Robert Saleh & Elic Ayomanor on the Eagles Battle, Simmons' DPOY Start & Giants Week | The OTP

[music] This is the OTP. I'm Taylor Zarzer. We have a great lineup for you this week and it begins with the head coach of the Tennessee Titans, Robert Salah. Coach Salah, certainly you love the effort. You love the fight. You love that your team had a chance for all four quarters. I know it's heartbreaking and you wanted a better result. Yeah, you know, there's the uh um we we we live in a profession where the result is is how you're judged. And uh no matter what you've did for the course of four quarters, if you're not on the right side of uh the scoreboard, you're you're on the wrong side. And uh >> unfortunately, that's what happened. We got to lick our wounds, but we can't we can't lose sight of the process. We can't lose sight of the things that we did well. We can't lose sight of the things that we need to improve on >> and um and also lose sight of the things that we we can build on. So, it's u a tremendous learning experience all the way across the board and I'm 100% confident that we'll learn how to win those games in the future. >> Do you think one of the differences in the game is that the Titans are trying to build a championship foundation? They haven't been in a lot of those type situations yet. At least a lot of the guys on the team and the Eagles almost always are in that situation. Is that just a is that a difference in winning and losing? You have to learn how to do it. >> Well, yeah. you're just um you know just speaking candidly like I I I wish I can have my last play call back. >> You know, running zero against a veteran team that's been in those situations what feels like a million times over the last six or seven years. >> Um wish I I put us in a different play call to to um to give our guys a chance where it wasn't make or break. And um obviously we they executed the way they needed to and and we didn't. But uh but yeah, they're um you know, they've been in a million of those situations. We're we're learning a like like you said, we're learning a whole new system. We're we're building a foundation. We've got a lot of young guys doing a lot of things for the first time. But uh but really proud of the way we played in terms of our effort, our style of play in all three phases. There's just little details that won't show up on the score sheet. Um where I think we can all get better, including coaching. Let's go back to the way the team was able to move on from the Jets game, focus on having a good week of practice and compete in the game. Were you encouraged by all of that? >> Yeah, you you've got to be able to uh win, lose, or draw, it doesn't matter. You got to turn the page. You got to go to the next you you know, you you've got Monday to put it to bed, Tuesday to get your bodies and your mind right, Wednesday, we attack the heck out of the next opponent. And uh you know, so you've got to flip the page pretty quick. Uh you can't read your press clippings, both good or bad. Um, you've got to watch the tape and and be honest about where you can and can't get better, where where you need to get better and where where you can things you can build off of. But, uh, you know, ultimately as individuals, as an organization, we know the ultimate truth of where we are and and and what that tape is showing. We do. >> Um, and and the most important thing is that on Mondays, you attack it in that regard. On Tuesday, you learn, you know, you you you get your mind right. And on Wednesday, you apply the things that you learned from the week before and and you try to attack the next week. >> All right. Since we're um doing this on the ultimate truthtelling day, you you tell me if you agree with some of the encouraging signs or if there's another area you would add. You won the turnover battle, two nothing, 122 rushing yards for the Titans, just 89 for the Eagles in the game. Titans had eight tackles for loss. Eagles only had six. Titans had three sacks. Eagles only had two. Any of that that you would um argue with or debate or is anything that you would add to it? >> It's it's why I said that it's going to make us sick when we watch the tape. >> Um we outplayed them. >> Yeah, >> it's a game we we need them we need to win those games. Um but they were their best in in the last five minutes of the game. They were at their best when their best was required and uh uh we were we were a step off and uh and they they they they won the game. What do you think the difference was on third down, coach, when the Eagles were on offense? >> You know, in the in the first half, didn't love our our pass rush plan. Um, obviously they were they were picking up our protections, picking up our our fourman rushes and our fiveman, five and sixman uh pressures pretty easily. Um, quarterback had all ample time to throw. They did a nice job with some tempo which threw us off a little bit. Uh, so a lot of credit to them and and and the things that they were doing. But somewhere around the middle of the second quarter, we made some changes. Made another change at halftime and uh felt like we really did a good job getting a lot of pressure on the quarterback moving forward. But that first half, credit to them. They had a good plan. Um caught us with some tempo. Uh their protection system was u um was different than it's been in the past, which is expected because it's a a new O line coach with Stalin no longer being there and a new coordinator. But uh uh but you know, credit to Aaron and and the staff. We we got we we made the quick adjustments that we needed to make and felt like our pass rush the rest of the day was pretty good. >> Yeah, I mean the adjustments it really did it felt like a tale of two halves statistically at least that was the case. >> No, for sure. And uh and you know and the the other part from a coverage standpoint, you know, a lot of things in the back end started to get tighter uh um once we settled settled into the game. >> Let's talk about the offense. Coach felt like the offense got stronger as the game went along. [snorts] What were your thoughts on Cam Ward? two rushing touchdowns in the game. Again, protected the football. We talked about rushing for over a 100red yards. Found a number of different receivers in the game. I know that you said after the game you like the protection on the offensive line. You saw improvement there from game one to game two. Overall, your assessment of the offense. >> Yeah, you know, you expect the offense to get better as the game goes on. You know, you especially if you're running the ball well, you want to lean into lean into your opponent. Um, and it, you know, there the first half we had some missed opportunities. You know, that first third down we have a, you know, Carnell's