Locked On Titans - Daily Podcast On The Tennessee Titans - TITANS SQUAD SHOW: Cam Ward NEEDS PLAYMAKERS, top free agent targets

Episode Date: February 10, 2026

After a disappointing 2025 campaign, the Tennessee Titans enter the 2026 league year with more buying power than any other franchise. Today’s episode covers the potential pursuit of elite playmakers... to support Cam Ward's development, alongside a look at internal free agents including Arden Key and Chig Okonkwo.Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!TurboTaxFor a limited time, you can have your taxes done by a local TurboTax expert for just $150 — all in, if a TurboTax expert didn’t file for you last year. Just file by February 28.Visit http://TurboTax.com/local to book your appointment today.FanDuelThe Winter Games are on. And there’s no better way to follow them than with a bet on FanDuel. FanDuel - Play your game.IndeedListeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/lockedonnfl.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.

Transcript
Discussion (0)
Starting point is 00:00:01 I'm Julian Minnensohn and it's obvious that Cam Ward needs playmakers will tell you who they should bring in. And I'm Brad Hopkins and it's time for Amy to go on a shopping spree. I'm Tyler Rowland and the Super Bowl has me feeling very optimistic about the Tennessee Titans future. Titan up. It's the Titans squad. Everything Tennessee Titans every week. Covering all the big hits and game changing plays from the heart of Music City, way only the locked on podcast network can. Squad up. The Titan Squad show starts now. Time to squad up. Titan up. We're here at the Titan Squad show. Again, off the top, you heard it. I'm your host Julian Minnesona alongside Brad Hopkins, Tyler Rowland. We wanted to remind you,
Starting point is 00:00:50 today's episode is brought to you by Fanduel. The winter games are on and there's no better way to follow them than with a bet on Fandual. Fan Duel, play your game. And we've got a jam pack show for you today. We're going to talk a little Titans free. agency, one player on the Titans that became a free agent that we would love to retain and also talk about our top free agent targets. If there was one guy on the list, the Titans absolutely needed to sign with that $100 million in cap space, who should they bring in? But we start, as Tyler said off the top, with the Super Bowl. Obviously, the Seahawks beating Mike Grable and the Patriots, Tyler, I'm glad to know that you have marked yourself safe from a Mike Brable Super Bowl.
Starting point is 00:01:30 Yes. Yeah, we needed that one. I couldn't tell you. take it. There's been so much, so much Tennessee Titan sadness over the last year, year or two. AJ gets his, all these guys going different places, playing well. Henry's still a dog in Baltimore. I can't take a Brable Super Bowl. I just couldn't handle it. So I was very happy that Seattle did us that favor. Yeah, I just love the offensive players for Seattle acknowledging the fact that the Darkside won the championship. But fellas, it should be no surprise because the exact same thing happened last year. We saw the Philadelphia Eagles with four down linemen up front, rushed the pastor, and really wreak havoc. And that's exactly what they did.
Starting point is 00:02:09 Sacking Drake May six times. I mean, Sam Donald was okay. He wasn't MVP status like his running back Kenneth Walker, the third was, literally. But for the most part, we did see the defense shut down any sort of momentum the Patriots were having. It wasn't until late, I think, in the third or maybe even the fourth where, Mac Hollins finally got them on the board after a terrific kiss before that. But for the most part, they were just annihilating that offensive line. Will Campbell, they need to have him a witness protection or something, you know,
Starting point is 00:02:43 because he's, I mean, seriously, man, he had an absolutely terrible game. He gave up multiple sacks, contributed to I&Ts and turnovers and just as a lineman, you don't ever want to have that type of game, especially at this point of the season where you're trying to play for a championship. Yeah. The fellas, while we talk about what the Titans need, what the Titans, you know, the future looks like, the formula for the last two Super Bowls has been get after the quarterback.
Starting point is 00:03:12 It doesn't matter what type of a year Drake May was having. We did mention him as part of an MVP, potentially, player of the year offensively. And when he got into that Super Bowl, he got punched in the face. And that's seemingly the way to win football games. So I hope that Amy and Mike Roganzee and, Robert, I hope you're all, Chad, hope you're all watching this to see exactly what the tights need to do to gear themselves up for the 2026 season.
Starting point is 00:03:39 Brad, you're 100% right. And look, Philly has more stars. So it felt more like, oh, they have star players. They have A.J. Brown and Saquan Barkley. But you're right. No, Philly won that Super Bowl because they had waves of guys up front on the defensive line, not just four. They had eight guys that they could rotate in in different combinations of four
Starting point is 00:03:57 and tear you apart. and Seattle threw in the occasional blitzes. I saw a great video about when New England would go to three by one sets. They would run a corner blitz and then roll down a safety to take away the quick hitch right there where the blitzer guy came from. So they were doing smart things, but yeah, your ability, and we could even go back to like the New York Giants teams. This is why I'm not a big fan of Eli Manning in the Hall of Fame.
Starting point is 00:04:20 They had, remember that NASCAR package where they had Justin Tuck and OSE and they had Michael Strahan. they would put like four defensive ends out there, and they just were able to get to Tom Brady relentlessly in those Super Bowls. Either you have an elite quarterback who can elevate everybody or you need an elite defensive line.
Starting point is 00:04:38 And I think Cam Ward is going to be a very good player, but is he going to be Patrick Mahomes? Is he going to be Tom Brady? Is he going to be Peyton Manning? That's a lot to ask. I think it would be smarter for the Titans to focus on building that D-line, focus on building things out as a team.
Starting point is 00:04:52 And I think the cyclical nature of the NFL that we've talked about all long where, you know, six years ago when the Titans were hot in 2019, everybody was running wide zone runs, that Kyle Shanahan, Sean McVeigh stuff, and play action off of it. Teams were having to load the box with eight guys, and there was a lot of three high shells with cover three. Well, now teams are backing up and playing too high coverage with safeties
Starting point is 00:05:17 so that you can't beat them deep with these explosive plays. And the run game and being physical on the defensive line is back in vogue. So the cyclical turn of the NFL is back to defense being more important than offense and D-line being the most important thing. So I hope the Titans do see that and it gives me optimism going forward because Mike McDonald was the first defensive play caller who was also a head coach to ever win the Super Bowl. I could not believe that that stat was true. But that gives you hope that Robert Sala is a defensive play caller and head coach
Starting point is 00:05:47 does have the ability to win a title because it's been done before. and Robert Salah is known for creating havoc on the defensive line. So let's spend some of that money and get a good defensive line in here and really ratchet that up. And that'll give the Titans a chance to get back to relevancy as soon as possible. You know, I know Kenneth Walker won Super Bowl MVP, but if you could vote for position groups to be an MVP, it certainly would have been.
Starting point is 00:06:13 Should have been Devin Witherspoon, man. It should have been Devin Witherspoon. He had two sacks, multiple pressures, caused that interception, fumble, whatever you want to call it. Top five pick, defensive back. That dude was freaking awesome, man. It should have been him. But hey, Kenneth Walker was great too.
Starting point is 00:06:28 Congrats to Seattle. I'm just happy they beat Mike Vrable. I can't be mad at anybody. Well, if you think about it, when Sam Donald was having an average day and your ability to run the football is something that your offense can feature, that's what you want to do, right?
