Locked On Titans - Daily Podcast On The Tennessee Titans - TITANS SQUAD SHOW: AFC South Power Rankings, Where do the Titans stand?

Episode Date: July 7, 2026

Training camp is just around the corner, and the roster is practically locked in. Where do the Tennessee Titans actually stand in the AFC South after a wild offseason? In this episode, we break down the new additions and debate who will make the biggest impact in Nashville—from the high-profile free agents to the brand-new coaching staff. Everydayer ClubIf you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. From the opening whistle to the final kick, Let There Be Goals on FanDuel.Visit https://FANDUEL.COMto get started now. Odoo Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon. Betterhelp This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp.Sign up and get 10% off at http://BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDON. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Titans may have been last place in the division the last couple of years, but I don't have them last in my AFC South Power Rankings. We'll talk about that coming up. And I have a coach that might make the biggest impact this season, and it's not a big time name that you might think is on the top of the list. I kind of have the same thoughts, Caleb, but my guy is a big time guy on the list. And I'm with Julian. If the Titans are going to turn things around,

It has to start in the AFC South. Titan up. It's the Titan Squad. Everything Tennessee Titans every week. Covering all the big hits and game-changing plays from the heart of Music City, the way only the locked on podcast network can. Squad up. The Titan Squad Show starts now.

And welcome to the Titan Squad Show. We got the Fantastic Four back in action today. I'm Julian Minnesota and joined by Kayla Anderson, Tyler Roll. Roland and Brad Hopkins. Today's episode is brought to you by Odu. Great organizations win because operations matter, and that's why you should get Odu. Cry for free today at Odu.com slash locked on. That's O'DOO.com slash locked on. We got a jam-pack show for you today. Of course, we're going to have B-Hops hot take. We're also going to talk about the most important new addition to the Titans that we feel is the most important,

whether that be a player that they signed, player that they drafted, or even a new coach. But today I wanted to start in the AFC South power rankings. And Tyler, I know you've done this on your show and locked on Titan. So if you haven't seen it or listen to it, I implore you to do so when it comes to positional power rankings. But I wanted to see your guys' perspective on where the Titans stand as the bulk of free agency is now in the rearview mirror. And we are looking ahead to training camp in less than a month.

So Tyler, I know you talked about positions and where the Titans stand on certain ones within the conference or within the division, I should say. But where do they stand as a team as a whole for you? I think the Titans can be the third best team in the division this year. I mean, maybe they could climb up higher than that and we certainly all want to see that happen. I'm not going to act like it can't happen or I don't want it to happen. I'd love to see the Titans climb all the way up to best in the division. Like, let's take the division back.

Sure, I'm all for it. But I realistically, realistically think that the Titans are going to improve a little bit. I think the Colts are going to get a little bit worse. Like at the end of the day, one team is going to regress if the Titans get better. It's just the natural way of things. And I do think the Colts are prime for a little bit of a regression. And they had that first half magic last year that kind of boosted their record. So I am thinking that the Colts are going to regress a little bit.

The Titans get a little bit better. But, man, I think Jacksonville and Houston have very talented teams, man. And I just think it's going to be hard for the Titans to win more games than neither of those teams, even if they kind of close the gap on them, which is really what I want to hope to see is, is close the gap, be more competitive within the division, because I think if you're going to turn things around, that has to start in the division.

But I think closing the gap and jumping over one team is realistically what I would expect. Bhop, I'm going to put you on the spot here a little bit, because a few weeks ago on the show with you, Kayla and I, you gave some AFC South predictions of how you think the division is going to play out. I don't know if that's changed, but I have them here, if you're a viewing audience here on YouTube, you have the Texans at 11 and 6, the Jags and Colts each at 8 and 9, and then the Titans at 7 and 10.

And that would say, okay, the Titans are fourth in the division, but it's a step forward in the right direction. Does that still stand in kind of where you see the division and the power rankings going at this point right now? So it does still stand, but I also have it broken down by how they fared in the division. So they do have a total overall record, which is last in the division. But within the division, as far as wins and losses, I have them tied for second.

And that's with three and three. They went 500. Because as a matter of fact, I think I told you guys on this show many months ago that I thought the Titans as a hot take, we're going to at least split with each of the divisions. Remember because we each of the teams within a division? Because we didn't win not one divisional game last year. Right. So having three wins within a division is a vast improvement.

right as a matter of fact i have them tied with the jaggs at second so even though the jags are eight and nine as a record there are three and three within the division which ties us in the division i have the texans who have an 11 and six overall record as you can see but they're four and two in the division and i grant i agree with you 100 percent tyler that the colts are going to struggle a little bit i have a lot of appreciation for who daniel jones is is resurrecting his career but i think I think eight and nine is the record for them, but they only win two games within the division. So as a divisional record, they're at the bottom. The Titans and Jacks are tied at number two with a three and three record,

and the Texans still take it with a four and two record within the division and 11 and six overall. Kayla, I think seven and ten the Titans fans would take that in a heartbeat. Oh, yeah, absolutely. I mean, that'd be a vast improvement. We're just talking, you know, wins compared to last year. I think I had mentioned before, even if they can double up on the one. wins from last year. That would be a vast improvement. What's so crazy about the AFC South, though, you guys, I do feel, minus the Texans in the last couple of years,

I do feel like those teams just shuffle around and we can predict all we want. And I swear I've tried to predict every season like who finishes the second, third, fourth, and division, and it just shuffles every year because it just is really depending, too, on, like, how these quarterbacks are playing. And even C.J. Stroud has big question marks about, you know, how far he can take the Texans in the regular season. I guess it's one thing, but I think that's just because the defense has held together that team for the last couple of years, minus C.J. Stroud's rookie season. So it's kind of like, how does the quarterbacks bear in terms of the the AFC South is how maybe they'll put themselves in order.