just a little bit off, which he'll, he'll, he'll bring those down in the future. Um, next drive took over at the nine yardd line, I believe it was, which we converted to a touchdown. Um, we had another drive going, but uh, we get sidetracked with a a really really bad penalty. So, there were signs that the offense was going to have itself a good day. We just needed to get out of our own way. And uh and I felt like as the game progressed and we settled into the game, uh offense did a really nice job um taking care of their 111 and uh and it and it showed with with good production. A lot of ball moving of the ball, explosive plays were at at uh much better than it was a week ago. And we we set ourselves up for opportunities to score. Um where we need to be better is when we do get in the red zone. Uh you got to at least give yourself a chance. and uh in two two cases and at the end of the first half and end of the second half we get ourselves in the red zone and we shoot ourselves in the foot with penalties um or TFLs and um and basically take ourselves out of a chance we'll get a touchdown. >> Yeah. Had to be smart in certain cases and down and long distances to go on on second and third downs. I I know that ideally you'd love to be aggressive there. >> Yeah. you know, at the end of the game, um, you know, again, uh, always holding myself accountable and and our staff accountable to the highest highest standard. You know, that second down play easily could have, uh, uh, taken a shot to see if we can get half of it back. Um, obviously up against it, trying to limit the amount of time that the Eagles had, but, uh, that's one that I'll I'll go back and look at, see if we made the right decision. >> And just finally on on offense, coach, you you mentioned some explosive plays. Taj Spears on a third and 21, converts it for 26 yards. Great dance afterwards by the way. And then Ella Manor 41 yard uh reception and including a hurdle to get 10 extra yards. You got to love that fight right there. >> No, we we've got an exciting young team. We got we got an exciting young group of men. Um and every day they're going to learn something new about themselves, about their teammates, about the scheme. And um like I said, you know, hopefully that we we set a new floor in uh in week two and that floor is going to keep rising. And I know you're a big believer in the quarterback, Cam Ward. That's the sixth straight game he's not had an interception. He's protecting the football. Two rushing touchdowns in the game. >> Cam Cam is Cam is smart with the football. He does a really nice job. I thought he had a really nice game. Um I you know, the the one play that to I manor in the end zone. I'm sure he wants that one back and giving him a better ball, but uh but overall he was decisive. Um, still things he has to clean up which he'll recognize, but uh, but definitely took a step in the right direction against a defense and that's championship caliber in my opinion. >> Uh, coach, let's talk about second half defense. You talked about the improvement that was made from the first half to the second. Really turned up the pressure on Jaylen Herz in the second half of the game. >> Yeah, it was um, you know, we started getting off the field on third down. You know, the uh, because the first and second down defense was similar. You know, we were creating negative plays. Our run defense was was as good as you could possibly be. I think they averaged two and a half a carry. >> It was dominant [clears throat] uh for mo for heavy heavy parts of the game. >> So from a first and second down standpoint, I thought we dominated the entire game. >> Uh third down though, we got a lot more pressure on the quarterback which allowed us to get off the field and create some of those three and outs. Um you know, and like I said, we we we played in my opinion as as as good as you play with the exception of one last two-minute drive. Let's talk about Jeffrey Simmons for a moment because you've coached against this guy for a number of [snorts] years. Um last year your your team watched him score a touchdown as [laughter] the Tennessee Titans on offense and defensively he's just been a wrecker. Seven pressures, six tackles, a sack, 13 pressures in the first two weeks of the season. What do you think about number 98? Yeah, he's um you know, if we if we play in games like this moving forward where we're in it, have leads, his production is going to be outrageous. Um defensive MVP type statistics. And uh you know, we're we're learning where he can be, you know, we're always going to be stranding to get him one-on- ones, and he's going to learn how to believe that we're able to scheme him up to a one-on-one cuz he's so used to getting doubled and tripled. And um you know, we'll continue to find those opportunities for him. We'll continue to find opportunities for all of them to find one-on- ones and and uh to so we can so we can get pressure on the quarterback. But uh he he's uh I mean you talk about a three a three-way player just run defense, his ability to rush the passer, his effort. I mean he's in ridiculous shape. Uh I mean he is uh I mean talk about giving money to the guy. You know there's an old saying that money only makes you more of what you already are. giving him that extension I think just amplified everything that he already is. So >> well said. Um what about the guys around him? Jacob Martin in the game had a sack on a third and 12. I know he would have loved to have another one there. John Franklin Myers, Germaine Johnson, the way that they performed and then the guys at the second level, Cody Barton really showed up several times popped during the game and and Anthony Hill has doubledigit tackles for the second time in a row. >> Yeah, we're uh we're we're getting there. You know, Germaine's doing a really nice job. He's um he's close to breaking loose uh uh and finding his groove with regards to pass rush. JFM, same thing. Um I think that now that the temperatures are going to start cooling down, I think you'll see even more more speed out of the D line. Like it's hard, man. It's and and I don't want to give them an out, but it is hard to to do what we asked him to do and and what was 120 degree temperatures on the field. And to their credit, I mean, they're they're vomiting on the sideline and still r puke and rally, man. Just they get up and they gave all the effort they possibly could. And um and to to be selfless in how they defend the run and the strain and the effort uh uh that they applied. Uh and then knowing full well that they still we still need them to give 110 when they rush a pass or two. Like uh really proud of that group and the way it played and the way it persevered and fought. Um, Jacob, Jacob's coming along very, very well. Love