Starting point is 00:06:40 And Kenneth Walker, I mean, remember that one play that he did the Levion Bell, tiptoe behind the line outside. Hey, you just hit the crease. That's the time. That's the kind of ability you want to have in the run game. Because think about that, there are hats on hats. Nobody was available to make a tackle in the hole anywhere.
Starting point is 00:06:57 And that's why I was able to get to the second level. So when you can dominate running the football up front, which is, I think, where the Titans need to start, particularly with the developing quarterback, right? Get those pieces on the outside that can complement the pieces on the inside on that defensive front four. Now you've got guys that require extra hands to block up front, which will then allow you to have more serviceable people in the back end,
Starting point is 00:07:18 you know, getting turnovers and things like that. when they can apply pressure. So it's a simple formula when the line in scrimmage. Well, hey, we're going to talk free agency. Wouldn't it be nice to have the Memphis boy himself? Kenny Walker back in Tennessee. I'm just saying it's possible. You know, one thing I was also thinking about fellas is we were sitting here after
Starting point is 00:07:38 that Titan Seahawks game earlier this year. Happy as can be. That was probably one of the more positive shows we had throughout the season because a 30 to 24 loss against that team felt like a win for the Tennessee Titans. was also one of Cam Ward's better performances of the season. Does that give you guys optimism knowing that one of the tougher outings that the Seahawks had this year was against the Tennessee Titans and it was here at Nissan Stadium in Nashville?
Starting point is 00:08:02 Absolutely. I mean, it has to give you some sort of optimism. Now, look, we can acknowledge the reality. The pressure in the Super Bowl is a little bit different than the pressure in, you know, week 12 in Tennessee. But it just shows that even Cam Ward is a rookie. I mean, think about they played New England. They played Denver.
Starting point is 00:08:20 They played Seattle. They played the Rams. They played the Texans twice. They played the Jags twice. The Titans played a ton of these awesome teams and these great defenses. They played the Chargers as well. Like they played all of these awesome teams. They had the most difficult schedule in the NFL.
Starting point is 00:08:36 And out of all of the quarterback performances against Seattle in the playoffs and in the regular season, Cam Ward had a top six performance. And two of those were Matthew Stafford. You know, like, and Stafford was the MVP. So Cam Ward to have played some of his best football against the toughest opponents in the NFL as a rookie with no real wide receiver threats,
Starting point is 00:08:58 the offensive line being up and down and, you know, honestly, some bottom of the barrel coaching in the NFL, for Cam Ward to have showed up in that game and play the way he did, 250 passing yards, 37 rushing yards, two total touchdowns, no turnover-worthy plays. Like, yeah, if you're not looking at his performance against Seattle and going,
Starting point is 00:09:18 I have faith that this guy can ball on the biggest stage against the best teams, then to me, you're doing it wrong. Like, what can you get excited about at that point? So it's not the Super Bowl. We've got to be honest there. But yeah, looking back at that Seattle performance, like, wow, you know, Cam Ward, he's got it, man.
Starting point is 00:09:34 He's got it in there. They just need to help him. Yeah, you know, when it comes to horsepower, nothing gives you really more horsepower than a big V8, right? Well, we got a big VA, but one of the spark plugs was bad. You know what I mean? It was just making it. It wasn't running smooth.
Starting point is 00:09:51 That's what showed you that they're competitive against those other VH, right? But when you got that slight miss, you just need to get a tune-up. And that's why I think these tightens are at right now, where they've got, I think, a good enough talent. They have good enough talent, but they need just that little bit more to push them over the edge to be super competitive and also discipline. discipline to not make the mistakes in key games like the Seattle Seahawks, they end up costing you.
Starting point is 00:10:22 You can do everything right, you know, but just that one thing that you do wrong is just that could be the difference between winning and losing. And against great teams, that usually is. So I'm just saying that this is, we have the ability. We have, I think, in my opinion, the component now with direction, as far as the coaching stats have been assembled to this point. Now we'll see what happens with the groceries, but for the most part, this roster can really compete.
Starting point is 00:10:48 And that's what they showed you this year, especially against the team that won at all. Yeah, you mentioned the Super Bowl guys. One thing I was thinking about was Bhop in my ears saying, you got to win up front. You got to win up front, right? We've seen the Patriots offensive line get eaten alive and the Seahawks defensive line, obviously doing their thing.
Starting point is 00:11:05 When you think about what the Titans have, both of those sides of the ball, respectively right now, you know, Jeffrey Simmons, to Vondres, the chance to maybe draft a pass rush or fourth overall. and then on the flip side and offensive line that is a work in progress, but they played a lot better on the back end of the season. Do you think from how the Titans currently constructed and the assets they have that they could get there? Go ahead.
Starting point is 00:11:29 Thank you. Sorry. When you look at the Tennessee Titans up front, when you look at them in the trenches in totality, do you fear them? Is there like some sort of reservation? Are you concerned at all? Are you thinking, man, them Titans are a problem?
Starting point is 00:11:51 You know what I'm saying? If you're not thinking that on either side of the football, that's the biggest difference. Because really good teams, they have either they're smashing you in the mouth of front on the offensive side or they're getting after you like a mug on the defensive side. One or the other.
Starting point is 00:12:06 We just don't have consistency on either side of the football. We have these little glimmers of like, man, they can really flat out. They can shut down to run and get to the quarterback. Oh, look at them. They're creating run holes for Tage and for Tony. They're really doing it. You know what I mean?
Starting point is 00:12:20 But I don't do it every single week. That's the difference. When you have the identity, when you have the perception of it, you know what? These cats are here, man. If we don't block them, they are going to embarrass us. That's a legit concern. If we don't stop them from running to football, we will never see the field as an offense, our team. Okay?
Starting point is 00:12:39 Because they are going to just run up and down the field and just dominate us. So until we had that perception, the Titans I'm saying of like winning on one side of the football, like legit, we'll still be considered as like an average team at best, at best. I think there's a better chance that they can be feared on the defensive line than the offensive line quicker. Now, look, we're talking about the Super Bowl, you know, that I'm not going to expect the Titans to get to a Super Bowl level in the trenches
Starting point is 00:13:06 in this all season. But, you know, maybe after this year, going into next year, you find a better left tackle, you develop him, you find a sturdy right guard, you get a Jackson Slater who can slide in and be your starting center. I think the Titans have pieces that can be a part of that dominant front, that can be a part of a Super Bowl caliber offensive line. But I look at the defensive line and we're going to get into our top three agent targets. And I have quite a few on the defensive line who, you know,
Starting point is 00:13:34 I have a couple of big names at Edge, but I have some smaller names on the interior who, you know, your average football fan may not recognize, but they're guys who can be absolutely disruptive up front and can be part of a nasty offensive line and defensive line. So you look at Robert Sala, that's really where I go to, and you look at his time with the Jets, you look at his time with San Francisco.
Starting point is 00:13:55 He has always found and cultivated defensive line talent. He's gotten the most out of his defensive line. So can the Titans go to a Super Bowl level in the trenches on the offensive line? I think it's going to take a little bit more time than they have this all season just because of where they're at with Dan Moore's contract and what Lloyd Cushingberry is going to be in this final year.
