Locked On Titans - Daily Podcast On The Tennessee Titans - Tennessee Titans Robert Saleh SIX WINS MINIMUM or FAILURE & Cedric Gray ALL GAS NO BRAKES Literally

Starting point is 00:00:00 The Tennessee Titans must win at least six games or the season is a failure. I'll tell you why on today's edition of Locked on Titans. You are Locked on Titans, your daily Tennessee Titans podcast, part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. Welcome to the Locked on Titans podcast. I am your host, Tyler Roland Titans fans. Today's edition of the Locked on Titans podcast is brought to you by Kaushi. For a limited time, download the Kauci app.

Starting point is 00:00:40 Use the code locked on to get $10 when you trade $10 on today's show. The NFL season kicks off on Wednesday. So I'm going to give you guys some of my at-large NFL predictions to cap things off. We're going to talk about how Cedric Gray took all gas, no breaks, very literally. But I still think the Titans can win against the Jets this weekend. but we start with a big picture topic here. The Tennessee Titans must win at least six games this season, or it is a failure.

Starting point is 00:01:15 It's that cut and dry to me. And I know that some people will make the argument, you know, a football season's more nuanced than that. What if they get five wins and this looks good? And there's a way the Titans could get five wins in it. No, there's not. No, there is not. five wins, there's no way the Titans have to at least double their win total from the past two years

Starting point is 00:01:43 for it to be a success. There's just no way. And some of the things that you guys say to me, I agree with you just at a different level. So I predicted the Tennessee Titans to win six games this year because they have to, quite frankly. In my mind, that's the minimum number that they have to at least get to. And I don't know that I could stand a Tennessee Titan season that didn't get at least six wins, at least double the total that you've put up in the last two seasons combined. I don't know if I could take it.

Starting point is 00:02:18 And some of the things that you guys say to me, when I say the Titans will have six wins and you say, no, they have to have at least 10, they have to have at least nine. and it has to be a winning season. And I think to myself, you guys are crazy, man. Like, to go from three wins and back-to-back years to nine or ten and think,

Starting point is 00:02:38 if they don't win ten games, if they don't make the playoffs, it's a failure. That is setting the bar incredibly high. I don't think that's fair. But at the same time, your reasoning for believing that is the same reasoning I'm about to give you for saying they have to win at least six games.

Starting point is 00:02:58 Think about everything that they've put into this season. The spending in free agency. 300 some million dollars. You know what I mean? They've added all this talent. And it's not just the money. It's not just that they spent money. Because my argument back to you guys all the time is you can't just buy wins in the NFL.

Starting point is 00:03:24 That's not how it works. These aren't computer players. This is at free agency on Madden, where you can just grab all the guys with the best. best overalls and your team's going to get better. Football is played by human beings. They have to coalesce. They have to have chemistry. They have to like each other in at least a professional capacity to be able to get work done. Maybe they don't like each other off the field. They don't want to be buddies and hang out. But they've got to be able to get the work done in a

Starting point is 00:03:50 professional way. So football is played by humans, not by computer players. So you can't just spend the most money in free agency and you will win more games next year. But the players that were added are so specific to the coaches that were hired. We didn't just add it. It wasn't like Brian Callahan going out and getting Calvin Ridley, who Nick Holes had worked with before, I guess, for a year or two. And then you go out and get Legerius Sneed and Lloyd Cushingberry and you know, Tony Pollard, they went out and got a bunch of guys

Starting point is 00:04:31 who they didn't really have a lot of experience with. John Franklin Myers has played for Robert Sala in his defense. Tony Adams, Germaine Johnson, who the Titans traded away, an important asset. Tavondre Sweat was a second round pick going into his third season. That's a valuable asset in the NFL. I don't think Sweat himself is a player, but to give up that asset that you use to get back Jermaine Johnson,

Starting point is 00:04:58 that's an investment. I mentioned Tony Adams, who's been in the system. Solomon Thomas, the Titans traded for him, been in the system. They signed Jordan Elliott, been in the system. Then you go on to the offensive side of the ball, and they let Brian Dable

Starting point is 00:05:16 pay $70 million to bring in Wondale Robinson from his system. Austin Slotman, they said, we won't go out and get a really good center. We don't got to bring in competition for the center position in a veteran note. we are going to go with Schloteman, Brian Dable's guy. We're just going to trust it.