the way he's playing. Femy's getting better. Uh, Keldrick's getting better. They're all getting better and, uh, you know, we'll continue to get better as the year goes on. >> You talk about an electric moment. Ammani Hooker first quarter interception in the end zone with that 90ard return, couple of cut backs, thought he was going to get it in, but ended up at the 10 yardd line. I mean, the whole place is just going crazy in Nissan State. >> No, it was awesome. And and you know what you we talk about execution that about that was about as well executed as you can and not just from Ammani, you [snorts] know, cuz it Ammani's got to make a split-second decision, but he can't make a split second decision unless he uh unless the the Mike linebacker makes a decision, which he did. Uh and then he can't he can't get underneath that ball unless uh Micah is playing physical at the uh at the top of the route uh with the uh with the receiver which you know Jaylen just he's got to he's got to throw it a different way. He's got to stare at it to make sure that that it gets open because of the way Mike is playing. And uh and it allows Ammani to to snap his eyes, make the decision he needs to make. he slides through into the second window and takes it, which was that that that clip will be on every teach tape uh at least for us for a very very long time on how to play that particular coverage in that concept. >> It's the longest interception for the Titans since 2011. It was [laughter] it's a big moment. And Marcus Harris, of course, had his first career interception in the National Football League. >> Yeah, there's a there's a lot of good on that one, too. You know, we we talk about u you know, uh having each other's back. Yeah, >> you know, there's a lot of things that happen there. You know, we we lose our footing at corner. Um, uh, Marcus is just playing his normal technique. Jeff Simmons takes air off the ball with the hit on the quarterback, which allows Marcus to recover, uh, cuz we're not in a very good position right there. And if Jeff doesn't get uh, the hit and Marcus isn't just playing football, just play football. Um, I don't know if that actually happened. So, credit to the entire group. Um, you know, they they made it all happen. Uh, and uh, Marcus was in was was, like I said, just playing football and, uh, really cool to get that pick in that moment. >> Titans fans, SeatGeek is the official primary ticketing partner of Titan Up and here to help you experience all the action this season. SeatGeek makes it easy to find the perfect seats to the perfect game, so you can be part of all the touchdown celebrations and momentum shifting takeaways this season. Whether you're getting tickets to Titans [music] games or to any live event in Nashville, SeatGeek is the place to do it. Be good at seats with SeatGeek, the official primary ticketing partner of the Tennessee Titans. Hey, football fans. Offseason debates getting heated. Sounds like it's time for a Snickers. Stay satisfied, Titans fans. Pick up a Snickers at a Kroger near you. Genesis is the first and only official jeweler of the Titans, having earned that title since 2006. Titans players, coaches, and fans trust Genesis for the absolute best in selection, quality, customer service, and of course, value for diamonds, engagement rings, designer fashion jewelry, and the largest selection of luxury pre-owned Rolexes [music] in Tennessee. Genesis is the handsdown winner. Genesis Diamonds in Green Hills and Cool Springs, the official jeweler of the Tennessee Titans. >> Hey Titans fans, it's time for football. And when it's time for football, there's only one plate to call. Rich, creamy Helmans, the mayo that makes tailgates taste amazing. Because like a great quarterback, Helmas brings everything together from burgers to sub sandwiches to chicken tenders. So no matter what you're drawing up on game day, make the call and call for Helmas, the official mayo of the Tennessee Titans. Now back to the OTP. Let's talk more about the highlight reel catch that Elio Manor made on a crossing route that most humans would have taken for 20 to 25 yards. But my man, you hurdled another human. >> Yes, sir. >> And got an extra 10 yards out of it. Marcus Eps is his name. and you leapt over him. Let's take a look at this play and you walk us through it. Tell us what happened. >> Yeah, so if you go back to the start, um we had been running, you know, just duo insert for almost the whole game out of the same formation. So basically I'm inserting and blocking the the nickel. Um and then we run hard play action off of it. I insert fake to block the nickel. Everybody bites and I'm wide open. And I kind of assumed during the game plan that I would be wide open on when this play eventually did get called. And so I'm not going to say I premeditated this, but I definitely knew that I had to have some ideas for when I caught the ball. >> Okay. Like you're at the 45 the 40. When do you think I might jump over this guy? >> Uh I think when I started shifting, I was trying to see if he would bite on something and there was really no other angles for me. So I was like, you know what? I need to score. So I I tried to jump over at that point. >> Had to look back at Marcus too after it was over with. >> No, I was trying to stiff arm uh Jiad. >> Okay. >> So I could try to get in the the the box, but I missed it. I was late right here. >> Here's the look right here. Okay. All right. We're not looking back at EPS. We're just trying to Yes. Number 11. >> Yeah. >> We're just trying to stiff arm him. Do you know who Edwin Moses is? >> No, I don't. >> You need to look him up. >> Okay. >> He's one of the greatest hurdlers in the history of the world. An Olympian hurdler. Okay. >> Yeah. Yeah. So, I had to give Edwin Moses a shout out when you did that [laughter] during the game. >> That's a good pull. >> Look, it's a 41 yd catch and and um it's one of the highlight reel moments that you have had so far in your career. Of course, catching Cam Ward's first ever touchdown catch, your first ever touchdown catch in the National Football League is I know another memorable one, but more than anything, you want to celebrate these moments after wins. So, I know it's kind of mixed emotions, right? >> Of course. Yeah. I mean, at the end of the day, whether you have a highlight, real game, or a good game, bad game, you know, you just want to do enough to win the game. Um, and so we're seeking to do that uh every week. We try to do our job as offense. The defense tries to do the job. We try to play as a team together. Um, we did do enough um to win the game this last game, but I think we're on the right track. you're saying uh I heard you say this in the locker room about how you feel like this team handles adversity well