Starting point is 00:14:17 But on the defensive line, I think that there are guys available where you spend in free agency, you add to a Super Bowl caliber of three tech and Jeffrey Simmons already. They get lucky with some guys getting on the market and free agency at edge. They draft a guy on the edge early. I think the Titans do have the chance to at least get closer to a Super Bowl defensive line this all season with the coaching of Robert Sala. The O line may take a little bit more time,
Starting point is 00:14:43 because as Brad reminds us every single episode, it's just difficult to find great offensive linemen because teams don't let them go. So if you're like, hey, we need to replace Dan Moore. Well, bad news for you, folks, they ain't replacing Dan Moore this all season. We need to replace Cushingberry. I don't think that they're cutting Lloyd Cushenberry
Starting point is 00:15:01 to go get Tyler Lindenbaum this all season. I just don't think that that's going to happen. So the O-line may take more time, but the reality is, if you're truthful, the Titans were never going to flip this from, you know, three wins back-to-back seasons to Super Bowl caliber roster and one off-season. And the O-line may take an extra year, but I think that defensive line, that defensive line can do it right now.
Starting point is 00:15:24 And with Robert Sala being a defensive-minded head coach, one of the best defensive minds in the NFL, they can make that defense built on the defensive line good enough to where the Titans can flip their fortunes and be a winning team instead of a losing team, even if that doesn't mean Super Bowl ceiling. Titans certainly need to find their next Brad Hopkins. That's for sure. We're going to talk about free agents on the other side of the break.
Starting point is 00:15:46 Some of those guys that Tyler was just itching to get out right now. We'll do that here on the Titan Squad Show. Stay with us. All right. The winter games are officially here. And if you're anything like us, you're locking in for the events. You only get to see on the biggest stage every four years. And that's why following the winter games on Fandul just makes sense.
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Starting point is 00:16:48 But if you can narrow it down to maybe some of the most important ones that you're thinking to help this. team, who are they? Well, I mean, we're talking about the defensive lines. So that's where I'm going to stay. I think that you look at the free agents available and the talent that's actually available in free agency. I think edge and interior defensive line are where you're going to get most of your value. Now, I wonder about a guy number one on my list is Trey Hendrickson. I know that he's 31 years old. I know that he was coming off a hip injury. But I think the reality is that the Cincinnati Bengals season was over the moment that Joe Burrow got hurt. Cincinnati has disrespected and not giving
Starting point is 00:17:23 Trey Hendrickson the money that he's worth and I think it's logical that he said, yeah, I could come back and play, but I don't really want to and at 31 years old, I don't think he's a guy who's, oh, he's done, he's old, he's washed, he had 17 and a half sacks in back-to-back seasons and more importantly than the talent and the production that
Starting point is 00:17:38 Trey Hendrickson has, he's a guy who fits perfectly in Robert Sala's defense as a hand in a dirt, 4-3, defensive end who could stop the run, big-bodied guy. I think he makes a ton of sense And on the defensive line, I want to see Sebastian Joseph Day back. But the guy that I truly want the most is John Franklin Myers.
Starting point is 00:18:00 John Franklin Myers was with the Denver Broncos this year. He played with the New York Jets during Robert Salas time there. He's got inside out versatility. He can play at the 5-tech, the inside shoulder of the offensive tackle, head up on the offensive tackle. He can kick inside in rush packages on 3rd down. He's an absolute monster who a lot of, you know, just normal football fans wouldn't recognize. But you get a John Franklin Myers. You bring back Sebastian Joseph Day. You bring back a guy like
Starting point is 00:18:26 Jahad Ward and you get a top tier edge like a Trey Hendrickson. Maybe they want to go out and get Jalen Phillips. That would be an option, but he's had injuries. Adafay O.A is another guy who I like a lot, big physical guy who went from Baltimore to the Chargers. I'm skeptical that OA will be on the market when you trade for a guy. You don't want to let them go in free agency. I think he goes back to the Chargers. I think Phillips ends up back with the Eagles there. But I think Hendrickson with his salty relationship with the Bengals, if he isn't franchise tag, which they may franchise tag him and continue to be petty.
Starting point is 00:19:00 But if he isn't, I would go out there. I'd give him two years, $30 million a season, $45 million guarantee, and let's have him under contract until he's 33 and get 15 to 17 sacks a year as a big body physical defensive end who can play that Nick Bosa role in Robert Salas' defense. you're on mute Brad yep just all that mute jar put the coin in the mute jar
Starting point is 00:19:26 yeah finding myself I miss those kangaroo courts that's what paid for meals on Friday Thursdays whenever you goofed up during the week in practice put it in the jar you know it looks like the left tackle from the Browns is going to be on the move Cam Robinson I'm not really that
Starting point is 00:19:44 impressed you didn't have a really good season especially when you look at him being an average drum blocker an okay So that's some of your options. Trey was mentioned, Tyler, by some of the groups I was looking at, too, as the best available. Trayvon Diggs was also another one.
Starting point is 00:20:00 He was released after signing a five-year deal with the Packers. He played nine games this year. That's not a whole lot. So you don't like the sample size, but that's the guy. But for me, when I start looking at Alec Pierce, another 1,000-yard season, six touchdowns last year, David Edwards. If you're looking at the interior of an offensive line,
Starting point is 00:20:18 he's a guard that blocked for Josh Allen and Buffman. of Tyler Lindembaum might be a guy at center in Baltimore. If he's out, he was a former first rounder from Iowa, and they might not want to pay him what he's worth. So that might be something to look at, especially if you're trying to put some depth at either or you can replace Lloyd Cushingberry at some point in time. But I think that you really got to look at maybe Rashid Shahid.
Starting point is 00:20:42 That's the guy I think that we should probably be focusing on. You can be a nice dude in special teams, can give you a shot on offense with that speed. He can be our next Derek Mason. You know what I mean? Getting a good field position, shorter field to work with. Always easier to, you know,
Starting point is 00:20:57 kind of put points on board that way. So I'm going to go ahead and go with Rashid Shahid is one of the free agents. We need to really be taking a look at. He can be a steel. You know, wide receiver is difficult, in my opinion. I'm very, I guess, concerned when you look at the list, like Pickens, he's going to get tagged. I don't think the Titan should be trading for George Pickens.
Starting point is 00:21:17 Mike Evans seems like he's going back to Tampa Bay or bus. That's kind of the vibes that he's been given out. Debo Samuel is a guy who I think is kind of falling off in a big way. Wondale Robinson, there's reports that the Giants want to keep him around. But I think Wondell Robinson, who's been in Brian Dable's offense, can be that short-yardage slot guy and could make a ton of sense. I'm not high on Joanne Jennings from San Francisco. Like, I know that a lot of Tennessee Vols fans out there think he's,
Starting point is 00:21:42 I think he's NWI and a Kyle Shanahan offense. I think Joanne Jennings is one of the most overrated players in the entire NFL. Alec Pierce probably going back to Indianapolis. Shahid will Seattle let him go after trading for him? That's curious. Are we really wanting to give Romeo Dobbs $15 to $18 million a season? I don't know how comfortable I feel with that. I'd rather just keep Calvin Ridley, you know, rather than paying that guy $18 to $20 million or something like that. I just don't know that any of the good wide receivers are actually going to end up available or that I'd be willing to pay for him. I think Shahid is an interesting option for sure if he does hit the market. but at some point in time, it's like,
Starting point is 00:22:21 I'm just not certain that any of these guys who are even worth their salt are even going to be available for the Titans. I'm looking at a guy like Michael Pittman Jr. If the Colts decide to cut him, he could save him $25 million in salary cap space, and then they go out and they re-sign Alec Pierce, who they seem to value more.
