to have to cut bait. So I wouldn't be surprised if that was now.

But this is another position where the Titans may look to pick somebody up off waivers after their cut because I'm just not a big fan of any of the safeties outside of the Titans starters with Hooker and Byard. So be on the lookout for waiver claims there as well. And speaking of those waiver claims, we are going to cover all of that stuff on Tuesday's edition of the Locked on Titans podcast. This podcast is coming out on Sunday, but this will serve as the Monday podcast. Have some personal things I have to attend to on Sunday.

So this will be your Monday podcast. And on Tuesday, we will be back to talk about any roster cuts. I'll be back to talk about any waiver claims the Titans make as they get ready to cut down to 53 and get their actual roster together. So I'll be back with you guys on Tuesday to do that. But we have more Titans news to talk about. That's the preseason thoughts. That's the game thoughts.

We do have to update you guys on the COVID-19 outbreak for the Titans. Saw three new people added to that COVID list on Sunday or on Saturday. So I'll break down who those were and also give you some positive news that COVID list on Sunday or on Saturday. So I'll break down who those were and also give you some positive news on the COVID front as well. Before we get into that, though, do want to tell you about the best tasting protein bars ever from our friends over at BuiltBar.com. All the bars are covered in 100% chocolate. They got 12 delicious flavors to choose from.

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All the parts your car will ever need. rockauto.com Let's wrap up this instant reaction and preseason recap by giving you guys all the latest news on the COVID front with the Titans. I know it's not the best news to talk about, but must keep you up to date nonetheless.

And on Saturday, we saw the Titans add three new names to the COVID list organizationally. Only one player though, so there's that, but two coaches. First, the player that was added was wide receiver, Ray C. McMath. And let me just say how, in a strange way, this could be a roster advantage. Feels very weird saying that, but if you're on the COVID-19 list, you don't count towards the roster. So what the Titans can do is,

this might actually help them at quarterback as well, if Ryan Tannehill is still on the list. What the Titans can do is. They put their 53 man roster together. Without Racey McMath. Which is what I would suspect that they would do if he was healthy. They want him on the practice squad. Not on the roster.

But since he's on the COVID list. You don't technically have to cut him. You don't have to waive him. So while every team in the NFL. On Monday and Tuesday. Are cutting players and putting players on the waiver wire, there's a good chance that all of these NFL teams will have burned up their waiver claim or put together their practice squad and their 53-man roster by the time Racy McMath comes off the COVID list. And then the Titans instantly cut Racy McMath once he comes off the COVID list. But because all these other teams

have already put together their roster, there's nobody to steal him. And then the Titans can sign him back to their practice squad. So in a weird way, it could help. Same thing with the quarterback situation. The Titans are going to keep Logan Woodside, but if Ryan Tannehill is on the COVID list, he doesn't count towards the roster. They can keep Matt Barkley, and technically their two quarterbacks are Matt Barkley and Logan Woodside.

And then all the other teams in the NFL put together their practice squad, put together their 53-man roster. Ryan Tannehill comes off the COVID list, let's say Wednesday or Thursday. Now you cut Matt Barkley. There's really nobody to swoop him up, and you can get him back on your practice squad, which is the ideal situation. So feels weird to say it, but the COVID-19 list right now

could be a roster advantage for the Titans. The two coaches who were put on the COVID list, wide receiver coach Rob Moore, and then assistant on the offensive line, Jason Hoytaling. So two coaches, the Titans are around 12 to 13 people total during this time. Now, Anthony Rush the interior defensive lineman did come off the COVID list on Saturday but it's going to take some time

for him to get back up to speed and then also Craig Aukerman the special teams coordinator who also is the backup head coach for Mike Vrabel came off of the COVID list as well in time to actually coach in Saturday night's game and that was an interesting storyline to watch during the game. We saw Striker, Jason Striker, the strength and conditioning coach for the Titans, Stretch, as they like to call him, as Mike Vrabel calls him. He got to be the head coach for the Titans. He made game decisions, play calling decisions, whether to go for it on fourth down, who to play in certain situations, when to take guys out, time management, call-in timeouts, all that.

And then Craig Aukerman, who was back, dealt with all the player communication. He talked to the players before the game, pregame, talked to them at halftime, talked to the players off on the side. And the reason that the Titans did that, rather than having Todd Downing or Shane Bowen be the head coach, is because they need Todd Downing and Shane Bowen to focus on the defense and offense right now with roster cuts ahead. They need to make sure that they're on top of their game there.

So, made all the sense in the world for the Titans. Hopefully, all of these guys get off the COVID list soon. Hopefully, all of them are not impacted long-term and everyone gets healthy. But either way, that is the most up-to-date information. Again, this is going to be your Monday podcast for the podcast crowd. This will be out on Sunday, however, though, but this is going to take Monday's place.

Hopefully, you do enjoy. I'll be back with you. Woo! I'm dying. I'm dying, guys. It's been a long week. I'm sweating. It's been intense.

I'm glad this preseason is over, but I will be back with you guys on Tuesday to break down all of the roster news. That's going to do it for me today, though. As always, I am your host, Tyler Rowland, and this was Locked on Titans. you