Locked On Titans - Daily Podcast On The Tennessee Titans - TITANS SQUAD SHOW: WATCH OUT for David Bailey & Roster need RANKINGS

Episode Date: February 21, 2026

The NFL Combine is here, and the Titans are officially on the clock with the 4th pick. We're ranking the top roster needs - from finding a premier EDGE to adding Wide Receiver depth for Cam Ward. We also recap the first word from new coordinators Brian Daboll and Gus Bradley. 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. FanDuel Use your Profit Boost on an NBA future and get entered for your chance to win a trip to the NBA Finals. Play your game with FanDuel, the official sports betting partner of the NBA. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started.  Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast. Zocdoc Stop putting off your doctor’s appointments and get the care you need. Go to http://Zocdoc.com/lockedonnfl to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today. 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.

I'm Julian Minnensohn. The Tennessee Titans have a lot of needs, but there is one in particular that stands out. We'll talk about it next on the Titan Squad Show. And I'm Brad Hopkins. We heard from both coordinators, Gus Bradley and Brian Dayball, and I'm going to tell you why I think there could be trouble of brewing.

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, the way only the locked on podcast network can. Squad up. The Titan Squad Show starts now.

And welcome to the Titan Squad Show. Friday edition when we're recording this one. I'm Julian Minneson alongside Brad Hopkins. We wanted to remind you, today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Use your profit boost on an NBA future and get entered for your chance to win a trip to the NBA finals. Play your game with FanDuel, the official sports betting partner of the NBA. Well, the NFL combine is next week in Indianapolis. The Tennessee Titans will be in the mix there looking at the potential draft picks here in 2026.

They have a lot of needs and we'll discuss the biggest needs on this team. But Brad and I think are the number one things they need to address. But first, I wanted to start with the coordinators. As Brad Hopkins said, they're off the top. It's the first time we got to hear from offensive coordinator Brian Davel and defensive coordinator Gus Bradley this week. Bhop, what were your big takeaways? we start with the offense in Brian Daibald. Well, I kind of gave that tease about there being trouble of Bruin potentially

just because of how impressed I was starting with Brian Daibald's conversation. I love the fact that he jeered Terry McCormick a little bit. You know, Paul McCarkey said, oh, you got your own.com. You know what I mean? Really listening to engage the media. here, I can see that there's probably going to be a good relationship. And I'm going to tell you why I think that that's important. The media does the interpretation. It's their job to kind of explain to you what the hell you're looking at, why things are the way they are. You know, results being the

biggest thing. They're the ones that are kind of giving us the results in potentially why things happen the way they do. And we give our take every now and then on some things, depending on what your role is and that's the relationship that you have now i will say that he's probably looking at this as as media groups go anything is relieved from being in new york you know i mean because he's like oh my god i'm getting killed up here you know what i'm in the head coach and the team sucks and having to feel all these guys just it's terrible so having that audience to deal with i guarantee you was a breath of fresh air opinion your um your cohort there at Channel 2, Corey Curtis, he actually asked a, he actually was very astute in his observation.

He said he sounds like a head coach. He does. He sounds smack dab like a head coach, bro. And he sounds good. And I'm not taking anything away from Robert and him being able to assemble this, this coaching staff to this point, and them going over the players that they want to have at certain positions and all the things, right? man the guy sounds like he's in control and the thing is he did a great job deflecting that because I think the people in the room felt the same way they started asking him questions that head coaches

are supposed to respond to you know what I mean and he even said hey look I'm going to leave that to head coach it's not my job you know what I mean so he understands why he was brought here in the role that he was brought here to do but I really don't see him being here I just, I don't because he's, because what he's going to do, Julian, he's going to make Cam Ward a star. And all Ives are going to be on Tennessee because of Brian Dayball, his track record before, and him working with the second year of the first pick of the draft in last year and what that's going to look like. And the cool thing about it is just listening to him, he already talked about them having a relationship. relationship when they interviewed him to potentially pick him if the Titans didn't, you know,

when he was the head coach. So, you know, they did their study, their homework on Cam. They've had chances to sit down and dialogue over dinner and just these things that you do when you're trying to court a potential quarterback. He just, he didn't have the opportunity to pick him. Titans took him. But there's, you know, there's respect there. There's mutual interest from both Cam and Brian to see this thing successful. So we're right here on the doorstep of Gradens, bro. That's what I think. Yeah, as soon as he took the podium, Brian Daibble,

and started talking about my staff, meetings with the GM, doing the film study. That's all the stuff the head coach usually talks about, right? And I do think the fact that Brian Daibel was such a hot commodity this off season and that he wants to be a head coach again clearly, he is staking his coaching future on what the Tennessee Titans have to offer. Like if this doesn't work out, his chance at that next head coaching opportunity is done. And so I do think the fact that he decided to choose Cam Ward.

