March 14, 2025 • 37 mins
It's been a busy week for the Titans and Amie Wells gets Jim Wyatt's free agency take on the OTP, presented by Farm Bureau Health Plans.
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Speaker 1 (00:11):
This is the OTP presented by Farm Bureau Health Plans
Farm Bureaus for those who make plans for everything except themselves.
We make it easy and affordable for Tennesseeans who do
not have a group or employer plan. Visit FBHP dot
com to learn more. I'm Ammy Wells, joined by Titans
Senior Editor Jim Wyatt, Free Agencies upon Us. Jim, how
(00:34):
are you feeling, man? It's been a wild week.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
It has been a busy week. I think doing the
quick math was at nine new arrivals one, two, three, four, five, six, seven,
eight re signings of our own guys yeah, one trade yeah,
one guy released yep, and then three others have joined
other teams in addition to the two that were released.
Speaker 1 (00:58):
So yeah, I mean, it's been a doozy. If you
have ESPN notifications, Tennessee Titans dot com notifications anything, I mean,
if your phone beeps when the Titans do something. Your
phone has been blowing up all week long. It's been wild.
So I figured that Jim, we should come in here
and just kind of talk through all of this stuff,
(01:20):
like get everything in order. I've got just piles of
paper that are absurd, So I figured we could kind
of try and lay everything out, help everybody understand what's what,
who goes where. Because free agency, I've always said, it's
kind of like Red Rover. Everybody just kind of runs
at each other and all of a sudden they're on
different teams and maybe you break your arm. Like everyone
(01:43):
just kind of mixes up and ends up in new places.
Speaker 2 (01:46):
Yes, and it's so much activity, Like I haven't really
been with sit down too much to look at what's
happened across the league. Obviously I've seen the big ones,
but I need to sit down at some point once
things calm down from our perspective, and who and up
with the forty nine ers, who's with the Texas? I
know the forty nine ers lost half their team, it
seems like what's happened in the division. And then of
(02:08):
course when the legal tampering pier, the no negotiating period
happened on Monday, Twitter decided to go down or X
whatever Elon Musk is calling it now, and so that
made things even more complicated from a keeping up standpoint.
But you know, and then of course some of these
deals get announced starting the week and then we're coming back,
(02:30):
you know, announcing them Thursday Friday, just because that's the
way league rules work. You can't really start scheduling visits
till Wednesday. We take the approach that we want these
guys to come in, take physicals, sign contracts, and be
in the facility. And that's happening obviously, all nine of
these guys. I've seen them in the building, seeing their
families in the building. I know they're just kind of
(02:51):
getting the lay of the land here and then now
moving forward as a Titan. So a lot of change
certainly here, a lot of change across the league. It's
a new day, and some tough decisions made on some
of our own guys who people really have grown to like.
And but that's the kind of the way the business is.
You know, you have to start over and we'll see
(03:13):
how this team comes together. The route is it's still early.
What is this still just March the Well that's what
I was fourteenth. I mean, we're still six months away
from playing a football game, and so this roster building
process is still in this infancy stage.
Speaker 1 (03:26):
Absolutely, and it's important to acknowledge before we go on.
It is Friday, March fourteenth, as we are recording this
That is important because if you're listening to this and
it's say Saturday Sunday a week from now, and you're saying, well,
they didn't talk about blank or what about this thing
that hasn't happened yet in the future. That's why it's
(03:47):
not on here, because this is a very fluid situation,
boys and girls. This is changing all the time. So
we are giving you an update as it stands middle
of the day on March the fourteenth, which is a Friday,
So keep that in mind as you listen going forward.
But hopefully things are going to kind of settle down
a little bit and we can all catch our breath,
figure out what's going on, what this roster looks like
(04:10):
as it stands right now, and then where we can
go going forward. So a little bit of I guess housekeeping.
That's kind of what it feels like when you do
extended contracts. It's just kind of keeping some of your
own just making sure they stick around.
Speaker 2 (04:22):
Right, That's right, that's exactly right. And that's happened to
guys who are exclusive free agents. That's happened to guys
who were just scheduled to be free agents under stricter
free agents guys that you keep, and most of these
guys are all these guys I think that we kept
on our own are all one year guys, one year
deals coming back.
Speaker 1 (04:38):
Yeah. So safety Mike Brown, corner Daryl Baker, long snapper
Morgan Cox, and offensive lineman Andrew Rupsich all extended contracts
with the Tennessee Titans. Did that surprise you at all? Jim?
Speaker 2 (04:49):
It didn't. Did you missing Condre Coburn because he was
order to process an order a couple of weeks ago? Yeah,
so set it more. Yeah, I mean, none of those
really surprised me. And I know a couple of exclusive
free agents who have not been resigned. Jack Gibbons, he
came to Clinton. A lot of people to ask about Gibbons.
I feel like maybe he's not coming back, he'll move on.
But some of these players, like I thought Baker played
(05:11):
really well last year, if they think that was a
kind of a no brainer to get him back. Obviously,
with the with the fluid situation at linebacker, Kenneth Murray
traded Cody Barton brought in You're bringing in Otis Reese
to give you more depth and compete with some other
young guys to play alongside Barton, and then you know
Brown's at a position safety where obviously some movement there too.
(05:33):
Rub Gets promising guy who's versatile, can play a lot
of different positions. Coburn, same type deal, versatile. Coaches really
like him. Keep going down this list. I know Morgan
Cox amazing. He just keeps keep signing one year contract
and keeps playing. He's had an unbelievable career. Uh, Corey Levin,
(05:54):
this team needs somebody to play center right now and
especially through the offseason. I think he'll compete again when
camp comes. And did you mention Sebastian Joseph Day.
Speaker 1 (06:03):
I did not. He was next on my list, but
I did find my piece of paper that was stuck
to the other piece of paper, So thank you for
keeping me in line, Jim Wyatt. Yeah, Sebastian Joseph Days
interesting And I want to kind of put him in
a separate cory him and Corey Levin because they've re
signed as opposed to contract extensions, and those are a
little bit different, right because they're getting brand new contracts
even though it is just for a year.
Speaker 2 (06:24):
Correct, that's correct? Yeah, and so and and the ones
that are a little tricky is the exclusive rights ones
because they you know, their tender amounts placed on those guys,
and what they what we've done with all those guys
is pretty much tear up, don't even offer the tender,
just rework one year deals. Same with with you know,
with with Levin and Joseph Day, they're just getting new
contracts at at you know, different amounts. Obviously, both of
(06:47):
them valuable in their own regard. Sebastian Joseph Day, I
thought stepped in here and did a great job last season,
and I know he had some interest from other teams,
wanted to come back here. Productive here, good guy. I
think you fit in the locker room well. Teammates really
liked the way he works. One of these guys who
who deals had dealt I think with adversity really well
(07:10):
and not letting negativity of a three and fourteen season
get to him or people around him. So that was
certainly a good move.
Speaker 1 (07:18):
Also, just a very interesting fellow, not for nothing, but
here on a podcast. We love the interesting guy. He's
like a renaissance man. He kind of does everything, he
has his own podcast. Very interesting guy. And then a
guy like Corey Levin is someone who are fans obviously
are familiar with. He's been in and out of here
three thousand times. It feels like Corey Levin just cannot
stay away from us. And now he's got this one year.
Speaker 2 (07:39):
Can Yeah, well I think it was a twenty seventeen
draft pick. Sure what crazy? And he played a stint here.
Then he bounced around obviously, went from the Patriots, went
to the Jets, went to the Bears. Stints there, back here.
Speaker 1 (07:50):
He can't quit us.
Speaker 2 (07:51):
Yeah, He's pay played a lot of games. And again,
I think his versatility is what makes him attractive. He
can play guard, he can play center. It just kind
of a tough, rugged guy who you know, some people
might have might say he's an overachiever. He's a sixth
round draft pick out of Chattanooga and here we are
in twenty twenty five. He's still in the league.
Speaker 1 (08:12):
Solid career. Now, you mentioned when we started this that
there was a trade, and that's a little little spice
that everyone gets excited about. The trade was Kenneth Murray
traded to the Dallas Cowboys for a sixth round pick.