Starting point is 00:22:39 That would be a guy that I would run and get. Michael Pittman Jr. would fit perfect as the starting X wide receiver ahead of Elegio Manor as the isolated guy in this offense. but again, they might just restructure his contract and not let him out either. I have a lot of people. I had an interaction with somebody on Tuesday morning
Starting point is 00:22:55 when they said, Titans need to go get a true number one. All right, well, who's a true number one that's available? There isn't. Where do you go into the, you don't just go to the store and go to the true number one aisle and grab one off the shelf. That's not how the NFL works.
Starting point is 00:23:07 And I said, well, who's a true number one that's available? And they said, Wondale Robinson. Like, guys, wake up here. What are we talking about? maybe I think the only real avenue to the Titans getting a guy who could be a true number one is a trade. Could you go out and get Marvin Harrison Jr.
Starting point is 00:23:23 From the Cardinals? Could you go out and get Garrett Wilson from the Jets? Could you, and I don't even know if this guy's a true number one, maybe you could get DJ Moore from the Chicago Bears. I think that would be a good fit. But now you're trading draft picks when you're a team that's preaching, draft and develop, and you need guys who are on Cam Ward's timeline age-wise.
Starting point is 00:23:41 So I just don't see a good solution here. The reality is, if you want a true number one wide receiver, you need to find them in the draft. That's the only answer. And I would remind folks that the last true number one wide receiver that the Titans had was taken with the 51st pick in AJ Brown. So it's not like the only way to get a true number one is in free agency or a first round pick.
Starting point is 00:24:02 That's just not the case. So I'm just not very optimistic about finding wide receiver help. And that's why I've been pushing. They need to keep Calvin Ridley. They don't need the money. They have enough money. He was a disappointment. last year with the injury, but the year before that,
Starting point is 00:24:16 he had 1,000 yards with Mason Rudolph and Will Levis and Brian Callahan's offense. He worked with Brian Dable at Alabama in 2017. There's a connection there. Like, the Titans aren't in the business, a giving away talent at wide receiver right now, especially when I don't think there's going to be a lot available for him in
Starting point is 00:24:32 free agency. Well, last time they did give away talent in a wide receiver room, it ended up winning a Super Bowl with a Philadelphia up a year. Yeah. But you know what, though, Tyler? But Juanville might be this year's A.J. Brown, 1,000 yards, back-to-back 90. He's a good player. Yeah, he's a good player. Next thing you know, he ends up striking up with a new team that's on the rise, and bam, he explodes, and we get to reap the benefits of that explosion.
Starting point is 00:24:58 And he knows the offense, and Brian Davel runs the Earhart-Perkins system, which has, remember, the Patriots would run all those option routes with their slot-wide receivers. You know, if the defender's inside leverage, you break outside. If he's outside leverage, you're inside. If he's too deep, you sit down. You've got to be on the same page. And Wondale Robinson was running that with Brian Dable, so he's already accustomed to doing that.
Starting point is 00:25:19 I think Wondell Robinson may not be Jumar Chase, Justin Jefferson, a true number one, but it would be a massive talent upgrade. And I see a lot of people say like Chim Dek. Chim DK is a vertical slot wide receiver. He's not a short yardage, option route, West Welker, Danny Amandola type slot wide receiver. That's not Chim Dek's game.
Starting point is 00:25:38 That is Wondell Robinson's game. So out of all of these options, I think he's actually the most reasonable and the one that I would be the most excited about over a Dobbs or a Jennings or something like that. And Tyler, you mentioned, you know, finding that receiver through the draft. There is a lot of value at wide receiver in this draft as we've talked about as well. I want to stick on the offensive side here because Cam Ward obviously needs some playmakers around him, right? I know we mentioned Kenneth Walker earlier in the show, but if he decides to go elsewhere or stick with C.S. What do you think of somebody like a Breece Hall?
Starting point is 00:26:13 Breece Hall from the sense that he just came off a thousand yards, relatively young back, so 24 years old, so he stays in that Cam Ward age kind of range and they grow together. Obviously, under Robert Sala before. And when you think about the Titans and where they built their identity at the end of last season, running the football a lot better. And Tyler, you mentioned on this show Tony Pollard, he felt like there's a lot left to be desired with him, even still getting a thousand yards as incredible as it was. Go ahead, Brad.
Starting point is 00:26:41 What do you think about Brise Hall? Running back, fellas, is, it's the most unique position on the football field. You have the ball in your hands, and you're carrying the load. I've got to be honest, I've never seen, in the NFL, a bad running back. Just don't exist.
Starting point is 00:27:06 Does everybody have the same vision? Does everybody, But have you ever seen a guy that, you know, he's like out of breath or he winds when he gets hit or, you know, I mean, you've never ever have you seen that in National Football League, right? Which shows why they're so expendable because they're everywhere. But at the end of the day, you can be Sequin Barclay and not even hit near the marks you hit the year before when you don't have guys up front that are blocking consistent. Do you see what I'm saying? Yes. And at the end of the day, you get flibbing,
Starting point is 00:27:43 take Juan himself to come here to Nashville. But running behind some of the lines that Derek Henry left here running behind, I'm going to get you killed. So I think that when you start looking at backs and the ability and all this other stuff, I got to be honest. We had Rodney Thomas.
Starting point is 00:28:03 Rodney Thomas ran just as hard as Eddie George did back then. We had guys like, we had Marion butts. You guys remember him, former Chargers running back? I can't pretend like I do. One of my boys came from Kansas City. Golly. Priest Holmes, Larry Johnson. No, he finished the Titan, played with the Chiefs,
Starting point is 00:28:30 long hair, really small guy, real good returner. Dexter McCluster. Dexter. Listen, Dexter, if you see this, I'm sorry. I should know your, I know your name. Boy, I just, I don't know. Anyway, Dexter McCluster, really good back. You see what I'm saying?
Starting point is 00:28:48 Mm-hmm. Think about the backs of the Titans had. Chris Johnson, Eddie George, Derek Henry. You know what I mean? All these guys just, they did their thing in the backfield. But they also had dogs on the offensive line. Offensive line. They really did.
Starting point is 00:29:05 If you think about that. Nobody wanted to mess with Taylor the Juan. Michael Roos was just grinding people. You know what I mean? Him and big country out there. Me and John Lennian, we did our thing. You know, we got to the show. So it just shows you.
Starting point is 00:29:19 It's got to be a nice combination. You just can't have a ringer in the back to them and expect them to make a difference. It just don't happen that way. A running back is a ceiling razor, not a floor razor, is how I would put it. Like, getting a good running back, if your offensive line is not good,
Starting point is 00:29:33 it won't matter. Look at Sequin Barkley in his last couple of years with the Giants. at Derek Henry in his last few years with the Titans. Also, I like to remind people in 2021, the Titans got the number one seed. Derek Henry broke his foot in week eight, and they went with Deontay Foreman and the other scatback type guy who I can't remember now because I'm thinking about Dexter McCluster in my head.