He chose the $100 million in cap space that this team has, the nine draft picks, the front office structure. I think Bihop, that speaks volumes to where the Titans are at and what the rest of the league thinks about the potential of this team. if one of the hottest offensive coordinators slash head coaching candidates chose to come here to weigh his coaching future on the success here in Nashville. And if we know football, we know the formula works. In other words, what each of these people are bringing to the table, it works.

It doesn't always work together, you know what I mean? I'm sure that Brian DeBall was a part of other systems, other ecosystems, that there wasn't so successful. Maybe he wasn't as good as a coach as he thought he was at that point. But he's got head coaching experience now. You know what I mean? He's got some of those years of responsibility under his belt. I thought it was very interesting that he and Robert Salah were in New York at the same time.

Yeah. Dealing with the same craziness, you know what I mean? Of dealing with dysfunctional teams in the largest city on the planet. I mean. So I thought it was pretty interesting just to see, you know, his, his, his, his thoughts about being a part of the staff. He did make sure to, to make everybody clear. This is not the, the Brian Dayball show, even though I think that he might be the biggest name in the room. You know what I mean? It's just, it's, it's not his show. And he's a part of, of these pieces that they would hope to put together to have a successful 2026 campaign. You know, I did ask Robert Sala when he was first introduced. Was there maybe any bonding between he and Brian Dable, given that they were in the same market in New York? And he said that there is some empathy there. Like you were in a cutthroat market like New York City where everything is under a microscope.

I think there's a certain understanding of what each of them have went through in an unsuccessful situation for those two guys. And I certainly think that could help them kind of, I guess, write the wrongs here in national. And you want to be on that side if you're the Titans. Brian Daible said Cam Ward was a big factor, right? He was a huge factor in him coming here. What do you think he is going to do for Cam? Well, I want to say this first before I get back to the question of what I think he's going to do with Cam. Robert Sala and Brian Daibor were stepbrothers in New York.

Yeah. The movie Stepbrothers. Do you remember when they were laying in the bed and they were black? blaming each other for the divorce of their parents. Hey, hell, you know why? Yeah, so I get home as quietly seeing Robert and Brian, you know, on the phone. Hey, you know why? We suck here because your team sucks worse and it's making the people around us pissed off.

Which is your on my team. You know that, right? So it's not like they didn't like each other, but you see what I'm saying. They need to recording each other at the end, right, to create this cool song that won the Catalina Wine Mixer. So anyway, the point being there are both stepbrothers. Now, what will Dale do for Cam Ward? Everything.

Everything because he doesn't know. Brian's about discovery. Brian is about, let's see what pieces we can put around. Like, they were asking him the identity of this team. What's the identity of this team? We're a long way for knowing what that is. Look, are you serious right now? See, we're thinking that somehow the identity

of this team is in Brian Dayball's head. That's not how this works. He's looking at what I have to work with, right? He's looking at what we can function at legitimately, what some of our liabilities are. He's looking at all those things, and then he'll tell you what we are, because I'll tell you what we can do.

You know what I mean? So what can he do with Cam Ward? He can teach him the disciplines. He can teach him, you know, the proper way to read a defense. He can teach him to be comfortable in chaos. He can teach him those things. That's what he can do. But as far as what that identity is going to look like,

will he tap into some of Cam Ward's ability to run? Sure, why wouldn't you? But is it to say they're going to make him a running quarterback? No. It'll be interesting to see how he uses for Cam Ward this year. I do appreciate the fact that he is going deep in the film, not just from his first season with the Titans, but he mentioned his time at Miami,

his time at Washington State. where Cam had the most success of his career, that is what he is looking at to see what he does well, what he doesn't. And that goes for the rest of this team, Bhop, because he mentioned a couple other players. I mean, he mentioned that he likes J.C. Latham. He mentioned he liked Jim D.K. and E.L.

E.K.L.A.O. Manor. But all of that, he's still kind of doing his homework on these guys before he's going to give a full verdict. What did you make, though, being an offensive line and yourself, what did you make of him liking J.C. Lathom? Because I feel like there's a lot left on the table for J.C. in his first few years of the league.

