Locked On Titans - Daily Podcast On The Tennessee Titans - Titans Make Two Moves and Jon Robinson's Conference Call Highlights

Episode Date: April 2, 2020

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Welcome to the Locked On Titans podcast. I'm your host, Tyler Rowland, Titans fans. We have two signings to talk about to start our show today, both on the defensive side of the football, one a brand new face and one a familiar face returning from 2019. So we will talk about both of those signings in our first segment. The first signing took place while I was recording last night. So you guys are probably aware of both of those signings, but we are going to go over both of those in our first segment. And then we got about an hour's worth of conference call

from general manager John Robinson and head coach Mike Vrabel. and that's a little bit too much to give you guys in one single show. So after we talk about the two Titans' most recent signings, we are going to get into John Robinson's conference call, and I'm going to break that up into two parts for you guys. So our second segment will be the first part of John Robinson's conference call. The third segment of our show today will be the second and I warn you he does talk very glowingly about Jadavion Clowney as Mike Vrabel did in his conference call as well but what we are going to do is I am going to play for you Mike Vrabel's press conference in two parts or if I can trim it down and give you guys the highlights in one part tomorrow, then we will do that. Sandwiched in between a conversation about where the Titans currently sit that will include

Clowney Talk with the information and the reports that we got from these conference calls and outside these conference calls. And then I will play for you Mike Vrabel's highlights from his press conference before we finish out the week with our Friday mailbag. So that is the next six segments from the Locked on Titans podcast. You guys can count on going forward. But the very first one, of course, is about those two re-signings. So we are going to talk about those first. So excited to jump into everything with you guys.

Let's get it. The Titans' two most recent signings were first announced by the agency that represents both players, but were later confirmed by Titans General Manager John Robinson on a conference call on Wednesday. The first of those signings was defensive lineman Jack Crawford, who most recently played two seasons with the Atlanta Falcons. Crawford has also spent time with the Dallas Cowboys and the Oakland Raiders, and his connection to the Titans started during that time in Oakland when he played for defensive line coach Terrell Williams, who holds that same

role for the Titans now. Crawford is 6'5", 280 pounds, and is a versatile defensive lineman with length that can play both defensive tackle and defensive end in the Titans scheme. Crawford will be expected to take over the Austin Johnson role in the Titans lineup. He will be asked to be a backup and be a depth piece for the defensive line. Which is the role that he has primarily played for much of his career. Since he was drafted in the fifth round out of Penn State in 2012. It is no coincidence that now he will be replacing another former Penn State Nittany Lion. And Austin Johnson in that specific role.

Crawford has played in 93 games in his career, has had 16 sacks and 71 tackles. Remember that he has been mostly a backup his entire career. Last season with the Falcons, he only played in 42% of the defensive snaps, and his career high for defensive snaps was in 2018 with the Falcons when he played in 42% of the defensive snaps, and his career high for defensive snaps was in 2018 with the Falcons when he played in 57%. He will be asked to play a very similar amount of snaps with the Titans and more likely be around the 40 to 35% as he fills that depth role. Also, the Titans brought back outside linebacker Kamalei Correa. Correa played a pivotal role for the Titans late in the season last year, especially in the playoffs,

and really blossomed into a reliable player for the Titans defense after coming over in 2018 in a trade with the Baltimore Ravens where he spent the first two seasons of his career. Correa had 37 tackles last year and five sacks, but his impact is not just felt on defense. Correa was one of the more reliable and impactful players for the Titans on special teams and has been for two seasons running. In 2018, Correa played 31% of the snaps on defense, but played 35% of the snaps on special teams and then last year in 2019 Correa played 39% of the defensive snaps and also played 49% of the special

team snaps so Correa impacts this Titans football team in two different ways on defense and on special teams and whereas at the beginning he was just a depth piece on the edge at linebacker and was expected to really only contribute on special teams he really elevated his game late last season and has shown that he can make an impact defensively for the titans on a consistent basis That is going to wrap up our conversation about the Titans. Two most recent signings though. We are going to get into John Robinson's conference call. We are going to hear directly from the Titans general manager on a number of different topics. So part one of that conversation is coming up in our next segment.