So the Titans received the Cowboys sixth round pick number
one eighty eight in exchange. Dallas received Kenneth Murray and
(08:33):
the Titans seventh round pick number two thirty nine. So
were you surprised that there was any trades that happened.
Speaker 2 (08:41):
Well, I think with Murray it was a situation where
you're either releasing him or you're trading him. And the
Titans got in a situation where once they got Cody Barton,
who is a three down linebacker from Denver, a little
bit different from a style standpoint, just the way he plays,
but they like, you know, his sideline to sideline ability,
(09:02):
just his instincts he can call the defense, and uh,
with Murray, just I think the two of them together
just was not gonna fit. And I think just from
a philosophical standpoint, just what you want to do with
that position once you got Barton, and I think you're
maybe trying to groom uh, some other guys to play
alongside of him, and we'll see who steps up. James Williams,
(09:23):
Cedric Gray. We mentioned old series. I mean, there's several
candidates in there that compete and we could still succeee
some additions there. But I think at that point, then okay,
what do you do with Murray? And I think he
potentially had a contract situation coming up where he had
had a bonus up coming, and again he had a
pretty hefty salary, So you're either making a move to
(09:43):
release him or you're trying to get something for him.
And the Titans were able to move up into the
sixth round and swap that seventh round pick, get something
for him, and you may end up getting a better
player in the draft as a result of it.
Speaker 1 (09:55):
So for those keeping score at home, the Tennessee Titans
picks in the draft coming up late April April twenty
fourth is when it starts twenty twenty five. Here are
the picks as it stands today again March fourteenth. They
picked number one in the first round. They pick number
thirty five in the second round, pick one oh three
(10:16):
in the fourth round, one twenty in the fourth round,
one forty one in the fifth round, one sixty seven
in the fifth round, one seventy eight in the sixth,
and one eighty eight in the sixth. So a first
round pick, a second round pick, No. Third, two in
the fourth, two in the fifth, two in the sixth, No. Seventh.
That is how it stands today. Jim, how do you
(10:40):
how similar do you think that looks to what's actually
going to happen in late April.
Speaker 2 (10:45):
That's a great question because this teammate, Mike Bargonzi's made
no secret of it, NI is Chad Brinker that they
want to accumulate as mini draft picks as possible, whether
that's in the first round, whatever round that's going to be.
That fourth round pick is a very valuable pick at
the very top of the fourth round, and people look
at those picks, you know, the Tits are not first
in every round, just because of the tie breaking procedures.
(11:05):
I know that's confusing to some people because they say,
I thought we were picking. Put that list out or
in the week, and people saw the Titans are picking
third in the second and thought, I thought the Titans
were first in every round. That's not the way it works, Yes,
because of the tie breakers, and because a couple of
other teams finished with a three and fourteen records you
have to cycle through so here to share with all
the other Yes, but the way it works out is
(11:28):
you got the first pick on the first day, and
then you got the first pick on day three in
the fourth round, and so that's a valuable pick as well.
So we'll see if you can either pick the best
player that's available to start that round, or if you've
got some teams wanting to get aggressive and move up,
you could accumulate picks that way. But a lot of
time between now and the draft, a lot of conversations
(11:49):
still to be had, a lot of teams still trying
to figure out how aggressive they want to get in
coming after potentially a quarterback. And I don't think sitting
sitting here now that Titans know exactly how things are
going to enfold unfold, you don't really get an idea
of how desperate a team is or what a team's
willing to do until it gets closer to crunch time.
(12:09):
So we'll see. I mean, that's what is that eight picks?
Speaker 1 (12:12):
That is eight picks.
Speaker 2 (12:13):
We'll see how that ends up in late April.
Speaker 1 (12:17):
It is interesting though, after you get through the first
seventy two ish hours of the first wave of free agency,
so the start of the new league year, Happy new
league year, by the way, into about Friday ish Friday Saturday.
Once the dust kind of settles after that first initial
crazy wave, you start to see an idea of how
(12:38):
the scales have recalibrated and how picks in certain rounds
all of the sudden feel like they have a lot
more kind of dollar amount or weight to them, whereas
before everything's just kind of evened out, and it's kind of,
you know, we want to have as many picks as
we can now certain rounds. To your point talking about
that early in the fourth round pick and things that
(12:59):
can happen on Day three, especially in this draft, with
this class overall that's so heavily weighted towards like the
middle part of that draft, right, I think it's going
to be really interesting to watch how teams start to
negotiate in some of the things we start hearing churning
just in social media and beyond. It's going to be
(13:20):
really interesting to watch how things unfold as we get
closer to April.
Speaker 2 (13:24):
Yeah, it really is. And then as a draft itself,
you just never know where the run's coming, and you
know whether whether there's gonna be the run on the
d lineman and the running box and the and name
the position, and that causes teams to to want to
make moves to make sure they don't miss out on
a guy. So anything can happen once the draft gets going.
Speaker 1 (13:45):
Gosh, I can't wait. April twenty fourth is when the
draft starts. That is a Thursday. There's gonna be all
kinds of stuff, by the way, so keep your eyes
to Tendency Titans dot com. We've got all kinds of
stuff going on as it relates to the draft. It's
gonna be a good time because thes as it stands
right now on Friday, March fourteenth, are picking number one,
(14:05):
which is.
Speaker 2 (14:05):
Exciting, But you don't want to be picking one every
year because you know you earn that number one pick
by finishing three and fourteen. So I think best case sneers,
you pick some you know, you do some good work
to saft seed and you continue to approve you're not
picking first every year, and but got to play well
on Sundays in the fall.
Speaker 1 (14:25):
Yeah, and then we all take a nap because it's
a lot of work having a first round pick. This summer.
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(15:10):
Now back to the OTP. Let's get onto the additions
to this rock. We've talked about all the people we're
kind of hanging on to keeping around. Now, let's talk
about some of the new kids on the block because
there are a lot of them, and I guess the
place that we should start, Well, do you want me
to just listen them to you? I'm going to list
them to you. We have tackle Dan Moore, guard, Kevin Zeitler,
(15:34):
offensive lineman Blake Hants, linebacker Cody Barton, punter Johnny Hecker,
safety Xavier Woods, outside linebacker Draymont Jones, wide receiver Van Jefferson,
and quarterback Brandon Allen Jim Wyatt. A lot of diversity
on that list, a lot of different position groups being
addressed in a pretty small amount of time for this
(15:54):
Titan team, right, yes, and.
Speaker 2 (15:56):
Now, obviously the biggest movement is offensive line. I mean,
you hadd and more, who's a left tackle, is going
to play left tackle for this team, and his his
addition means that JC Latham is going to bump to
the right side, which is I think his strength. He
played left last year because that was the best option
for him in the team, but I think I think
(16:16):
his best position in the league is going to be
at right tackle, so that you kind of get two
moves in one. And then obviously Zeitler a guard. He
played in the league for a long time, still playing
at a really high level. Talking to him a buddy
of mine in Detroit this morning about that. So he's
a great guy, certainly, hard working guy, good locker room guy,
(16:40):
you know, will be good for the young players in
the room. Uh. And then and then Hans who has
played in the league for a while. He can play guard,
he can play tackle. I think he's played every position
on the line except for center, so you got a
lot of versatility there. We talked about leven, so that's
you know, a lot of movement at that position. But
should be better. I mean, and certainly more. You know,
(17:04):
maybe was not ranked as one of the top linemen
in this free agency class, but certainly a quality player
who has played a heck of a lot of snaps
in this league still has the potential to get better.
Having a coach like Bill Callahan will help him get better,
and I think he's excited about that. And I think
(17:26):
the line should be a lot better in twenty twenty five.
Speaker 1 (17:30):
A lot of guys with a lot of experience, and
a lot of really durable guys too. I mean, Dan
Moore sixty six out of sixty eight starts, I mean,
that's incredible. Guys who've been in the league for a
really long time and have been consistent players. Does that
speak to what they're trying to do with this team,
(17:50):
which is infuse some veteran leadership, infuse some durable, consistent,
reliable players and what was last year a really young
offensive line.
