Locked On Titans - Daily Podcast On The Tennessee Titans - Titans Shaded by Tom Brady, Titans Appear on Two Preseason Rank Lists

Episode Date: June 25, 2021

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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 Rowland. Titans fans, this Friday edition of the Locked On Titans podcast is presented by the Peacock and Williamson Podcast. NFL analyst Brian Peacock and former NFL scout Matt Williamson host Locked On's Peacock and Williamson every Monday through Friday. Brian and Matt give you a national perspective on all the latest NFL news, so make sure you

check out the Peacock and Williamson Podcast, part of the Locked On Podcast Network, wherever you get your podcasts. We are going to kick off today's show like we did yesterday's show with two very interesting quotes. One of the quotes looks like it could be some shade thrown at the Tennessee Titans by an NFL legend. The other quote gives some more explanation from the other side of the aisle to the Julio Jones trade. So excited to dive into those quotes to start off today's show. But then we have two different lists to dive into. And yes, folks, it is the deep, dark trenches of the NFL

season, which means it is preseason hype list time. So I got two lists to go over with you guys that feature some big time Tennessee Titans. So we are going to get into all of that today to cap off this week of the Locked On Titans podcast. Let's get it. Titans fans, it is time for the weekend. And your boy is going on a little bit of a mini family vacation to the great state of Tennessee. I'm going to be in the Gatlinburg Pigeon Forge area over the weekend. If for some reason that's where you're located

and you're interested in maybe having a cold adult beverage with the boy, feel free to hit me up on Twitter at TicTacTitans. If you don't want to do that and you just want to follow the host of the Locked on Titans podcast, you can also do that on Twitter at TicTacTitans. Check out the show Facebook page at Locked on Titans pod. And of course, make sure that you never miss an episode of the Locked on Titans podcast by following on whatever platform you do stream. But we are going to get into this week ending episode talking about some quotes that didn't

come from the Tennessee Titans, but seem to be about the Tennessee Titans. And when I say seem to be, I'm mostly hinting at this first quote that we are going to go over. So in a little bit of a promo trailer for the HBO show The Shop, we got a quote from Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady and he's talking about his free agency recruitment in 2020. And of course the Tennessee Titans were one of the teams that had some level of interest, but they ultimately decided to give a long-term deal to Ryan Tannehill, which I think was a very good move, but it's fair to wonder what the best move would have been if the Titans really had a chance at Tom Brady. Who knows what could have worked out he's clearly the greatest quarterback of all time

but what did he have to say and why are people saying that it's about the Tennessee Titans well here is the quote from Brady quote one of the teams they were interested at the very end I was thinking you're sticking with that MF-er of course I you know there on quote, I censored it a little bit for you guys, for the family audiences out there. But either way, Tom Brady is basically saying, you got a shot at me and you're sticking with that guy? A lot of people instantly thought they were talking about Ryan Tannehill and the Tennessee Titans.

I mean, I get it from Tom Brady's perspective. He's got to have confidence in himself, and picking anybody over him is just nonsense, which, quite frankly, in reality, picking anybody over him may, in fact, be nonsense, but we don't know that Brady was talking about the Titans and Tannehill. He could have, in fact, been talking about the San Francisco 49ers with Jimmy Garoppolo, his former backup. There were some whispers that a team like the Las Vegas Raiders were interested. So maybe Derek Carr, the Chicago Bears, maybe a Mitch Trubisky situation.

But odds are he's probably talking about the Titans and Ryan Tannehill, if I've got to be honest with you. But we will never know the truth, but certainly made the headlines. The other quote I want to talk about here comes from former Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and he gave some extra context on the Chris Collinsworth podcast and talked about the Julio Jones trade he said this quote once Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot and I got started down there the situation I mean the reality we knew the issue with the cap and then obviously the cap went down this year coming off the bizarre year you cap, and then obviously the cap went down this year. Coming off the bizarre year, you're dealing with a pandemic, the cap actually shrunk.

So we knew there was going to be some big decisions we'd have to make coming up. And so in a way, everything worked out. We feel pretty good. I mean, I think it's pretty much well documented now. We feel like it's a win-win with the salary cap and Julio going to Tennessee And us right now being able to solve our short-term issue with the cap. And we still got some other moves down the line you're going to have to address. But I feel really good about where we're at right now and going into the summer. So Arthur Smith basically just confirming everything that made sense.

