1 00:00:10,039 --> 00:00:13,080 Speaker 1: This is the OTP presented by Farm Bureau Health Plans. 2 00:00:13,119 --> 00:00:16,439 Speaker 1: For seventy five years, Tennessee's have been relying on Farm 3 00:00:16,480 --> 00:00:20,480 Speaker 1: Bureau Health Plans for their healthcare cup Why Better Rates 4 00:00:20,640 --> 00:00:24,639 Speaker 1: Better Cup and burst with Amy Wells. I'm Mike Keith. 5 00:00:24,680 --> 00:00:28,000 Speaker 1: It is Back Together Saturday. I wonder how they came 6 00:00:28,080 --> 00:00:31,080 Speaker 1: up with Back Together Saturday. Well, because we're all together 7 00:00:31,120 --> 00:00:34,199 Speaker 1: and it's Saturday, July the thirtieth, that everybody's having a 8 00:00:34,280 --> 00:00:38,160 Speaker 1: practice and fans are allowed back in and really nice 9 00:00:38,159 --> 00:00:40,640 Speaker 1: for us because we have not had fans in Ascension 10 00:00:40,760 --> 00:00:44,159 Speaker 1: Saint Thomas Sports Park since twenty nineteen. Yep. There's been 11 00:00:44,200 --> 00:00:47,159 Speaker 1: so much construction and just a lot of changes and 12 00:00:47,159 --> 00:00:51,080 Speaker 1: then obviously COVID happened, and so it was so good 13 00:00:51,120 --> 00:00:55,240 Speaker 1: to have people around again. Like it really it felt like, oh, 14 00:00:55,240 --> 00:00:57,800 Speaker 1: this is training camp, because when there's no fans here, 15 00:00:58,320 --> 00:01:02,600 Speaker 1: training camp just feels like a practice, you know, it 16 00:01:02,680 --> 00:01:05,640 Speaker 1: just feels like the regular practices of the week. And 17 00:01:05,760 --> 00:01:08,679 Speaker 1: having fans here, there's such a buzz, there's such an excitement, 18 00:01:08,720 --> 00:01:12,000 Speaker 1: there's an energy. It felt really really good. Well, Robert 19 00:01:12,000 --> 00:01:14,399 Speaker 1: Woods went up and made a great catch today and 20 00:01:14,440 --> 00:01:18,480 Speaker 1: the crowd reaction was such that it's like, Okay, that's 21 00:01:18,480 --> 00:01:22,600 Speaker 1: a good play, and the players feed off that enthusiasm, 22 00:01:22,680 --> 00:01:25,039 Speaker 1: and you know those sorts of plays when they happen 23 00:01:25,120 --> 00:01:27,319 Speaker 1: and they're people around, there is a different feel. I 24 00:01:27,319 --> 00:01:31,520 Speaker 1: think that's right. Back Together Saturday is an odd name, Mike, 25 00:01:31,720 --> 00:01:34,800 Speaker 1: because we're back together, the league is back toge. I 26 00:01:34,800 --> 00:01:37,400 Speaker 1: couldn't come up with something catchy or in a literation 27 00:01:37,520 --> 00:01:41,640 Speaker 1: of some sort like sassy Saturday. I don't think I 28 00:01:41,680 --> 00:01:44,720 Speaker 1: would have gone with sassy s word I could think 29 00:01:44,720 --> 00:01:48,840 Speaker 1: of at the time. But it's the league and we 30 00:01:48,880 --> 00:01:51,040 Speaker 1: all know that the National Football League can make an 31 00:01:51,040 --> 00:01:53,400 Speaker 1: event out of just about anything, and they do and 32 00:01:53,440 --> 00:01:57,080 Speaker 1: they do, and Back Together Saturday is the next big thing. 33 00:01:57,240 --> 00:01:59,160 Speaker 1: I do want to explain one thing though. There are 34 00:01:59,200 --> 00:02:02,760 Speaker 1: a lot of people pool who have wondered why we 35 00:02:02,920 --> 00:02:06,639 Speaker 1: can't get a thousand and fifteen hundred. However, many people 36 00:02:06,880 --> 00:02:12,120 Speaker 1: into practice at assentionce St. Thomas Sports Park anymore, if 37 00:02:12,160 --> 00:02:15,880 Speaker 1: you're not familiar, We have built a whole new building here. Yes, 38 00:02:16,320 --> 00:02:20,280 Speaker 1: the size of our organization has increased under Amy Adams 39 00:02:20,280 --> 00:02:22,960 Speaker 1: Strunk to the point that we ran out of room 40 00:02:23,760 --> 00:02:28,280 Speaker 1: and so the building, which is still being completed we 41 00:02:28,360 --> 00:02:31,200 Speaker 1: will have a studio at some point and we'll have 42 00:02:31,240 --> 00:02:34,440 Speaker 1: an opportunity to do this, hopefully maybe where you can 43 00:02:34,480 --> 00:02:38,280 Speaker 1: even see us. But the point being the building and 44 00:02:38,320 --> 00:02:42,080 Speaker 1: the construction is such they're doing construction on one of 45 00:02:42,080 --> 00:02:45,840 Speaker 1: the fields, getting it in shape, and so you're out 46 00:02:45,840 --> 00:02:47,519 Speaker 1: of room in that way. And the other thing that's 47 00:02:47,560 --> 00:02:51,840 Speaker 1: happened too is an area that we used for parking 48 00:02:51,919 --> 00:02:55,160 Speaker 1: at one point over here at the Metro Center area 49 00:02:55,160 --> 00:02:59,480 Speaker 1: at Rosa Parks is not available to us anymore. So 50 00:03:00,520 --> 00:03:02,560 Speaker 1: we're not ever probably going to go back to being 51 00:03:02,600 --> 00:03:06,280 Speaker 1: able to have that here. At certain points, I think 52 00:03:06,320 --> 00:03:10,200 Speaker 1: we will do more events at the stadium when the 53 00:03:10,280 --> 00:03:14,520 Speaker 1: stadium is not booked like tonight as SummerSlam. So because 54 00:03:14,520 --> 00:03:17,600 Speaker 1: of the construction and because of just the year, we 55 00:03:17,680 --> 00:03:19,960 Speaker 1: do have some opportunities to get some people back in. 56 00:03:20,160 --> 00:03:23,280 Speaker 1: It's not quite as many as before, but we're going 57 00:03:23,360 --> 00:03:27,880 Speaker 1: to keep looking at options in twenty twenty three and beyond. Right, 58 00:03:27,960 --> 00:03:31,400 Speaker 1: we still want to bring the training camp experience to everybody, 59 00:03:31,520 --> 00:03:34,440 Speaker 1: and obviously we will cover it as best we can 60 00:03:34,520 --> 00:03:36,480 Speaker 1: to make sure you feel as though you are here. 61 00:03:36,920 --> 00:03:39,880 Speaker 1: But it's all indicative of the Tennessee Titans and just 62 00:03:39,960 --> 00:03:43,160 Speaker 1: the way that they are expanding and growing and it's 63 00:03:43,160 --> 00:03:45,920 Speaker 1: all good stuff. Well, we appreciate the response to the 64 00:03:45,960 --> 00:03:49,160 Speaker 1: live look in that we did on our various channels 65 00:03:49,280 --> 00:03:52,000 Speaker 1: that was fun sponsored by Coca Cola. We're scheduled to 66 00:03:52,000 --> 00:03:54,840 Speaker 1: do a couple more of those when Tampa comes into 67 00:03:54,880 --> 00:03:58,400 Speaker 1: town and when Arizona comes into town. We enjoy doing 68 00:03:58,400 --> 00:04:01,320 Speaker 1: those very much. And as part of Back Together Saturday, 69 00:04:01,400 --> 00:04:04,280 Speaker 1: you were on NFL Network. I was on NFL Network. 