Speaker 2 (18:00):
Yeah, I think so. I think across the board, I
think that what stands out to me the most about
this group so far as just how many games they've played,
how durable they are, how you know, they say the
best ability is availability, and all these guys have shown
that they can stay on the field and play and
battle through injuries and take care of themselves. And as
(18:21):
we all know, this team's had a bad run of
luck with the guys end up on injured reserve or
heard or not able to play. And you hope the
trend of these guys being able to play and be
available continues here in Tennessee. But I think up front,
that's what they did. I think across the board, I
think all these guys have that same quality.
Speaker 1 (18:42):
Some interesting additions on the defensive side of the ball
to especially in that kind of linebacker and also outside
linebacker spot. Were you surprised that there were that many
people brought in to be on the defensive side. Were
you thinking there'd be more offense only?
Speaker 2 (18:58):
Additions about plugging holes? And I know, again it's March
the fourteenth, we're a long way away from playing. But
you look at you look at the depth chart, and
you look what you have available, and there are certain
positions where you just have to get guys and have
to start filling some holes. Obviously, we still got a
ways to go. You got the draft. I think one
(19:19):
thing that we probably can't talk about enough is this
team Number one in the waiver wire claim. So you're
gonna be able to add players along the course of
the off season that way, especially when we get down
to roster cuts. I mean a lot of things are
going to play out and as far as competition goes,
you know in OTA's and mini camp and training camp,
(19:41):
but once roster cuts are made, you could see a
number of players sign then and then you're just trying
to upgrade the roster as much as possible. So I
think now I don't look as much about how many
guys on offense, how many guys on defense. I look
more at Okay, you need spots at certain positions. Still
we'll look at positions where you need help. I mean
(20:02):
wide receiver, there's still incredibly thinned even with the additions
at Van Jefferson and and I think tight end, edge rusher,
depth on the D line still a ways to go
to and the big question novice at quarterback two still
long ways to go here in the off season, Well, let's.
Speaker 1 (20:22):
Talk about Van Jefferson a little bit, because you brought
him up. Exciting to see a local guy who we
are familiar with because of his dad who was a
coach here. He was wide receiver's coach for the Tennessee
Titans from twenty thirteen to twenty fifteen. Exciting to see
him kind of return. I don't know if he considers
at home because I mean, but he went to high
(20:43):
school here, so.
Speaker 2 (20:44):
I guess it counts right, yep, Yeah, and certainly his
dad has a big personality. I remember Sean from his
days here, and I still remember seeing Sean at the
Super Bowl in Los Angeles when he was watching his
son play. He was I saw him in the stands,
and I think Van Van's wife had one of their
children the day of the Super Bowl, if I'm not mistaken. Yes,
(21:08):
But then when I saw him walking through the through
the building this morning, the odds are pretty good he's
gonna have a baby in the Super Bowl. I think
that four or five kids, they look like they're all
six and under, A good looking family. He's got so
so uh so a great success story for him. I
mean know he I still remember when he was coming
(21:29):
up out of out of high school as a top
recruit and ended up going to I think did he
start at Florida.
Speaker 1 (21:36):
And then went to Florida?
Speaker 2 (21:39):
So so I had a good, good career drafted already
in the draft. Uh, doesn't have huge numbers from last year.
I think if you look at his career numbers, UH,
they're very similar to Nick Westbrook Kina except for the touchdowns.
He'll get opportunities here. As things stand now, we don't
know what else is coming to that position. But he's
(22:00):
a little faster. He's not as maybe big and physical
as Nick, but he's faster. And I think one thing
Mike Braganzi's talked about is just want to add a
speed element to this roster, and that's what he brings.
So it'd be fun to watch him, and it'd be
fun to see if his halft and his dad checks
in on him.
Speaker 1 (22:19):
It'll probably be a lot I would. I mean, why not,
you know, it's so convenient. Well, let's talk about who
will be getting the ball to him potentially, and that's
quarterback Brandon Allen. Guy's got ten starts over the last
nine seasons, has been in a couple different places, most
recently with the forty nine ers. What is the role
that you expect him to have on this team.
Speaker 2 (22:38):
I think that kind of remains to be seen. I mean,
right now, look at him, and I mean we still
are going to have to wait and see what happens
at quarterback, and I think certainly based on what this
team has done, now I understand why seems like everybody says, well,
the Titans are picking a quarterback at number one, And
(23:00):
I think still it's too early to just make that
a declaration and just write that in with a sharpie,
because you still don't know what's going to happen through
this process. As Titans are still doing their homework on
these guys are going to go to pro days, they're
going to have private workouts, they've had them in the building,
and they've got to make sure that this is a
guy that they would trust with the first pick. And
(23:22):
at the same time, you still don't know what other
teams are going to do as far as an offer goes.
You're not gona get a serious contract or a serious
trade offer until you get closer to the draft. So
if somebody blows the teams, blows the Titans out of
the way, and they get an offer they can't pass up,
then I think that's still the possibility to trade that pick.
(23:44):
So right now you can't say for sure what's happened
at one, But let's say that that's where the Titans go.
Then I think Brandon Allen and Will Levis are competing
for the number two spot on this team, and the
winner ends up being the backup or and we'll see
(24:04):
how that goes. I know that Mason Rudolph was in
the mix. Uh, Brian Callahan talked about that with the combine.
Some people scoffed at it. It ended up being Mason
was down to the Titans and the Steelers and ended
up going to Pittsburgh because he got a better deal
there and I think he felt like it's a good
opportunity for him. So Brandon Allen ends up here somebody
(24:26):
that Brian Callahan was with previously in Cincinnati, and you know,
we'll see how that plays out. You know, Lewis talked
to him at the Super Bowl. Certainly know Mike Burgansi
and Brian Callahan said they're gonna give him. I have
very opportunity to win the job. I know he's working
this offseason with Jordan Palmer right in California. Jordan Palmer,
(24:49):
the quarterbacks coach, has worked with a lot of other guys,
and we'll see what his mindset is coming back here.
And I'm sure he's curious to see how all this
is gonna play out.
Speaker 1 (24:57):
Yeah, and I know fans are I mean, the number
one thing I'm asked about still is the quarterback position.
No matter what what we're going to do. Are we
going to bring someone in? Are we going to pick
somebody is or someone already here? What are we going
to do? But I think it's important to note that
when Brian Callahan said he was going to do his
due diligence, this is exactly what he was talking about,
no stone unturned thing, the searching high and low, making
(25:21):
sure that we evaluate every single option that we have.
This is what we're living in right now. They are
doing exactly what they said they were going to do.
So let us live in that. Let's enjoy that. We
know that everyone is being thorough, really taking this seriously,
really wanting to do what's best for the Titans going forward.
And this is going to play out well into training camp.
(25:43):
Like this is not going to be done at the
end of April or at the end of May or
at the end of June. My friends, We're going all
the way through with this thing.
Speaker 2 (25:52):
Yeah, and we may not know the faces until you
know who the real players are what the competition is
going to look like until then, because there's nobody's saying
thing to me about it. But I obviously aware that
there may be some other guys available that are currently
on other teams, whether that's via trade or wondering what
their status is going to be like, either before or
(26:13):
after the draft. So a lot of movements still out
their position. There are a couple of free agent quarterbacks
who have not landed somewhere else. I don't necessarily think
they're coming here, you know, the Anon Rodgers of the world,
or the or certainly others that are out there, Russell Wilson,
but where they end up going will affect this team
(26:35):
and impact other teams in this draft and what they
might be willing to do from a trade offer standpoint.
So lot, lot still to be determined.
Speaker 1 (26:45):
Yeah, So everybody just hang on, in the words of
coach Mac, keep your powder dry, because we have a
long way to go, and I think everybody's losing their
marbles about this quarterback thing, and we don't need to
not yet. It's too early. It's only March fourteenth, long
way to go.
Speaker 2 (27:00):
Guys.
Speaker 1 (27:01):
Other positions we need to talk about. I want to
make sure we mentioned safety Xavier Woods because I mean
he's an eight year veteran. He didn't miss a defensive
snap in twenty twenty four. Another really durable addition to
this team who already has a relationship with Jerry Sneed.
He feels like there might be some synergy there.
Speaker 2 (27:19):
Yeah, and again you mentioned as a durability just to
available to play in Titans. Again, had some tough luck
there bringing digs and he he had a tough, tough year.