Trevor Lawrence is always just up and down and he was supposed to be like the generational talent out of that draft. We look at the Jacksonville Jaguars like I just mentioned. And then the Colts, Daniel Jones, did he just have some anomaly last year where he came back and was tearing up everything? But he comes back down to, you know, back down to the regular Daniel Jones. and then the biggest question about Cam Ward is, can he take that big leap and that next step in his sophomore season?

I think it kind of is like how these quarterback spares could be how these other teams stack up in the EFC South behind Houston. Yeah, Tyler, I want to ask you. I want to get your opinion on something, Julian. So we're all talking about the Colts, you know, they seem to be relative. We think the Colts could be at the bottom, the Jags. Maybe they're right there with the Colts,

but the Texans seem pretty good. If the Titans were to catch two teams, if the Titans were to get to the second best in the division, do you think it's more likely, Julian, that they would catch the Jags leaving the Texans at the top? Or do you think it would be more likely that the Jags would stay at the top and the Titans could catch the Texans? What do you think more likely other than the Colts? I think it's the Jags. And I think there's just going to be a natural regression after having such a big turnaround year in Jacksonville. Because look, they're going to play a tougher schedule, right?

that's number one. Teams are going to have more film on those guys. And quite frankly, though Trevor Lawrence, I think, answered a lot of questions this past season. I don't think it was enough. I need to see more of a sample size from him that lets me know, hey, he was worthy of high draft capital when he was taken out of Clemson. Right. He is the guy that is going to be the generational quarterback that you pick in that spot. And so that is why I would say more likely than not, I think it's the Jags that the Titans could catch. I had the Titans third in my power rankings as well at this point.

And I read a, it was an ESPN article. They had like an AFC South roundtable. And it included each of the four AFC South reporters, including our buddy Toronto Davenport. And they had the Texans with three first place votes to get the top spot. Then the Jags. Then the Titans were third collectively amongst their group. And then the Colts.

And at first I was like, well, six wins in the last two years. that wouldn't constitute being the third best team in that division. And the more I thought about it, the more I think it's less about what the Titans have done in the past and more about what the ceiling is for this team, right? I think the amount of turnover is the greatest on the Titans roster, not just with the player personnel, but with the head coaching and that whole staff. And the idea of what they can be, I think they're set up way better for the future than Indianapolis for sure.

and if Trevor Lawrence doesn't pan out or C.J. Stroud doesn't pan out, then, you know, there is a potential there too that they can pass up one of those teams. So it's less about what the Titans have done on the field to this point in the last couple of years and more of what I think that it can be in the future for this team.

Let me say this real quick. I had the Jags actually from a tremendous season a year before really dropping off a little bit because Travis E.TNs, in New Orleans now. That was their thousand yard back in the back field. He gave them a lot of productivity and Bishall Tutin. I mean, come on man. You got a rush for

300 yards last year. Maybe he'll do more because he will be the guy stepping forward into the starting role. But I think they're going to miss him tremendously. The Colts had an 8-9 record last year, just like I have predicted for them to have this year. But that was after winning like what?

I think they won seven of their eight games. Yeah, there were seven and one after eight games. and then fell off a cliff. Yeah. All of their games. And it wasn't just the injuries. Exactly.

So I expect him to kind of, after Daniel Jones went out and some other guys came in, you know, Phillip Rivers even got some starts. But the thing is, you know, they intermittently win games to be at eight and nine. The Titans are just one game behind both the Jags and the Colts. So that's a huge improvement from a three-win team before winning four more games, in my opinion. But the Colt, I think the Texans kind of, you know, they write the ship a little bit and take full advantage of having the best defense in the division.

I hate to say that. Maybe the Titans prove me wrong with the additions that we've had this offseason, but they've got some monsters over there that we've got to deal with. Going back really quick, Julian, to that article where they did have the Colts at four, and I would probably agree with that in terms of where they have everyone rank. I think part of that goes into the whole play too on. When you have big-time stars on your team out,

Jonathan Taylor is not included in. this but Alec Pierce who's coming off of a nut he had like a cleanup surgery he's not he's I think he's going to maybe be ready to start the year but I'm not quite sure on how like I yeah I think he might be like maybe three weeks into the season and they paid him a lot of money too they aren't sure they aren't sure and then you've got Daniel Jones I don't care what anyone says about injuries Achilles injuries and coming off an Achilles injury you can never ever know and so I just don't know mentally like two when you're a quarterback like how that affects you from the jump so they could start out really slow too yeah I think they've sacrificed how we're going

to feel in Nick Westbrook of Kene is there number one or number two how are they going to feel about it because I know how I felt about it when it was us how are they going to feel about it that's right that's my thing with the Colts I think they sacrificed a lot of roster talent to keep Daniel Jones and Alex Pierce they got rid of Zaire Frank in the linebacker room. They had to let Braden Smith leave their right tackle. They had to let Michael Pittman, Jr. go and trade him to the Pittsburgh Steelers. I think what made the Colts a good team and competitive team over the last five, six years

hasn't been their quarterback. They've cycled through mid-quarterback after mid-quarterback. But they've remained competitive because the roster was so strong. And I think they sacrificed this all season because they got so excited by what Daniel Jones did. Kaley, you're right. It's not just the Achilles, though. It's also he had a broken leg.

Remember he was on a broken leg at the end of last season before the Achilles. And I think that was overcompensation that led to the Achilles. So he's got a broke coming, healing a broken leg in one leg. Achilles and the other for a guy that is relied on his mobility throughout his career. I'm down on the Colts. I agree with you guys. I think the Jags will still be pretty good. But they'll regress a little bit with a tougher schedule.