70 00:04:04,320 --> 00:04:06,760 Speaker 1: It's one of the cool things that the league does. 71 00:04:07,840 --> 00:04:10,240 Speaker 1: Just myself. Well, no, no, no, no, But who at 72 00:04:10,280 --> 00:04:13,839 Speaker 1: the studio first? Oh? So it was Scott Hansen. Oh 73 00:04:13,880 --> 00:04:16,800 Speaker 1: so he and I. Yeah, he and I had a 74 00:04:16,800 --> 00:04:18,840 Speaker 1: little chat. Very nice man. I had only ever met 75 00:04:18,960 --> 00:04:22,520 Speaker 1: him through that part of the NFL making Back Together 76 00:04:22,560 --> 00:04:25,720 Speaker 1: Saturday a big thing. Back Together Saturday, Back Together Saturday, 77 00:04:25,720 --> 00:04:31,440 Speaker 1: Sassy Saturday. No. Part of that is their coverage of 78 00:04:31,480 --> 00:04:34,520 Speaker 1: the day is wall to wall. All thirty two teams 79 00:04:34,560 --> 00:04:37,480 Speaker 1: are a part of it, and to supplement some of 80 00:04:37,520 --> 00:04:40,720 Speaker 1: their existing talent that they have, they use team reporters. 81 00:04:40,720 --> 00:04:42,760 Speaker 1: I've done it for the last couple of years and 82 00:04:42,800 --> 00:04:45,320 Speaker 1: it's a cool opportunity to work with some different people 83 00:04:45,360 --> 00:04:47,920 Speaker 1: and really talk about the Titans and show off that 84 00:04:48,040 --> 00:04:49,920 Speaker 1: we've got going here. You were on with Kay Adams 85 00:04:50,000 --> 00:04:52,359 Speaker 1: last year. I was on with Kay Adams. She called 86 00:04:52,400 --> 00:04:55,359 Speaker 1: me young. It was great and she's how much older 87 00:04:55,360 --> 00:04:58,159 Speaker 1: than you are? Oh? Two years? I think. Yeah. We 88 00:04:58,240 --> 00:05:01,760 Speaker 1: both went to Miszoo Go Go and yes, she called 89 00:05:01,800 --> 00:05:05,520 Speaker 1: me a young journalist. Well that was nice, It really was. 90 00:05:06,080 --> 00:05:09,560 Speaker 1: God bless Kay Adams. Speaking of journalists, Dan Helly was here. 91 00:05:10,240 --> 00:05:13,159 Speaker 1: Our friend Dan Helly, who will be doing the Titans 92 00:05:13,279 --> 00:05:17,919 Speaker 1: preseason TV with Charles Davis again this year. Dan was 93 00:05:17,960 --> 00:05:20,320 Speaker 1: in town today to watch the team. Charles is coming 94 00:05:20,320 --> 00:05:23,320 Speaker 1: in next week to watch the team practice, and of 95 00:05:23,360 --> 00:05:26,840 Speaker 1: course they'll do all three preseason games at Baltimore and 96 00:05:26,880 --> 00:05:29,440 Speaker 1: then the home games against Tampa Bay in Arizona. So 97 00:05:29,760 --> 00:05:33,000 Speaker 1: appreciate their preparation. Wanting to do a good job for 98 00:05:33,440 --> 00:05:37,600 Speaker 1: Titans fans. Charles and I will actually be doing the 99 00:05:37,800 --> 00:05:41,920 Speaker 1: serious XM NFL Radio, which is channel eighty eight. We'll 100 00:05:41,960 --> 00:05:46,520 Speaker 1: be doing the special about the Titans and it'll air 101 00:05:46,680 --> 00:05:49,000 Speaker 1: next Friday three to five o'clock. I think that may 102 00:05:49,040 --> 00:05:52,360 Speaker 1: be Eastern. I'll have to check that. Oh, that'll be fun. Yes, 103 00:05:52,520 --> 00:05:55,800 Speaker 1: I'll have to tune in and Charles. Working with Charles, 104 00:05:55,800 --> 00:05:57,400 Speaker 1: that makes all you have to do is go, here's 105 00:05:57,480 --> 00:06:00,000 Speaker 1: Charles Davis and then I'll just get up and leave. Yeah, 106 00:06:00,040 --> 00:06:03,000 Speaker 1: because he can roll. I mean, he's so knowledgeable, the 107 00:06:03,160 --> 00:06:07,600 Speaker 1: nicest human you'd ever meet, and loquacious. Well to have 108 00:06:07,839 --> 00:06:11,080 Speaker 1: Dan Helly and Charles Davis do our preseason games and 109 00:06:11,120 --> 00:06:13,719 Speaker 1: Corey Curtis does a really good job on the sidelines too. 110 00:06:14,320 --> 00:06:18,120 Speaker 1: I'd put our preseason TV up with anybody, Oh absolutely 111 00:06:18,320 --> 00:06:21,120 Speaker 1: in terms of how well they know their team, being 112 00:06:21,240 --> 00:06:24,919 Speaker 1: national talents, and it's a really good thing for the 113 00:06:24,960 --> 00:06:29,440 Speaker 1: Tennessee Titans and for Titans fans everywhere who watched these games. 114 00:06:29,480 --> 00:06:33,880 Speaker 1: So looking forward to that. Pads come on Monday, yeehaw, 115 00:06:34,200 --> 00:06:37,839 Speaker 1: four days of the acclamation period. And Mike Rabel pulled 116 00:06:37,880 --> 00:06:42,719 Speaker 1: no punches when he was asked about what changes on money. 117 00:06:42,720 --> 00:06:45,200 Speaker 1: He's like, yeah, it's a lot of it gets real. 118 00:06:46,279 --> 00:06:49,120 Speaker 1: That's not exactly what he said, but that's what he means. 119 00:06:49,920 --> 00:06:52,799 Speaker 1: There are some spots where it starts to get real. 120 00:06:53,000 --> 00:06:55,480 Speaker 1: You know, you can run around in shorts and everybody 121 00:06:55,480 --> 00:06:58,640 Speaker 1: can look good and we can take the right steps 122 00:06:58,720 --> 00:07:02,800 Speaker 1: and fulfill our responsibilities, but how do you respond when 123 00:07:02,800 --> 00:07:05,200 Speaker 1: you get punched in the mouth. That's just a figure 124 00:07:05,240 --> 00:07:09,600 Speaker 1: of speech. But the point is some guys play very 125 00:07:09,680 --> 00:07:12,760 Speaker 1: differently the moment the pads come on. It's a different 126 00:07:12,800 --> 00:07:15,680 Speaker 1: ball game. This is actual football now when the pads 127 00:07:15,720 --> 00:07:17,720 Speaker 1: come on and the guys can hit, and especially for 128 00:07:17,760 --> 00:07:20,600 Speaker 1: those big guys, the guys in the trenches, because that's 129 00:07:20,600 --> 00:07:22,480 Speaker 1: what they do. Their whole job is to hit each other. 