Starting point is 00:05:35 We're going to bring in Daniel Bellinger. We're going to bring in Mitch Trubisky. These are guys who have played for these coaches before who know their system. And the whole entire purpose of that was that it would accelerate winning. Because you don't have to teach them the system. And not only do you not have to teach these players the system, these players can teach the other players the system, which we've heard about all off-season.

Starting point is 00:06:03 whether it's Mitch or Slopman on the offensive line. Tony Adams in the back end. JFM up front and Jermaine Johnson with the edges. At every single spot, essentially, there is somebody who played for the coach in charge of their side of the ball. That is supposed to accelerate winning. So you're dang right. I can expect six wins.

Starting point is 00:06:28 Six and 11 is not a lot to expect. And if they don't, what does it look like if they don't? What has to happen on the football field? Don't think about the wins and the losses. Think about you watching the football game and what it would have to look like week in and week out for the Titans to only win five games, four games. I don't even like saying it three games again.

Starting point is 00:07:01 That would mean what? The O line terrible again? the weapons complete bust. Wondell Robinson gets 90 catches for 700 yards and Tate and Iyo don't take a step forward and helm doesn't break out. Or on defense, the edges are truly terrible. Falk and Femi do nothing all year.

Starting point is 00:07:25 Jermaine Johnson is four and a half sacks type of guy. So much pressure on JFM and Jeff that they can't get going. The secondary is truly as bad as we all worry about on our worst nightmare with the Titans. The coaches. Let us down. Mismanaged games.

Starting point is 00:07:49 Get out coach certain matchups. Or the other thing, injuries. So there's just no, whether we talk about the reasons why it's fair to expect six wins for the Titans, whether we talk about the reasons why they wouldn't get to six wins and how I don't want to see those. Either way, either way,

Starting point is 00:08:19 they got to win six games. It's truly that simple. And again, some will say it's more nuanced than that. Football is more complicated than that. No, it's not for this team. They have to win six games. And Solomon Thomas, who played for Robert Sala in San Francisco in New York, he has played with Robert Sala eight out of the 10 years of his career.

Starting point is 00:08:47 Solomon Thomas said this to the Tennessean in an article that came out recently that I thought was interesting. Quote, I've been with Sala eight out of my 10 years. I have a lot of love for him and I've been around him a lot. How that ended was so wrong, talking about his time with the Jets. we were tied for first in our division and our coach gets fired. In no situation would that ever make sense. I'm sorry, I will talk about that. Just the fact that he has so many jets here just shows you that guys love playing for him.

Starting point is 00:09:17 They know what he's about to do here and they want to be a part of it. I think that that is a pretty strong statement right there. Now, it's worth noting that the jets were tied for second in the division with the dolphins not first. So sorry Solomon to fact check there. But nonetheless, the point remains that Robert Solomon maybe didn't necessarily

Starting point is 00:09:40 get a fair deal in New York and I think the way that players will play for him and love him does matter and that's the kind of culture that we're trying to build back in Tennessee. Another quote here that stood out to me from the Tennesseans article with Solomon Thomas, quote, I think there is such a disconnect

Starting point is 00:09:57 based on what was portrayed from the front office to the locker room. I don't really like talking about anything other than football, but I've never really been in a place where more was said out of the front office than out of the locker room and said as a distraction. It was really unfortunate because our locker room was really the opposite of what was going on in the front office. He's talking about the Jets and now their front office and their owner was releasing statements that was undermining the team and backhanding the team's own people when it just, what a toxic, terrible work environment to be in.

Starting point is 00:10:28 I don't know that Robert Sala is going to work for the Titans. I can't guarantee anything. but I can guarantee a couple of things. If the Titans don't get to six wins, that's not good enough. And Robert Saul is a better coach than what it looked like during his time with the Jets. I believe in those two things.