No, he led with JC. Yeah. He led with JC. And he said, I like him at right tackle. He's a good piece. They're going to hold on second. What did he say? He said, J.C. is a good piece to have a right tackle.

That's what he said. And I believe that. I think you and I talked about that on our last show. Yes, absolutely. And I agree with them 100%. At right tackle, I think he is a good foundation piece, something that we can build around. Much like Peter Skoronski,

I think some of the other positions may be in flux. If you can improve where they are by either drafting high or spending some real coin and getting a quality offensive alignment, and what that means is outbidding somebody. That means that you're going to have to find somebody that was playing very well and is expected to get the huge payday and there's no reason why he would ever leave, oh, until you offer him more money.

That's the guy that need to replace if you don't draft somebody high at these other, offensive line spots because you got to win up front there. You got to win up front because all the other stuff is a moot point. If you have a quarterback that can throw 70 yards, who cares if you can't throw it from his back? You see what I'm saying? Same thing with the run game. It all starts up front.

And if you look at the last two Super Bowls, they've shown that. Their identity and the ability to run the football got them where they are. Now throw in the fact that their defenses are playing lights out too, but those two formulas right there, running the football, stout defense, that's what featured the last two Super Bowl winners. Yeah, absolutely, absolutely. We are going to talk more a little bit about Brian Dable, but also Gus Bradley as well, the defensive coordinator. Now we want to acknowledge it is Robert Sala's defense, but we did hear from Gus Bradley

for the first time, and we're going to talk about that next on the Titan Squad Show. Keep it locked here. All right, ever wanted to experience the NBA finals live and in person? and Fanduel is giving you the chance to turn that dream into a reality with their NBA sweepstakes. Here's how it works. Use your profit boost on any NBA future and you'll automatically be entered for a shot to win an NBA finals trip for two. That's right. Flights, tickets and the whole experience.

And if you're already looking at the board and thinking about which team can make a deep run, this is the perfect time to lock it in. Visit Fanduil.com to get started. Use your profit boost on an NBA future and get entered for your chance to win a trip to the NBA finals. Player game with Fanduel, the official sports betting partner of the NBA. All right, Bhop, same goes for Gus Bradley. Obviously, this is not Robert Sala. It's his defense, right?

But Gus Bradley is a huge part of this coming over from him in San Francisco. What was the big takeaway you heard from Gus Bradley and his first remarks to the media this week? Well, first off, it was really learning more of the backstory between Gus Bradley and Robert Sala. You know, Robert was quality control. Gus took Robert to Jacksonville. He did a lot.

to help Robert Sala be who Robert Sala is, you know. But he also talked about, Robert having the direction, having the idea, the plan, right? And then his being the job, I guess, to kind of, as he sees it, Robert, he says he said it, Robert Sala's big picture, mine is to break down from a micro level and see how these things work. You see what I'm saying?

And then test them, see what they match up against this, that and the third, and, that that was something I thought was pretty interesting because they all understand their roles seemingly, right? They understand that when you've got three components of a roster of a staff that have been head coaches, it's going to be the natural conversation. Who's going to be the leader? Who's going to be the leader? All that kind of stuff, right?

But both of these guys, Gus Bradley and Robert and Brian Daibald, have made sure to make very clear this is Robert's team. We work for Robert. you see what I'm saying so while Brian dayball is going to have a huge influence on probably the most talked about thing on the Titans roster which will be quarterback cam board this is still going to be Robert Sala's direction this is still going to be his his calling the defense even though Gus Bradley will be helping him you know what I'm saying this will be this will be more of a collaboration than it would be the Robert Sala regime and era here to see. Yeah, the working relationship was also the number one thing that I, that I thought of,

because Bradley is kind of a mentor to him to Robert Sala. And I do think the fact that he has him right down the hall to lean on, because this is Robert Sala's most likely his last chance at head coach. So he needs to make it work. So why not bring in the guy who you're used to working with, who knows what you're trying to do defensively, who knows what you're trying to teach the guys on that side of the ball? I think, I honestly think that that's huge, even if Gus Bradley is not calling the defense per se. One thing I did want to touch on with you, B. Hop, you know, when you are Gus Bradley's position,

you are not calling plays, but you are still the DC by title. How much of it is teaching, how much of it is kind of being the guy when Roberts doing all this other stuff that, hey, I'm the guy in charge over here. Can you kind of explain that role to the viewers and listeners who might not understand what a DC that isn't calling plays is doing? Well, I think it's a chain of command, okay? And every link in the chain is important, right?