And hey, it's not year one of Liam Cohen and Anthony Campanelli anymore. We've seen what you're doing. We're ready to go at it. And I'm with Brad on the Texans. I think they write the ship on. offense a little bit and just I think the Texans are a top five team in the NFL. I think they're going to turn into a little bit of a juggernaut this year. I think the offense writes itself and you're right.

We know how good the defense is. So let the Titans get one, be competitive with another. And I think seven wins. We'd all be really happy with that. Yeah, no. And one thing about the Texans, it's a proof of year for C.J. Straub. That's for sure. I mean, he's trying to get back to that offensive rookie of the year type of level.

And if he doesn't, guys, that could open the door for the Titans, especially if we start to see Cam slowly becoming, you know, there is a potential for him to be the best quarterback in this division. So we'll certainly see how that plays out. On the other side of the break, we're going to talk about the Titans specifically and what new additions will make the biggest impact. That could be coach or player. That's next here on the Titans Squad Show.

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Wanted to talk about, you know, the roster in general, as we getting closer and closer to training camp. And, you know, the Titans in the AFC South had the biggest turnover, I would say, the biggest roster makeover, not just with the personnel that you're going to see on the field, but with the coaching staff as well, brand new coaching staff. So I know, Kayla, you teased it at the start of the episode that maybe somebody under the radar of the Titans' most crucial addition for this offseason. Who is it in why?

Well, I think the obvious when we think about coaches is, I mean, yeah, Robert, saw, but I think the obvious is Brian Dayball, but I didn't want to be that obvious. But one thing that I have harped on and one thing that I know Brad will be proud of of the last three years, I have learned to appreciate and understand offensive linemen a lot more than I ever did before I took this job in Nashville, you know, eight years ago when I was in Nashville. So, Carmen Bursillo, the offensive line coach, I think, is going to be a huge critical hire and what he can do for this line because he has a past, whether that be in Vegas or in New York, with maybe not having the most talented guys, but helping turn around those offensive lines. And it's not an easy task. We've seen Tennessee try to do it with even Bill Callahan, who we goaded like offensive line Jesus or whatever it was, he was named by, you know, 104, 5.

But it's funny because even he, I think, was so set in his ways with the personnel he had in terms of players. It just didn't work. Like there was it nothing really meshed in terms of getting the line where it needed to be. I do believe Carmen Priscilla was brought in for a reason, and Brian Daibald clearly believes in him. There are some really good pieces, i.e. Peter Skoranski. And then there's a lot of question marks on how good can these guys be? How can you develop some of the talent on the line? How can you get a guy like J.C. Latham to take the next step? I believe Bracillo could be that link. You know, Kayla, I'm going to tell you how much you and I think alike.

you said not a big name. I said a big name. I was meaning physically because Carmen Bricill is actually a big dude. But since I knew you were going to go there, my number two actually makes even more sense to me. And that's Gus Bradley. Gus Bradley is going to take a lot of the responsibility of the defensive philosophy and implementing that from Robert Sala, right?

And allow Robert to be the overseer of both offense, defense, and special teams, all three, actually, to both. But the point being, I've watched Gus Bradley in practice. I've watched his rapport with the players. They really, really respect him. He comes in with high credentials. You know what guys? He reminds me of Greg Williams and Jim Schwartz as far as his relativity to this roster.

We've got some veterans on the team that need a leader that they can respect, that they can listen to. And that's Gus. Gus is sometimes the loudest dude on the field just because not yelling at it. people because he's bringing the energy guys. I've watched him. And I just, I like his connection. You know what I mean? So if it's not going to be Carmen Bristula, who I 100% Kayla Anderson, he doesn't have a choice. He has to be the most impactful coach. Okay. Because this has been the most problematic area on this team for a while. As a matter of fact, I've done some side-by-side comparisons between him and Bill Callahan. And I think one of the things that that Carmen brings to

the table more so than Bill did is adaptability, the week-to-week. stuff, the building systems. Everybody's about technique because at the end of the day, you got to have good technique, right? But you've got to be able to communicate with you guys. You've got to be able to understand the systems of which you're trying to build. And that's what that's what Carmen's trying to do right now. I'm not going to say that he's, you know, has already rammed at the wheel. He's got these guys playing like some pro bowlers and all the things, but he's got some talented players to work with, okay? And he's to show up some things in the interior. I think for the most part, he has to have the biggest impact.

but I still do like Gus Bradley and his effect on that defense. I'll throw out mine, but I just want to enhance both Kayla and Brad's point about who they pick, Carmen Broussel and Gus Bradley. And it also kind of drives home a point about why Brian Callahan failed. So Brian Callahan was a first-time head coach. And him and Nick Holtz had never worked together. They had never worked on the same offense. installed the same plays, ran the same practices,

game plan week to week together, set up their call sheet each week. They had never done that together. Brian Callahan had certainly never done that with his father. I mean, and me and my dad can barely put a Lego together without getting in a disagreement about how to do it. You know what I mean? So like, imagine trying to, you've never been a head coach, you've never even been an offensive coordinator.

and you're trying to tell your dad how you want things done when he's been to a Super Bowl as a head coach. Like everything was so new on Brian Callahan's staff that it gave him no chance to succeed as a new coach because everything that Nick Holtz was teaching to the players, it was the first time that he taught it. Everything that Brian Callahan was teaching to Nick Holtz, it was the first time he taught it to him.

So everything was brand new for everybody on every level. That is not the case. That is not the case with either side of the, ball now. Carmen Bracillo, Shea Tierney, have worked with, installed, game planned with Brian Dable, Gus Bradley, forever. For all, think Aaron Whitecotton as well, Tony Odin, as well. All of these guys have insane experience, not only installing, teaching, coaching. So Gus Bradley knows exactly how Robert Sala wants his defense installed. He knows exactly the drop points of the linebacker zones, the gaps that the defensive line needs to be in.