130 00:07:22,560 --> 00:07:24,480 Speaker 1: So I was making a list of who does it 131 00:07:24,600 --> 00:07:28,720 Speaker 1: definitely affect starting next week, and you could say, you know, 132 00:07:28,880 --> 00:07:32,360 Speaker 1: defensive back, and you could say running back, and it 133 00:07:32,480 --> 00:07:35,840 Speaker 1: will there will be more things in the competition, like 134 00:07:35,960 --> 00:07:39,360 Speaker 1: in the games and in the practices against the Buccaneers 135 00:07:39,400 --> 00:07:42,200 Speaker 1: and the practices against the Cardinals where those things will 136 00:07:42,240 --> 00:07:44,720 Speaker 1: stand out. But I think the immediate thing on Monday 137 00:07:44,720 --> 00:07:48,320 Speaker 1: and Tuesday, as you dive in, really alludes to what 138 00:07:48,360 --> 00:07:51,239 Speaker 1: you're saying, and that's both lines and the defensive line. 139 00:07:51,400 --> 00:07:54,400 Speaker 1: Jeffrey Simmons is on this football team. Yes, the Nico 140 00:07:54,480 --> 00:07:58,560 Speaker 1: Autry on this football team. Outside of that, it gets 141 00:07:58,680 --> 00:08:04,120 Speaker 1: pretty wild. I mean Kevin Strong, DeMarcus Walker, DeShawn Hand, 142 00:08:04,880 --> 00:08:10,760 Speaker 1: Tier Tart, Laurell Murchison, Naquan Jones, and then you got 143 00:08:10,800 --> 00:08:14,840 Speaker 1: Haskell Garrett, the Ohio State product who who was actually 144 00:08:14,840 --> 00:08:17,760 Speaker 1: shot in the face before the twenty twenty season and 145 00:08:17,840 --> 00:08:20,800 Speaker 1: yet came back and played and played well. It's a 146 00:08:20,840 --> 00:08:24,960 Speaker 1: crazy story. What a comeback. Jaden Peevee, a defensive lineman 147 00:08:25,000 --> 00:08:26,960 Speaker 1: from Texas A and M who was kind of a 148 00:08:27,080 --> 00:08:32,760 Speaker 1: run stuffing, can't move him sort of guy for the Aggies. 149 00:08:33,120 --> 00:08:38,319 Speaker 1: And then an undersized defensive lineman named Sam Okawanna New 150 00:08:38,480 --> 00:08:46,240 Speaker 1: spelled okay u a y i n o n uaw 151 00:08:46,960 --> 00:08:50,240 Speaker 1: and he's six one, two seventy. He's a guy who 152 00:08:50,320 --> 00:08:54,600 Speaker 1: really just started playing football about five six years ago, 153 00:08:54,720 --> 00:08:58,880 Speaker 1: originally from Liberia, and he's an interesting prospect out of Maryland. 154 00:08:59,800 --> 00:09:03,120 Speaker 1: So you have a Conqwo the tight end from Maryland, 155 00:09:03,200 --> 00:09:08,400 Speaker 1: and you have Okawana New, the defensive lineman from Maryland. 156 00:09:08,760 --> 00:09:13,239 Speaker 1: And then you also have ironically, Chance Campbell, the linebacker 157 00:09:13,280 --> 00:09:16,400 Speaker 1: who was a draft pick. He played at Maryland before 158 00:09:16,440 --> 00:09:18,880 Speaker 1: he transferred to Ole Miss for his senior year. It's 159 00:09:18,880 --> 00:09:21,720 Speaker 1: a lot of Maryland, a lot of Terrapin flavor on 160 00:09:21,760 --> 00:09:25,720 Speaker 1: this team. I mean, listen, So I reeled off those 161 00:09:25,840 --> 00:09:30,880 Speaker 1: names and you generally keep five to six defensive linemen. Yeah, 162 00:09:30,920 --> 00:09:33,520 Speaker 1: so a lot of those guys, I mean it's gonna 163 00:09:33,520 --> 00:09:36,080 Speaker 1: be a battle. And then in the offensive line, I 164 00:09:36,080 --> 00:09:39,880 Speaker 1: mean Lawan's the left tackle, Date Davis is the right guard, 165 00:09:40,160 --> 00:09:42,720 Speaker 1: Ben Jones is the center, and then you've got the 166 00:09:42,760 --> 00:09:47,000 Speaker 1: battle at left guard, which is Aaron Brewer, the undersized 167 00:09:47,080 --> 00:09:50,480 Speaker 1: third year man out of Texas State, and Jamarco Jones, 168 00:09:50,679 --> 00:09:54,440 Speaker 1: who is a bigger guy, comes over from Seattle and 169 00:09:54,559 --> 00:09:58,160 Speaker 1: he's six four two ninety three, so he's bigger than Brewer, 170 00:09:58,480 --> 00:10:01,880 Speaker 1: right but right now, because he's been here, you would 171 00:10:01,920 --> 00:10:05,080 Speaker 1: figure Brewer has the edge. Then you've got another Ohio 172 00:10:05,200 --> 00:10:09,400 Speaker 1: State guy, Nicholas petit Frere, who is jumping right in 173 00:10:09,440 --> 00:10:12,400 Speaker 1: there at tackle positions. He's taken every rep he can. 174 00:10:12,559 --> 00:10:15,520 Speaker 1: Third round pick this year, good looking players six five 175 00:10:15,640 --> 00:10:20,760 Speaker 1: three sixteen. The right tackle right now is Dylan Rateds right. 176 00:10:21,000 --> 00:10:23,679 Speaker 1: He hasn't won the job, but he's grabbed the pole 177 00:10:23,840 --> 00:10:28,280 Speaker 1: position for right now. He's the leader towards winning that job. 178 00:10:28,600 --> 00:10:30,560 Speaker 1: But can he keep it up when they put the 179 00:10:30,600 --> 00:10:34,800 Speaker 1: pads on. It's interesting to see some of these positions 180 00:10:34,800 --> 00:10:37,920 Speaker 1: and how it evolves because we watch practice and you 181 00:10:38,040 --> 00:10:40,440 Speaker 1: see the formations and you're trying to figure out okay, 182 00:10:40,440 --> 00:10:43,040 Speaker 1: who's in what spot, who's working where, and we always 183 00:10:43,080 --> 00:10:47,120 Speaker 1: have to remember that for the offensive line, for the 184 00:10:47,160 --> 00:10:51,120 Speaker 1: defensive line, but offensive line specifically during this time of 185 00:10:51,160 --> 00:10:53,360 Speaker 1: the year, they like to mix it up because you're 186 00:10:53,360 --> 00:10:57,000 Speaker 1: trying to find that right chemistry for the entire line. Yes, 187 00:10:57,080 --> 00:11:00,440 Speaker 1: you need individual performers and you need each guy to 188 00:11:00,559 --> 00:11:03,160 Speaker 1: be the best at that position, but there's also a 189 00:11:03,240 --> 00:11:06,720 Speaker 1: chemistry factor to that part, and so you're constantly seeing 190 00:11:06,720 --> 00:11:09,040 Speaker 1: them switch it up and put people in different places 191 00:11:09,080 --> 00:11:12,520 Speaker 1: just to see how they work together, how does it flow, 192 00:11:12,559 --> 00:11:15,000 Speaker 1: how does it fit, And it's so fun to watch. 