So Moni Hooker, you know, has had some years where
he's missed some games. So what you're looking forward is
guys who can step in and play. He's made some
(27:41):
plays in his career, been available, been a very productive player,
and I think the peering with him and Amani Hooker
for now as it looks like it's going to be
pretty solid, and we talk about Mike Brown being in
that mix as well.
Speaker 1 (27:54):
Also want to acknowledge punter Johnny Hecker who is now
a part of this team. He he feels like a
good fit for this team, maybe because of his relationship
with new special teams coordinator.
Speaker 2 (28:07):
Yes sim and John Fossil worked together for a long
time with the Rams and UH you know, I think
everybody was sad to see Ryan Stonehouse go such a
popular great kid, worked his butt off when he had
his ACL injury. He's got an incredible leg. I mean,
it's crazy just how from a punter standpoint here we've
had so many popular punters, and usually people don't like
(28:30):
punters because they've tired of seeing him come out on
the field. But Craig Hentrick was kind of like that
when the team first got here. Brett Kern very popular
guy with the fan base, and Ryan Stonehouse steps in
and and you know, did everything right, And certainly there
were some parts of his game that he he knows
he has to work on when he talked about it
(28:50):
when last season ended, directional punting being one of them.
Sometime just being able to do a better job of
penning teams down closer to the goal line. Not all
that's on him. I mean, obviously the net average went
down last year, but with the guy like Hecker, four year,
four time All Pro, four time Pro bowler, certainly has
(29:16):
had an incredible career and has proven that he can
do all the things that maybe some of them at
Ryan's Stonehouse is still working on. So he was a good.
I know it was tough to see Ryan Stonehouse go.
But Johnny Hecker certainly puts the team in good hands
at that position. And he's a giant, He's about sixty
(29:37):
five six six. And I think what's gonna be interesting
to him is because you mentioned John Fossil, he just
has a reputation for being kind of a innovative risk
taker on special teams. We'll be curious to see whether
he dials some things up for Hecker where people are saying,
what the Hecker.
Speaker 1 (29:56):
No, jem I knew that you were setting me up
for something there the way you were talking. There was
a twinkle in your eye.
Speaker 2 (30:05):
I knew it. I knew it was coming.
Speaker 1 (30:08):
I knew there was something coming. Oh gosh, So let's
take this time to first pause for that joke.
Speaker 2 (30:17):
But then also that was.
Speaker 1 (30:20):
An epic dad joke. Hey Titans fans, with a Kroger
Boost membership, you'll score big with double fuel points, free delivery,
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for details. Kroger, the official grocer of the Tennessee Titans.
Tighten up the OTP presented by Farm Bureau Health Plans
(30:41):
when it's game day for your health coverage. Trust Farm
Bureau Health plans to draw up a winning play for you.
They've been covering Tennesseeans for nearly eighty years now. Back
to the OTP, let's zoom out a little bit here,
So we are still getting to know this Titan's personal
staff a little bit, Mike Bergonzi and the crew. I mean,
(31:03):
there's a lot of new changes down there. And as
we look at this first kind of wave of free
agency for the Tennessee Titans, do we feel like we
have a better understanding of what they're looking for in
terms of what a Titan is well, I.
Speaker 2 (31:20):
Think certainly they're on the same page. And this has
been a long process in a short period of time
because a lot of these guys have been together for
a month, month and a half and they've spent so
much time together. They spent three weeks in the same
room leading up to the combine, and then so many
meetings talking about draft picks, free agency, what they're doing
(31:43):
with this current roster. I mean, I think, just again,
the theme I think of what they're looking for now
is just guys who can be durable and maybe be
versatile and can help you think they continue to look
for guys with speed. We'll say this. I mean it
has been very active from a free agency standpoint. Nine
guys signed during the first first week of free agency.
(32:06):
I don't think it's always going to be like that,
you know, in the years moving forward, I think what
you want to do to try to build this thing
the way you know that again, Mike Braganci and had
a Brinker described it as you're going to build it
through the draft. So now it's about plugging holes, looking
at the depth chart, looking at what you have serious
needs for and trying to draft those. And now I
(32:29):
think as you go forward, you got a draft well,
and then you're again trying to re sign your own
guys and then making the tough decision of letting some
guys go. But I think in future years, I don't
think you're going to see this team being that aggressive
and that involved in free agency. But right now they've
(32:50):
got no choice. I mean, a bad roster at the
start of this offseason and a lot of holes, and
you can't do everything to the draft, and you you
certainly can't rebuild an offensive line counting in the draft.
You need some veterans in the mix there.
Speaker 1 (33:06):
Yeah, yeah, I think you're one hundred percent right. I
think that this is a product of kind of where
this team is for a variety of different reasons. But
there's a bit of a foundation rebuild that's happening right now,
and hopefully these guys that have been added to this
team are going to be a big part of that.
And so then after you get that set and established,
then you start to add on with the draft, and
(33:28):
then you go forward with the new philosophy. But you've
got to get plug the holes in the boat before
you can go anywhere.
Speaker 2 (33:34):
Right, And again, a lot of these are one year
deals and not a lot of big money deals, Like
you know, the Dan Moore deal obviously is a big contract,
but after that, all of them pretty modest contracts and
and you know what appear to be short term answers
until you find long term solutions. And certainly some of
(33:55):
these guys could do enough this year, well they earn
themselves back, you know, on another and themselves another contract
now next off season. But right now it's just all
about trying to build the best you can and then
again supplementing in the draft.
Speaker 1 (34:10):
So what's next calendar wise? What do you have coming up, Jimmy, Well, we.
Speaker 2 (34:14):
Got Pro Day's coming up. I know, Miami, I think
is a week from Monday.
Speaker 1 (34:21):
YEP.
Speaker 2 (34:21):
Owners meeting is coming up at the end of that week.
Colorado's Pro Day is coming up. Penn State's Pro Day
is obviously coming up. Don't know for sure doing that one,
but anticipate going to a couple of those, and then
and made hotel reservation for Green Bay recently, so that'll
(34:44):
be a point of So off season program starts what
April the twenty second, the week the draft starts, so
a lot still on the horizon during what's been on
an already really busy off season. YEP.
Speaker 1 (35:00):
So if you're not reading Jim White stories in Tennessee
Titans dot com, what's wrong with you? Go do that.
He's got all the coverage from hotel rooms just across
the country. I mean, the man's going to be everywhere.
But really, Tennessee Titans dot Com Jim White stuff, he's
covering everything that you could ever possibly want to know
about the Tennessee Titans. And at j Wyatt Sports he
(35:22):
tweets a bunch of stuff too, So on Twitter and Instagram,
at jas Instagram.
Speaker 2 (35:26):
That's right, that's right, Twitter, Instagram and uh and uh
I'm one. I'm also on threads with at J White
sports blue Sky. You ever heard of blue Sky? I'm
on blue Sky too?
Speaker 1 (35:41):
Are you the trendiest person alive?
Speaker 2 (35:43):
Like?
Speaker 1 (35:43):
What are these things? Blue Sky?
Speaker 2 (35:46):
Well, some people for one reason or another have boycotted
Twitter and uh and blue Sky is kind of the
alternative to Twitter.
Speaker 1 (35:55):
Okay, So what is threads then? Because I thought threads
was like twittery.
Speaker 2 (36:00):
Threads is like Twitter. It's it's more in the Instagram family.
Some of the stuff from Instagram Instagram gets gets created
by threads.
Speaker 1 (36:12):
Also, are there illustrations.
Speaker 2 (36:15):
Usually it's photos like you can set up your Instagram
where you can when you publish it out, it'll also
publish out to threads. But you can also post stories
to threads. And people are looking for different alternatives. And
I'm not going to boycott X. I think that's where
most people live. That's where I've got most of my followers.
But I do respect people's opinions who want to get
(36:38):
away from X, and so I try to. I'm not
quite as active on Blue Sky, but I'll drop my
stories in there as well. Along with Facebook, Facebook has limitations,
although it's it's tough to stomach Facebook these days.
Speaker 1 (36:52):
Yeah, there's a lot going on there. Well, Facebook is
the only word you said that I know in the
last probably forty five seconds. So that tells you how
old I am. Jim Well good, so you can get
Jim on every social media platform that you possibly could
want at No dancing, no dancing, no, Well, there you go.