Robert Salah doesn't have to teach that to Gus Bradley, like how Brian Callahan had to teach that to Nick Colts. So imagine the head start that that gives the coaching staff when they can just look at each other and know, when he doesn't have to spend as much time teaching Gus Bradley, teaching his coaches as he does teaching the players. It's just such a wonderful head start for this coaching staff that has me so much more excited.

but I'm going to say Aaron Whitecott, the defensive line coach. You've seen him out at practice, Julian? Brad, you've seen that dude? He called himself like a rabid squirrel in a press conference. He couldn't be more right. He's a rabid something. Some of those practice clips that we've seen,

he is cussing up a storm. Let's go pushing the intensity. That's the type of coaching that I experience. That's what I like. Let's be intense so that the games are nothing. Aaron Whitecotton. And think about all the young impressionable players that he's getting his hands on. Femmy, Falk,

even a young guy like Jermaine Johnson, who missed a year of development time. Jackie Marshall on the defensive line, Simmons and John Franklin Myers are guys who want to take it to another level. Quinn and Williams said he got him there. Aaron Whitecotton is my answer. That's good. And especially how good that defensive line is expected to be. Like that's going to be the anchor of this team, it feels like, Tyler. I'm going to go somebody a little bit off the beaten path. Tyler, to your point, when you talk about, guys on this coaching staff who have worked together.

Brian Dable would be the obvious choice, I think, for everybody if you asked the casual Titans fan. I'm going to go to the quarterbacks coach Shea Tierney because he has worked with Brian Dable before, because he has worked with elite quarterbacks before. This team does not get to where it wants to get to if Cam Ward does not succeed. It's the most important position on the field. It's the most important position arguably in sports. and this is a huge make or break year for Cam Ward.

Like this is the year that Bhop, you always say, hey, when you get to the end of that rookie deal, this is when we need to start seeing like if you're the guy or not. And Cam was criticized a lot last year for whether it be turnovers, footwork, arm slot, arm angle, and Shay Tierney has helped develop the best of them with Josh Allen, Jackson Dart, guys who are in this league that have either turned the corner to the tops of their careers or starting to.

Right. And so for a guy that's kind of under the radar for the sake of the pod that I would want to pick, I think it's Shay Tierney just from the simple standpoint of that's the guy who's going to be working with Cam Ward more than anybody else. The guy that is going to be communicating with him on a daily basis, not just from schematic standpoint, but from technique and overall fundamental standpoint, too, for the quarterback who is supposed to be the guy who takes this team, into the promised land.

So I'm a Gosea Tierney on that one. Do you guys have a player that maybe you want to add now that we've all kind of done coaches? And maybe I'll go back around. Kayla, do you have a player that catches your eyes the most important or crucial, newest edition this offseason?

I mean, I think the obvious would you hope that if they're going to make a selection with the fourth overall pick, that this guy is going to be that receiver for Cam Ward. But what about the free agency signing of one Dale Robinson and how important he can be because he stepped into a role last year that he wasn't expected to step into and really shined. And I think he knows why he was added on this team, right? He knows expectations. He has a little bit more experience in terms of being in the

middle of the field at times or being that third down guy at times. I think Cam could, and I think we've seen it a little early on, can build that chemistry with him and rely on him. I know when Tyler Boyd was brought in here a couple years ago for Will Levis, like that was kind of supposed to be a reliable guy. Like he had the better, and he never ended up being that dude. Now, partly because that could have been again, Tyler, like you mentioned, this offense, it just didn't work in what they were doing. But I feel like he could be that guy for Cam Ward, at least early on guys.

when you need a little bit of a blanket to, you know, I mean, I had my blanket for a while growing up. So it'll let Cam have him for half the season, you know, with something before some of these other guys built that chemistry with Cam. Tyler? Yeah, you're bringing up the rear, bro. We've always got the good ones already gone by the time you start talking. So I figure.

Oh, well, that's all right. That's all right. You know I got more bullets in the chamber, okay? I'm going to go with John Franklin Myers. It goes back to the point that I think, this defensive line is going to be the foundation with which this entire team is built on. And I think having Jeffrey Simmons is one thing, but then when you have John Franklin Myers, you have just created something terrifying. You know, that's the number one and

number three guy on the interior defensive line in the league in sacks. So I think when you have two guys and Jeffrey Simmons is kind of like, or John Franklin Myers is kind of like just a lesser version of Jeffrey Simmons. He's a speed and power combination Dynamo, which is what Jeff is. Jeff is just the best in the league. And one of the most talented guys that we've had on the team and forever. So I think the defensive line going from, hey, this defensive line is good to, oh, this might be the best interior front in the NFL. That is how this team can quickly turn into a playoff team.

So I'll go with John Franklin Myers because him plus Jeffrey Simmons might be enough to turn this into a top five defense. Guys, we're going to look back at the 2026 season. And three rookies that they drafted, Carnell Tate, Keldrick Falk, and Anthony Hill, and we were like, Dale. Mike Borgonzi really did. He showed his ass. Because all three of those cats are going to have a massive impact.

Anthony Hill might be fighting with Sedge of Gray for the most tackles on this, but guess what? They're both going to run the sideline and sideline really making plays. But because of Robert Salo's rule of rotation, right, once every. everybody, I want you exhausted for three plays. And then we're going to get somebody else fresh in there, which means that Keldrick Falk will see the field. You know, hopefully he's healthy.