193 00:11:15,000 --> 00:11:16,840 Speaker 1: It's one of my favorite things about training camp. Well, 194 00:11:16,880 --> 00:11:20,320 Speaker 1: so if you say those four Jamarco Jones, Dylan Raiden's, 195 00:11:20,440 --> 00:11:25,240 Speaker 1: Nicholas Petit Frere, and Aaron Brewer, along with Taylor Lawan, 196 00:11:25,480 --> 00:11:28,320 Speaker 1: Ben Jones and Date Davis, let's just say they're on 197 00:11:28,360 --> 00:11:32,280 Speaker 1: the team just for fun. So realistically then you only 198 00:11:32,320 --> 00:11:34,880 Speaker 1: have one or two more spots for the rest of 199 00:11:34,920 --> 00:11:38,880 Speaker 1: the guys who are playing in the line, Daniel Munyer 200 00:11:39,840 --> 00:11:44,240 Speaker 1: and Hayden Howarton, the rookie from SMU, Corey Levin, the 201 00:11:44,280 --> 00:11:46,439 Speaker 1: fourth year man out of Chattanooga who's done a really 202 00:11:46,480 --> 00:11:49,800 Speaker 1: good job Carson Greene played last year with Houston. He's 203 00:11:49,800 --> 00:11:53,520 Speaker 1: a Texas A and M guy. Xavier Newman a really 204 00:11:53,600 --> 00:11:57,679 Speaker 1: good looking prospect at the center guard slots from Baylor. 205 00:11:57,840 --> 00:12:00,320 Speaker 1: Christian Delaro who's been here for a while, who can 206 00:12:00,320 --> 00:12:04,160 Speaker 1: play tackle. Jordan Rouse is a veteran type player who 207 00:12:04,160 --> 00:12:09,959 Speaker 1: can play insider outside. Jalen McKenzie comes from usc really 208 00:12:10,000 --> 00:12:12,680 Speaker 1: came on last year for them at the tackle spot. 209 00:12:12,880 --> 00:12:18,800 Speaker 1: Andrew Rupsich from Culver Stockton. He was a three time 210 00:12:19,200 --> 00:12:22,839 Speaker 1: NAI All American at Culver Stockton. You know where that is? 211 00:12:23,000 --> 00:12:25,400 Speaker 1: I was just about to ask where that is? So 212 00:12:25,520 --> 00:12:32,000 Speaker 1: Missouri Culver Stockton. Culver Stockton is in Missouri. No, it's 213 00:12:32,040 --> 00:12:35,240 Speaker 1: not the University of Missouri. It's Culver Stockton. But don't 214 00:12:35,240 --> 00:12:38,480 Speaker 1: you feel compelled to just yell at sometimes? I really don't. 215 00:12:38,960 --> 00:12:41,880 Speaker 1: That's a shame, but I'm glad you do. But I 216 00:12:41,880 --> 00:12:44,000 Speaker 1: made so. We've gone through the D line, in the 217 00:12:44,080 --> 00:12:47,760 Speaker 1: O line and all of those names, and there's really 218 00:12:47,840 --> 00:12:51,480 Speaker 1: good competition, and I think everybody's gonna feel good to 219 00:12:51,480 --> 00:12:53,640 Speaker 1: watch that. It's not going to be as sexy as 220 00:12:53,679 --> 00:12:57,320 Speaker 1: talking about the wide receivers in the secondary and who's 221 00:12:57,360 --> 00:13:00,000 Speaker 1: going to back up Derrick Henry and those sorts of things. 222 00:13:00,280 --> 00:13:03,319 Speaker 1: But this to me will turn to the focus as 223 00:13:03,360 --> 00:13:06,560 Speaker 1: we get to pads on Monday. Yeah, and that's I 224 00:13:06,600 --> 00:13:10,320 Speaker 1: think it's good that you have the grimy, the tough parts. 225 00:13:10,360 --> 00:13:12,600 Speaker 1: I mean, these are the guys that when you get 226 00:13:12,640 --> 00:13:16,520 Speaker 1: there on Sundays, it all starts with this group, the 227 00:13:16,559 --> 00:13:18,839 Speaker 1: big guys up front on both sides of the ball. 228 00:13:19,280 --> 00:13:21,840 Speaker 1: So I think that while yes, it lacks some of 229 00:13:21,880 --> 00:13:25,600 Speaker 1: the flash and the excitement, it's a really really important 230 00:13:25,600 --> 00:13:27,760 Speaker 1: part of this football team. And I think that getting 231 00:13:27,840 --> 00:13:32,080 Speaker 1: these to be solid, consistent parts of the team makes 232 00:13:32,080 --> 00:13:36,280 Speaker 1: everything else a litilities. So first four days, good work, 233 00:13:37,000 --> 00:13:40,200 Speaker 1: knocking on wood here doesn't look like any sort of 234 00:13:40,360 --> 00:13:44,719 Speaker 1: major injury to this point. Sure there's some soreness, and 235 00:13:45,480 --> 00:13:47,400 Speaker 1: you know, some of the older players are probably going 236 00:13:47,480 --> 00:13:49,400 Speaker 1: to be backed off just a little bit, but they 237 00:13:49,400 --> 00:13:51,840 Speaker 1: get a break on Sunday and then come back to 238 00:13:51,880 --> 00:13:55,720 Speaker 1: work on Monday. So biggest thing I noticed was it 239 00:13:55,840 --> 00:14:01,360 Speaker 1: felt like Vabel work them harder, meaning maybe a little longer. 240 00:14:02,160 --> 00:14:05,559 Speaker 1: And maybe I'm wrong, but it really felt like he 241 00:14:05,640 --> 00:14:09,360 Speaker 1: was going at them from a conditioning standpoint, maybe because 242 00:14:09,360 --> 00:14:11,720 Speaker 1: it hasn't been quite as hot and it's supposed to 243 00:14:11,720 --> 00:14:15,559 Speaker 1: get really hot again. I'm just surmising. I don't know, 244 00:14:15,640 --> 00:14:18,959 Speaker 1: but the practices have been I mean, they've been getting 245 00:14:18,960 --> 00:14:22,200 Speaker 1: after it. This to me, it looks like a team 246 00:14:22,840 --> 00:14:27,200 Speaker 1: that is very comfortable together. There's a lot of consistency 247 00:14:27,240 --> 00:14:29,200 Speaker 1: on this team between the coaching staff, a lot of 248 00:14:29,200 --> 00:14:33,200 Speaker 1: players returning. These guys are familiar with each other. They're 249 00:14:33,240 --> 00:14:35,920 Speaker 1: familiar with the speed that Mike Vrabel wants to play at. 250 00:14:35,960 --> 00:14:40,040 Speaker 1: They're familiar with how a practice