Starting point is 00:10:45 But with that in mind, let me know down below, do you agree? Do you think that six wins is the absolute minimum that the Titans need to get or the season is a failure? With that in mind, we got to talk about the Cedric Gray thing because it happened right after I went off air yesterday.

Starting point is 00:11:00 Do want to let you guys know that today's episode is brought to you by Quo. That's QUO, the business phone system built so that you never miss a call for businesses. Every call is an opportunity and missing one can mean missing a customer. Quo brings calls, text, voicemails together in one place so teams can see the full conversation, respond quickly and stay organized. It can also be set up in minutes. on any device. You can keep your existing number

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Starting point is 00:12:02 all that. when money is on the line, always say hello with Quo. Try Quo for free, plus get 20% off your first six months when you go to Quo.com slash locked on NFL. That's QUO.com slash locked on NFL. Today's episodes also brought to you by FanDuel Sportsbook. Welcome to the most rewarding NFL season ever only on Fandle. How rewarding are we talking?

Starting point is 00:12:32 more rewarding than a touchdown with time expiring, more rewarding than an 18-point comeback, maybe even more rewarding than an O-Linman catching a touchdown. This season, Fandle is making the excitement go beyond what's on the field with their all-new Fan Duel Rewards Club, featuring exclusive offers, surprises, and more. Every week, check the Fandle app to see what's waiting for you. The Titans play the Jets this week.

Starting point is 00:13:01 They are one and a half point favorites right now on Fandle. And I've got to be honest, I love the Titans at that number. I think the Titans are going to find a way to win that game and we're not giving up very many points. So there's not much risk right there involved in my opinion based on my assessment of what's going to happen in this game. But of course, you never do know. If you think you know, make the most of this rewarding season

Starting point is 00:13:23 and make it the most rewarding season ever with Fandle. Visit fandle.com to get started now. Let's continue today's edition of the Locked on Titans podcast. Again, we talked about why I think it's absolutely a must that the Tennessee Titans win six games. It has to happen this year. There is no path towards less than six wins that would leave us happy.

Starting point is 00:14:05 But I'm going to tell you, it's going to be harder to win games without your better players. And Cedric Gray certainly is one of the Titans better players, literally the moment after I got done recording uploaded the show we're you know we're off and on the air

Starting point is 00:14:24 Cedric Gray gets in a UTV accident is in concussion protocol has other minor injuries and is in doubt for week one against the New York Jets

Starting point is 00:14:41 and my instant reaction and maybe you guys saw my short video, who knows. But my initial reaction is, this is so Titans. There's just always some nonsense when you're a Titans fan. Remember, like, four or five years ago

Starting point is 00:15:02 when Harold Landry blew out his knee at practice, like the week of week one, or the week before, week one, I remember devastation. I was a big Harold Landry fan too, so I was really sad about that. But nonetheless, it's just like, man, you've got to be kidding me.

Starting point is 00:15:22 You've got to be kidding. Remember during the COVID year, it was the Titans, who were one of the first teams to have big problems, move games, and have an outbreak, this and that,

Starting point is 00:15:31 just like, the year of the Titans got the number one seed. They had 91 players, the most rostered players in NFL history at the time. It's just like, my Lanta, man.

Starting point is 00:15:43 You know, there's always something. And to have something like this happen, it just, it's endlessly frustrating for a long time Titans fan. I mean, I've been a fan of this team for 27, 28 years now, and it just feels like every time they can step on a rake and smash themselves in the face, they do it. They do it.

Starting point is 00:16:07 I just don't understand how. It's just, and to go further into the incident itself, rather than my overall, just, I can't believe it, not us again. Woe is me. Tight Titans PTSD attitude. Examining the moment. My first thought was, well, we don't know that Cedric Gray was being reckless. We don't know that Cedric Gray was doing something wrong.