Starting point is 00:29:55 But either way, the Titans had two guys who they got off the street who weren't even on teams, and they had more yards than Derek Henry did that year because the O line was mauling people in the run game. Yes, if you have Derek Henry and a good offensive line, you're looking at a 2,000-yard rusher. But if Derek Henry was on the 20-23, or the 2024 team, he ain't running for 1,900 yards like he did in Baltimore. That's just not going to happen.
Starting point is 00:30:23 Sequin Barclay ain't running for 2,000 yards. If he's still on the Giants instead of the Eagles, that's not going to happen. So, like, I don't think that going out, like, I'm more interested in some value veteran running backs, like a Tyler Algier, like a Rashad White, like a Brian Robinson, who just run hard. They just need somebody who runs really hard, north and south, power runner, because Tony Pollard's not good enough on the goal line.
Starting point is 00:30:47 He's not good enough in short yardage. And we know that Taji Spears isn't that kind of running back. And I don't think that Calell Mullings, a sixth round pick out of Michigan, who's more of a special teams guy, in my opinion, like, yeah, on Madden, maybe you can run good with him, but like, let's be real. He's not ready for that kind of role as a lead powerback in this offense. So I'm not mad if they go out and get Breece Hall. I mean, they're rich.
Starting point is 00:31:09 Yeah, you can go out and spend for a running back right now. Sure, I won't be mad about that. But I'm also not going to be mad if they go for a more value option, like the guys that I mentioned. Because at the end of the day, if the offense isn't doing it, then it really, you know, the offensive line, it really doesn't matter what you do. But a great running back can raise your ceiling as a team.
Starting point is 00:31:32 I just don't know if the Titans are in a position to do that, at the end of the day, they do have the money to spend on a Ken Walker or Breece Hall, but I would just throw this out there. Over the last 15 years, no team other than the Seahawks with Marshawn Lynch has won a Super Bowl with a running back taken up more than 2% of their cap space. 2%.
Starting point is 00:31:53 That's how unimportant a high-paid running back is. Literally 14 out of 15 Super Bowl champions weren't paying more than 2% of their cap to the running back position. and Lynch was the only other guy because they had Russell Wilson on a rookie contract and could afford it. So, running back just
Starting point is 00:32:10 is the most easily replaceable position in all of football because, as Brad said, most of these guys are good if the offensive line is good. Moral of the story, again, win up front and the real world is not Madden. That's what we learned here in this segment. On the other side of the break, we're going to talk about some of the Titans-free agents.
Starting point is 00:32:29 Maybe there's a guy or two that you want to retain if you're the Tennessee Titans and Mike Borges. We'll talk about that next on the Titan Squad show. All right, tax season doesn't have to take over your life. This year, TurboTax is making it easier than ever to just hand things off and move on with your day. With TurboTax full service, you can have your taxes done for you by a trusted local expert. Start to finish without the stress or guesswork.
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Starting point is 00:33:30 All right, fellas. So the Titans also had a number of guys come off the books and, you know, Mike Borganzi is going to have a decision to make. And if he wants to bring a few of those guys back, for our viewing audience at home, I made a little banner here with some of the key. guys, of course, read them off at least. I just suggest more of the key ones that may be more likely to have a tougher decision. Sebastian Joseph Day, who we mentioned earlier in the show, Arden Key, Jihad Ward, Kevin Zitler, Van Jefferson Chigacanquo. If there is somebody on this list
Starting point is 00:34:00 that you would like to have back, who is it and why? Oh, I immediately go to Sebastian Joseph Day and Jihad Ward. They both showed that they had versatility to run the loops and the stunts that Robert Sal is going to use up front. Sebastian Joe. of days, one of the most underrated Titans role players of the last couple of years. Me and him have had some fun interactions online too. He knows I want him back. He's a perfect fit in Robert Sala's defense is a guy who can be a one-gap penetrator, get up the field quickly, make a quick swim move, get past an offensive lineman. Is he the biggest bodied guy ever? No, he's not small, but he's not, you know,
Starting point is 00:34:35 Tavondre sweat, a big huge run stuff in two gap and nose tackle or anything like that. I think SJD fits perfectly into what Robert Sala wants to do. He can play. play out on the end and a 4-3 alignment if he needs to on early downs, kick inside to rush the passer from the interior. I love Sebastian Joseph Day. And Jahad Ward, Jihad Ward was the best edge rusher on the team last year after Draymont Jones got traded. Why would you not bring him back as at least a depth player? Like Jihad Ward was a guy they got off the scrap heap. It's not like people are going to line up to pay Jihad Ward.
Starting point is 00:35:06 You can bring him back on a one-year-four, one-year-five-million-dollar deal. There's no reason not to have as much depth as possible on the defensive line. guys who prove that they can make a difference. So out of this list, the only two that I'm actually interested in bringing back are SJD and Jihad Ward. Well, I do see your Jihad Ward, you know, five sacks. Yeah. That was second on the team.
Starting point is 00:35:30 It's not bad. I mean, it's not great, but whatever else. I did also like Julius Chesna. I thought he was a serviceable third option. I know him and Khalil were getting after a little bit for that spot, but either way, I thought he was a tough runner. never can't have too many good running backs. If you don't get a Rahis Shaheed,
Starting point is 00:35:47 you know, why not take a look at maybe a Van Jefferson? Vans, I think the van does have that kind of potential once he is in the right spot, the right place. You know, got to see him as a rookie on that roster with Bryson, my oldest, that played with the Rams and win a Super Bowl. He was on that team. And, you know, so was Jonathan, John Franklin Myers that you mentioned earlier.
Starting point is 00:36:11 I love JF. Pam. Yep. Yeah. But I think that I would probably have to go with you on that, Tyler. Jihad Ward is somebody that I think of the free agents that are set to leave or that could leave. I'm not seeing a whole bunch that. I'd be like, oh, my God, you got to keep him, got to keep him. But at least jihad's one of the ones I would say would be a good one to go ahead and keep stake.
Starting point is 00:36:34 Yeah, given how. Yeah, you got to have depth. Yeah, and given how depleted that defense was this past season, I think he was pretty serviceable. You know what I mean? Tyler, I'm going to agree with you on the Sebastian Joseph Day thing. Outside of just being part of that fast and violent that Robert Sallow really wants, he's a consummate pro. I mean, he's a good locker room guy.
Starting point is 00:36:54 And you also need guys like that when you're going to have a bunch of third, second, and now also another huge draft class coming in, first year players who are trying to rebuild this thing, somebody who's kind of been around the block before, like Sebastian Joseph Day, who has been serviceable for them over the last few years. I certainly like bringing him back. Now, there's been a lot of talk about. Chigacanquo, right, this offseason because he led the team in receiving yards, right? And it still felt like, you know, we wanted, hey, get the ball of the tight ends more earlier this year.