runs, what everything's supposed 251 00:14:40,040 --> 00:14:42,200 Speaker 1: to look like. This is a really good point. It 252 00:14:42,280 --> 00:14:46,320 Speaker 1: doesn't look like a team that is kind of trying 253 00:14:46,320 --> 00:14:49,240 Speaker 1: to establish its footing. This looks like a team that 254 00:14:49,320 --> 00:14:52,520 Speaker 1: has a foundation. They know where they're coming from, and 255 00:14:52,560 --> 00:14:57,400 Speaker 1: they're able to hit the next level of practice and 256 00:14:57,520 --> 00:15:00,840 Speaker 1: get some work done without doing the first couple days 257 00:15:00,840 --> 00:15:04,160 Speaker 1: of training camp kind of figuring out how everything's going 258 00:15:04,200 --> 00:15:06,400 Speaker 1: to work. That you see sometimes really good point. It's 259 00:15:06,480 --> 00:15:10,320 Speaker 1: really really good point because I think even the new 260 00:15:10,400 --> 00:15:14,680 Speaker 1: guys fit in well enough because there's so many people 261 00:15:14,800 --> 00:15:17,640 Speaker 1: familiar with what Vrabel wants from the coaching staff, the 262 00:15:17,680 --> 00:15:20,560 Speaker 1: playing staff, the rest of the staff who's on the 263 00:15:20,600 --> 00:15:24,680 Speaker 1: field running the practices. There does appear to be continuity. 264 00:15:24,840 --> 00:15:28,800 Speaker 1: Everything is going fast. Maybe that's what I was thinking. 265 00:15:28,840 --> 00:15:30,680 Speaker 1: You said it better than I did. Well, you've got 266 00:15:30,680 --> 00:15:35,080 Speaker 1: to think. And I was not at OTAs this season, 267 00:15:35,240 --> 00:15:38,040 Speaker 1: but I have seen Mike verbel OTAs in the past. 268 00:15:38,360 --> 00:15:40,600 Speaker 1: He runs them when they are able to get to 269 00:15:40,760 --> 00:15:44,600 Speaker 1: the practice types. He runs them very similar to a 270 00:15:44,640 --> 00:15:47,880 Speaker 1: training camp practice in kind of the style that they're moving. 271 00:15:47,920 --> 00:15:50,680 Speaker 1: They're doing obviously operating within the rules and the restrictions 272 00:15:50,680 --> 00:15:52,920 Speaker 1: of that time period, but he runs it in a 273 00:15:53,000 --> 00:15:55,920 Speaker 1: similar manner. He has a very distinct style in a 274 00:15:56,000 --> 00:15:58,600 Speaker 1: way that he practices the way that he likes that 275 00:15:58,720 --> 00:16:01,320 Speaker 1: to go. So some of the newer guys were able 276 00:16:01,360 --> 00:16:04,280 Speaker 1: to experience that and kind of understand that it's a 277 00:16:04,280 --> 00:16:06,400 Speaker 1: lot of veterans on this team, a lot of guys 278 00:16:06,440 --> 00:16:09,200 Speaker 1: who have been in a football practice before and kind 279 00:16:09,240 --> 00:16:11,600 Speaker 1: of can pick that up rather quickly. So when they 280 00:16:11,600 --> 00:16:14,320 Speaker 1: got to training camp, they were able to just take off. 281 00:16:14,720 --> 00:16:17,080 Speaker 1: Nice job. I think you've come back in You've just 282 00:16:17,800 --> 00:16:19,680 Speaker 1: been gone three months, and you just hit it like 283 00:16:19,760 --> 00:16:23,520 Speaker 1: you haven't missed anytime. Well, very impressive. We're all training, Mike. 284 00:16:23,720 --> 00:16:26,120 Speaker 1: That's it. It's training camp for everybody here. I need 285 00:16:26,120 --> 00:16:28,720 Speaker 1: a nap, but I don't want to. I do want 286 00:16:28,760 --> 00:16:30,840 Speaker 1: to tell you a story here on the OTP, which 287 00:16:30,840 --> 00:16:32,960 Speaker 1: by the way, is sponsored by our good friends at 288 00:16:33,040 --> 00:16:37,080 Speaker 1: Farm Bureau Health Plans. Better rates, better coverage, and better service. 289 00:16:37,120 --> 00:16:39,480 Speaker 1: That's why Tennessee's have been relying on Farm Bureau Health 290 00:16:39,480 --> 00:16:42,640 Speaker 1: Plans for their coverage for seventy five years. So I'm 291 00:16:42,640 --> 00:16:44,960 Speaker 1: gonna tell you a story. Okay, Okay, So you know 292 00:16:45,000 --> 00:16:47,160 Speaker 1: I still love college football. I do know that I 293 00:16:47,600 --> 00:16:50,160 Speaker 1: love college football. I keep up with it and follow it. 294 00:16:50,720 --> 00:16:54,120 Speaker 1: I keep a little listing of coaches at different places, 295 00:16:54,800 --> 00:16:57,040 Speaker 1: and so in this offseason, I'm going through and I'm 296 00:16:57,120 --> 00:17:02,040 Speaker 1: updating coaches names in the SWACK, the Southwestern Athletic Conference. Okay, 297 00:17:02,200 --> 00:17:05,280 Speaker 1: And I get to Alabama State and it says Eddie 298 00:17:05,440 --> 00:17:09,800 Speaker 1: Robinson Junior. And I'm thinking, oh, this must be somebody 299 00:17:09,880 --> 00:17:13,680 Speaker 1: related to the legendary Grambling coach Eddie Robinson. So I 300 00:17:13,800 --> 00:17:18,680 Speaker 1: go on the Alabama State website. It's Eddie Robinson, who 301 00:17:18,720 --> 00:17:23,840 Speaker 1: played linebacker for our franchise from nineteen ninety eight through 302 00:17:23,880 --> 00:17:26,680 Speaker 1: two thousand and one. He actually was a draft pick 303 00:17:26,680 --> 00:17:29,719 Speaker 1: of the Houston Oilers, left and went to Jacksonville for 304 00:17:29,760 --> 00:17:31,840 Speaker 1: two years. They cut him because he was making too 305 00:17:31,920 --> 00:17:34,520 Speaker 1: much money. He resigned with us. He's one of the 306 00:17:34,560 --> 00:17:37,000 Speaker 1: starting linebackers on the Super Bowl team. He was one 307 00:17:37,040 --> 00:17:39,320 Speaker 1: of the starting linebackers on the best defense in the 308 00:17:39,440 --> 00:17:42,919 Speaker 1: NFL in two thousand and I'm like, well, this is 309 00:17:42,960 --> 00:17:48,159 Speaker 1: weird because our mutual friend Keith Bullock thought Eddie Robinson 310 00:17:48,359 --> 00:17:52,680 Speaker 1: was the best. Yeah, because how Eddie Robinson conducted himself 311 00:17:52,880 --> 00:17:56,159 Speaker 1: was just phenomenal. And so he had told me stories 312 00:17:56,200 --> 00:18:01,119 Speaker 1: about Eddie Robinson being