They really did need that help with the salary cap. It really was the easiest way to fix that problem. They still have Calvin Ridley. They drafted Kyle Pitts. Now they have a chance to sign a guy like Kyle Pitts in their draft class. The Titans get Julio. Well documented there. But the first we've heard from Arthur Smith outside of his press conferences

where he was extremely, extremely guarded. Now one thing I do want to say is Arthur Smith also coming out and kind of saying all of that is just like we saw in the Albert Breer report that came out after the trade kind of documenting everything, he made it clear to say that Arthur Smith being the former Titans offensive coordinator was not a huge factor. It wasn't like the relationship got the Titans a better deal or anything. Nonsense. I don't buy any relationship got the Titans a better deal or anything. Nonsense.

I don't buy any of that. Relationships matter in life. And it's impossible to say that Arthur Smith's connection with the Tennessee Titans organization and the trust between the two parties had zero factor in the trade getting done. I'm sorry. I'm just not buying that, Albert Breer. And while Arthur Smith doesn't say anything about that right here, he's basically just pointing out the obvious factors that help for both teams going along with that mindset of, no, my relationship didn't really have anything to do with it. It just made sense for both parties. And since it does make sense for both parties,

they certainly will never have to answer any of those questions. But come on, guys, we know the reality here. Of course, there being a mutual level of respect and a previous relationship between Art and the Titans greased the wheels for that deal, no matter what. Either way, we are going to move forward to some interesting preseason list, talking about the top 50 players in the NFL and then the top 25 players under the age of 25. So we're going to dive into those lists as we continue. Before we get into that, I want to remind you guys that betonline.ag is the fastest

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We are going to continue this Friday edition of the Locked On Titans podcast. We just talked about two interesting quotes. One from Tom Brady appearing to throw some shade at the Tennessee Titans, one from Arthur Smith explaining his perspective of the Julio Jones trade. But now I want to get into some preseason lists. And as I said at the beginning of the show, we are in the dead zone for the NFL calendar. The NFL has become basically a 12-month-a-year sport, but this middle of June all the way to the end of July when training camp starts, period, is the most dead for football news in general. So right around now, we start seeing all of the lists, the top 100 from the NFL. We're seeing a ton of lists come out that I'm going to cover two of them

today. So the best players in the league, the best players under this age, the best rookies, this and that, tons of lists. So it's always fun to have some fun and dive into these, see if there are any Tennessee Titans on these lists, where they rank, talk about some of the weird stuff that we're seeing from the list. But the first one that I'm going to get into is the top 50 players for 2021 from Pro Football Focus. So I'm going to go through the entire list as it is, and we're going to make some pit stops along the way when interesting things pop up, including two Tennessee Titans who made the list.

Number 50, they have quarterback Dak Prescott, and that's interesting, but we'll get to that in just a second. 49, Levante David, linebacker from Tampa Bay. 48, safety Marcus Williams from New Orleans. 47, James Bradbury, cornerback from New York. 46, tackle Ronnie Staley from the Baltimore Ravens. 45, wide receiver Stephon Diggs. Also interesting, put a cap in that. 44, wide receiver Michael Thomas from the New Orleans Saints. Another cap right there. 43, Taron Armstead, tackle from the New Orleans Saints.

42, interior defensive lineman Grady Jarrett from the Falcons. 41, safety John Johnson, formerly of the Rams, signed with the Browns. 40, quarterback Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills. And this is our first little pit stop. We're going to get off at this train station for a moment. So, if Dak Prescott is number 50, and Josh Allen is number 40, then that means Ryan Tannehill didn't make this list. And I'm okay with Ryan Tannehill not making the list

but Ryan Tannehill is better than Dak Prescott. Especially considering Dak Prescott is coming off a catastrophic leg injury. I don't think that Ryan Tannehill is better than Josh Allen. Some of you guys probably disagree but I don't think he is. I think there's one or two people in between Josh Allen and Ryan Tannehill, quite frankly. I have Josh Allen as the sixth best quarterback in the NFL, and I feel very confident about that. So Ryan Tannehill, and one thing I know, is Ryan Tannehill is not making this list on PFF over Josh Allen.