Starting point is 00:16:32 Someone could have ran into him. There could have been a vehicle malfunction, equipment malfunction, could have been weather related. You know, the type of, I'm not, I'm not like, somebody who knows a lot about like cars and engines and vehicles and, you know, four wheelers and ATVs and UTVs and Buggies and side by sides. And like, you guys were throwing every term I've ever heard in my life at me to describe this

Starting point is 00:16:59 vehicle, a buggy, a fancy golf car, a side by side, a UTV, a gator, you know, like, I was just like, I don't, you know, and then people started sending pictures. and stuff like that. And to me, that is the type of vehicle that they use, like at the high school football games to transport the trainers or if a kid gets kind of hurt

Starting point is 00:17:23 needs to go to a locker room or something. Like, they'll put them on that kind of cart in some way or, you know, people drive those around my neighborhood sometimes with like license plates on them. So it's like anything that your ride can be dangerous. But I guess my initial reaction, and I admitting right now, some of you guys get way too mad about it.

Starting point is 00:17:43 this. I'm admitting that I lack the requisite knowledge to adequately diagnose the safety of the vehicle. But I guess I was just thinking in my head, maybe Cedric Gray didn't do anything wrong. Maybe someone ran into him, the vehicle malfunctioned. Maybe he was just on his property, like driving around from place to, he's a millionaire. I don't know. You know what I mean? But a lot of you guys who have experience with this kind of vehicle don't seem to think that this could have happened without recognition. being at the heart of it. Like a lot of these vehicles have a roll cage on them

Starting point is 00:18:17 because they have a tendency to roll. And, you know, maybe people do drive them like ATVs, off road and trails, stuff like that. And like, most likely if he was driving one of these vehicles, he was doing it to have fun, not just driving around his property. Like I was thinking or surmising, you know what I mean? So, yeah, he was probably doing something stupid.

Starting point is 00:18:36 That, you know, my initial glance to give him some grace, not necessarily in my nature. I'm trying to grow and why. up and mature as a man, give people a little more grace, consider all of the possibilities before I just yell at my phone and tell you Cedric Gray is a dummy. But as I have told myself throughout most of my life, I probably would have been right to just say he was being a dummy

Starting point is 00:18:59 and probably did something really stupid and should not have been doing what he was doing. Will we ever know the truth? I don't know. Doesn't matter. Probably not. The reality is he's probably not going to play week one. but I think the Titans can still win the game. I don't think, like, listen, Cedric Gray, I think he's a really good young player.

Starting point is 00:19:19 And I think with Robert Salas tutelage, Cedric Gray could even become an elite player. But Cedric Gray isn't Fred Warner. He's not Roquan Smith. You know what I mean? He's not Ernest Jones, even. Like, Cedric Gray right now, you know, I would rate him higher than this,

Starting point is 00:19:42 but if I was trying to be unbiased and just ranking NFL linebackers, he's probably somewhere from like 16 to 20, maybe 16 to 25 and widen the range. The Titans can win this game without Cedric Gray. I'm not saying that it doesn't matter and he doesn't matter and they don't need him or things like that. They do need him. They do.

Starting point is 00:20:03 They can win this game without Cedric Gray. Breece Hall is a problem. Make no mistake about it. but Mason Taylor, how much are they going to play Kenyon Sadiq, the rookie over the middle? Omar Cooper hasn't had, a great training camp. You know, their best weapons, in my opinion, are Garrett Wilson and Adonai Mitchell,

Starting point is 00:20:26 who both are more outside guys. I mean, you could use them anywhere. Garrett Wilson has been in the slot before in his career. It would not be crazy to do that. But I'm just saying, you know, I'm not as worried about being destroyed over the middle of the feet. against the Jets, as I would be against maybe other teams that had more guys that were more threatening in that area of the field. So, listen, this is what these young linebackers

Starting point is 00:20:51 that we've been hyping up all training camper for. We've been hyping up James Williams. We've been hyping up Anthony Hill. It's time for them to prove it. Go out there and play for Cedric Gray. Anthony Hill was drafted higher than Cedric Gray. They traded up for him. James Williams came in in that class and literally a year ago let's say a year and a month ago James Williams was starting over Cedric Gray

Starting point is 00:21:22 so it's not like they're fully incapable so Cedric Gray matters really good young player the Titans need him this year but if he's out against the Jets that is not an excuse for the Titans to lose the game. They should still win the game Period.