(37:15):
Maybe that's for the best for Jim Wyatt. I'm Amy
Wells and this has been the o TP
This is the OTP presented by Farm Bureau Health Plans
Farm Bureaus for those who make plans for everything except themselves.
We make it easy and affordable for Tennesseeans who do
not have a group or employer plan. Visit FBHP dot
com to learn more. I'm Ammy Wells, joined by Titans
Senior Editor Jim Wyatt, Free Agencies upon Us. Jim, how
(00:34):
are you feeling, man? It's been a wild week.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
It has been a busy week. I think doing the
quick math was at nine new arrivals one, two, three, four, five, six, seven,
eight re signings of our own guys yeah, one trade yeah,
one guy released yep, and then three others have joined
other teams in addition to the two that were released.
Speaker 1 (00:58):
So yeah, I mean, it's been a doozy. If you
have ESPN notifications, Tennessee Titans dot com notifications anything, I mean,
if your phone beeps when the Titans do something. Your
phone has been blowing up all week long. It's been wild.
So I figured that Jim, we should come in here
and just kind of talk through all of this stuff,
(01:20):
like get everything in order. I've got just piles of
paper that are absurd, So I figured we could kind
of try and lay everything out, help everybody understand what's what,
who goes where. Because free agency, I've always said, it's
kind of like Red Rover. Everybody just kind of runs
at each other and all of a sudden they're on
different teams and maybe you break your arm. Like everyone
(01:43):
just kind of mixes up and ends up in new places.
Speaker 2 (01:46):
Yes, and it's so much activity, Like I haven't really
been with sit down too much to look at what's
happened across the league. Obviously I've seen the big ones,
but I need to sit down at some point once
things calm down from our perspective, and who and up
with the forty nine ers, who's with the Texas? I
know the forty nine ers lost half their team, it
seems like what's happened in the division. And then of
(02:08):
course when the legal tampering pier, the no negotiating period
happened on Monday, Twitter decided to go down or X
whatever Elon Musk is calling it now, and so that
made things even more complicated from a keeping up standpoint.
But you know, and then of course some of these
deals get announced starting the week and then we're coming back,
(02:30):
you know, announcing them Thursday Friday, just because that's the
way league rules work. You can't really start scheduling visits
till Wednesday. We take the approach that we want these
guys to come in, take physicals, sign contracts, and be
in the facility. And that's happening obviously, all nine of
these guys. I've seen them in the building, seeing their
families in the building. I know they're just kind of
(02:51):
getting the lay of the land here and then now
moving forward as a Titan. So a lot of change
certainly here, a lot of change across the league. It's
a new day, and some tough decisions made on some
of our own guys who people really have grown to like.
And but that's the kind of the way the business is.
You know, you have to start over and we'll see
(03:13):
how this team comes together. The route is it's still early.
What is this still just March the Well that's what
I was fourteenth. I mean, we're still six months away
from playing a football game, and so this roster building
process is still in this infancy stage.
Speaker 1 (03:26):
Absolutely, and it's important to acknowledge before we go on.
It is Friday, March fourteenth, as we are recording this
That is important because if you're listening to this and
it's say Saturday Sunday a week from now, and you're saying, well,
they didn't talk about blank or what about this thing
that hasn't happened yet in the future. That's why it's
(03:47):
not on here, because this is a very fluid situation,
boys and girls. This is changing all the time. So
we are giving you an update as it stands middle
of the day on March the fourteenth, which is a Friday,
So keep that in mind as you listen going forward.
But hopefully things are going to kind of settle down
a little bit and we can all catch our breath,
figure out what's going on, what this roster looks like
(04:10):
as it stands right now, and then where we can
go going forward. So a little bit of I guess housekeeping.
That's kind of what it feels like when you do
extended contracts. It's just kind of keeping some of your
own just making sure they stick around.
Speaker 2 (04:22):
Right, That's right, that's exactly right. And that's happened to
guys who are exclusive free agents. That's happened to guys
who were just scheduled to be free agents under stricter
free agents guys that you keep, and most of these
guys are all these guys I think that we kept
on our own are all one year guys, one year
deals coming back.
Speaker 1 (04:38):
Yeah. So safety Mike Brown, corner Daryl Baker, long snapper
Morgan Cox, and offensive lineman Andrew Rupsich all extended contracts
with the Tennessee Titans. Did that surprise you at all? Jim?
Speaker 2 (04:49):
It didn't. Did you missing Condre Coburn because he was
order to process an order a couple of weeks ago? Yeah,
so set it more. Yeah, I mean, none of those
really surprised me. And I know a couple of exclusive
free agents who have not been resigned. Jack Gibbons, he
came to Clinton. A lot of people to ask about Gibbons.
I feel like maybe he's not coming back, he'll move on.
But some of these players, like I thought Baker played
(05:11):
really well last year, if they think that was a
kind of a no brainer to get him back. Obviously,
with the with the fluid situation at linebacker, Kenneth Murray
traded Cody Barton brought in You're bringing in Otis Reese
to give you more depth and compete with some other
young guys to play alongside Barton, and then you know
Brown's at a position safety where obviously some movement there too.
(05:33):
Rub Gets promising guy who's versatile, can play a lot
of different positions. Coburn, same type deal, versatile. Coaches really
like him. Keep going down this list. I know Morgan
Cox amazing. He just keeps keep signing one year contract
and keeps playing. He's had an unbelievable career. Uh, Corey Levin,
(05:54):
this team needs somebody to play center right now and
especially through the offseason. I think he'll compete again when
camp comes. And did you mention Sebastian Joseph Day.
Speaker 1 (06:03):
I did not. He was next on my list, but
I did find my piece of paper that was stuck
to the other piece of paper, So thank you for
keeping me in line, Jim Wyatt. Yeah, Sebastian Joseph Days
interesting And I want to kind of put him in
a separate cory him and Corey Levin because they've re
signed as opposed to contract extensions, and those are a
little bit different, right because they're getting brand new contracts
even though it is just for a year.
Speaker 2 (06:24):
Correct, that's correct? Yeah, and so and and the ones
that are a little tricky is the exclusive rights ones
because they you know, their tender amounts placed on those guys,
and what they what we've done with all those guys
is pretty much tear up, don't even offer the tender,
just rework one year deals. Same with with you know,
with with Levin and Joseph Day, they're just getting new
contracts at at you know, different amounts. Obviously, both of
(06:47):
them valuable in their own regard. Sebastian Joseph Day, I
thought stepped in here and did a great job last season,
and I know he had some interest from other teams,
wanted to come back here. Productive here, good guy. I
think you fit in the locker room well. Teammates really
liked the way he works. One of these guys who
who deals had dealt I think with adversity really well
(07:10):
and not letting negativity of a three and fourteen season
get to him or people around him. So that was
certainly a good move.
Speaker 1 (07:18):
Also, just a very interesting fellow, not for nothing, but
here on a podcast. We love the interesting guy. He's
like a renaissance man. He kind of does everything, he
has his own podcast. Very interesting guy. And then a
guy like Corey Levin is someone who are fans obviously
are familiar with. He's been in and out of here
three thousand times. It feels like Corey Levin just cannot
stay away from us. And now he's got this one year.
Speaker 2 (07:39):
Can Yeah, well I think it was a twenty seventeen
draft pick. Sure what crazy? And he played a stint here.
Then he bounced around obviously, went from the Patriots, went
to the Jets, went to the Bears. Stints there, back here.
Speaker 1 (07:50):
He can't quit us.
Speaker 2 (07:51):
Yeah, He's pay played a lot of games. And again,
I think his versatility is what makes him attractive. He
can play guard, he can play center. It just kind
of a tough, rugged guy who you know, some people
might have might say he's an overachiever. He's a sixth
round draft pick out of Chattanooga and here we are
in twenty twenty five. He's still in the league.
Speaker 1 (08:12):
Solid career. Now, you mentioned when we started this that
there was a trade, and that's a little little spice
that everyone gets excited about. The trade was Kenneth Murray
traded to the Dallas Cowboys for a sixth round pick.
So the Titans received the Cowboys sixth round pick number
one eighty eight in exchange. Dallas received Kenneth Murray and
(08:33):
the Titans seventh round pick number two thirty nine. So
were you surprised that there was any trades that happened.