like it it leaves it behind and moves on. Tell us a little bit more about why you feel that way. >> Yeah, I think just like the emotional maturity of the team in my opinion seems very high. Um like even though we've lost the last two games um and we lost, you know, a game that really stings to lose um yesterday, the team is coming in not with a a moping uh put your head down mindset. Um honestly, they're coming in what did we do? What did we not do that didn't allow us to win this game and how can we do it next game? Um, and just moving on, like letting those things kind of just roll off of your back. Um, cuz I think we have a sense that we're going to be a really good team. Um, and sometimes there's going to be adversity that you just have to let roll off your back before you become that really good team. >> Your rookie season, you caught more than 40 passes. You had at least two catches in the first 10 plus games that you had uh last year, but everyone that's around this facility, playby-play guy included, feels like you've taken a step. from year one to year two. Do you agree with that? And if so, why? >> I would agree. Yeah. And I think it all comes down to the offseason um just >> the intentional work that I put in the offseason to make sure that when I came back in the building um this following season that I became a different player and a better player than I was my first season. >> Any difference physically from last year? >> No, I don't think there's any physical differences. Um >> just an understanding of the game. just an understanding of what it means to be a good receiver and the things that you have to do to be an elite NFL receiver. Um, and you know, making strides towards acquiring all those characteristics. >> What do you think about the improvement your quarterback Cam Ward has made? >> Yeah, I think he's been playing great. Um, to me, I mean, you you always are going to see the big play ability from him and the, you know, just like the circus stuff. Um, but him just like helping the offense play in the green has been a a wonderful development from him this past year and I think it will, you know, the dividends will pay off. >> One more thing I need to ask you about. That's not the only way you contribute to the team. It's not just offense, it's also special teams and there is a an inspirational person that's in our building named Tim Shaw who is one of the best special teamers in the National Football League. And Tim of course communicates with his eyes through the battle he's facing with ALS. And with those eyes weeks ago in special teams, he typed out Taylor watch Io Manor as a gunner. >> Okay. >> Which was very cool that he typed all that out and I did. I start watching you as a gunner and you have really made a difference uh in special teams as well. How much pride do you take in that? Um, like I mentioned earlier, you really want to do whatever you can do and whatever you need to do to help the team win the game. Um, and I think that's just a part of my job, part of my role on this football team is, you know, to take those special teams reps and to take the offensive reps. Um, because there's players that are going to play only offense and players are going to play only special teams and players that are somewhere in between. Um, and that's where I am right now. And so I really feel no type of way about it. I mean, I have a pride of all of the film I put on the um on the field, all of the tape I put on the field. Um not just special teams, and I just think, you know, that's just the role. Like, that's what I have to do. And that's that's all it is. >> LA, that was a hell of a catch, man. It's awesome to watch and uh look forward to you celebrating a victory >> here very soon. >> Thank you. Appreciate it. This is Jim Wyatt with Tennesseeitans.com with your Little Caesars pregame prediction. I'm going with Cardell Tate getting his first career touchdown catch as Brian Dable SK schemes him up to make a catch in New York. Little Caesar is the official piece of partner of your Tennessee Titans. You can get 15% off your order of $15 or more only on Titans game days this season by using promo code Titans 15 at online checkouts. Exclude taxes and fees only at participating locations for a limited time. Maximum $5 savings. Limit one per person per day. >> Hey Titans fans, this season save your way with Kroger. [music] Use your Kroger points for savings at the pump or redeem your points for dollars off your next purchase. Same points, more choices. Fuel up, stock up, and make [music] the most of every point. Redeem today in the Kroger app. Kroger, official grosser of the Tennessee Titans. Tighten up. Hey football fans, heated at the half or during offseason debates? Sounds like it's time for a Snickers. [music] Tackle hunger with that satisfying combo of nugget, caramel, peanut, and milk chocolate that keeps fans going all year long. Whether it's game day, draft day, or just another day talking titans, Snickers has your back. Pick up Snickers at a Kroger near you. Would you like to have a crispy cookie break? >> I thought you'd never ask. Actually, brownies. >> A brownie break from Christy Cookies. Wo! >> About a triple chocolate brownie. >> Oh, my middle name's triple chocolate. >> Rat triple chocolate brownie, Ryan. >> Yes. Yes. >> Let's have a Christy cookie. And let's talk about this game against the New York Giants and all the connections in the game. We were talking earlier, of course, you have Brian Callahan who's the quarterback's coach of the Giants. Dinard Wilson is the defensive coordinator of the Giants. They both worked for the Titans. Calli was the head coach of the team. Dinard Wilson was [music] the defensive coordinator on all. And then on the other side with the Titans, Wandel Robinson played four years [music] for the Giants for Brian Dable who was the head coach. Both of them now work for the Titans. Gosh, it doesn't stop there. Austin Schlotman, the center, Daniel Bellinger, the tight end. Feel like I'm going to forget somebody. Cordell Flat. >> One Robinson. like it just [music] Yeah, there's a lot of And what's what people say [music] or don't realize cuz there's usually some connections when two opponents face off against [music] each other. This one just has more than usual because of [music] where the coaches went and then who was sought in free agency. But yeah, Brian [music] Callahan's the quarterback's coach. Um didn't Frank Bush end up there too as the linebacker's coach? >> Yeah, forgot about him. >> So did the same thing here. And so he works with Dinard Wilson again there. And um >> yeah, >> I think I'm most looking forward to is some lovely temperatures that uh are in the 60s at Metife Stadium. A stark [music] contrast to what we've just had at Nissan