Because separate by itself, it's nothing. You know, it's just a link. But when you talk about how collectively they will call the defense, even though you might hear more of Robert's voice in doing that direction, there's still influence by Gus Bradley and some of the other assistants. It's their job to test what he says. That's, you know what I mean? And I like one thing that, um,

both guys were talking about was the ability to communicate, right? Communicate in the way that allows them to challenge each other and be open about that. I thought that was huge, right? In other words, challenging me doesn't mean I'm getting in your face and saying what you're doing is wrong. Challenge you is, hey, look, how can we do this better? Brian DeBoff said it. He said, look, this is the way I do things and have done them over the last 20 years. do you see or anybody see a way to do it better? You see what I'm saying? That's a terrific way to be.

It's like, I've been doing this for 20 years. Why have I been doing it for 20 years? Because it works, right? So if you can show me a better way to do it, we will both evolve by doing something better than what has been done for the last 20 years. But then it also gives you the direction as an assistant as part of the staff to say, hey, look, you know what? if I don't have something better than what we're already doing, at least we got something that works. You see what I'm saying? So I think when you're looking at Gus Bradley and his input into that defense and his ability to have influence and say certain things, but also if you think about what Gus Bradley

was saying, he said that part of their job is giving the scouts the perfect description of what they require in each one of these positions to do. do certain things, right? And they'll show them clips of it. This is the type of person that I want, the type of body I want in my cover game. This is the kind that I want in my pressure game. This is how kind of I want in, you know, all the different things that are going to all those positions on defense, right? And it's their job to give it to the scouts. The scouts give them those exact players. Well, if I'm telling you exactly what I need to have at a position, you know that now I'm part of how you're implementing that position.

You know what I mean? So if Robert's calling the plays, he's calling the plays with what I'm coaching. You know what I'm saying? And with what I've been working on to make your play call makes sense. So it's symbiotic in their relationship. Yeah, the challenging aspect, not having a bunch of yes man, it doesn't seem like Robert has that around on his staff. Like they are going to say, hey, I believe that this is something that this has worked for

me. Try it this way. or Robert, it seems like an open dialogue of communication between Robert and the rest of the head coaches. You know what was refreshing, too, Bhop? I wasn't here for Nick Holeses or Dinnard Wilson's opening press conference. And nothing to take away from Dynard. I thought he did a great job with what he was given, right, and how depleted that defense was over the last few years.

But it just seems like a night and day difference hearing those press conferences and hearing just this first one that this past week with guys who have been in the head coaching chair before. guys who have been around the block, they have pelts on the wall, you know, is that, how refreshing is that knowing the collective experience of this group? They can lean on each other, they know what it's like to be a head coach, and they know what it's like to succeed and fail, too, at the NFL level. Okay, so let's take that question just to the next step in how that actually affects the guys their coaching.

Let's put that question to them. Think about what you just use, use the words refreshed. you know what I mean it's just like it's something different you weren't making the analogy to say hey they were pretty close no you were making a comparison between there being an obvious difference so don't you think that I'll also translate to the dudes that they're coaching you know if I'm now in the building I'm walking down the hall and I'm saying oh damn Brian Daywall you know I mean because you know because you know what's going to be in the building you know what I mean because you know Gus Bradley is you know who Gus Bradley is like hey coach what's it name you know I mean especially if you knew the building you know you know Gus Bradley is is you know who they all are. There's weight. So the players know them. So not only do we know them as media members, as fans, because they're recognizable faces.

And people that have, regardless of the results, have been in the positions before, you know, but they came in with cachet. So it does make it easy, it makes it easier to hold someone's attention. You see what I'm saying? Especially when they're hearing something from somebody that they're familiar with, like, you know,

some, like some oheads, like Brian Dayball. You know, what did they say? Gus has been doing this for 30-something years. Brian's been doing it for 26 years. Bro. I mean, think about it. When Brian came in, when Brian was,

oh, I didn't even know, first off, that he was a safety in college. Yeah. You know what I mean? And Bill, Belichick was the one that actually moved him to receivers coach, and that's how he got started on offense. And it totally makes sense because, think about it,

as a safety, I'm watching formations. you know what I mean I'm watching the quarterback watch us in coverage you know everything I'm dissecting offense like you and not you know I know what you're trying to run against me so a better mind to be an offensive coordinator than someone that you were actually strategically working against that's that's so cool but yeah I just thought you know it's just interesting to see how this whole thing has come together and I know we're giving a lot of attention to these coordinators and we're spending a lot of time talking my Brian Dayball because first of all, we spend a lot of time talking about offense.