Speaker 2 (08:41):
Well, I think with Murray it was a situation where
you're either releasing him or you're trading him. And the
Titans got in a situation where once they got Cody Barton,
who is a three down linebacker from Denver, a little
bit different from a style standpoint, just the way he plays,
but they like, you know, his sideline to sideline ability,
(09:02):
just his instincts he can call the defense, and uh,
with Murray, just I think the two of them together
just was not gonna fit. And I think just from
a philosophical standpoint, just what you want to do with
that position once you got Barton, and I think you're
maybe trying to groom uh, some other guys to play
alongside of him, and we'll see who steps up. James Williams,
(09:23):
Cedric Gray. We mentioned old series. I mean, there's several
candidates in there that compete and we could still succeee
some additions there. But I think at that point, then okay,
what do you do with Murray? And I think he
potentially had a contract situation coming up where he had
had a bonus up coming, and again he had a
pretty hefty salary, So you're either making a move to
(09:43):
release him or you're trying to get something for him.
And the Titans were able to move up into the
sixth round and swap that seventh round pick, get something
for him, and you may end up getting a better
player in the draft as a result of it.
Speaker 1 (09:55):
So for those keeping score at home, the Tennessee Titans
picks in the draft coming up late April April twenty
fourth is when it starts twenty twenty five. Here are
the picks as it stands today again March fourteenth. They
picked number one in the first round. They pick number
thirty five in the second round, pick one oh three
(10:16):
in the fourth round, one twenty in the fourth round,
one forty one in the fifth round, one sixty seven
in the fifth round, one seventy eight in the sixth,
and one eighty eight in the sixth. So a first
round pick, a second round pick, No. Third, two in
the fourth, two in the fifth, two in the sixth, No. Seventh.
That is how it stands today. Jim, how do you
(10:40):
how similar do you think that looks to what's actually
going to happen in late April.
Speaker 2 (10:45):
That's a great question because this teammate, Mike Bargonzi's made
no secret of it, NI is Chad Brinker that they
want to accumulate as mini draft picks as possible, whether
that's in the first round, whatever round that's going to be.
That fourth round pick is a very valuable pick at
the very top of the fourth round, and people look
at those picks, you know, the Tits are not first
in every round, just because of the tie breaking procedures.
(11:05):
I know that's confusing to some people because they say,
I thought we were picking. Put that list out or
in the week, and people saw the Titans are picking
third in the second and thought, I thought the Titans
were first in every round. That's not the way it works, Yes,
because of the tie breakers, and because a couple of
other teams finished with a three and fourteen records you
have to cycle through so here to share with all
the other Yes, but the way it works out is
(11:28):
you got the first pick on the first day, and
then you got the first pick on day three in
the fourth round, and so that's a valuable pick as well.
So we'll see if you can either pick the best
player that's available to start that round, or if you've
got some teams wanting to get aggressive and move up,
you could accumulate picks that way. But a lot of
time between now and the draft, a lot of conversations
(11:49):
still to be had, a lot of teams still trying
to figure out how aggressive they want to get in
coming after potentially a quarterback. And I don't think sitting
sitting here now that Titans know exactly how things are
going to enfold unfold, you don't really get an idea
of how desperate a team is or what a team's
willing to do until it gets closer to crunch time.
(12:09):
So we'll see. I mean, that's what is that eight picks?
Speaker 1 (12:12):
That is eight picks.
Speaker 2 (12:13):
We'll see how that ends up in late April.
Speaker 1 (12:17):
It is interesting though, after you get through the first
seventy two ish hours of the first wave of free agency,
so the start of the new league year, Happy new
league year, by the way, into about Friday ish Friday Saturday.
Once the dust kind of settles after that first initial
crazy wave, you start to see an idea of how
(12:38):
the scales have recalibrated and how picks in certain rounds
all of the sudden feel like they have a lot
more kind of dollar amount or weight to them, whereas
before everything's just kind of evened out, and it's kind of,
you know, we want to have as many picks as
we can now certain rounds. To your point talking about
that early in the fourth round pick and things that
(12:59):
can happen on Day three, especially in this draft, with
this class overall that's so heavily weighted towards like the
middle part of that draft, right, I think it's going
to be really interesting to watch how teams start to
negotiate in some of the things we start hearing churning
just in social media and beyond. It's going to be
(13:20):
really interesting to watch how things unfold as we get
closer to April.
Speaker 2 (13:24):
Yeah, it really is. And then as a draft itself,
you just never know where the run's coming, and you
know whether whether there's gonna be the run on the
d lineman and the running box and the and name
the position, and that causes teams to to want to
make moves to make sure they don't miss out on
a guy. So anything can happen once the draft gets going.
Speaker 1 (13:45):
Gosh, I can't wait. April twenty fourth is when the
draft starts. That is a Thursday. There's gonna be all
kinds of stuff, by the way, so keep your eyes
to Tendency Titans dot com. We've got all kinds of
stuff going on as it relates to the draft. It's
gonna be a good time because thes as it stands
right now on Friday, March fourteenth, are picking number one,
(14:05):
which is.
Speaker 2 (14:05):
Exciting, But you don't want to be picking one every
year because you know you earn that number one pick
by finishing three and fourteen. So I think best case sneers,
you pick some you know, you do some good work
to saft seed and you continue to approve you're not
picking first every year, and but got to play well
on Sundays in the fall.
Speaker 1 (14:25):
Yeah, and then we all take a nap because it's
a lot of work having a first round pick. This summer.
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(14:49):
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(15:10):
Now back to the OTP. Let's get onto the additions
to this rock. We've talked about all the people we're
kind of hanging on to keeping around. Now, let's talk
about some of the new kids on the block because
there are a lot of them, and I guess the
place that we should start, Well, do you want me
to just listen them to you? I'm going to list
them to you. We have tackle Dan Moore, guard, Kevin Zeitler,
(15:34):
offensive lineman Blake Hants, linebacker Cody Barton, punter Johnny Hecker,
safety Xavier Woods, outside linebacker Draymont Jones, wide receiver Van Jefferson,
and quarterback Brandon Allen Jim Wyatt. A lot of diversity
on that list, a lot of different position groups being
addressed in a pretty small amount of time for this
(15:54):
Titan team, right, yes, and.
Speaker 2 (15:56):
Now, obviously the biggest movement is offensive line. I mean,
you hadd and more, who's a left tackle, is going
to play left tackle for this team, and his his
addition means that JC Latham is going to bump to
the right side, which is I think his strength. He
played left last year because that was the best option
for him in the team, but I think I think
(16:16):
his best position in the league is going to be
at right tackle, so that you kind of get two
moves in one. And then obviously Zeitler a guard. He
played in the league for a long time, still playing
at a really high level. Talking to him a buddy
of mine in Detroit this morning about that. So he's
a great guy, certainly, hard working guy, good locker room guy,
(16:40):
you know, will be good for the young players in
the room. Uh. And then and then Hans who has
played in the league for a while. He can play guard,
he can play tackle. I think he's played every position
on the line except for center, so you got a
lot of versatility there. We talked about leven, so that's
you know, a lot of movement at that position. But
should be better. I mean, and certainly more. You know,
(17:04):
maybe was not ranked as one of the top linemen
in this free agency class, but certainly a quality player
who has played a heck of a lot of snaps
in this league still has the potential to get better.
Having a coach like Bill Callahan will help him get better,
and I think he's excited about that. And I think
(17:26):
the line should be a lot better in twenty twenty five.
Speaker 1 (17:30):
A lot of guys with a lot of experience, and
a lot of really durable guys too. I mean, Dan
Moore sixty six out of sixty eight starts, I mean,
that's incredible. Guys who've been in the league for a
really long time and have been consistent players. Does that
speak to what they're trying to do with this team,
(17:50):
which is infuse some veteran leadership, infuse some durable, consistent,
reliable players and what was last year a really young
offensive line.
Speaker 2 (18:00):
Yeah, I think so. I think across the board, I
think that what stands out to me the most about
this group so far as just how many games they've played,
how durable they are, how you know, they say the
best ability is availability, and all these guys have shown
that they can stay on the field and play and
battle through injuries and take care of themselves. And as
(18:21):
we all know, this team's had a bad run of
luck with the guys end up on injured reserve or
heard or not able to play. And you hope the
trend of these guys being able to play and be
available continues here in Tennessee. But I think up front,
that's what they did. I think across the board, I
think all these guys have that same quality.