That audio is courtesy of titansonline.com. Do want to remind you guys that you can tell your smart device to play the Locked on Titans podcast just by telling it exactly that. Play the Locked on Titans podcast. So whatever smart device you are working with, just say that name and let them know what podcast you want to listen to and I will pop up right for you guys. Let's jump into part one of John Robinson's conference call, audio courtesy of TitansOnline.com. First question he has asked here is about how he's handling the unconventional offseason so far it's obviously been an unconventional

um off season for us after we left the the um the combine um got off to you know free agency and and have made had have made some moves with the team. And then we've been out of the building, I would say, for a week, 10 days probably. Whenever that came down, we actually were out a little bit sooner than when the memo came out. So we're working from home. We're doing a lot of web conferencing through the various applications that we can do that. We've got some draft meetings this afternoon scheduled with the coaches and just trying to do everything we can to try to prepare for the draft and being mindful of a free agency and still working through that a little bit as well. Specifically, how are the Titans handling draft prep?

Yeah, so that's kind of what we're, you know, all 32 teams are kind of in the same boat. We have access to our database remotely with all of the draft evaluations, the medical information that we have. graduations, the medical information that we have. There's obviously not a lot of timing and testing data for players that either didn't work out at the combine or didn't go to the combine. There's some guys that worked last spring or ran last spring or got measured last spring that you have to kind of rely on that information. But as far as the draft board and the talks, you know,

we talk, we have web conferences daily with the scouts. Coach Braybill and I talk on a daily basis, you know, just about pods of players that we have seen and we're working through the draft board. We have a draft board within our database program that I work off of, as well as an Excel spreadsheet of the draft board that we're working off of, too. You know, we're still waiting to hear from the league a little bit on, you know, exactly how all that's going to unfold.

And if we can get back into our draft facility, who will be allowed, all of those things I think the league is working through, And if we can get back into our draft facility, who will be allowed, all of those things I think the league is working through, trying to get some parameters in place. And if not, then yes, I would assume it would probably be Zoom or Microsoft Teams or some type of web-based interaction with our staff to try to get through the draft yeah no that's i mean i that's that's one of the things that i really look forward to um in the spring is either going to a pro day or having a private workout for the you know the the visits that we're allowed

to have here um in nashville um sitting down across from some, you know, a prospect, no different really than a lot of other job interviews and getting to know them as a person. So a lot of those questions we're relying on that I can't get answered face-to-face. You know, we're working through with some FaceTime stuff with some of the prospects, as well as relying on our scouts and the information that they've gathered in the fall and the respective coaches at the colleges across the country to really lean on that information that we have so that we can hopefully make the best decision we can for the team.

How does Robinson weigh the importance of tape and then data and then medicals during this unusual offseason? Yeah, I think we always try to weigh heavily on what our scouts' opinions of the players. That's why we send them out on the road. That's why we have them go visit with the coaches and trainers and strength staffs at their respective schools that they're in charge of. So their information and their input into what the player would bring to our football team is vitally important. But yeah, I would say that, and to the second part of your question, we try to not get enamored with the measurables or the testing results of players. I generally watch the film and watch the game tape and try to determine as best as possible, not that I'm always right, if they're good at football and what role they would have on our team. And then certainly the measurables,

it can lead you to either justify your feeling of the player. If you think the guy's a really fast player and he runs a fast time, then you're like, all right, well, that one looks right. But if he looks like he plays fast but he runs slow timing-wise, then, you know, which do you lean on? I tend to lean on the tape more than I do the numbers. So I would say the lack of that data isn't paramount, but it's always good to have that.

But it's a situation that all 32 teams are in. So I would say that all of us are dealing with the same thing and we'll work through it accordingly. Robinson talks about the Jarrell Casey trade. Yeah, I think anytime you have a player that's drafted to a team that's performed at a really high level, we've got a ton of respect for it. I said it in my statement for Jarrell and his family

and everything that he did for the organization. But we felt like it was time for us to go a different direction there, and we were able to find a trade partner in Denver there. to um find a trade partner in in denver there and then with it with respect to the um you know with with the money that that we freed up um you know there's a lot of business that still has to be done throughout the course of the league year um and you know we're we're ever mindful of that and you know we're working through a couple of guys here um here at the you know kind of the end of free agency if you will you know as well as preparing for potential guys that you want to extend um later on down the road um you know as well as budgeting for

you know your ir players um replacement players if somebody gets hurt you know all those things have to be taken into account yeah i mean i'd say we explored about every option on that one robinson talks about the derrick henry negotiations and the viability of a long-term deal uh yeah you know we um you know i met with i met with derrick as as i've met with all of the the guys that were whose contracts were going to be up at the end of end of the season once we were done playing there. Told them we were going to start working on that, which we did. At the end of the day, we couldn't come to an agreement on that one, so we used one of the avenues to keep Derek

because Derek's an important part of our football team. I've spoken to his representatives after we used the tag. And we want to continue to have those discussions and those back and forths in hopes of reaching some type of long-term agreement. And we'll kick those conversations off again here, probably certainly before the training camp gets ramped up and going. Robinson talks about getting a contract done with Ryan Tannehill and Derek Henry's response to being tagged.