And Robert is a defensive coach. Yeah. We don't spend and we won't spend as near as much time talking about the defense. So that does squarely, in other words, Brian Dayball's going to get a lot of face time. You know, especially how we watch Cam Ward. If he struggles, we're going to Brian Dayball. What's going on with him? If he's having success, we're going to Brian Dayball.

What's going on with him? Regardless, there's going to be a lot of Brian Dayball getting FaceTime, you know, from the media and representing his team. Bobcat 5186, put it perfectly. Sounds like a very empowering environment. Those places are always the most successful because Bhop, you've wanted a coach with weight, and it seems like they're big four in Sala,

Dable, Bradley, and Fossil. Each time they come up to the press conference, they command the room immediately. And I think that that is big. You know, the funny thing about it is, this is the funny thing. When we, when we hit, you're going to always hear me reference them because, you know,

Our war the colors, the original colors. The original colors. Okay. We had three head coaches on our team. We just didn't know it. We had Jeff Fisher, the obvious head coach. We had a guy named Greg Williams. And we also had a guy named Jim Swartz.

Pretty good coach. So we had head coach caliber coaching. You think about that. that they all came from that roster you know of course they spent time with the places together but still the point i'm trying to make is that we've we've seen uh how that type of leadership leaves an impression on coaching you know on on a roster on the players that they're coaching you know we know what gregg williams his identity is as a defensive guru jim swartz was a chip off of that old block and they both came from jeff fisher who came from buddy

Brian. You know, so it's like, you know, you can see how hopefully that type of influence with as many head coaching type leader coaches we have, it will translate to some sort of success. Indeed. Now, we have spent a lot of time talking about the coaches. And rightfully so. This was their first week. We got to actually speak to them and hear them and part of their plan moving forward. But I wanted to talk about the players too. We got the combine next week. What is the number one position of need for the Titans? We'll have that answer for you after the break. Keep it here. All right, welcome to the five-hour energy flavor draft with 18 different flavors to choose from, including new options like confetti craze, fruity rainbow, or cotton candy. There's something for everyone.

Now, the board is set. The flavors are ready, and I've got my number one pick for the five-hour energy flavor draft. I'm a classic guy, so I love bold cherry candy-style flavor, sweet with a little tart edge. So that's certainly fun. but there might be some underrated flavors, including the new one, confetti craze, delicious blend of rich and buttery, freshly baked confetti cake, smooth, vanilla frosting, and a sprinkle of sweetness in every sip, kind of like a birthday cake. You love when it's your birthday, and you get that cake every single year.

Five-hour energy shots give you a boost of energy with zero sugar, so we love that. Find your new flavor, favorite flavor of Five Hour Energy shots available online at five-hourenergy.com or Amazon. All right, Bhop, Combine coming up in Indianapolis soon. The Titans will be there front and center. They have the number four overall pick. There's been a lot of debate since the season ended what they need to do with that fourth overall pick. What is your number one position of need for the Titans right now? Because they have a few of them.

Yeah, with the fourth pick. Okay, so the thing is what the Titans need at pick for? There's a number of different directions that you can go. But what they have to take at number four is David Bailey. There's no, if answer buts about it. So while you might need a more explosive receiver on the outside, you might need, you know, a safety or a corner or some, you might need a few different things, right?

That doesn't matter. David Bailey will be available at number four. and this cat right here is a generational player. All right? So we don't want to look up and see somebody else take him because we didn't. And when he's wearing a gold jacket in Canton and him talking about the draft in 2006 where he just knew he was going to Tennessee Titans and somehow they didn't pick him, you know what I mean?

We're not going to have that egg on our face. We're just not going to have an egg on our face. and I cannot wait to see David Bailey and Jeffrey Simmons it made you go, are you kidding me? It makes me go, that's going to be sick. Because I know that David will match Jeffrey's energy. You see what I'm saying? They're violent physical rushers, and that's the identity.

You want to see a small trickle down the land. leg of offensive lineman when they break the huddle, just a little one because they're so scared. That's the type of identity you want from your front four. That makes life easier for the coverage guys. And it also, like we hear from so many different coordinators, if I can get there with four and leave more bodies in coverage, I'm going to the show. And I think that David Bailey's ability would do tremendous. I love it.