in business and being wildly successful 313 00:18:01,119 --> 00:18:04,879 Speaker 1: in business. And I'm like, so, what is Eddie Robinson 314 00:18:05,160 --> 00:18:08,160 Speaker 1: doing and coaching? Why is he at Alabama State? So 315 00:18:08,600 --> 00:18:11,680 Speaker 1: we reached out to him and he was kind enough 316 00:18:11,720 --> 00:18:14,320 Speaker 1: to give us the time. And it is really an 317 00:18:14,320 --> 00:18:20,320 Speaker 1: exciting story that almost mirrors the Eddie George story, and 318 00:18:20,520 --> 00:18:23,320 Speaker 1: that he had never been a coach. I mean, I 319 00:18:23,359 --> 00:18:26,440 Speaker 1: think he'd coached his kids teams or whatever, but he'd 320 00:18:26,480 --> 00:18:28,879 Speaker 1: certainly never been a coach at any sort of level 321 00:18:29,000 --> 00:18:32,679 Speaker 1: to take on a program like Alabama State. And on 322 00:18:32,760 --> 00:18:35,520 Speaker 1: August the twenty seventh, he's going to coach them against 323 00:18:35,560 --> 00:18:38,240 Speaker 1: Howard in Atlanta in the first game. And so we 324 00:18:38,320 --> 00:18:40,720 Speaker 1: wanted to get him before he got into the Rigama 325 00:18:40,840 --> 00:18:43,119 Speaker 1: roll of all of the practices and things like this. 326 00:18:43,560 --> 00:18:46,280 Speaker 1: So this is Eddie Robinson Junior. If you're a Titans fan, 327 00:18:46,359 --> 00:18:49,760 Speaker 1: you remember him his number fifty five outstanding player for 328 00:18:49,800 --> 00:18:52,960 Speaker 1: our franchise. A visit with Eddie Robinson on the eight. 329 00:18:59,320 --> 00:19:02,520 Speaker 1: When I joined the Tennessee Titans in nineteen ninety eight, 330 00:19:03,640 --> 00:19:08,399 Speaker 1: there were two players that really showed me what it 331 00:19:08,440 --> 00:19:10,399 Speaker 1: was like to be a professional football player. And they 332 00:19:10,400 --> 00:19:13,960 Speaker 1: were both named Eddie. Eddie George for sure, without question, 333 00:19:14,240 --> 00:19:17,359 Speaker 1: you could see in his work habits, the way he ate, 334 00:19:17,440 --> 00:19:19,960 Speaker 1: the way he conducted himself, the way he did everything. 335 00:19:20,080 --> 00:19:23,240 Speaker 1: That's pretty obvious. The other one was Eddie Robinson, who 336 00:19:23,320 --> 00:19:27,760 Speaker 1: rejoined the organization after being in Jacksonville for two years 337 00:19:28,280 --> 00:19:31,040 Speaker 1: and came back and steady Eddie as he was known, 338 00:19:31,320 --> 00:19:34,320 Speaker 1: showed everybody how you do the job day in day 339 00:19:34,359 --> 00:19:37,200 Speaker 1: out and do it well. And now, like Eddie George, 340 00:19:37,560 --> 00:19:41,639 Speaker 1: he's a coach. Eddie Robinson, how did it happen that 341 00:19:41,800 --> 00:19:45,280 Speaker 1: you became the head coach at Alabama State? Yeah? Man, 342 00:19:45,320 --> 00:19:47,800 Speaker 1: it's pretty interesting. You know. Going back to my alma 343 00:19:47,840 --> 00:19:50,200 Speaker 1: mater is one of those situations where most of the 344 00:19:50,200 --> 00:19:52,880 Speaker 1: people I'm talking to on campus, are my friends or 345 00:19:53,119 --> 00:19:55,760 Speaker 1: alumni or some former coaches and things like that. So 346 00:19:56,080 --> 00:19:58,960 Speaker 1: just being on the outside of the program, always trying 347 00:19:58,960 --> 00:20:01,879 Speaker 1: to help, always try to be that alumnus, and you know, 348 00:20:01,880 --> 00:20:04,600 Speaker 1: when the opportunity came, you know, people came to him 349 00:20:04,600 --> 00:20:06,360 Speaker 1: and say, hey, Eddie, man, I think it's something that 350 00:20:06,640 --> 00:20:08,320 Speaker 1: we would like you to do. And really it was 351 00:20:08,320 --> 00:20:10,160 Speaker 1: just a timing thing. You know, my kids were out 352 00:20:10,200 --> 00:20:12,280 Speaker 1: of age. One of them said, actually on the team now, 353 00:20:12,320 --> 00:20:15,000 Speaker 1: but at one high school senior. So everything just kind 354 00:20:15,040 --> 00:20:17,280 Speaker 1: of worked out from a timing aspect. And I always 355 00:20:17,280 --> 00:20:19,960 Speaker 1: felt like I was going to get into coaching and 356 00:20:19,960 --> 00:20:21,800 Speaker 1: and just was coaching a lot of different sports and 357 00:20:22,080 --> 00:20:25,520 Speaker 1: just always participating and in athletics after I finished playing 358 00:20:25,560 --> 00:20:28,159 Speaker 1: in broadcasting in college football kind of kept me around it, 359 00:20:28,200 --> 00:20:30,399 Speaker 1: but not on the sideline. And it's just one of 360 00:20:30,440 --> 00:20:33,080 Speaker 1: those things that when the opportunity came, I felt like, 361 00:20:33,119 --> 00:20:35,320 Speaker 1: I know, I kind of owed it to the university 362 00:20:35,320 --> 00:20:37,800 Speaker 1: for all that has done to me. And my former coach, 363 00:20:37,840 --> 00:20:40,280 Speaker 1: Houston Markham was coaching here, passed away a couple of 364 00:20:40,320 --> 00:20:42,280 Speaker 1: years ago, and it's one of those things that him 365 00:20:42,320 --> 00:20:44,320 Speaker 1: and I often talked about but you know, I guess 366 00:20:44,359 --> 00:20:46,720 Speaker 1: the opportunity never came, so when it did present itself, 367 00:20:47,000 --> 00:20:48,600 Speaker 1: it was something that I was excited to take a 368 00:20:48,800 --> 00:20:52,080 Speaker 1: take heed of two part question pretty obvious from the 369 00:20:52,080 --> 00:20:56,560 Speaker 1: Titans perspective. Were you in any way motivated by Eddie 370 00:20:56,600 --> 00:20:59,520 Speaker 1: George deciding to become the head coach at Tennessee State 371 00:20:59,560 --> 00:21:02,760 Speaker 1: and the same parties? Did you talk with him or 372 00:21:02,840 --> 00:21:05,880 Speaker 1: have you talked with him about being a first time 373 00:21:05,960 --> 00:21:08,840 Speaker 1: head coach in this way at the college level. Yeah, well, 374 00:21:09,080 --> 00:21:11,240 Speaker 1: I tell you, man, it was. It was exciting to 375 00:21:11,280 --> 00:21:14,919 Speaker 1: see Eddie