Yeah, I mean, you never want to say you're 100% that it's going to get done, but Ryan did a great job for us last year. I've always kind of admired him from afar, and then when he came in here and performed the way that he did, I knew we were going to try to do our best to lock him up long-term. And then those discussions when you're talking about a deal like that, those are lengthy discussions over several weeks and it was just slowly back and forth

talking and finally coming to a spot where we were willing to go and where they felt was good for them so we're glad that one got done and I look forward to him leading our football team

I think any time a player, when you have to use the tag on them, that's something that ideally they probably don't want. But still at the same time,

I know that he wants to be a part of this football team. And I thought it was good that they communicated back that he does want to be here and he wants to keep working on this thing. It wasn't something that, okay, well, I'll take it and I'm done or I'm just going to do whatever. He wants to be here and he conveyed the message to me through his agent that he wants to keep working on this thing, and we do too.

Where are the Titans at with the fifth-year options for Corey Davis and Adoree Jackson? We're still working through those, and we're still kind of plotting and planning. When you're dealing with the cap, you've got this year's cap, and then you've got to try to look at next year's cap. We're trying to plan at least two, maybe three. It gets a little hard when you get beyond three. But just looking at how all of those decisions will impact us. The draft impacts that, whether you trade up or trade down,

where those slots come in at. If the offseason is shortened for any reason, what advantage do the Titans gain by gain by resigning so many of their own players that's a great point that's something that that we talk about um is trying to keep the continuity uh together you know a guy like michael pruitt who were able to to resign um was a versatile piece for us he played on the line line. He played fullback. He detached some. He knows the offense. Same thing with Correa.

He knows the terminology. Obviously, with Ryan and Derek, adding Dennis Kelly back was big for us. Adding Ty Cimbrillo, who played for Keith Carter in Atlanta. So a lot of that is similar terminology. All of that is an important piece. To your point, just in case the OTAs are canceled or pushed back or whatever it may be. That is going to wrap up part one of John Robinson's press conference. We are going to come back for part two. Let's jump into part two of John Robinson's conference call.

He talked about any free agent moves that may be remaining and speaks on jadavian clowny and logan ryan yeah i would i would say we're we're um you know we're still working through it we're looking at guys that are that are still um available um you know there's some guys that are that are out there and available that we have had discussions with there's some guys that that that we haven't um i don't know that we're done, but I don't know that there's going to be a flurry of moves here. You know, we signed, I'm sure you guys saw, we agreed the terms with Jack Crawford yesterday

and then Kamalei Correa last night. So KC will be back with us. But, yeah, there's still some things that we're working through. You know, I have talked to Logan's representation there. I would say there's nothing imminent in the works. And we have touched base with Connie's representation too and just kind of seeing and trying to navigate work to where that one might be. I mean, it's just through talking through with the agent as far as for, you know,

actually getting a medical report on the player. You're not going to have a medical report on the player until he sees your team doctors. So, yeah, but I would say that there's nothing more important than the health of the players. You know, their ability to go out and play for 16 games is important, or at least the games that they are healthy enough to play in that they're impactful. So that's definitely an important part of the decision when you're looking to sign somebody. Next, Robinson talks about the signing of outside linebacker Vic Beasley and his overall thoughts on where the edge group is at this moment in time.

We brought him in because he's got some ability to rush the passer off the edge. Watch him back through the tape. He's a guy that plays hard. He's fast. He's got good length. He's got some good snaps on tape, and I'm sure he will probably tell you he's got some snaps he'd like to be better at, no different than any other player in the National Football League. But it just felt like there was an ability or skill set there that we could hone.

I mean, I think our head coach played 12, 13, 14, 15 years at that position, and he's got a wealth of knowledge at that position. I just think that he can work with Vic, you know, along with Shane Bowen, with Vic, you know, along with, you know, Shane Bowen, outside linebacker's coach, and really hopefully take his game to another level. I think it's the position group that's got good depth. I mean, you've mentioned them.