Yeah. And more so than even Arvall, Reese, and Rubin Bain, who are, the other ones kind of in the mix there. Bailey, the production, like the numbers, if you're just looking at stats, which don't tell the whole story, but just overall production this past season, Bhop, 32 solo tackles, 14 and a half sacks, three forced fumbles. You mentioned him and Jeffrey Simmons together. Let's imagine it. David Bailey walks on the stage. He gets picked, fourth overall. The Bailey jerseys are in the team store already. What does that defense? Under Robert Sala, I might add, whose defenses have always been good, no matter how

how good the teams are. What does that defense, and especially up front, look like with Simmons and Bailey, lining up? Well, first off, and don't forget about Cedric Gray and some other guys and some other guys that we talked about. Devin Winston in the back there. Yeah, absolutely. Devandre sweat, Big T sweat, if he gets an offseason with Jeff Simmons, too.

Think about what I can do, how creative I can be, if I'm Gus and Robert, and I've got these just beasts up front that individually you can't block you know what I mean and if you slide one way or the other you better hold on because somebody's getting loose somewhere you know what I mean so when you hear the whole thing about when you're when your one-on-one battles your individual battles what they're talking about is they're talking about hey all you guys out here that aren't getting double-team okay you better you better win because there are guys out here they're getting double team because they're that good right and you got to take advantage of that. And Jeffrey Simmons is learning how to play with double teams.

I mean, it still be effective. He was getting double team left and right. And still had 12 sacks last year, right? Yeah. So I would imagine with David stretched out even in a wide nine or something like that, making the tackles move in space and him just, you know, just taking advantage of a one-on-one until they realize that they can't block him one-on-one, that you've got to start chipping your way out, either with a tight end or a running back and changing the formations and doing all this stuff, that's the effect that he's going to have. I mean, so what can they do? I think that they will basically change how you try and approach them offensively.

You know what I mean? Because pressure is going to be a situation that you have to deal with. And most successful teams, that's part of the formula because their quarterback, the team I mean that's winning dominantly from defense, their quarterback, is keeping the ball a lot longer than the quarterbacks that they're facing because they're able to get off the field on third down, be disruptive, get sacks, turn the ball over, all that stuff. And hopefully an offense that is dealing with a defense of that caliber can take full advantage,

put points on the board when need be, win those close ones, steal the ones that you shouldn't, and next thing you know, they're in the playoffs. David Bailey was arguably the best player on arguably the best defense. in the country in Texas Tech. They were the number one rushing defense allowing under 70 yards a game. And Behop, you mentioned defense in like key situations too. They were the number one defense leading the nation in final stop rate. So that means getting a stop and forcing a turnover punt,

85% of the time they got off the field. And I know over the past few years, we're looking at this Titans defense. And I think they've kind of punched above their weight with Jeffrey Simmons there. How many times have we said, get this stop and get that offensive ball back. And they were so close, like half a step away. That is huge.

Yeah, 100%. Because, I mean, think about it, those rushes that you talked about where they were just fingertips away from changing the course of a game. It just shows you how close we could be, you know, how close we actually are. So it'll be interesting to see, first off, how they scheme these guys, you know, I mean, because knowing now that, look, I've got some pieces to work with. We're just assuming that they draft defense and they go with. if arguably the fourth best player in the draft.

Not only is David Bailey a good acquired need, but also by ranking standpoint, he's a top five player. So don't screw that up. You know what I mean? That guy like that out of the building. It's need and best player available. It all matches up.

I mean, we said that there might be a bevy of different needs, but I don't think any of them really surpassed the other. You know what I mean? But if you got a guy that not only is highly qualified at number four, but also checks off one of those boxes, what do we do? You know what I mean? So let me play devil's advocate here

because there are also the group of fans who would say, we need a wide receiver. We need a number one guy for Cam Ward to build a future, a number one target. Because there's not that in free. agency right now. So what do you say to those who say, hey, I want a receiver at number four, whether it it be Carnell Tate or Jordan Tyson, somebody like that?

Well, I can see where having a legit dude outside can be a real difference maker. You know what I mean? Because if I got a guy that runs a 4-2-40 and I can run a goal with it all day, you know what I mean? You've got to really be aware of that because as soon as he gets a difference maker, you know what I mean? a step behind you, that's a touchdown. If I can put it out there, you know what I mean? So if that guy is not readily available, like that you can just, I mean, immediately

step on the football field and he garners the type of attention that, you know, the best X on the field will, then I don't think it's necessarily the way you need to go this soon. You can still get that type of player with second round value. A.J. Brown? Right. Yeah, he was third round, wasn't he? I believe so. second second yeah so either way not a first rounder not a first rounder that's the point yeah but the point being you didn't have to you can still get that type of player hell Derek mason wasn't the first rounder you know i mean so you know there's tons of anybody he wasn't the

next either though but either what you see what i'm saying though you know there's there's tons of players out there that um that aren't within the first 32 um that can put this way jim dk elic i you manner, fourth rounders. And I thought that they did a great job in their rookie year, you know, dealing with what they had to deal with, the immediate growth, that they need to grow, that type of stuff, you know what I mean? And without expectation, maybe that was part of the, part of the blessing was the fact that we didn't look at those guys like, oh, my God, you're the first pick, man.