Hopefully there's no issues. I think that he's primed to be like I just mentioned with John Franklin Myers applying the pressure as a starter and then Keltred Falk comes in there with his ability to. And he's John Franklin Myers again, then Keldryl Falk and John Farkleck and Keldry Falk. So I think that they both are going to help Big Jeff just be a wrecking ball up front. I mentioned earlier when we were talking about the. Texas defense. I mean, I think that they're the bell of the ball when it comes to that side of the football. But hey, don't sleep on our cats here, man, because these cats are coming with some

intensity. There's a reason why Jeffrey Simmons reset the interior defense in the lineman market and nobody's batting an eyelash at him doing it either, right? And now he gets some buddies to help him to alleviate some pressure. Come on, man. What are we doing here? But Behoff, he's only the 83rd best player. What don't give me a break. Don't hear this to me, Julian. I'm having a calm evening. me started. With that in the Tony Pollard disrespect, I'm just like, beyond. Well, and here's the thing, right? Like, my guy is also John Franklin Myers for the simple point of the direct impact it'll have on Jeffrey Simmons,

right? Like Jeff's coming off of his best career year. And that was being like the only guy on the defense who could rush to passer. Now you've got a multiple amount of guys on the front, including John Franklin the Myers who may be outside of the Seahawks with Byron Murphy and who am I thinking of Byron Murphy and Leonard Williams. Leonard Williams. Okay. Yes.

It might be the best interior duo in the league, arguably, right? And the fact that Jeff is just going to have so many more opportunities because he's got a running it, you know, like that is on top of being motivated, extra motivated to not only say that he could play more than three plays in a row, but also that he was the 83 third best player. Like, I don't know. I'll just reiterate what a lot of people told me at the draft and in the offseason leading up to a lot of these signings, good luck if that's the interior defensive line for those other teams' offensive lines. Like, good luck to them. Well, I know this episode's been all about deep cuts, but let me just say, it's going to be Cardinal Tate. He's going for

1100 yards. It's going to be the rookie of a year. That's the answer, baby. Let's go. Yeah. Well, that would certainly make him rookie of the year. That's for sure. because if that happens and they've got their one, they've got their one that they were looking for. On the other side of the break, Bhop's got a hop take for us and we'll react next here. That's on the Titan Squad Show. Don't go anywhere.

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This is actually the first show that we've had that Tyler's been on for B-Hop's Hop-Take, I think. So, yeah, so Tyler, we've been doing this on the, when we were twice a week doing this on the Friday shows, B-Hob's given a hop-take every week and we react. So B-Hop, I'll let you take it away. There's two parts to this. One, we all agree that Colonel Tate will be an impact player as a rookie. I mean, he's just positioned to do that. Even the national pundits agree that this guy's going to be a difference maker.

But the only way that he has a thousand-plus yards receiving is if Tony Appollard has his fifth straight thousand-yard season. And that will put him in a category of, yes, the king. Derek Henry had 1,000 yards in 2019. He had 1,000 yards in 2020. 2021, he got hurt and he only played in eight games, 937 yards. But since then, 2022, 2022, 2023, 24, and last year, he's rushed for over 1,100 yards in each one of those seasons. As a matter of fact, in 2024, he almost got to 2000. So what I'm saying is Tony Pollard will join the company of the king,

Derek Henry, with his fifth straight rushing title. And the reason why is because what we just mentioned, and it had nothing to do with him. The only way that Carnal Tate will not be bracketing, the only way that Cornell Tate will not have double coverage and have the best corner on him at every single outing is because they got guys that are in the box slowing down the run because it's been that effective.

Tony Pollard behind some makeshift offensive lines has already rushed for 1,000 yards. If Carmen Brissillo, like Kail and I have said, is an improved offensive line coach, then guess what else improves? The run game. Which why in the hell wouldn't, Tony Pollard then rushed for his fifth straight season? So my hop take is he will join the company of Derek Henry as the most recent 5,000 yards in five seasons running back in the national football league. It's not like it hadn't been done before, because going back to Curtis,

Martin and Barry Sanders did it 10 straight years. Walter Payton did it 10 straight years. Emmett Smith did it 11 straight years. Curtis did it 10 years. But the point being in recent history, Derek Henry's been the beast for a reason because he's ran in the last six seasons for 1,000 yards except for just one. And he was like 40 yards short. But we're not even talking that much about Tony Pollard and him rushing for 4,000 yards in the last four seasons. He'll do it again in 2026. Tyler, that's your first hot take? What do you think? I love it. I love it. And I think it makes a ton of sense. Honestly, the only person that can stop Tony Pollard from getting a thousand rushing yards this year,

in my opinion, is his own teammate, Nick Singleton. That's my answer because if Singleton's an explosive, he's big, he's fresh. I think he's got a little more juice than Pollard has out in the open field. Pollard is a more reliable back, but I can see Pollard having a great year, having 800 of Singleton gets going. but yeah, I think when you look at Brian Daible's history, you know, we think about quarterback development when we think about Brian Daible, but you know what's the best friend of a quarterback, as Brad always likes to remind us, the running game.

And look at Brian Daible's history as an offensive coordinator. His passing offenses in terms of yards, he's had top three passing offense, top nine passing offense, but everything else has been 20s or lower. You go to the rushing offenses, for Brian Dable back to Cleveland, Kansas City, Miami, Buffalo, New York, all that included.

He's had a top eight rushing offense, top five, top nine, top eight, top six, top four, top five. Like, Brian Dable is a run game coach. He's a run game offensive coordinator, and his best offenses actually feature a great running game. So I think you're 100% right, Brad. I think Tony Pollard is going to have another thousand yard year. He's just so reliable, so underrated, so durable.

People were excited for the prospect that Jeremiah loved because he's a home run hitter and could be an elite player. And that is in the process of that, Tony Pollard has gone underrated some. You know what I mean? So I think you're right on. And I think that play action pass game, getting the defense creeping up on the run, letting that be deep shots down the field on top of that, the Cornell Tate, who's a great vertical wide receiver.