He's just not. So that means Tannehill didn't make it, and Tannehill should definitely be over Dak Pres PFF over Josh Allen. He's just not. So that means Tannehill didn't make it and Tannehill should definitely be over Dak Prescott. That's how I feel about that. So anyway, 39, Alvin Kamara. 38, A.J. Brown, wide receiver, Tennessee Titans. So before we get into A.J.'s blurb here, I just want to say, having AJ over Stephon Diggs and Michael Thomas, I mean, Michael Thomas maybe, but Stephon Diggs? I'm sorry, guys. I don't agree. I think Stephon Diggs is a top five wide receiver in the league. I think AJ Brown is top 10, maybe 11 or 12 at the minimum. I just don't quite understand that, just Stephon Diggs being so low. Doesn't

make any sense. But let's get into this blurb, what they have to say about AJ. Quote, Brown has already been a dominant force in his first two seasons in the NFL, but we may be about to witness him kicking it to another level now that Julio Jones is going to line up on the other side of the formation for the Titans. The Ole Miss product has averaged an excellent 2.66 yards per route run since he entered the league, tied for second in the league, and has broken more tackles 33 than any other wide receiver. He has shown he is a complete number one and has done so while opposing defenses have known he was the biggest receiving threat on his team. End quote. I agree with all that analysis,

but still to me just a little crazy that he's above Stephon Diggs. 37, running back Nick Chubb from the Cleveland Browns. You could put a cap in that. Actually, I'm not going to put a cap in that. We're going to do it now. Nick Chubb is not better than Derrick Henry. Get out of here. Nick Chubb is a really good running back, but he's not even better than Dalvin Cook yet.

Stay healthy, young man. Geesh. Anyways, 36, cornerback Bryce Callahan from the Denver Broncos. 35, wide receiver Julio Jones, Tennessee Titans. So I know that Julio is a monster when he's healthy, but quite frankly, I think A.J. Brown is just going to be better than him this year. That's just where I'm at. And either way, Steph Stefan Diggs is better than

Julio even healthy right now Stefan Diggs is awesome that's a crazy ranking I can't believe they put Stefan Diggs so low but here's what they had to say about Julio Jones quote injuries have become a bigger issue in recent years but when Jones is on the field he is still an elite receiver who can make a good argument that he is the match of anybody in the NFL at his position. He may have come away with only 771 yards in 2020, but he is fourth in the NFL in yards per route run, 2.60, a fraction away from being ranked second, and he is still generating a passer rating of 131.5 when targeted. The new Tennessee Titan is still the best blend of size, speed, athleticism, technique in the league, and the only question is whether he still has the durability to be ranked at the very top of the list. That's a compelling argument, though.

I feel you, PFF. Anyways, moving forward, 34, wide receiver Allen Robinson, Chicago Bears. I know you guys maybe want me to disagree there, but I don't. 33, linebacker Eric Kendricks, Minnesota Vikings. 32, safety Harrison Smith, Minnesota Vikings. 31, defensive lineman Cameron Hayward, Pittsburgh Steelers. 30, Christian McCaffrey,

running back Carolina Panthers. 29, cornerback Marlon Humphrey, Baltimore Ravens. 28, tackle Ryan Ramchick, New Orleans Saints. 27, edge Nick Bosa, 49ers. 26, Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings. Still haven't heard Derrick Henry.

25, Edge, Myles Garrett. Just a quick aside, I think that's way too low for Myles Garrett. I think Myles Garrett is absolutely amazing. 24, tackle Trent Williams, San Francisco 49ers. 23, safety Justin Simmons, Denver Broncos. 22, quarterback Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks. 21, Edge, Joey Bosa, Los Angeles Chargers. We haven't got the top 20 yet. All of that will be released by Friday evening. So after you guys hear this

going into the evening, you'll probably be able to find the top 20. What we do know is Derek Henry will be in that top 20. So I'll confirm that for you guys on Monday as well. But we are going to jump into the next list that we are going to get into. And by the way, just want to say, I think it's right. I don't think any other Tennessee Titans other than the two wide receivers and Derrick Henry should be on the list. I would replace, excuse me, I would replace Dak Prescott with Ryan Tannehill. And then I would feel very good about that list. But let's continue. We're going to talk about the top 25 players in the NFL under the age of 25.

Two Tennessee Titans made that list, but I'm going to tell you why a third Tennessee Titan should have been on there. Before we get into that, got to remind you guys about rockauto.com. Rockauto.com is a family business that's been serving do-it-yourselfers for over 20 years. The rockauto.com catalog can get you any part that you need for your daily or for your old school classic, whatever it is that you need from trucks to cars, motor oil, brake parts, tail lamps, literally anything you need from your car. And here's the thing.

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NFL.com, and it's his list of the best players under 25 years old, and he's got it broken down by position with offense and defense. And like I said, you have two Tennessee Titans on this list. But I personally think there should be three. Before we get into the list, though, I do want to remind you guys about the Locked On Today podcast hosted by Peter Bukowski. It is all of the biggest sports stories in every major sport in under 20 minutes every single weekday.