Starting point is 00:21:39 But with that being said, that's all of my thoughts on the frickin Cedricer Gray situation. So, now, I know this is NTR, as the internet would say, not Titans-related. But the NFL season is here.

Starting point is 00:21:56 And I'm going to do some of my general NFL predictions. And I hope you guys will play along. Do want to let you know that today's episode is brought to you by Kalshi before the season even kicks off, everyone's making their predictions. Like I just said, I'm about to.

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Starting point is 00:22:40 with $100 trade if the Titans win on Kaushi. You're trading against your peers in a live market, meaning there's no house and as the probabilities change, you can buy in and out of your position. Trade the draft pick the game and more on Kashi. Download the K-K-S-H-O-N-K-S-H-I-K-Sheat. K-H-I-C-T trade on anything 18-plus only. Restrictions and eligibility requirements apply event contract trading involves risk

Starting point is 00:23:05 and may not be suitable for all investors. Kashi products are not available in all jurisdictions. values, and available markets may differ from those mentioned. For more information, see calci.com slash regulatory. Let's cap off today's edition of the Locked-on Titans podcast. We talked about why the Tennessee Titans must win six games or the season is a failure. We talked about why Cedric Gray was all gas, no breaks literally, but I still think that the Tennessee Titans can win against the Jets.

Starting point is 00:23:53 Now, just want to give some general NFL predictions because the NFL season is kicking off on Wednesday night. Can't wait for that game. I do cover the NFL over on for Locked-on NFL for the national show as the lead host there. So if you guys want more of my general NFL takes, make sure you go subscribe over there wherever you get your podcast. Before we dive into those things, though,

Starting point is 00:24:15 do want to thank you again for making Locked on Titans, your first listen each and every day. Monday through Friday, Tennessee Titans content all year round, always for free. Make sure that you get subscribed. Stay subscribed. It's your team every day. Speaking of every day, shout out to my everydayers out there. Tuning in Monday through Friday. Couldn't do it without you guys. If you aren't an everydayer, you need to be one. So I got a brand new everydayer package for you guys. Click the link down below in the

Starting point is 00:24:41 description. You're going to get commercial free versions of the podcast. I think that's worth the price of admission right then and there. That's worth the $7.99. But you're also going to get added to a Locked on Titans every day or group. chat with me and a bunch of other everydayers where we're always talking about everything Titans. I'm going to have early access content for you guys like shows, film breakdown, stuff like that where I send you the link to watch it earlier than it releases to the public.

Starting point is 00:25:07 And I'm also working on having some live Q&As where we get in a Zoom call together, breakdown film, stuff like that with all of the members. Gonna be a great season in the Locked on Titans every day or club. Hit the link down below in the description to get joined now. but I've told you guys I think the Titans win six games so I don't think the Titans

Starting point is 00:25:31 are going to make the playoffs I don't think they're going to win the division I don't think they're going to win MVP Cardinal Tate could win rookie of the year but I don't know if he does enough to get that done I don't see a defensive rookie of the year for Falk or Hill or anything like that

Starting point is 00:25:47 either so I don't see the Titans winning any major awards or anything like that it's just not what I'm looking for this season for it to be a success. Just go in the right direction, win six or more games. Cam Ward take a step forward. We'll all be happy.

Starting point is 00:26:04 So with that being said, I think the Buffalo Bill is win the Super Bowl. Here's a stat for you that I talked about on Locked on NFL. Josh Allen has the most playoff wins of any quarterback in NFL history without a Super Bowl. He has eight. and that's three more

Starting point is 00:26:25 than the next closest player which is Philip Rivers with five. I just think eventually Josh Allen is going to find a way to break through. He's just too good of a player. He's eventually going to get himself one. It's going to break for him. And this year, Buffalo made some changes.