Stadium. >> Christy Browning this week. >> Yeah. Ridiculously good. Um delicious. Whoa. Christy Cookie, the official cookie of the Tennessee Titans, has opened a new Nashville Yards bakery [music] where they're serving a variety of flavors of warm cookies and mini cakes. Signature flavors like chocolate [music] chip, oatmeal raisin, and white chocolate macadamia nut, each made with rich, buttery toffee pieces continue to delight cookie lovers across the country. All Titans fans who visit the bakery in a Titans jersey will receive 10% [music] off their order. Visit the new Nashville Yards bakery or head to christycookies.com [music] for all your cookie cravings. Now, back to the OTP. And here he is, Tennesseeitans.com's Jim Wyatt. Jim, there's a lot of ways you can go with this one. You can talk about all the progress in every single phase of the game. um from every level of the defense. There's a lot of shared uh praise on offense that you could give out, but you could also talk about heartbreak and that it wasn't enough. >> Yeah. And Robert Salah thought said it perfectly is no such thing as a moral victory. And while players I think felt more optimistic or felt more encouraged coming out of that game compared to week one, ultimately it was a loss. And I think that's what what you have to do is you have to find a way to win games like that. I think they're learning experiences in all these games, especially when the margin of victory and margin of loss is so close. There were several games in that several plays in that game that ultimately um determine the outcome and you got to be better on those plays to to figure out a way to win. Effort-wise, it was a winning effort. There's no questioning that whatsoever. But to your point, you think of an organization that has completely hit the reset button in the last few years, which is what the Titans have done, compared to a championship level organization in the Philadelphia Eagles. That's where the Titans believe they're going. The Eagles have been in games like that for years. And you you do you have to learn how to close those games and the Eagles know how to do that. Yeah, and I know the graphic popped up on the screen just as the Eagles got the ball down, you know, 20 to 17, uh, that Jaylen Herz had guided 14 game-winning drives in his career and he made it 15 on Sunday. Well, he just went straight down the field and the Titans, put the ball in the right place. Titans just couldn't fluster him. >> Uh, just like they had trouble doing it on third down throughout the game and and the Eagles walk out, they're a winner. But I think if you're a Titans fan, I think if you're, you know, and and the team has to feel good about how um everybody responded to week one. It was ugly against the Jets. We talked about that on here last week and and uh know a lot of fans in this city, you know, is this all we've got? All this talk that we did leading up to the season, all these moves we made, and this is the kind of team we have. Everybody was wondering how they respond to that. And I thought they responded well and they came out like you said they fought, put forth a winning effort. Just got to execute better, got to do some things better across the board. You know, Robert Sales says himself, it's not all on the players, it's on the coaches as well. And I think between those two groups, they've got to figure out a way to to win games. >> As um you're looking at all the stats that you have in front of you there, Cam Ward in the game had two rushing touchdowns. sixth straight game he's not thrown an interception. He's thrown one interception um since the back half of last season and again looked at played an efficient game and when he had two seconds or less to get rid of the football he was eight for eight in the game. We had talked a lot about getting the ball out of his hands quicker. He did it. He used his legs again to score two rushing touchdowns. What did he have to say to you after the game and what did you think of his performance? Well, he's he's the first one that'll say, you know, no moral victory, just a loss. He doesn't feel any better about it. I mean, Cam's very matterof fact about it. And if they lose, he doesn't he felt like he should have done more. And that's kind of was the case on Sunday when he was kind of peppered with questions, you know, at his media availability. Some of them trying to lead him into talking about being more optimistic or encouraged. Cam doesn't want to hear that stuff after a loss. He's all about bottom line and finding a way to win. And this team didn't do it. I I think the way Cam looks at it, there were some opportunities in this game where they could have gotten touchdowns instead of field goals. They didn't do that. There were opportunities when they could have converted on third down to extend drives. That didn't happen. But I do think that he continues to show progress. Uh he's got a long stretch without committing a turnover, not trying to jinx him, but he has been smart with his decisions. Uh teams just got to he's got to be better still. It's not perfect, but they got to be better around them, you know. >> But this was progress. >> It was definitely progress. And I thought across the board, I think there was progress there. There were spots you can point to need to be better. But I think I think it was a a much better performance. >> Tony Pard's off to a good start. 19 carries for 99 yards on the year, 12 carries, 64 yards in this game. Taj Spears, a 26-yd run. When you had to get 21, he got 26. I love the dance, too, by the way, after the >> [laughter] >> uh after the conversion there. Nick Singleton makes his NFL debut. Had a couple of good runs in the game. So, the ground game was certainly more effective in this game. Calvin Ridley catches a couple of balls. Got into a bit of a rhythm there. Carnell Tate a couple of catches in the game. Elico IO Manor has a viral moment with a 41 yard completion and hurdling, completely hurdling a defender. By the way, you see the hurdle a lot now, whether it's at the collegiate or the professional level. I think I did a game, you were at two games this weekend that featured hurdles. Um, and you can't always completely hurdle the human in front of you, but uh, I Manor did. And, um, so there are you, like you said, it's not enough to win. There's a ways to go, but there's a lot of, um, progress offensively in the game. >> Yeah. Yeah, and I think that's the the running game part of it has to be a factor every week because that helps everyone. Uh you've got to be able to run the football. I certainly think the team was encouraged by the success it had there. >> Uh that helps Cam, that helps the O line. Uh should help the defense, you know, keeping, you know, keeping keeping them off the