Make sure you check out the Locked On Today podcast. But on the offensive side of the ball, remember all these players under 25 years old, they have quarterback Lamar Jackson. Then at running back, Jonathan Taylor from the Indianapolis Colts, somebody the Titans are going to have to worry about for the next few years. Then running back Josh Jacobs from the Las Vegas Raiders. Crazy to believe he's only 23 years old, but the same comes with the next guy, and that's

Tennessee Titans wide receiver A.J. Brown at age 23. And here's what Shook had to say about A.J. Brown. Quote, Brown is a beast. He led the Titans in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns in 2020, routinely bullying opposing defenders and racking up yards after catch with 434 per next-gen stats. The only other player, Tyreek Hill, has been on the same level as Brown when it comes to scoring on big play over the past couple of seasons. The two each have nine touchdowns of 40 plus yards since 2019,

most in the NFL in that span. Oh, and Brown is getting a new running mate in future Hall of Famer Julio Jones in 2021. Prepare for rampant thievery of lunch money, end quote. And I love the blurb there by Nick Shook. Yeah, absolutely. A.J. Brown is a bully. He's a bruiser taking lunch money from all the defensive backs that he goes against. I absolutely agree. He's definitely the answer to the question of who is the best wide receiver under the age of 25 in the NFL. But a close second is wide receiver Justin Jefferson from the Minnesota Vikings who had an excellent rookie season. One of the best rookie seasons for a wide receiver ever next he has a flex position here of course it's a wide receiver and honestly I would have just had three wide receivers that's pretty common in the NFL anyways but he has DK Metcalf

college teammates with AJ Brown at tight end he has TJ Hawkinson from the Detroit Lions offensive tackle a slam dunk here Makai Becton from the New York. Offensive tackle, a slam dunk here. Makai Becton from the New York Jets. Offensive tackle, Tristan Wirfs from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. And then he has two guards here. One, Mike Onwunu from the New England Patriots at 23 years old. And then Damian Lewis from the Seattle Seahawks. In my opinion, I would replace either of those guys with nasty Nate Davis. Nate Davis was fantastic last year. He got two all-pro votes. He's going to be a

pro bowler eventually. He's really taking a leap up, and I would take Nate Davis over both of these guys at the age of 23. So that's kind of where I'm at on this selection. Moving forward, the center was Eric McCoy from the New Orleans Saints. Now we get into the defensive side of the ball. There is one Tennessee Titan over here as well. At edge, Nick Bosa from the San Francisco 49ers. At the other edge, Chase Young to Ohio State Buckeyes there. Interior defensive lineman, Quinnen Williams from the New York Jets. Andyes. Their interior defensive lineman, Quinnen Williams from the New York Jets. And then the other interior defensive lineman, Jeffrey Simmons,

age number 20, or age number 23, age 23 from the Tennessee Titans. So here's what Shook had to say. Quote, Simmons took a big step in year two after getting a late start as a rookie due to an injury he suffered while training for the draft.

He recorded three of his five career sacks in 2020, finishing second on the Titans in QB hits with 14. This is a bit of an under-the-radar selection as Simmons has yet to become a household name, but is trending towards lofty status. End quote. I absolutely believe what Shook is shaking there. I've been on the Jeffrey Simmons train for quite some time, really pumping him up, even going back to last year. So really high on Jeff Simmons. Think he's going to do fantastic work this year.

He looks slimmed down. He's going to know more technique. He's got Danico Autry and Bud Dupree rushing around him. I expect a big year from Jeffrey Simmons. At linebacker, Fred Werner from the San Francisco 49ers. The other linebacker, Roquan Smith from the Chicago Bears. Cornerback, Jair Alexander from the Green Bay Packers. Cornerback, Denzel Ward from the Browns. Safety, Minka Fitzpatrick from the Steelers. And safety, Jesse Bates from the Bengals. LeJarius Sneed as the slot cornerback

for the team. Rodrigo Blankenship at kicker, Jake Bailey at punter, and Deontay Harris from the Saints as the kick returner. But two Tennessee Titans on the list there, A.J. Brown and Jeffrey Simmons. I think Nate Davis should have been on the list as well. But that's going to do it for us today, Titans fans.

That's going to do it for us this week. Remember, Monday will be a mail bag Monday send in those questions as a five-star review on Apple iTunes or send those to me on Twitter at tic-tac Titans make sure that you subscribe to or follow the locked on Titans podcast on whatever platform you do stream you can tell it is the end of the week and I am ready for vacation. But that's going to do it for me today, folks. As always, I am your host, Tyler Rowland, and this was Locked on Titans.