Starting point is 00:37:20 And he still led the team in receiving yards. But Tyler, I know you said on Twitter and bang the drum that he doesn't necessarily fit the system or what Brian Dable and Robert Sala might try to do. Yeah, I think that Chigacanquo and Tony Pollard are a perfect example of Tennessee Titans fan Stockholm syndrome. Like a lot of people just watch the Titans or, and then the primetime games and they think that these guys are better than they are. It's like NWI. NWI was massively overrated by Titans fans because he was a bright spot in a bad season. You know, and they're like, oh, NWI had nine touchdowns. He has to be good because it's easy to say that. But what did he
Starting point is 00:37:55 do in Miami this year? Nothing at all. What contract did he get? Nothing at all. When the Titans brought him back, what did they pay him? One year, three million dollars? Like, the NFL is telling you with their money how they value this guy and you think that these NFL evaluators, like these fans who watch the game three hours a week know more than these NFL evaluators about what NWI is as a player. Chigacanquo is the same way. I know that pro football focus is not the end-all be-all, but as somebody who watches tape,
Starting point is 00:38:24 I break down the tape every single week. I've watched every game. I bang the table during the draft live on air with Locked On saying the Titans need to go draft Chigokinquo after they drafted Wille. I was all over, Malik Willis is actually who it was who got drafted. And then I was like, go get Chigacquo. So I'm not a Chigacanquo hater.
Starting point is 00:38:42 I have been a stand of Chigacanquo. But the reality is the grades match the tape. He is the lowest graded blocking tight end in the NFL in back-to-back seasons. He can't block. They use them on the GH counter. He can't kick out. They have them one-on-one in a zone run outside with a tight end or with a defensive end. He can't do it.
Starting point is 00:39:02 He literally cannot block. So if you cannot block whatsoever, your value at tight-end is going down, especially in the cyclical time that we're in, in the NFL right now where teams are going heavy personnel, going heavy tight end. You have to be able to block and people say, oh, they could go get a different blocking tight end. I'm not saying to get a blocking tight end. I'm saying getting a tight end who can block. You know what I mean?
Starting point is 00:39:24 Like you have to be able to catch the football and block. And there are so many good options at tight end who fit in Brian Dable system. Brian Dable, look at the tight ends in Buffalo when he was there. Look at the tight ends in New York with Daniel Bellinger and Theo Johnson. These are not Chigakonquo type tight ends. That's not the system that he runs. So go out there and get a Daniel Bellinger, a David Ninjoku, and Adam Troutman.
Starting point is 00:39:48 You know, go out there and get these guys who are bigger-bodied guys who can do a little bit of everything. Like, I don't want a Kyle Pitts for $20 million. I don't want Isaiah likely, who's just a rich man's chiggen-conquo. Get a Kate Auden. Get a Tyler Higby. Get a Noah fan. You know, get these guys who can do both.
Starting point is 00:40:07 Not just one, but can do both. I think that Foster Moreau is it like, there's a million tight ends out here that are going to be available. A Tyler Conklin. I would take all of these dudes way before I take Chica Conkwell. And look, if Chigacucoe doesn't get a good deal out on the market and he's only getting, you know, $5, 6 million,
Starting point is 00:40:26 I would give Chignaquo a one-year deal for five or $6 million to come back, be that utility tight end. I call it tight end two and a half where, yeah, you're not in our base sets where we have helm, and, you know, Daniel Bellinger, for example. But we can mix you in and use you in different creative ways. I would do that. But the problem is with Chig, if you pay him $8, 9, 10 million dollars a year.
Starting point is 00:40:48 Like, I didn't want to keep Jono when he left either. He was so overrated by Titans fans. Like, no, we're not doing that. If they want to bring back Chig in a different role for the right price, then sure. But whenever you have Chig Onguo in your tight end room, you're going to have to pay more and put more resources into having more traditional tight ends than you would. a traditional tight end.
Starting point is 00:41:08 And that makes the calculation for the money different. So I am out on bringing back Chig unless it's a very cheap deal, which I think he'll get paid more than that in a team that he fits better with. Yeah. It's funny. Maybe they just need to move Chig to slot.
Starting point is 00:41:28 It's call it a day. Maybe just mis-categor- But if he could play slot, he would be a slot. He doesn't run good routes. He's not quick enough. It's not. You did a lot there. I understand also everybody has to be able to block in the run game.
Starting point is 00:41:44 Hell, who's the Steelers receiver? Heinz Ward. That dude, he loved to block. Pooka Nakuwa likes to block. It's a mindset. You know what I mean? George Kittle, he's not a hoking frame. He's not what's your boy from the Patriots, big tidy and monster.
Starting point is 00:42:06 Yeah, he's not bronch. He's just something. He is a nasty playing full of heart, just passionate player that gets it done. So I don't want to see him go someplace else. Just because I do, I like his playmaking ability. And when this team was struggling most, he did seem to shine in some instances. But to ask him to do those things would be required within the offense. So we'll see how Brian would like to use him.
Starting point is 00:42:35 I mean, he's a guy that really has him in line. or is he's some guy that can flex out, maybe even play the X. You know what I mean? Use some of that versatility. Hell, I would put Chick-a-compo in the backfield. I would make him the next,
Starting point is 00:42:48 Tyler, who's the titan that we had here? Janu. John-U-Smith. John-Smith, yeah. Yeah, yeah. They're similar players. Exactly.
Starting point is 00:42:58 John-U could have lined up, you know, in the single back. You know what I'm saying? He could have. You know what I mean? He was big as Eddie or Derek. So there's ways that you can,
Starting point is 00:43:08 user. I'm sure this new offense that Brian DeBos bringing will tell us a lot. So, I mean, right now we're just looking at players that we think can bring value, players that have some sort of recognition because the no names, we just don't know what they are, you know what I mean? But those players that have already established themselves, it seems like that's what we really feel comfortable in right now. It makes you feel like you're doing something. You know what I mean? So I don't know, we'll see what we're chick lands. The CRA1 in our comments brings up somebody that was traded at the deadline into Draymont Jones,
Starting point is 00:43:41 who was coming off career high seven sacks. He held up his end of the bargain, getting two and a half with the Ravens. The Ravens did not hold up their end of the bargain to ultimately get that fourth round pick. But he could be somebody that the Titans could bring back as well because he was pretty serviceable, I think, for Tennessee, don't you guys think?
Starting point is 00:43:57 Yeah, certainly. I mean, it's all about depth at that point. I mean, is he going to be a starting edge rusher that is going to take the Titans to a championship caliber defensive line like we talked about? No, but I mean, he could be part of a rotation and be a good depth piece as part of a top eight. Certainly indeed. Well, I know the chat has a lot of questions for us and we're going to do our best to answer them on the other side of the break here in Titans talk. Don't go anywhere. The Titans Squad show will be. All right. So got a lot of questions. Rice School, who is one of the regulars on this show. David Martin Robinson, DMR, he's like, can he fill the chig roll?
Starting point is 00:44:43 Yes. My answer is yes. I mean, he's not as wiggly as chig, to use a word. He's not going to be as good yards after catch. But he can be a move tight end and move around in the backfield. Again, I just don't know that that type of tight end has a super crucial role. And, I mean, they're more of an onset extra than a supporting character in Brian Dable's offense. I'm looking at this stats right now because I don't really don't know that much about David, Martin Robinson. I mean, just kicking care.