field. Unfortunately, that didn't play out that way on Sunday. I mean, the time of possession two weeks in a way a row has been a killer. and playing in that heat, it it really makes life difficult for those guys being out there as much as they could. The reason that happened wasn't because, you know, of the run game or what the what the Eagles were able to do, it was because they converted so many third downs and were able to to get third and twelves and third and 13s and third and eights. And that's why the the time of possession was so slanted. >> Yeah. And that's where I want to go next. And by the way, Rhett Brian promises me that the temperature is going down forever moving forward and we're not going to deal with that absurd heat that we've had um throughout the preeason and into the regular season. It's moving out of here this week and it'll be cooler certainly at Metife Stadium up uh on the Jersey New York line on uh on Sunday. Jimmy, you just mentioned the defense and there's a lot to unpack here because they have a ton of pressures in this game on first and second down. A ton of tackles for loss. They're in the back field from the jump. Jeffrey Simmons knocks Saquon Barkley out of the game on the first play on a on a play that I guess technically was no game, but they they spotted the ball a foot further back than it was before that play. Uh they were constantly wreaking havoc on first and second down, but you said it 11 third down conversions for the Eagles in the game. >> Yeah, that was a killer. I mean, and and pressure was good. I mean, Simmons was back there a lot. Jacob Barton was back there a lot, but uh the thing about Herz is he does such a good job of eluding pressure and and finding guys downfield. There were occasions where guys are just too too wide open and it made things too easy for the Eagles. And that's the frustrating part is you can do some, you know, some better things on first and second down and get yourself a chance to get off the field and uh it just didn't happen. That's when you just got to improve just being able to close the deal on those. And you know, whether that's being more aggressive and picking your spots on when to get pressure and catching teams off guard, you got to cover better. I I think I think the Titans uh not having Cordell Flot I thought that was a a significant development that was that u was not really expected. I mean Flot was late in the week he dealt with a quad injury. I think everybody expected him to play got close to game time or close to game time they realized they weren't able going to be able to do it. They had to make some adjustments there and I think that contributed to some of the missed assignments on the back end that allowed the Eagles to make some of those plays, but tighten things up across the board and hopefully get flopped back for the Giants and um and just learn from mistakes. >> And of course, we got to talk about Ammani Hooker's 13th career interception, tying Jason McCordi, top 10 all time in Titans history for interceptions. What an incredible moment that was in the stadium. And I I realize the last couple of years have been lean. Um last year one win at home against the Kansas City Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce didn't play in the game. So it's been a minute since there was a big moment in Nissan Stadium. That was a huge moment. 90ard interception from the end zone back to the Eagles 10 yardd line. >> That was a great play. I mean he he had a great read on that. Jumped the route. Um thought he was going to score. you know, he admitted himself. His legs started to get a little heavy around the 50. He still managed to to make it another 40 yards and uh uh great play by him and and you mentioned the Marcus Harris play. I you know on that play Smith looked like he was he was wide open on the sideline there. But uh Marcus got himself in a position where he could closed on that ball and made a big catch. And I think that was a moment where I thought you know Titans may win this game and got the ball there. There was energy in the in the stadium. offense drives the ball down the field. That as as you know, that was that that was what led up to the Io Manor hurdle and then the Spears run and then the Titans just couldn't close the deal when they got the ball back. But that sequence um toward the end of the fourth quarter is was as lively as I've heard that stadium in a while, even with a with a few Eagles fans in there. So, what do you think about the Titans making the first road trip of the season at the New York Giants against some some familiar coaching faces? The defensive coordinator for the Titans the last few years is now the defensive coordinator for the Giants. And Dinard Wilson, the quarterback's coach for the Giants, um, now is the man that was the head coach the last couple years. And Brian Callahan. >> Yeah. And got a couple of coaches on our staff that used to be in the Giants with the Giants team. >> Brian Dable was their head coach and now he's offense coordinator of the Titans. Yeah. bunch of players too. >> Yeah. So, it is an interesting week. You know, so many familiar faces. It'll be some interesting story lines um you know, for this one and catching the Giants on a short week playing the Monday night game out in Los Angeles. They got to travel across the country. So, uh Titans need to play well. I mean, we've seen two Titans teams so far this year. One in week one against the Jets didn't look so good. Week two looked a lot better. So, what's this team going to be all about? We we should get more clues as this season goes on. Our next chance is going to be, you know, in East Rutherford. And uh certainly a winnable game for the Titans. We're gonna have to play well and and not make mistakes. >> One game back in the division. I mean, it's I mean, look, you know, it's crazy things are going on right now in the in the AFC South. Go get a win and get right back into the fight. >> Yeah. And you look at across the league yesterday, I didn't add them up, but a lot of road teams won and there were some surprising results >> uh coming out of Sunday. So, I I think I think as the weeks go on, we'll figure out what teams are really like. This team is hard to predict at this point because of we've seen two completely different teams over the first two weeks of the season. I think you could look a lot of NFL markets and say the same thing. So, cream rises to the top. You know, this team just needs to keep uh getting better and and hopefully get to the midway point of the season and think, you know, things are >> things are looking encouraging and maybe the second half will be interesting. >> I know you can't see us if you're listening to us on the radio, but if you're watching on the OTP, one last thing here. That