Speaker 1 (18:42):
Some interesting additions on the defensive side of the ball
to especially in that kind of linebacker and also outside
linebacker spot. Were you surprised that there were that many
people brought in to be on the defensive side. Were
you thinking there'd be more offense only?
Speaker 2 (18:58):
Additions about plugging holes? And I know, again it's March
the fourteenth, we're a long way away from playing. But
you look at you look at the depth chart, and
you look what you have available, and there are certain
positions where you just have to get guys and have
to start filling some holes. Obviously, we still got a
ways to go. You got the draft. I think one
(19:19):
thing that we probably can't talk about enough is this
team Number one in the waiver wire claim. So you're
gonna be able to add players along the course of
the off season that way, especially when we get down
to roster cuts. I mean a lot of things are
going to play out and as far as competition goes,
you know in OTA's and mini camp and training camp,
(19:41):
but once roster cuts are made, you could see a
number of players sign then and then you're just trying
to upgrade the roster as much as possible. So I
think now I don't look as much about how many
guys on offense, how many guys on defense. I look
more at Okay, you need spots at certain positions. Still
we'll look at positions where you need help. I mean
(20:02):
wide receiver, there's still incredibly thinned even with the additions
at Van Jefferson and and I think tight end, edge rusher,
depth on the D line still a ways to go
to and the big question novice at quarterback two still
long ways to go here in the off season, Well, let's.
Speaker 1 (20:22):
Talk about Van Jefferson a little bit, because you brought
him up. Exciting to see a local guy who we
are familiar with because of his dad who was a
coach here. He was wide receiver's coach for the Tennessee
Titans from twenty thirteen to twenty fifteen. Exciting to see
him kind of return. I don't know if he considers
at home because I mean, but he went to high
(20:43):
school here, so.
Speaker 2 (20:44):
I guess it counts right, yep, Yeah, and certainly his
dad has a big personality. I remember Sean from his
days here, and I still remember seeing Sean at the
Super Bowl in Los Angeles when he was watching his
son play. He was I saw him in the stands,
and I think Van Van's wife had one of their
children the day of the Super Bowl, if I'm not mistaken. Yes,
(21:08):
But then when I saw him walking through the through
the building this morning, the odds are pretty good he's
gonna have a baby in the Super Bowl. I think
that four or five kids, they look like they're all
six and under, A good looking family. He's got so
so uh so a great success story for him. I
mean know he I still remember when he was coming
(21:29):
up out of out of high school as a top
recruit and ended up going to I think did he
start at Florida.
Speaker 1 (21:36):
And then went to Florida?
Speaker 2 (21:39):
So so I had a good, good career drafted already
in the draft. Uh, doesn't have huge numbers from last year.
I think if you look at his career numbers, UH,
they're very similar to Nick Westbrook Kina except for the touchdowns.
He'll get opportunities here. As things stand now, we don't
know what else is coming to that position. But he's
(22:00):
a little faster. He's not as maybe big and physical
as Nick, but he's faster. And I think one thing
Mike Braganzi's talked about is just want to add a
speed element to this roster, and that's what he brings.
So it'd be fun to watch him, and it'd be
fun to see if his halft and his dad checks
in on him.
Speaker 1 (22:19):
It'll probably be a lot I would. I mean, why not,
you know, it's so convenient. Well, let's talk about who
will be getting the ball to him potentially, and that's
quarterback Brandon Allen. Guy's got ten starts over the last
nine seasons, has been in a couple different places, most
recently with the forty nine ers. What is the role
that you expect him to have on this team.
Speaker 2 (22:38):
I think that kind of remains to be seen. I mean,
right now, look at him, and I mean we still
are going to have to wait and see what happens
at quarterback, and I think certainly based on what this
team has done, now I understand why seems like everybody says, well,
the Titans are picking a quarterback at number one, And
(23:00):
I think still it's too early to just make that
a declaration and just write that in with a sharpie,
because you still don't know what's going to happen through
this process. As Titans are still doing their homework on
these guys are going to go to pro days, they're
going to have private workouts, they've had them in the building,
and they've got to make sure that this is a
guy that they would trust with the first pick. And
(23:22):
at the same time, you still don't know what other
teams are going to do as far as an offer goes.
You're not gona get a serious contract or a serious
trade offer until you get closer to the draft. So
if somebody blows the teams, blows the Titans out of
the way, and they get an offer they can't pass up,
then I think that's still the possibility to trade that pick.
(23:44):
So right now you can't say for sure what's happened
at one, But let's say that that's where the Titans go.
Then I think Brandon Allen and Will Levis are competing
for the number two spot on this team, and the
winner ends up being the backup or and we'll see
(24:04):
how that goes. I know that Mason Rudolph was in
the mix. Uh, Brian Callahan talked about that with the combine.
Some people scoffed at it. It ended up being Mason
was down to the Titans and the Steelers and ended
up going to Pittsburgh because he got a better deal
there and I think he felt like it's a good
opportunity for him. So Brandon Allen ends up here somebody
(24:26):
that Brian Callahan was with previously in Cincinnati, and you know,
we'll see how that plays out. You know, Lewis talked
to him at the Super Bowl. Certainly know Mike Burgansi
and Brian Callahan said they're gonna give him. I have
very opportunity to win the job. I know he's working
this offseason with Jordan Palmer right in California. Jordan Palmer,
(24:49):
the quarterbacks coach, has worked with a lot of other guys,
and we'll see what his mindset is coming back here.
And I'm sure he's curious to see how all this
is gonna play out.
Speaker 1 (24:57):
Yeah, and I know fans are I mean, the number
one thing I'm asked about still is the quarterback position.
No matter what what we're going to do. Are we
going to bring someone in? Are we going to pick
somebody is or someone already here? What are we going
to do? But I think it's important to note that
when Brian Callahan said he was going to do his
due diligence, this is exactly what he was talking about,
no stone unturned thing, the searching high and low, making
(25:21):
sure that we evaluate every single option that we have.
This is what we're living in right now. They are
doing exactly what they said they were going to do.
So let us live in that. Let's enjoy that. We
know that everyone is being thorough, really taking this seriously,
really wanting to do what's best for the Titans going forward.
And this is going to play out well into training camp.
(25:43):
Like this is not going to be done at the
end of April or at the end of May or
at the end of June. My friends, We're going all
the way through with this thing.
Speaker 2 (25:52):
Yeah, and we may not know the faces until you
know who the real players are what the competition is
going to look like until then, because there's nobody's saying
thing to me about it. But I obviously aware that
there may be some other guys available that are currently
on other teams, whether that's via trade or wondering what
their status is going to be like, either before or
(26:13):
after the draft. So a lot of movements still out
their position. There are a couple of free agent quarterbacks
who have not landed somewhere else. I don't necessarily think
they're coming here, you know, the Anon Rodgers of the world,
or the or certainly others that are out there, Russell Wilson,
but where they end up going will affect this team
(26:35):
and impact other teams in this draft and what they
might be willing to do from a trade offer standpoint.
So lot, lot still to be determined.
Speaker 1 (26:45):
Yeah, So everybody just hang on, in the words of
coach Mac, keep your powder dry, because we have a
long way to go, and I think everybody's losing their
marbles about this quarterback thing, and we don't need to
not yet. It's too early. It's only March fourteenth, long
way to go.
Speaker 2 (27:00):
Guys.
Speaker 1 (27:01):
Other positions we need to talk about. I want to
make sure we mentioned safety Xavier Woods because I mean
he's an eight year veteran. He didn't miss a defensive
snap in twenty twenty four. Another really durable addition to
this team who already has a relationship with Jerry Sneed.
He feels like there might be some synergy there.
Speaker 2 (27:19):
Yeah, and again you mentioned as a durability just to
available to play in Titans. Again, had some tough luck
there bringing digs and he he had a tough, tough year.
So Moni Hooker, you know, has had some years where
he's missed some games. So what you're looking forward is
guys who can step in and play. He's made some
(27:41):
plays in his career, been available, been a very productive player,
and I think the peering with him and Amani Hooker
for now as it looks like it's going to be
pretty solid, and we talk about Mike Brown being in
that mix as well.