Those two things go together. So I think you're right. The run game will open up the deep vertical game for Cornell Tate where he excels. and those two things are intimately tied together. That's a great point, Brett. Kayla, you mentioned the Tony Pollard disrespect that you feel like he's totally underrated and not really given his due. Well, that's because he's in the national market.

Like, when he was in Dallas, what are we talking about? They started talking about Tony Pollard more than Ezekiel Elliott. Like, let's be real here. The minute he came to Tennessee, he literally got like snubbed in terms of any time. of attention, any type of respect. And all I have the numbers to prove that all he's done is get better in terms of rushing yards each year since Dallas. He left Dallas, excuse me, 2022, 1007 yards rushing.

23, he actually was down by just two yards in Dallas. But then he came to Tennessee in 2024, 179 yards rushing. What did he do in a crap offense last year that he had. had no help at all. He went over that 1,082 yards. All he did is he's exponentially like added in terms of his yards. I know not by a great amount, but he's not dipped. And we're giving him no respect nationally. We don't even talk about him in top 15 running backs. I feel like it's crazy to me. And it's just because it's the Nashville market. And I mark my word, that's the reason. Kayla, I saw a list where he was like 22nd or 23rd.

And I'm like, give me a break. Look at what Brad said. There's been four running back or two running backs in the NFL with 4,000 yards in the last four years. It's Derek Henry and Tony Pollard. And then the five-year stat, like, how can he be the 22nd best? And it's just him and Derek Henry who's done something the last four years. It's crazy. Well, you know why, guys.

I mean, think about it. We picked four last year. We picked one a year before. When we had terrible records like that, it seems like a wasted effort. or no matter who's in the backfield, it just doesn't, unfortunately, it hasn't resulted in the wins that get us picking in the late 20s in the draft. If we're picking them in the late 20s in the draft, that means we've got a winnable record.

That means we'll probably got some prime time games. That's another thing, Kayla. If Tony Powell were on Sunday night football, Monday night football, Monday night football, you'd be talking about it. We haven't had no primetime games in what the last eight years? I don't know. I'm being exaggerating, but you know. Seems like it.

No, yeah. And look, like, I know it's a different coaching staff, whole different system, but last year when Pollard ran the ball well in the back end of that season, he had like three straight 100-yard game. Look how much easier life got for Cam Ward and everybody else around. Like Cam Ward's numbers. Yeah, whole offense took off. They were scoring points. Cam Ward's, the point in percentage went up. And that would in turn, at least if you're thinking about it logically for this team, mean more opportunities for somebody like a Carnell Tate. and the rest of the offense in general too. And so it starts up front, like Bhop always says,

but like all of you guys have echoed on here, quarterback's best friend is that run game. And Tony Pollard is more than serviceable to be an effective part of this offense. Absolutely. And to bring everything full circle, we started or talked about under the radar coaches, Luke Stocker, who the Titans retained on the coaching staff,

had a lot to do with them turning the run game around after the Callahan's left the building. And Luke Stocker's still on the staff right now. So that should be helpful for the Titans to help kind of grease the skids and get the run game going early. Brad, it's future office coordinator, right? Yeah. Go ahead, Behaup.

Yeah. I said, I was training Luke Stocker on to be a run blocker before he got Winston Combine. That's wild. Everything he knows. You want to working with me. Well, Veh, you said on this show, that's the future offensive coordinator of the Titans right there.

Dude, super smart. It is the future offensive coordinator because the more success that the Titans have, the more these sucky teams are going to lower Brian away. It works. He's the next Arthur Smith, tight end coach, real smart. Nobody knows about him, retained on a bunch of different coaching staffs because everybody recognizes, man, this guy kind of knows what he's talking about, doesn't he?

He's the one. I'm not even like, I hope Brian Dable goes crazy. The Titans win 11 games, and he goes to be a head coach. We'll take Luke Stocker and a great quarterback. That's a good deal for me, Brian Daible. Right. Yeah. If Daibel's here for more than two years, that means something went wrong.

Yeah, it wasn't good enough. Yeah. Correct. All right. Well, we have a couple questions and comments to answer in our live chat here on the show. We're going to do that on the other side of the break here with the Titan Squad show returns. Don't go anywhere. All right.

We have a couple of questions here in the live chat for you guys. It's King Sauce. 9-01 asks, which side of the ball do you think that will carry the Titans throughout the season? Defense or offense? I'll start with that. I think out of the gates, I think it will probably be more so the defense, just because I think that is solid specialty. I think more so than anything brought in so many specific pieces on the defense to match what he's trying to do. And not saying that that's all going to work out perfectly. But again, we talked about the defensive line. It all starts up front and look at the pieces that are on that interior specifically. You talked about John Franklin Myers.

We know who big Jeff is and how motivated he is. And it all, I think, trickles down from there. But I think Sol just, I just watched what he did so closely last year with like a literally crippled 49ers team. Like he had nothing to work with. And for him to do what he did, it was, it was, was just so incredible. So I do think defensively, it probably will be, at least to start the year, the defensive side of the ball. This is going to seem blasphemous, but offense scores points, defense wins championships. Look at the last two Super Bowls. They've been led by the defensive side of the football. And when you look at the additions that they've made, they have been heavy veterans on the defensive side of the football for us. And frankly so. The face of our franchise, in this moment,

is still Jeffrey Simmons. Hopefully it will be Camboard in the future, but right now, this is Jeff's team. And they brought in some dudes to help him. So at the end of the day, I think the defense will carry the load, but they have to carry the load. Because at the end of the day,

who's that basketball scores? What if both offenses go out and score 50 points apiece? I mean, sure, it's a shootout. Probably fun to watch it some degree. But at the end of the day, if we're going to win anything, it's because the defense's side of the football showed up. Brad, you know, I like the defense wins championship phrase.