visor that Jim Wyatt wears, he's worn every day. Uh it's got a little stain on the top of it. I know he got it just a few months ago because it's a brand new logo, but he wears it every Well, he wears it almost every day. He has two visors. If you don't wear that one, you wear a Vanderbilt Commodore's visor. And there's no way you have ever seen anything like what you saw at First Bank Stadium on the west side of Nashville on Saturday afternoon. >> Yeah, it was crazy. And I actually wear three visors. You know, I wear my Dodgers wear that, too. I used >> You don't really see that in the facility as much. >> It used to be I I think now we got the new logo. And this actually is a the stain is an old Nike logo. If you look closely, you can see tell where I peeled off the Nike logo and I had one of the equipment guys put the new logo on there. [laughter] So, it looks like a stain. I think as this as this hat dirties up a little bit, you won't be able to notice it as much. But that's the remnants of what used to be a Nike logo. But I do wear this every day. Um I think with the new logo in the building, everybody proud of that. I think I think I need to represent the new logo around here. But I wear my Vandy and I wear my Dodgers away from here and I was wearing my I actually say I wasn't wearing my visor on Saturday. I was wearing a bucket hat to keep that uh sun off of me. But I was at that game and I've seen a lot of crazy endings. There were probably a little bit over a minute left when Van threw an interception. My wife said, you know, let's get out of here, beat the crowd. And I said, Stephanie, I said, you know, there's, you know, Vain has got two timeouts. I said, they're going to have to do something with this football if they don't get a first down. So, let's just stick around and see if and see if something crazy happens. And something crazy happened. And uh [laughter] it was uh you're on the call for that. Was a great call. I watched it per in person. I went home listen to your call and then I listened to I watched it again last night. So, I've I've already watched that several times back. >> I used to live in Raleigh, North Carolina, by the way. Uh wow. I don't know how you ever get over that one, Jimmy. Great stuff, my man. Good to see you. >> Appreciate it. Appreciate it. We'll do this again next week. Hopefully after a win. >> The great Rhett Bryant. The executive Oh, don't look at me like that. You are You are the great Rhett Bryan. This shouldn't be a shock to anybody. The executive producer of Titans Radio, who of course also has a uh an on air role and has for many years. And anyone that says that it is better to have um had their heart torn out of their chest than to never have any feeling in their heart at all. >> Yeah. >> Um you can go back and forth on that, I guess. >> Sure you could. >> But I'd rather put yourself out there. I'd rather be in the fight. I'd rather >> I'd rather had loved and lost than not loved at all. >> Thank you. And I It is It stings. really does when you go through something like that. Um, there is a silver lining though. I know that I know what Robert Salah told us. I know what everybody in the locker room said, but there's a lot of progress that I think everyone saw Sunday at Nissan Stadium. >> Taylor, there is because let's go with something else Robert Sol's been telling us for a couple of weeks now is that this team will get better week over week. And now in a oneame sample size and from week two, they did. >> Mhm. >> And now, and I know we're going to talk about the Giants uh here shortly, but you know, the hope is that they improve another level again and get a win, get a road win in Metife Stadium. Let's do that. But there are plenty of things to to hang your hat on where you can see marked improvement. No, the column that you want, the mark there to the left, you didn't get that. You got another one on the right. But there's a whole lot of things that point in the right direction. >> Um, there's some people in my life that make fun of me when I try to join the 21st century and make comments that are from present day. Their names are Katie, Grace, and Chloe. A few others in my life, too. Um, but the Titans Radio booth was a vibe on Sunday. >> It was vibing as they >> It was vibing for real. >> Yeah, >> it was vibing on Sunday. All right, that's enough of the 21st century references, but um we were we were going nuts in there. I mean, you think of all the big moments that were had in that game. The the hooker interception, everybody standing in our booth. Cam Ward fighting tooth and nail with every inch to get into the end zone and score the first touchdown of the game. the Ellio Manor hurdle, the Taj Spears third and 21 conversion, the Cam Ward other rushing touchdown that he had in the game, the Marcus Harris interception. I mean, I could go on and on. There were a number of moments in that game that made that booth seven at Nissan Stadium go crazy. And that was uh it was nice to have those moments on Sunday. >> And it was never out of reach. That's the great thing about all of us. They had a chance with 4 seconds left in the ball game. >> Yeah. >> And that's uh that's not enough. I understand. But with the way things have gone in recent seasons, um I I consider that a place of moving in the right direction. But yeah, there's so many things you can point to in this. I mean, the run game, 122 yards as a team on the ground. Um, a and while the defense had its issues getting off the field on third down because I mean here the Eagles have a first half and a second half drive combined just a few seconds short of 21 minutes of game clock. >> Mhm. >> But they live to tell about it. And not only that, but the Titans on offense had a couple of doubledigit play drives themselves. So the the fight is there, the battle is there. And um using that same line of thought, they had a puncherous chance. >> Yeah, they did. I mean, you could argue they should have won the game, that they outplayed the Eagles, that certainly from an effort standpoint, all of it it it was there. Um it does it makes it heartbreaking. And u my mind is not at 100% capacity right now, as you can tell, but um you are correct. you'd rather loved and lost than to have never loved at all. And it's the same thing when it goes with um having a chance to win a football game. You'd rather have a chance and come up short and have your heart broken than not have a chance at all. And uh that was the case. >> No one wants to see a boat race unless it's your team. >> Yeah, that's right. >> Your team's delivering the the boat race part of it, you know. >> Okay. Um you are one of the few people in my life that likes to write out a bunch of notes. Um, you two are you you actually aren't as allergic to computers as