You're, you know, then you're the 17th pick or whatever. You better go out there and ball, you know, versus, oh, you made the team, good. You know, next to the next to you. Right. And they're relying on you. And just for context, the Titans do have the 35th overall pick pretty high in that second round as well. And there are some good receiver value that you can grab if you're not getting one of those guys at the top of you elect to go past rusher like the Titans need. The Titans need both.

There are a lot of needs and they'll be able to address them to. We wanted to remind you, keep your questions coming in the chat. We'll do our best to answer them in our next segment called Titans Talk. Keep it here with the Titan Squad show. All right, Bihop. Jeremy Milohov, I think that's how you pronounce it. He put, imagine defense struggles and they hired Dable as head coach. That being said, I'm rooting for Sala,

want him to be a long-tenured head coach in Tennessee. I think it's just the idea that Brian Dable has excited so many fans because of what he could possibly do for Cam Ward. And obviously, one, a lot of people over with that. press conference this past week. I'm grasping this. Imagine defense struggles and they hired Dave all his head coach. Yeah.

Is that even, is that too crazy of a thought? If the defense is playing bad, then Brian Dayball is not having, in other words, if you're talking about replacing Robert Sol of the team's playing bad, something's going to. So then why we're obviously,

now if you were to do, okay, here's a situation, here's a situation. But then if, would be who's the assistant head coach? Who's the assistant head coach? For the Titans.

The assistant head coach? Yeah, do we know? Is it, is it, is it Gus? Is it Brian? Who's the assistant head coach? The point I'm trying to make is this. If the issue hits the fan, you know what I mean? Yes.

Yeah, if the issue hits the fan, okay, and you're even considering firing or moving on from Robert Sala, if you did it during the season, that assistant head coach would become the interim head coach, I'm assuming, right? Well, if that interim head coach happened to be Brian Dayball,

and all of a sudden you start kicking ass, then, you know what I mean? Then the situation is that, it takes care of itself because that, but I don't think that that'd be the case, because I think that whatever affects that defense affects the entire team. You know what I mean?

If they're not playing well. So I think that Brian and, Robert would work together to try and solve whatever issue that was. So I don't see Brian Daibald being a replacement for Robert Salah. Now, do I see Brian Daiball having a tremendous amount of success with Cam Ward and this team making the playoffs within two years? And then Brian Daibald become the next head coach someplace else? Absolutely.

So we're going to have a love-hate relationship, Brian Daibald, because he's going to help develop Cam Ward that survived Brian Callahan and all this other stuff. And you know who also is going to be better because of Brian Dave all being in a building. Will Levis. He's going to get some of the best coaches he's ever gotten. He's probably going to bring some value, if anything, or at least show that he can play, especially during preseason when Brian starts rolling him out there to,

you know, work with the twos and whatever else. He's going to shine because he's getting some really good coaching. So at the end of the day, I think that Brian will have a ton of success here, really put his name in the forefront of the next team that's sucking, looking for some success, and they're going to come calling for Brian Dayball, roll out the red carpet for him, and he's going to be gone. You know what I mean?

So, you know, take advantage while we can. Put it this way. If it doesn't happen that way, then that means that this team struggle. Brian Dayball ain't on anybody's radar. So who cares anyway? Yeah, but if he does well and it's worth, the conversation of replacing, you know, some head coach that got fired, that meant that the Tennessee

Titans were kicking some booty. That's what that means. I wanted to get to two more questions here. Paddy Boy, 27. Would you trade this year's second round pick that's 35th overall? And next year's third for something like Marvin Harrison, Jr. Marvin Harrison, 41 catches a little over 600 yards, four touchdowns, but in Arizona right now. Is that too much to give up for somebody like? Kim or is that enough? Would you even consider that? Considering the kind of draft classes that Mike Borganzi has brought in, at least the first one that he brought in with the success he's had in later rounds? I mean, at this point, what, what 2025 showed you is that that cat can draft.