takeover Tennessee State. You know, of course the HBCU, 376 00:21:14,960 --> 00:21:17,000 Speaker 1: and me coming from the ranks of the HBCU, is 377 00:21:17,119 --> 00:21:19,520 Speaker 1: very familiar with Tennessee State. I knew some of the 378 00:21:19,560 --> 00:21:22,040 Speaker 1: former coaches there and the tradition that they have all 379 00:21:22,119 --> 00:21:24,840 Speaker 1: the great players that they had sent off to the NFL. 380 00:21:24,920 --> 00:21:27,320 Speaker 1: So and I think, just think, you know, him being 381 00:21:27,359 --> 00:21:30,000 Speaker 1: in Tennessee, it's just all worked out perfectly, him being 382 00:21:30,000 --> 00:21:32,320 Speaker 1: in the city of Nashville, should I say? And so, yeah, 383 00:21:32,320 --> 00:21:34,360 Speaker 1: we hadn't talked about it beforehand. You know, I had 384 00:21:34,400 --> 00:21:36,399 Speaker 1: some coaches that I reached out to and talked to, 385 00:21:36,600 --> 00:21:39,080 Speaker 1: you know, Greg Williams, some other guys and basically a 386 00:21:39,119 --> 00:21:41,280 Speaker 1: lot of college football coaches who I knew and just 387 00:21:41,600 --> 00:21:43,680 Speaker 1: you know, ranted by them and hey, what's the time 388 00:21:43,680 --> 00:21:46,720 Speaker 1: commitment and those type of things. Eddie and I actually 389 00:21:46,760 --> 00:21:49,880 Speaker 1: talked January of February after I had the job, and 390 00:21:50,119 --> 00:21:52,720 Speaker 1: we all went out to the NFL brought to the 391 00:21:53,040 --> 00:21:57,000 Speaker 1: former NFL coaches who are coaching at HBCUs, out to 392 00:21:57,040 --> 00:21:59,359 Speaker 1: the RAMS facility and the NFL properties, so we were 393 00:21:59,400 --> 00:22:02,240 Speaker 1: able just to talk about the needs of the HBCUs 394 00:22:02,280 --> 00:22:04,640 Speaker 1: and being a former NFL player, how we can kind 395 00:22:04,680 --> 00:22:07,480 Speaker 1: of have a synergy with that. They really helped us 396 00:22:07,480 --> 00:22:09,560 Speaker 1: out as far as you know, giving us cameras and 397 00:22:09,680 --> 00:22:12,480 Speaker 1: drones and just different equipment, you know, the Guardian cash 398 00:22:12,520 --> 00:22:15,200 Speaker 1: for protecting the helmets and stuff. So they did a 399 00:22:15,200 --> 00:22:16,760 Speaker 1: lot of good stuff for us. So we had a 400 00:22:16,800 --> 00:22:20,359 Speaker 1: really in depth conversation at that point, which was really 401 00:22:20,359 --> 00:22:22,480 Speaker 1: good for me because you know him and kind of 402 00:22:22,480 --> 00:22:25,080 Speaker 1: going through it a year before. It kind of helped 403 00:22:25,080 --> 00:22:26,920 Speaker 1: me with some of the things that are going to 404 00:22:27,000 --> 00:22:29,359 Speaker 1: happen at the unforeseen. You know, the foreseen things you 405 00:22:29,400 --> 00:22:31,080 Speaker 1: can kind of know, but it's always those things that 406 00:22:31,119 --> 00:22:32,840 Speaker 1: you just can't prepare for it that you just have 407 00:22:32,880 --> 00:22:34,879 Speaker 1: to adjust to off the fly. How much of this 408 00:22:35,080 --> 00:22:38,760 Speaker 1: is about giving back? I think it's all about giving back, 409 00:22:38,840 --> 00:22:41,600 Speaker 1: to be honest with you. I mean, being a head 410 00:22:41,600 --> 00:22:43,439 Speaker 1: coach is a whole lot of mentoring. I mean you're 411 00:22:43,440 --> 00:22:45,760 Speaker 1: a coach, your uncle, you're a dad, you're a friend, 412 00:22:45,800 --> 00:22:48,000 Speaker 1: and you're all of that. You know. We just finished 413 00:22:48,040 --> 00:22:50,960 Speaker 1: our first practice today and I spent about forty five 414 00:22:50,960 --> 00:22:54,280 Speaker 1: minutes talking to the different players, and it wasn't about football. 415 00:22:54,359 --> 00:22:56,960 Speaker 1: It was just about you know, life in general. One 416 00:22:56,960 --> 00:22:58,720 Speaker 1: of them, you know, brought me a light bill. It 417 00:22:58,800 --> 00:23:00,560 Speaker 1: was like, hey, coach man. It's like I said, hey man, 418 00:23:00,600 --> 00:23:02,680 Speaker 1: you should have checked that in the mail three weeks ago. 419 00:23:02,800 --> 00:23:04,680 Speaker 1: Now you light bills passed do So we just talked 420 00:23:04,680 --> 00:23:06,760 Speaker 1: about credit and stuff like that. So it's nothing to 421 00:23:06,760 --> 00:23:08,919 Speaker 1: do with football. So it's really about life skills. And 422 00:23:08,960 --> 00:23:11,320 Speaker 1: so I think those type of things or which you 423 00:23:11,440 --> 00:23:14,919 Speaker 1: really kind of you know, it's the unseen things, and 424 00:23:14,960 --> 00:23:17,200 Speaker 1: people say, well, how does that contribute to winning? Because 425 00:23:17,240 --> 00:23:19,399 Speaker 1: it's about self discipline and if I can teach the 426 00:23:19,480 --> 00:23:21,919 Speaker 1: kids to be self disciplined off the field, then that 427 00:23:22,000 --> 00:23:25,880 Speaker 1: discipline carries onto the field and I'm preaching the same 428 00:23:25,920 --> 00:23:28,680 Speaker 1: thing as older coaches preach to me. You don't become 429 00:23:28,680 --> 00:23:31,400 Speaker 1: a disciplined football team on Saturday night. It starts during 430 00:23:31,440 --> 00:23:34,320 Speaker 1: the week. So really it's the mentoring part that really 431 00:23:34,320 --> 00:23:37,040 Speaker 1: gets me excited. The football part. I have a lot 432 00:23:37,080 --> 00:23:39,280 Speaker 1: of great coach doing the staff that help with that, 433 00:23:39,359 --> 00:23:41,200 Speaker 1: and of course I'm always going to give my input 434 00:23:41,240 --> 00:23:43,200 Speaker 1: on that part of it. But it's the other things 435 00:23:43,240 --> 00:23:45,800 Speaker 1: outside of football, I think where the kids really needed 436 00:23:45,840 --> 00:23:48,480 Speaker 1: and that carries over to being good football players. Eddie 437 00:23:48,520 --> 00:23:50,960 Speaker 1: Robinson was one of the rare guys who was a 438 00:23:51,040 --> 00:23:54,320 Speaker 1: Houston Oiler and then had a chance to come