I am, but it's close. And, uh, you did take a lot of notes on there. What else did you write down about this one? You talked about the rushing attack. Uh, defensive effort was there. Anything else that you want to point out? >> Here's a couple of things that will tell you how this ball game went. Uh, and this these are some excellent stats from the league postgame. And that Jaylen Herz had three and a half seconds to throw against the Titans defense. in week two. That's a fourth longest time he's had to throw in his career. >> And so that explains why some of that can't get off the field on third down is there >> because he's given an inordinate amount of time or above average amount of time to make a play. However, you know, I I I pour the bucket out, I fill it back up. Cam Ward on quick throws, which are measured two and a half seconds or less, he was eight of eight for 87 yards. So, let's see some more of that. Jim Wyatt told us already like, let's talk about doing more with the run game because we know how much that helps Cam Ward in this. I mean, there are several things um that point to some good stuff. Uh Jeffrey Simmons had seven pressures and a quarterback sack. That's 13 pressures in two games. So, they just need more. They need consistency. That's what they need. And then if you can, you know, make a big play here and there, you can find yourself in it. That's one of the reasons why time of possession was nearly 13 minutes in difference, but you had you won the turnover battle. That's why. And you ended up with good third down conversion yourself. You were over 45% there. So, >> just keep working. And that's what Robert Salah and them they're going to do at at Vanderbilt Health Football Center right here where we are is put the work in because you know you're going on a back-toback road trip and you're going to the Meadowlands to Met Life first and then we'll talk about next week next week. >> Hey, one last thing to mention about this past weekend Saturday and Sunday Vanderbilt NC State game Titans Eagles two of the hottest games in the history of the city of Nashville, right? >> Yeah. And we got lucky with with the Titans part of it because there was a stray shower or two in the area before kickoff which actually made the temp much lower at kickoff that would have qualified it as the hottest game ever. However, I showed you at one point I guess in the second half was 98 degrees feels feels like 101 and I've heard uh playing surface temperatures anywhere from 135 to 150 degrees. So those guys earned their checks on Sunday. I don't care who you are. >> Yeah, that's right. And uh I know you're excited that fall is headed this way this week. >> It can't get here quick enough. And I think the forecast in the Meadowlands is supposed to be lovely and but more importantly, it's going to be lovely here very soon. >> I know that you want to come back from Metife Stadium with a victory. Nothing would make you happier than that >> in the great state of New Jersey, the Garden State. >> Yes. Yes. That absolutely. I mean, that's what the doctor ordered. Period. Um, the the Titans have had some awesome games in Titans history against the New York Giants. And one of my favorite games ever happened on that site, not in that building, but on that site in the Meadowlands. Um, in 2002, December the 1st of O2, Steve McNair and crew goes to Metife or actually to the old Meadowlands and plays Carrie Collins and the Giants there. And you know, the Giants are good. Um, in fact, something that people don't realize or remember is the first score, the first touchdown they had, he threw a touchdown to Dan Campbell, who was a tight end for the Giants. That same Dan Campbell, who's the head coach of the Detroit Lions. But anyway, this is a massive game for Steve McNair. >> And I mean, they're trailing by nine with eight, nine seconds left in the game. He throws a touchdown to Frank White and then he runs in the two-point conversion to tie it up to send it to overtime. And what's important as a footnote there is he had busted ribs. He had a he had an ankle and the torall shots had worn off by the time they got through overtime. But he ended up 30 of 43 for 334 yards and three touchdowns as what I call the precursor game. the last that that late in the year that preceded his co- MVP year in 2003 with Pton Manning. And I think the reason that I call it that is you're in that market in that size uh for for the league and those New York writers like who's this guy from Alorn State? Who's who's this Steve McNair guy? And I bring all that up to say that was year seven for Steve McNair. That was near the end of a third season with offensive coordinator uh Mike Heimerdinger who really developed and into a passer cuz he extended >> the football and move chains with his body if he wasn't throwing it to Frank Wichek or to Yansy Thigpin or Chris Sanders or Kevin Dyson. And that's just part of where I think we are just looking in contrast in comparison with with Cam Ward. Cam Ward is just at the beginning of all of this. He's just played >> in what 18 19 games now >> as a pro and there are signs there that he's going to grow and do this right. Steve McNair wasn't always the great Steve McNair. I go back to the middle of the Super Bowl season. And it was week nine, Sunday Night Football at what was then Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami. And he had a bad night. He was like 20 of 32. I think he had 233 yards, but he threw three interceptions, all three to Sam Madison. They lost shut out 17- nothing. That was the worst loss they had all year. >> And you know, again, that's several years into his career at that point. Yeah. >> Uh there's going to be ups, there's going to be downs. uh had I wished that you know Cam Ward on Sunday had found his way and a guy didn't tip that pass and he could connect to somebody and win that with four seconds to go. I think that's going to happen. Um and he's going to go back to work and keep trucking. But you need you need to see where you've come from to see where you're going is what I'm saying. It's great perspective from you. You've seen it all in the 30 years the Titans have had their organization in the great state of Tennessee. And um it's good to hear all those memories, some good memories of the Titans beating the Giants. Let's make some more on Sunday, my friend. >> Oh, let's do that. Because one of the last times that they were there playing the Giants, uh this would have been late November of 2018, they shut him out in there 17 nothing. >> Let's go do something like that. >> I love it. Thank >> you, Rhett. Appreciate him. Appreciate Jim Wyatt. Appreciate Robert Salah and Elio Manor for being on this week's edition of the OTP. I'm Taylor Zarger. We'll talk [music] to you next week.