Starting point is 00:26:41 I like Jim Leonard as their D.C. Adin DJ Moore, adding Bradley Chubb. Those aren't home run additions. But they do raise the level of the roster talent-wise. eventually Buffalo's got a breakthrough. So I'm going to go Buffalo winning the Super Bowl over the Los Angeles Rams.

Starting point is 00:27:00 I think ultimately do make it to the Super Bowl. I thought the Rams were the best team last year. And I think Josh Allen beating the Rams in the Super Bowl would almost count as two Super Bowl championships for him in the public perception of him. Like how the 2008 Boston Celtics won one championship, they underachieved as a group

Starting point is 00:27:25 with Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pearson, Ray Jean Rondo, Doc Rivers. They underachieved as a group, but they are remembered like they were some dynasty or something. They won one championship. What an absolute fraudulent history that people try to pour into that Celtics group.

Starting point is 00:27:42 They were underachievers. But anyway, the whole point is public perception, like when LeBron came back from down 3-1 against the Warriors and won, that was worth more in the public's eye than one championship. You get more prestige than a typical championship. And I think that's what Josh Allen could do by beating the Los Angeles Rams. As for the teams that are going to make the playoffs,

Starting point is 00:28:08 I think the Bengals win the AFC North with an improved defense and a great offense. Buffalo wins the AFC East. I think they're going to be real good this year. Denver, Denver's very good folks. They're going to win the AFC West. I think Houston wins the AFC South. I think Houston's going to be really, really good this year. Playoff teams, I'm going to go with the Chargers, the Patriots, and the Ravens, and the AFC.

Starting point is 00:28:34 In the NFC, I'm real high on the Cowboys this year. Same with the Bengals. Really good offense, improved defense. I think the Cowboys win the AFC or the NFC East in a shocker. The Bears win again. I'm not very confident in that one. I think it could be the Packers. I don't like the Lions this year.

Starting point is 00:28:52 though, I'll tell you that. The Rams win the NFC West. The Saints. I'm high on the Saints this year. I know it would probably be Tampa Bay, but I'm going to roll with the Saints to win the NFC South. And then my wildcard team is in the NFC,

Starting point is 00:29:08 Seattle, Green Bay, and Philadelphia. San Francisco is going to miss. Bad karma for San Francisco this year. I'm not super confident in that one. I can see Philadelphia missing out, Green Bay, missing out, San Francisco getting in there. Green Bay, San Francisco,

Starting point is 00:29:24 Philadelphia is my cutting block for wild cards. So that means I don't think Jacksonville makes it. I don't think Kansas City makes it. I don't think Detroit makes it. I don't think San Francisco makes it. I don't think Tampa Bay makes it. Those are some hot takes from your boy, for real. But there you go.

Starting point is 00:29:40 That's my thoughts. And I got Justin Herbert win an MVP. And I think Joe Burrow and Jordan Love. Jordan Love is a dark horse option, I think. Offensive player of the year, I think I went with Nico Collins. I think the Texans are going to be really good. Nico Collins might go nuts this year. Defensive player of the year, shoot.

Starting point is 00:30:07 I don't even remember what I did on that one, to be honest with you. Offensive rookie of the year, let me see here. These are tough. These are tough. Looking through my options, it is very difficult. Offensive player of the year I went with Nico, defensive player of the year,

Starting point is 00:30:28 Jalen Carter, offensive rookie of the year. I went with Desaun Shribling. I believe in what he did with the Titans. I think he's going to get a lot of yards, play really good. And then David Bailey, defensive rookie of the year.

Starting point is 00:30:43 I think Bailey actually is about to go nasty. I think he might have a couple of sacks on the Titans if I'm honest with you. But play along, I know it's general NFL, it's not Titans, but one segment a year give some NFL thoughts before the season kicks off.

Starting point is 00:30:56 Curious to see what you guys have to say about those predictions as well. But with that being said, that is going to do it for me today, folks. As always, I am your host, Tyler Rowland. And this was Locked on Titans.

Locked On Titans - Daily Podcast On The Tennessee Titans - Tennessee Titans Robert Saleh SIX WINS MINIMUM or FAILURE & Cedric Gray ALL GAS NO BRAKES Literally

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