I look at it a different way in the NFL and say it a different way. Offense gets you a ticket to the dance. Defense wins you prom king. That's how I, because if you don't have a good offense in today's NFL, you're not going to make it. You're just not going to be, but the teams of the teams with the good offenses, whichever team has the best defense of those teams is the team that wins. So it's like offense gets you into the dance,

defense wins you prompt king. That's the way I see it. But I'll tell you this, if the Titans' offense is better than their defense this year and we're happy at the end of the year, something magical happened. Like we didn't just have an improve, the Titans won the division,

because this defense clearly is going to be better than the offense early on. So if by the end of the year, or if at some point the offense is better than that defense, this team is nasty. So I'm all here for that. But everything Kayla said was right. There's just no way we can look at what they've added,

the coaches, where the talent is, the veteran players, and think that the offense is going to be what carries the team. It's clearly the defense. Yeah, I think it's clearly the defense without a doubt. And I mean, you know what I'm interested to see the most is how Jeffrey Simmons plays in this heavy hockey style rotation do. You know, because obviously he wants to be on the field as much as possible,

but the percentage usage rate and snaps played is going to go down naturally. But putting him out there for those high leverage moments, so he is at his best. It's certainly going to be interesting if they think he could do the same, if not more, with less opportunities because he is going to be more well-rested and put in better situations. So we'll see how that works out. Tyler, I'm going to go back around the other way when it comes to some of the questions

here. Crash out Titans fan asks, Greg Lewis needs to be good too. We have a lot of young wide receivers on this team. When it comes to newest edition coaches that we think can make an impact, Greg Lewis certainly has a job ahead of him with Carnell Tate right there at the top of the list. Hey, he's done it with a couple of different receivers before too. Zayflowers in Baltimore, Tyree Kill during his time with Kansas City. Like, he has gotten some of these guys to be the best versions of themselves. So I'm excited with Greg Lewis's background. I hope. obviously all the talent that the Titans have here that things go well.

This is the most talent. We've had at wide receiver since 2021 when we had Julio and A.J. Brown. So I'm excited for this group. Honestly, at this point, Greg Lewis just can't screw it up. So I have faith in Greg that he's not going to do that. Bhop. Yeah, I totally agree.

First off, from just the depth perception, you know what I mean? Unfortunately, we haven't had the healthiest receiving core, you know, to have all of the airline at the same level at the same time. but, you know, just to have a guy that can actually just, you know, step in when need be, make the plays necessary. That's what you want from guys like that. And there's nothing I would disagree with what Tyler said.

He definitely needs to be. Good. Yes. I'm not just trying to make up something just to make up something either. I agree. I agree with, yeah, I think he definitely has to be impactful. I also think when I look at position groups, especially wide receiver, there has to be also that veteran or veterans that are contributing to the youngsters

and are teaching them things or are open for conversations. There's nothing like somebody who's closer to your age or who has been through even adversity like Calvin Ridley has that can help. these young guys kind of grow and mature or just help with everyday things. And so I also think we shouldn't overlook that part of it too on whatever veterans, you know, are in this room and what they can do to give those tidbits. I can't tell you the amount of times over the years that whatever veteran wide receivers are in that room sharing these types of things. I remember when, you know, whether it be Van Jefferson or Tyler Lockett even, just,

sharing little tips and traits just to help these guys because they're around them every single day. Yeah. And especially Wondell Robinson has been a guy credited this off season because he has known the system before. And he's obviously proof is in the pudding just coming off for the thousand yards season. One last question for the day. I'll start with Bhop on this one because Bhop, you've been at camp. You've watched these guys closely so far. Informed Watcher 3 says, what do we want to see from Tyron Montgomery this camp? What about James Williams on defense or Jackson later on the O line. Inform Watcher 3 also says those are kind of the guys fighting for roster spots or starting

spots. Yeah, I mean, I think that Tyra Montgomery, that's one of your favorites, isn't it, Tyler? If I remember correct, I remember you saying something. Yeah, yeah, I mean, he's got a lot of talent. He just, I mean, for me, it's all about special teams. He's got to prove he can make it on special teams to have any shot at wide receiver on this roster. Exactly.

And when you're talking about guys like Strep and KJ Osborne, Mason Kinsey, I mean, there's a whole room in front of him at this. point when it comes to getting the reps in a loaded, I guess we'll say receiver room. It would be good to have somebody like that be a surprise. But special teams might be the way that he makes his hey and gets his respect. As far as James Williams and those guys on the other side of that ball, I mean, hey, listen, that's where they need to have the most effect, especially in the secondary. We're talking about guys that need to step up and fill in a role.

And unfortunately, James is just in a situation where either he's behind Anthony or Cedric to where, you know, him seeing the field might be feeling far between. And, I mean, it's a lot to say for a seventh roundup in 2024 to kind of really make that much of a difference. But, you know, he's on the team for a reason. You know what I mean? Because he can potentially be a playmaker. But in Jackson Slater on the offensive line, yeah.

Well, if we're to Jackson Slater, that means something bad happened to either Dan Moore or J.C. Latham. So at this point, I just don't want to see, you know, Jackson, even even he's an interior guy, you know, stepping in that spot. I think that maybe even one of the guys that they just drafted, Pat Cougan or Fernando Camano might be a guy that might be more serviceable in that situation because they've invested in him just about as much as they invested in Jackson last year. You know, so.