Starting point is 00:45:13 You know what I mean? So for me, at this point, not knowing that much about the player, I just really couldn't articulate why I would say he'd be a better replacement. If anything, I'd say, Chick knows the culture here. He's got to experience it. He's been here from day one as far as his career is concerned. You know what I mean? So if that means anything, it's not always easy to just replace guys that have been in that locker room, you know,
Starting point is 00:45:42 for at least multiple years. It's not easy. You know what I mean? Those guys coming in, they just have to understand exactly what they're replacing as far as a player, as far as a friend,
Starting point is 00:45:53 as far as a teammate, that kind of stuff. So I don't know. We'll see. It'll be interesting to see how they handle Chiga Conquo. The CRA1 does bring up another point or a question,
Starting point is 00:46:04 I guess, Tyler, you mentioned Trey Hendrickson earlier in the show, but can we trade for Mad Max? While drafting Bain, is that a popular? possibility. No. I mean, if you wanted to trade for Max Crosby, Michael Parsons went for two first round picks and a good player and Kenny Clark. So you'd be looking at two first round picks and
Starting point is 00:46:24 like, you know, Tavondre Sweat, if you wanted to equal Michael Parsons deal. And Max Crosby may not be as expensive as Michael Parsons because I think Michael Parsons is a more valuable player in the NFL with his age and his ability. But you're at least going to have to give up pick number four and probably Tavondre Sweat. And are we doing that? No. but I mean, the odds of Rubin Bay never being as good as Max Crosby are low, but, you know, the Titans are not in a position to make these go-all-in trades for George Pickens or Max Crosby. It's the same thing I said last all season. You know, people just play Madden and want to get all these great players on the team.
Starting point is 00:46:58 And I want great players too, but like the Titans can't give up multiple first-round picks to go get Max Crosby. They're not close enough to where that would put them over the top. So my answer is they could, yeah, but should they? No. Yeah, but you know, I think that Trey Henders, is the kind of guy that would actually galvanize the defensive line room. You know what I mean? He automatically brings leadership intangibles.
Starting point is 00:47:19 Yes. The old guy already established. So it actually alleviates some of the pressure of Jeffers Simmons having to be the mouthpiece. You know what I mean? Just like a line up and just be Hulk. Hanks smash. I'm not trying to say less intelligent. I'm just saying just be disruptive.
Starting point is 00:47:34 You know what I mean? Just go crush people. You don't have to necessarily be a motivator and think outside of your scope of things. And I'm not saying that Trey Hendrickson would be. but I think that just by his stature, he would be somebody that would command that. Plus, the dude can still play. You know what I mean?
Starting point is 00:47:49 So I like the fact that he is a veteran player and will be passionate about sticking it to the Bengals, man. He's so mad at Bengals right now. This cat's going to come out and have an all-pro year next year because he's going to look like, that's what you could have had, Cincinnati. You know, and just the way you treated me all this stuff, I can still play that kind of guy.
Starting point is 00:48:11 You know what I mean? So he's going to have. something to prove he's got a massive chip on his shoulder he can be a leadership dude he already comes in here with qualifications uh the resume if you will and it'll be easy to learn from a guy like that and players i think would love to just see him be a part of the i think that that would be actually from a locker room standpoint from a mentoring standpoint and from just a hard work showing you how to get it done play after play after play and he would love to have some monsters in the middle of like sweating Simmons to keep some of the guys from sliding his direction, right?
Starting point is 00:48:47 He would love that. Put him out there on the tight end. Snicker, snicker. You know, a running back chipping on the way out. You just stop it already. So we would have, that would be an unbelievable front four right there. Simmons, sweat. Go ahead and keep ward on the edge too somewhere in Trey Hendrickson.
Starting point is 00:49:07 Ooh, wait. Heck, add Rubin Bain into that at number four. You know, how good would Trey Hendrickson? be for a young guy like Ruben Bain or David Bailey or Arvel Reese like to teach him that imagine if Rvel Reese could learn how to be a full-time edge and learn the handwork that Trey Hendrickson is known for. Like that would be incredible as they try to build some youth on the edge spot. So yeah, Brad, that was, I'm in the crowd with my hands up.
Starting point is 00:49:33 That was preaching right there. I love that. And getting Jeffrey Simmons some help too. That would be nice. 11 sacks coming off a career high, getting him some help. there would be really nice. Do Brad, what were you going to say? This is to CRA. I do that. I do. Ben Anderson, 3784. Tyler, you mentioned like a Ruben Bain or somebody like that.
Starting point is 00:49:56 What do you guys think who we should draft first at number four overall? Obviously, there's been a lot of talk about a receiver, Carnell Tate and Jordan Tyson, but there is some value there at Pass Rush early as opposed to receiver later. Julian, you're going to make the Lemonheads mad. You didn't mention McKay lemon. The lemon heads are going to get salad. I like I like lemon too. I think the answer is edge. I think that, you know, David Bailey, Rubin Bain, Rvel Reese,
Starting point is 00:50:23 one of those guys makes a ton of sense to me. But I have said, and I'm going to keep saying, and I'm not going to change my mind, if Reese and Bain are off the board, I'm going with Jordan Tyson. I know he had the injuries, but he played great football after the ACL. The collarbone is a freak injury that isn't related to lower body problems. And the hamstring was on the opposite leg of the ACL and all of the best wide receivers in the NFL have missed games in their career due to
Starting point is 00:50:47 hamstring injuries. It's just part of the nature of the position. So if you miss out on Ruben Rehn and R. Val R. Val Ries, I'm going Jordan Tyson. But to me, it's wide receiver or its edge. And there's really not much conversation outside of that unless they trade down. And then I would be more interested in maybe a Jeremiah Love or a Sunny Stiles or a Caleb Downs. Right. And Carnal Tate's interesting because I'd lean Tyson too, Tyler, because Carnal Tate wasn't even the best receiver on his team. And you wonder how much of his opportunities came because, hey, Jeremiah's freaking Smith is on the other wide receiver room with him.
Starting point is 00:51:22 So I'm with you there. Go ahead, Bhop. I was just going to go ahead and say, look no further than David Bailey. You know what I mean? For me, 6-4-250 can bend on that edge. Just a nasty player that you want out there. You want people to, you want him to be a problem. You know what, if you think about it, not only do they occupy the offensive line,
Starting point is 00:51:45 but they usually end up taking away one skill player too. Like you've got to keep a tight end or something like that. You got to at least have them slow play getting down to a route, which makes it easier to play zone. Same thing with the running backs. The running backs got to be aware of anything that you're doing tricky-wise because they got to get a pad on this guy on the way out. So it occupies skill positions too when you have a guy that stretches the line
Starting point is 00:52:04 that works on the edge. And that just is all more of an advantage for Simmons and sweat to really get after and make the interior a problem for most teams. So I think that David Bailey would be a great addition to number four. Yeah, I would be happy with David Bailey at four. Obviously, I said I like Tyson a little bit more, but I would still be happy with David Bailey. And imagine if they get a Trey Hendrickson,
Starting point is 00:52:27 who's that big physical edge setter on one side. And then Bailey, who may not be a great run defender right now, maybe needs to put a little bit more muscle on the frame, but if he could be the speed guy on the outside to dip and bend and get, pass and then Hendrickson is your big physical guy setting the edge on the other side on the strong side strong side left side
Starting point is 00:52:47 that kind of pairing works perfectly and I think we've seen from Robert Salah in the past with a guy like Bosa who's more the Hendrickson type and then a guy like Bryce Huff who can be more like the David Bailey type he likes to have two different kinds of edges on either side so that could work perfectly as well
Starting point is 00:53:02 you know last week on the show Tyler you mentioned the Titans need to bring in a better backup QB than maybe a Brandon Allen right because God forbid the worst happens, you can't go out there and automatically start losing games, right? But Ben Anderson poses another question then. What should we do with Will Levis? He's still obviously on the team. There's been a lot of talk of, oh, is he going to be a bad locker room guy because he lost the job and he wears his heart on his sleeve. But what should the Titans do with Will Levis? Because his trade value, it might be a seventh or sixth round pick, to be honest with you.