Speaker 1 (27:54):
Also want to acknowledge punter Johnny Hecker who is now
a part of this team. He he feels like a
good fit for this team, maybe because of his relationship
with new special teams coordinator.
Speaker 2 (28:07):
Yes sim and John Fossil worked together for a long
time with the Rams and UH you know, I think
everybody was sad to see Ryan Stonehouse go such a
popular great kid, worked his butt off when he had
his ACL injury. He's got an incredible leg. I mean,
it's crazy just how from a punter standpoint here we've
had so many popular punters, and usually people don't like
(28:30):
punters because they've tired of seeing him come out on
the field. But Craig Hentrick was kind of like that
when the team first got here. Brett Kern very popular
guy with the fan base, and Ryan Stonehouse steps in
and and you know, did everything right, And certainly there
were some parts of his game that he he knows
he has to work on when he talked about it
(28:50):
when last season ended, directional punting being one of them.
Sometime just being able to do a better job of
penning teams down closer to the goal line. Not all
that's on him. I mean, obviously the net average went
down last year, but with the guy like Hecker, four year,
four time All Pro, four time Pro bowler, certainly has
(29:16):
had an incredible career and has proven that he can
do all the things that maybe some of them at
Ryan's Stonehouse is still working on. So he was a good.
I know it was tough to see Ryan Stonehouse go.
But Johnny Hecker certainly puts the team in good hands
at that position. And he's a giant, He's about sixty
(29:37):
five six six. And I think what's gonna be interesting
to him is because you mentioned John Fossil, he just
has a reputation for being kind of a innovative risk
taker on special teams. We'll be curious to see whether
he dials some things up for Hecker where people are saying,
what the Hecker.
Speaker 1 (29:56):
No, jem I knew that you were setting me up
for something there the way you were talking. There was
a twinkle in your eye.
Speaker 2 (30:05):
I knew it. I knew it was coming.
Speaker 1 (30:08):
I knew there was something coming. Oh gosh, So let's
take this time to first pause for that joke.
Speaker 2 (30:17):
But then also that was.
Speaker 1 (30:20):
An epic dad joke. Hey Titans fans, with a Kroger
Boost membership, you'll score big with double fuel points, free delivery,
and lots more. Go to Kroger dot com slash boost
for details. Kroger, the official grocer of the Tennessee Titans.
Tighten up the OTP presented by Farm Bureau Health Plans
(30:41):
when it's game day for your health coverage. Trust Farm
Bureau Health plans to draw up a winning play for you.
They've been covering Tennesseeans for nearly eighty years now. Back
to the OTP, let's zoom out a little bit here,
So we are still getting to know this Titan's personal
staff a little bit, Mike Bergonzi and the crew. I mean,
(31:03):
there's a lot of new changes down there. And as
we look at this first kind of wave of free
agency for the Tennessee Titans, do we feel like we
have a better understanding of what they're looking for in
terms of what a Titan is well, I.
Speaker 2 (31:20):
Think certainly they're on the same page. And this has
been a long process in a short period of time
because a lot of these guys have been together for
a month, month and a half and they've spent so
much time together. They spent three weeks in the same
room leading up to the combine, and then so many
meetings talking about draft picks, free agency, what they're doing
(31:43):
with this current roster. I mean, I think, just again,
the theme I think of what they're looking for now
is just guys who can be durable and maybe be
versatile and can help you think they continue to look
for guys with speed. We'll say this. I mean it
has been very active from a free agency standpoint. Nine
guys signed during the first first week of free agency.
(32:06):
I don't think it's always going to be like that,
you know, in the years moving forward, I think what
you want to do to try to build this thing
the way you know that again, Mike Braganci and had
a Brinker described it as you're going to build it
through the draft. So now it's about plugging holes, looking
at the depth chart, looking at what you have serious
needs for and trying to draft those. And now I
(32:29):
think as you go forward, you got a draft well,
and then you're again trying to re sign your own
guys and then making the tough decision of letting some
guys go. But I think in future years, I don't
think you're going to see this team being that aggressive
and that involved in free agency. But right now they've
(32:50):
got no choice. I mean, a bad roster at the
start of this offseason and a lot of holes, and
you can't do everything to the draft, and you you
certainly can't rebuild an offensive line counting in the draft.
You need some veterans in the mix there.
Speaker 1 (33:06):
Yeah, yeah, I think you're one hundred percent right. I
think that this is a product of kind of where
this team is for a variety of different reasons. But
there's a bit of a foundation rebuild that's happening right now,
and hopefully these guys that have been added to this
team are going to be a big part of that.
And so then after you get that set and established,
then you start to add on with the draft, and
(33:28):
then you go forward with the new philosophy. But you've
got to get plug the holes in the boat before
you can go anywhere.
Speaker 2 (33:34):
Right, And again, a lot of these are one year
deals and not a lot of big money deals, Like
you know, the Dan Moore deal obviously is a big contract,
but after that, all of them pretty modest contracts and
and you know what appear to be short term answers
until you find long term solutions. And certainly some of
(33:55):
these guys could do enough this year, well they earn
themselves back, you know, on another and themselves another contract
now next off season. But right now it's just all
about trying to build the best you can and then
again supplementing in the draft.
Speaker 1 (34:10):
So what's next calendar wise? What do you have coming up, Jimmy, Well, we.
Speaker 2 (34:14):
Got Pro Day's coming up. I know, Miami, I think
is a week from Monday.
Speaker 1 (34:21):
YEP.
Speaker 2 (34:21):
Owners meeting is coming up at the end of that week.
Colorado's Pro Day is coming up. Penn State's Pro Day
is obviously coming up. Don't know for sure doing that one,
but anticipate going to a couple of those, and then
and made hotel reservation for Green Bay recently, so that'll
(34:44):
be a point of So off season program starts what
April the twenty second, the week the draft starts, so
a lot still on the horizon during what's been on
an already really busy off season. YEP.
Speaker 1 (35:00):
So if you're not reading Jim White stories in Tennessee
Titans dot com, what's wrong with you? Go do that.
He's got all the coverage from hotel rooms just across
the country. I mean, the man's going to be everywhere.
But really, Tennessee Titans dot Com Jim White stuff, he's
covering everything that you could ever possibly want to know
about the Tennessee Titans. And at j Wyatt Sports he
(35:22):
tweets a bunch of stuff too, So on Twitter and Instagram,
at jas Instagram.
Speaker 2 (35:26):
That's right, that's right, Twitter, Instagram and uh and uh
I'm one. I'm also on threads with at J White
sports blue Sky. You ever heard of blue Sky? I'm
on blue Sky too?
Speaker 1 (35:41):
Are you the trendiest person alive?
Speaker 2 (35:43):
Like?
Speaker 1 (35:43):
What are these things? Blue Sky?
Speaker 2 (35:46):
Well, some people for one reason or another have boycotted
Twitter and uh and blue Sky is kind of the
alternative to Twitter.
Speaker 1 (35:55):
Okay, So what is threads then? Because I thought threads
was like twittery.
Speaker 2 (36:00):
Threads is like Twitter. It's it's more in the Instagram family.
Some of the stuff from Instagram Instagram gets gets created
by threads.
Speaker 1 (36:12):
Also, are there illustrations.
Speaker 2 (36:15):
Usually it's photos like you can set up your Instagram
where you can when you publish it out, it'll also
publish out to threads. But you can also post stories
to threads. And people are looking for different alternatives. And
I'm not going to boycott X. I think that's where
most people live. That's where I've got most of my followers.
But I do respect people's opinions who want to get
(36:38):
away from X, and so I try to. I'm not
quite as active on Blue Sky, but I'll drop my
stories in there as well. Along with Facebook, Facebook has limitations,
although it's it's tough to stomach Facebook these days.
Speaker 1 (36:52):
Yeah, there's a lot going on there. Well, Facebook is
the only word you said that I know in the
last probably forty five seconds. So that tells you how
old I am. Jim Well good, so you can get
Jim on every social media platform that you possibly could
want at No dancing, no dancing, no, Well, there you go.
(37:15):
Maybe that's for the best for Jim Wyatt. I'm Amy
Wells and this has been the o TP
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