And actually, Cordell-Baltzian and Austin Slotman didn't look terrible in, in OTAs or mini-camp. You know what my thing was getting a break speed off. We're not going to know what these guys are in the interior or the offensive line. until the pads come on. You know, until we start seeing, you know, Big Jeff and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, I'm up, they can hold up. They'll make them better, in essence, but, uh, you know, I just, I just, I just, I'm of interior defensive lineman, you know what I'm saying? Because that means that obviously the first

line of defense didn't go very well and we're looking for some depth. And that just, that might not be a good situation for anybody. But on the note of depth, let's not forget that is extremely important to successful teams because no NFL team goes through a season without injuries. And I think the biggest thing to note from those names, and I'll speak specifically on James Williams and Jackson Slater is, I think for them, they need to just know, like, we got to improve individually ourselves. We need to be able to be ready for if that moment that we're called upon,

like we're ready for that moment. Because, like, you have to have depth on a team. And I think not everybody's meant to be a starter. Like, that's just not how it works. So I think it's not a bad thing to look at some of these guys and be like, yeah, they might not be doing enough to win a starting job. because maybe not just their role, but to be that depth player that in a moment they come in

and they know what it's going to take to do that, I think that sometimes is just as important. And with Slater particularly being so versatile, maybe, you know, he could be beneficial if something happens, God forbid on the line, he can be ready and be ready to come in at multiple spots if needed. I got to say, I think that Tyrone Montgomery is probably just a practice squad.

because there's just too much competition, but he would be nice to develop. James Williams is a really good guy on special teams, and you're right, Kayla. There's only 22 starters. There's 53 guys on a football roster. I know it's funny to joke and, oh, he's mid, he's this, but the NFL is all about team depth

and having guys in roles that maybe your average fan wouldn't really care about. I think a guy like James Williams does serve a big role. For Jackson Slater, let me say this. And I had this thought before Brad said what he said, and I am not watching practice on an everyday basis, so it's impossible to know exactly. And they didn't have the pads on.

An offensive line play is all about being physical with the pads on. So anything that happened with the O line so far, it's fair to be skeptical. But I don't think Jackson Slater's doing great. I don't think that Jackson Slater is an answer. I don't think internally they truly believe Jackson Slater's ready to start at guard. I think if they did, they wouldn't have been fishing around to move up for Keelon Rutledge in the first.

I don't think that they would have Cordell Voson starting when he's a guy who hasn't proven to be a good starter in the NFL. I think the reality is all of us want the sixth and seventh round guys to work out. But in the NFL, the majority of the time, those guys do not work out. And a guy like James Williams, a seventh round pick from a couple years ago, yeah, he might eventually get cut. Nope, he's not going to turn into the awesome starter diamond in the rough that we all hoped. And Jackson Slater, you know, everybody in their Madden franchise. move him into the starting lineup, and he develops into a starter.

And well, maybe not. Maybe not. And would they have drafted Carmona? Would they have drafted Coogan? If they believe that Jackson Slater could do it. I don't, I just don't, they wouldn't have been trying to trade up to the first round to get Keelon Rutledge. If they thought Jackson Slater could realistically be it. So I've got to be honest, I've lost a lot of faith in the Jackson Slater hope that I had. And that's just my read of the situation and the little things that I see.

But I feel confident in my opinion on it. You might as well go ahead and throw Chase Bananas 2240 in there. I was just going to ask, Behop, he asks you who needs to step up more between Jackson Slater and J.C. Latham. It's really obvious. Yeah. J.C.'s going into his third year. He doesn't want the Titans to be thinking, man, do we need to start looking for another Ed's blocker? Do we need to start looking for another book-in besides lift tackle?

Lift tackle will be addressed here the next couple seasons. It is what it is. But J.C. Latham has to be as a first-round pick, the guy that they've, don't have to worry about it anymore. So, and I'm with you on that, Tyler. I mean, they drafted Fernando, who was this past drafts version of Jackson Slater from the year before. Yep. So why would they do that? Bring in three veterans or two veterans on the interior and draft a couple of cats if they thought that, we've got enough depth of the interior. No, obviously we don't. So they're feeling a certain way

about it. He's, you know, actions are louder than words. I will say this, though, too. we would love for a guy to just kick the door in as a rookie and just be the bell of the ball all of a sudden, but maybe you do need a couple of years to get layered and get some experience, just some confidence, and all the things, and maybe better coaching, right? Maybe this will make you a better product, you know, and maybe that your future is brighter than what your present is. At the end of the day, with the comparison between JC and Jackson's, as far as who needs to step up, it's not even close.

JC has to be a guy that the Titans already know what they got. They're excited about his future. share his potential, and they're already thinking about, well, how can we get better on the other parts? If J.C. Latham isn't good, the Titans have a nightmare on their hands. Like, that means, that means a disaster if J.C. Latham actually isn't good. Julianne, I'm sorry, one more comment, if you wouldn't mind. Nicholas Kelly, 7-646, 7.20, 6.20 p.m. for you. His final comment, if you want to throw that up on?

Great assessment. You're dang right, Nicholas. You're dang right. week. All right, that'll do it for me. Did you really just do that? Did you really just do it? I really did. Before we go, there is another comment and somebody said, hell yeah, another squad show. Now we just need Kayla's dog

to bark and Behoop's phone to go off her to be an authentic Titan squad show. I don't know if Kayla's dog barked, but Kayla's dog was in the picture and Brad's phone did ping once, I think. Yeah, that is awesome that they love those details here. Thank you guys for watching. Make sure to like, comment, subscribe, all of that fun stuff.

Tune to us live on YouTube every weekend. Wherever you get your podcast, listen to us. Also, listen to the Locked-on Titan show with Tyler Rowland being every day or two that. But for now, I'm Julian Minnesone, joined by Kayla Anderson, Tyler Rowland, Brad Hopkins. We'll see you guys next week.