You know, we added Vic with Casey back in the fold. He played some really good football for us down the stretch. Landry had a good year last year. Anxious to see Walker and what he brings to the table you know Reggie Gilbert had some meaningful snaps along the way and then uh Roberson you know kind of as a as a pass rush guy really factored some at the end of the season for us for us too so it's it is somewhat of a younger group if you will but I mean it's an athletic group um that that has some speed and and I think the depth of that position um is pretty good right now doesn't mean we won't add somebody um but I feel pretty good about where we're at from a depth

standpoint Robinson talks about the signing of Dennis Kelly and his expectations going forward. Yeah, I mean, he really, he did a good job for us at the end of the 18th season. He had an outstanding, had an outstanding offseason program in the 19th offseason. You know, Jack was still kind of coming back there and it was, I mean, those guys were battling for that right tackle spot. And Dennis did an outstanding job. And then, you know, all of a sudden he has to kick over to left tackle and he started four games. And there were times where he looked, you know, really dang good at left tackle.

And there's some plays, like I said earlier, he'd probably like to have back. But he's a big, strong guy who can play both spots um but has started games we won games with him uh in there and uh feel confident about him starting the right tackle for us robinson talks about his outlook on the quarterback and running back position going forward obviously getting ryan back there that was that was big for us. Logan Woodside has done a nice job for us. He had a little procedure last year, ended up going on the practice squad reserve. But yeah, we'll look to the draft and see what the pool of free agents is like.

But Logan's done some good things for us, and he'll get a chance to compete with whoever else we bring in here. And then I would say the same thing at running back. There's some guys in the draft that have some skill sets that would be very complementary to Derek. And we've got Dawkins who's played for us, and Wilson who did a good job for us on the practice squad. So those guys will compete for a spot.

And then there's still some guys in pre-agency too that we're kind of looking at and seeing if they might have a role for us. Robinson talks about the team's plans at kicker. Yeah, it was a whirlwind last year. We had Suckup win on IR, and then we brought Cairo in, and he did a nice job. And then we missed some, and then we brought Park in, and then Suckup was back, and then he wasn't back. We were able to find Greg. And I thought Greg did a nice job kind of steadying the rudder for us,

finish strong. You know, we'll obviously add some competition there at that position, just like we will any other position. You know, same thing at inside linebacker and corner and D-line and O-line. We're going to add competition at all the positions because I think that's what makes players better is competition. That's kind of where we're at right now. We're looking at some guys that are out there in pre-agency

as well as kind of working through these draft guys. We'll pull the trigger on one of those guys to get in here and make that position as competitive as possible. With the loss of so many veterans this offseason, Robinson talks about who can fill that leadership void. I mean, I think we've got a locker room full of good guys. I think we've got leaders in the locker room. I thought Graham did a great job being a leader.

Derek did a great job being a leader. Both of those guys are back. Ben Jones has stepped up, and he's always been a really good leader. Johnny Smith grew last year. Adam Humphreys has played a – he's not the most maybe vocal guy, but in a meeting room setting, but he's very attentive. He's extremely detailed. The guys respect him.

And, you know, that's the same thing on defense. We've got Kevin Byard. He's played a lot of football. Kenny Vaccaro. He's played a lot of football. Rashad Evans took a step last year, I think, hopefully. So, you know, I think the core of players, you know, there's some guys that aren't going to be in there.

And those guys, you know, this leadership thing, there's some guys that are going to have to take on a little bit more. But we feel really good about the guys that we have in the locker room being able to do that. And finally, Robinson talks about an expanded playoff. Yeah, I mean, I haven't had a chance to sit down and digest that, but I mean, obviously for the fan base, whether it's our team or 31 of the other teams, to have a chance to be playing in the postseason, to be in the tournament.

I would say our season last year, we weren't really a favorite once we got in, but we were able to string some wins together and get to the AFC championship game. No different than when I was with the Patriots and the Giants got in and they wrecked our undefeated season that we had going there in the ring. That's the way it is. So I think in the end it will be good for the sport. It will be good for the fan base to be able to have a couple more shots at a championship.

Of course, as another reminder, that audio is courtesy of TitansOnline.com. So I hope you guys enjoyed today's show. Remember, tomorrow we have a Friday mailbag to go over. We are going to be listening to and breaking down Mike Vrabel's press conference that took place today. to and breaking down Mike Vrabel's press conference that took place today. And then, of course, we will be going over any of the major news and notes that come out in the next 24 hours. Remember that you still have time to get in those mailbag questions. Just send them to me at TicTacTitans on Twitter and make sure you are subscribed to the show

so that you can enjoy the answers to the mailbag questions tomorrow, along with all the other content that's going to be coming throughout the offseason. So now that you are done with this edition of Locked on Titans, check out the Locked on NFL Draft podcast. Like I tell you guys all the time, it is the perfect time to take in draft content and get as ready as possible for the draft coming up at the end of the month. But for me, that is going to do it.

As always, I am your host, Tyler Rowland, and this was Locked on Titans.