Starting point is 00:53:37 I think a conditional sixth round pit where if he starts a certain amount of games it moves to a fifth round pick in 2027 I think that can make a lot of sense my whole opinion on this is about human dynamics I don't want someone in the locker room in the quarterback room with Cam Ward who is still concerned with selfish things
Starting point is 00:53:57 I want to prove that I'm a starting quarterback in the NFL I want to get my chance again I want to have a shot to show I want somebody in that room who is fully focused on making Cam Ward the best player that he could possibly be. That's why I like if James Winston gets cut. Tyrod Taylor, Snoop Huntley, Mitch Trubisky. These are guys who they aren't thinking in their head,
Starting point is 00:54:18 oh, I'm a starting quarterback in the NFL, and I'm going to show everybody that. But look, because when you do that, are you really going to help Cam Ward as much as he needs? Are you really going to point out on tape where he had this flaw in his mechanics? Is Will Levis really going to help Cam Ward? And at this point, we are pushing all of our chips into the table to Cam Ward.
Starting point is 00:54:35 So if there's anybody in that quarterback room or in that locker room who doesn't have a mindset of, I want Cam Ward to be his best and I can be my best too, I don't want them around. And there's no way, it's human nature, there's no way that Will Levis is going to be as supportive of Cam Ward as Tyrod Taylor or James Winston would be. So I don't want anybody in the locker room with Cam who still thinks, I'm better than that guy, I should take his spot. And let's be honest, I don't fault Will Levis for thinking that way. So I think it's best for both parties. It's best for Cam's development. It's best for Will's development for them to split and get a fresh start.
Starting point is 00:55:13 Tyler, that is terrible for you to do that to Will Levis. What did he do to you? Did you jump up and you know somewhere he discussed you? I think I'm doing him a favor. I think Will Levis wants to leave and get an opportunity to play. Pump the brakes. One, he was answering a question. Okay.
Starting point is 00:55:30 He didn't just come to the podium and say, you know what? I need to be a starting. quarterback in this national football league. He was asked a question about his future. And then he didn't come across like the way you're making it sound like, I deserve to read this and I deserve that. Never has there been one moment of contempt that I've seen in that man's face
Starting point is 00:55:47 when it comes to dealing with Cam Ward. Okay. I'm sure he is publicly. What's going to happen is this. He's going to get the best coaching that he's ever received as a professional. Let's see what that looks like. Let's see if there can be some value brought because usually what you'd like to have is a veteran behind a starting young quarterback that can step in there.
Starting point is 00:56:08 I'm not saying he's not much more veteran than Cam, but he does have a year more experience, and he's learning the same systems that Cam was learning. And with this new instruction, this new era of offense that Brian Dayball is going to bring in, I would kind of like to see what it looks like on a Will Levis. You know, he might not only become, end up being a serviceable backup to Cam Ward,
Starting point is 00:56:30 but he might end up after 2026 if he gets some reps, Unfortunately, it would have to be because something crazy happened to Cam, because Cam just don't come out of games. We saw how durable he was this year. But if something would happen where he saw the field next thing, you know, you can see that God dang, Brian Dayball has really improved Will Levis. He's made him look, and it's going to happen in preseason because that's when we'll see him shine the most, right? And then it'll be something to be said about that.
Starting point is 00:56:54 Hey, you know, Will Levis back in preseason look really, really good for the Titans. You think you want to make a play for this guy? Maybe it's time because we've seen a guy win the Super Bowl this year that people said, with the third pick of the draft couldn't play. Right? Sam Donald saw how many teams before he ended up getting to Seattle? Five. You know, so I think at this point you can definitely see where guys can go someplace else
Starting point is 00:57:17 and find a new lease in life. And I think when you look at where Will Evans has come from, the offenses and people that he's been, you know, that have been pouring into him, none are going to be the caliber that Brian Dayball is. And I like to see what he can turn Will Evans into. But I think ultimately, even to what you're saying, what's the end game there?
Starting point is 00:57:38 Let's say Levis gets good coaching. He plays well in the preseason. They're not playing him over Cam. That Cam is the quarterback. So the end game, no matter where we come down to is Will Levis going to another team. Whether they can rehabilitate his image to get a better trade package, whether they just want to trade him right now and get it over with. The end game with Willis is a trade because we are Cam Ward's team now.
Starting point is 00:57:59 So that's why I'm like, if they do it during the draft, if they do it after the preseason, because he plays well in the preseason. Either way, he's getting traded. So I'd rather just do it now. You know what I mean? And let him go somewhere new. And I think if we asked Will Leveson in a moment of truth,
Starting point is 00:58:14 he wants a fresh start too because he feels, whether he says it publicly or not, there's no way. He probably feels a little salty. Well, no, no, he's totally gone because first off, he's too young to just be settled behind being behind. Yeah, to accept being a backup. So anyway, but he will go someplace else
Starting point is 00:58:33 and be the next Sam Donald, Daniel Jones, Baker Mayfield. These were first round picks. I mean, here's a guy that most people thought was a first rounder, but went in the second round because the Titans felt aggressive enough to grab him. But he was getting some first round grades. But I just think when you look at some of these quarterbacks and how they go someplace else and get a new identity, a new support system, a new belief. I mean, I think that that's one of the first things that Sam said when he was talking about,
Starting point is 00:59:01 you know, just the season he's had, is that he appreciated Mike McDonald and the culture there just supporting him. Think about that. You come from where you've been outcast, where you've just been ostracized from a community, a culture,
Starting point is 00:59:15 because people don't feel like you're living up to billing, whatever else, and you just leave their dejected and just, ugh. And then here comes somebody that pours into you, that tells you they love you, it rubs your back, and you go out there and do your best, and you throw for 44,000 yards for back-to-back seasons.
Starting point is 00:59:31 and win the Super Bowl. So it can happen, crazier things. Yeah, whether it's in Tennessee or whether it's somewhere else. We'll need to understand that he is one play away from getting his opportunity again. That's kind of how the NFL works indeed.
Starting point is 00:59:44 All right, so that'll do it for the Titan Squad Show today. I'm Julian Minneson. That's the legend Brad Hopkins and the other legend, Tyler Rowland. We'll see you guys at the end of the week. Thanks for listening.

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