You know what I mean? So am I so, you know, strapped to the idea of getting veterans? You know what I mean? and I obviously can pick the litter from guys that aren't on people's radar, which is a good thing, you know what I mean? So maybe he sees a couple more third rounders, you know, that people aren't looking at and says, I can make some of that cat. Just let him fall to us at three, and I got you. This dude right here, he's going to be a baller.

Nobody even knows it. You know, he could have those, which makes the pursuit of a Marvin Harrison Jr., like, you know, did again, you can kept a guy like a Marvin Harrison Jr., that came out, Cache, a lot of expectation. Right. Really struggled early. I had some glimpses of potential, you know, that kind of stuff.

And really wants to show people, hey, I was just in a bad joint. I need to get the hell of out of there. And this is who I really am. I mean, George Pickens did that. George Pickens left Pittsburgh, right? The dysfunctional Pittsburgh went down to work with Dak Prescott, balled out. You know what I mean? And, you know, now they're talking about.

I'm all franchising him, you know what I mean? So until they can work out a long-term deal. So that can happen. You could find another spot like Tennessee potentially and all of a sudden just develop into the player that some of the scouts and the people in the media thought he was supposed to be. My last question, and we have a couple asking about your oiler and Titans' background as a player, Bhop.

There's a few in the chat. I don't know which one do you want to tackle here. There's one that Paddy Boy 27 has. has what's your favorite moment with the oilers? There's another one from MBJW9SS. It says, Brad, you're one of the handful of former Oilers, Titans, that played for both. What do you think of the new logo? I miss the oil, Derek.

Also, can you compare Warren Moon and Steve McNair? Which one of those would you rather tackle? Favorite memory or that question? Let's do the logo question because there's just memories. I mean, good God. Okay. MBJW9SS, again, says, Brad, you're one of the handful of former Oilers and Titans that played for both. What do you think of the new logo? And he put, I miss the oil, Derek.

Also, can you compare Warren Moon and Steve McNair? I love Warren Moon. Yeah. You know who I had a conversation about this three hours ago at the barbershop. Derek Mason. Derek's pissed. He said that color blue didn't go to the Super Bowl. It was the dark blue that went. So to take that aisle of colors, like, what are we doing here? He said people here in Tennessee don't know who to oilers work. You know what I mean?

It's like they know that it's some cool alternate jersey that people wear that says, you know, you support the franchise. Why? Because they once existed in the city of Houston. Oh, in the 60s. You know what I mean? All the way up until the 1990s, you know what I mean? We moved up here.

But other than that, you know, to. he didn't understand why we needed to pay so much homage to that part of this franchise's history in comparison to the franchise that actually came, opened up Adelphia Coliseum, went to the Super Bowl, went to three AFC championship games, and was highly respected within the league. Those were the colors that somehow are being forgotten. You know what I mean? So that was his take on it. Me, at first I was like, you know, if you want to do the oilers thing, just do the oilers thing. Be the oilers colors, the original oil of the colors.

It's not the darker shade of light blue that, you know, the Titans were rolling out to represent oilers. But the original colors with the red, the white, just take the old Derek off and put a power tea in it. I mean, now you're the Oilers, essentially. That may or may not work. You know what I mean? So I think that as close as they can come to it would be to have kind of like a represent like this. See, this right here. Yeah, yeah.

That, man, they don't want that forgotten. Derek doesn't want that forgetting. But for me, it's about this one. Hmm. That's the one. That's the one. That's the one. So he didn't want this history forgotten.

but it all started from where? Yeah, there it is. Classic. Yeah. Actually, Warren, Mojo Lacky was our equipment manager, one of our equipment managers. He passed away, and we put that sticker on our helmets to commemorate his passing. And we also did a whole episode on the logo. one of the more recent episodes

if you want to check it out on YouTube on the Titan Squad show. Behop even in that show had a makeup of a potential other kind of logo a little bit more battle-hardened like 300. Don't laugh when you say that? I'm not saying, I'm just telling the people where they can go find this stuff.

But yes, there is a battle-hardened 300-style logo Greek mythology. Behop He gives us take on some Greek mythology too if you want to hear Behop talk about that kind of stuff. He's not just well-versed in football, y'all. He's got some other stuff there, too.

All right, well, we wanted to thank you guys for listening to the Titan Squad Show again this week. Remember to like, comment, subscribe, wherever you may be, and join us live on YouTube twice a week. But for now, I'm Julian Minnesone. That's the legend, Brad Hopkins. See you guys at the Combine.