back 439 00:23:54,320 --> 00:23:56,480 Speaker 1: and play for the Tennessee Oilers and then be a 440 00:23:56,560 --> 00:24:00,479 Speaker 1: Tennessee Titan. You had an eleven year career, and whenever 441 00:24:00,520 --> 00:24:03,440 Speaker 1: I would hear about Eddie Robinson from like a Keith 442 00:24:03,520 --> 00:24:06,040 Speaker 1: Bullock or somebody who would run into you, or or 443 00:24:06,119 --> 00:24:08,880 Speaker 1: different former players who had encountered you, you were having 444 00:24:08,960 --> 00:24:12,200 Speaker 1: great business success. Things were going well. I think you 445 00:24:12,560 --> 00:24:15,840 Speaker 1: were in ice cream shops or all different kinds of 446 00:24:15,880 --> 00:24:19,480 Speaker 1: businesses that I heard about, and it just seemed like 447 00:24:19,520 --> 00:24:23,160 Speaker 1: everything was going along so well. Did that in some 448 00:24:23,200 --> 00:24:25,600 Speaker 1: ways allow you to get to the point where you 449 00:24:25,640 --> 00:24:29,560 Speaker 1: could say, Okay, I've had some financial success, I've gotten 450 00:24:29,560 --> 00:24:31,679 Speaker 1: my kids out of the house, and now I can 451 00:24:31,760 --> 00:24:34,240 Speaker 1: sort of turn toward this. Yeah. I think that was 452 00:24:34,320 --> 00:24:36,840 Speaker 1: part of it. I mean, yeah, the ice cream business 453 00:24:36,880 --> 00:24:39,320 Speaker 1: was one that was that was kind of sharp lived out, 454 00:24:39,440 --> 00:24:43,159 Speaker 1: that was fun and entertaining while it lasted. But I 455 00:24:43,240 --> 00:24:45,359 Speaker 1: learned a lot from it. I think every business, whether 456 00:24:45,400 --> 00:24:47,320 Speaker 1: it's good or bad, you're always trying to learn the 457 00:24:47,400 --> 00:24:50,040 Speaker 1: lesson and then doing more real estate investing. I was 458 00:24:50,080 --> 00:24:52,439 Speaker 1: doing that on the regular basis, and then and also 459 00:24:52,560 --> 00:24:55,720 Speaker 1: you know, coaching youth sports and just participating and also 460 00:24:55,800 --> 00:24:58,200 Speaker 1: broadcasting and doing a lot of different things, and so 461 00:24:58,760 --> 00:25:01,120 Speaker 1: I guess it got to point where you just say, 462 00:25:01,400 --> 00:25:03,000 Speaker 1: you know, you're at an age and you say, hey, 463 00:25:03,000 --> 00:25:05,280 Speaker 1: you've been really blessed. And I can, and I tell 464 00:25:05,280 --> 00:25:07,240 Speaker 1: people all the time. I tell alumni. If not for 465 00:25:07,320 --> 00:25:09,119 Speaker 1: Alabama State, then where would I be? You know. I 466 00:25:09,160 --> 00:25:12,199 Speaker 1: went there as a as a walk on freshman, and 467 00:25:12,240 --> 00:25:14,240 Speaker 1: they gave me a chance to play. And so everything 468 00:25:14,280 --> 00:25:16,600 Speaker 1: that I've I've done and accomplished has been because of 469 00:25:17,000 --> 00:25:19,879 Speaker 1: the opportunities that the Alabama State University is given to me. 470 00:25:19,920 --> 00:25:21,960 Speaker 1: So when I looked at it like that. It's like, 471 00:25:22,000 --> 00:25:24,200 Speaker 1: you know, how can I not go back and want 472 00:25:24,200 --> 00:25:26,680 Speaker 1: to coach and mentor and give back to the university 473 00:25:26,680 --> 00:25:28,800 Speaker 1: and to the people and the kids that have meant 474 00:25:28,800 --> 00:25:30,800 Speaker 1: so much to me. So and I could have written 475 00:25:30,800 --> 00:25:33,000 Speaker 1: a check, you know, I've donated money, and what you 476 00:25:33,080 --> 00:25:35,280 Speaker 1: have to tell people, you know, to write a check. 477 00:25:35,720 --> 00:25:38,040 Speaker 1: It's great, you know, we definitely will take all donations, 478 00:25:38,040 --> 00:25:41,280 Speaker 1: all right, But the biggest, the biggest gift is your time. 479 00:25:41,320 --> 00:25:43,040 Speaker 1: And I think once you give of your time, that's 480 00:25:43,080 --> 00:25:45,240 Speaker 1: the most precious possession that we have because we don't 481 00:25:45,240 --> 00:25:47,159 Speaker 1: know how much we have left. And so once you 482 00:25:47,200 --> 00:25:48,880 Speaker 1: give over your time, I think that's when you can 483 00:25:48,880 --> 00:25:51,400 Speaker 1: really show the commitment level you have. And so I mean, 484 00:25:51,400 --> 00:25:53,840 Speaker 1: that's that's the first thing that I thought about when 485 00:25:53,840 --> 00:25:55,960 Speaker 1: I was even considering taking the job. I was like, Okay, 486 00:25:55,960 --> 00:25:58,200 Speaker 1: I'm gonna have to move back to Montgomery, Alabama. I'm 487 00:25:58,200 --> 00:26:01,080 Speaker 1: gonna have to give up all the recreational things that 488 00:26:01,119 --> 00:26:03,160 Speaker 1: I'm doing, you know, all of the somewhat selfish things 489 00:26:03,160 --> 00:26:05,320 Speaker 1: that you're doing. And now you're on the schedule that's 490 00:26:05,320 --> 00:26:07,000 Speaker 1: pretty set for you. So you have to make sure 491 00:26:07,040 --> 00:26:11,040 Speaker 1: that you're ready mentally to give that commitment to other kids. 492 00:26:11,040 --> 00:26:13,000 Speaker 1: And so you really have to be unselfish to be 493 00:26:13,000 --> 00:26:15,720 Speaker 1: a coach. Yeah, because I mean, let's face it, Eddie, 494 00:26:15,760 --> 00:26:18,520 Speaker 1: if if you've made some bucks, you could play golf 495 00:26:18,560 --> 00:26:21,280 Speaker 1: on the weekends, you could take great trips. I mean, 496 00:26:21,280 --> 00:26:24,680 Speaker 1: you're fifty two years old, You've worked hard, you've you've 497 00:26:24,720 --> 00:26:28,480 Speaker 1: done a great job in your life overall, and now, man, 498 00:26:28,880 --> 00:26:32,240 Speaker 1: you're gonna have to be somewhere basically every single day. 499 00:26:32,440 --> 00:26:36,040 Speaker 1: Was that the hardest part of the decision? Absolutely? Um, 500 00:26:36,160 --> 00:26:38,960 Speaker 1: you know, I traveled a lot. You know, I was 501 00:26:39,040 --> 00:26:41,240 Speaker 1: big into European sports, so I was going to a 502 00:26:41,240 --> 00:26:43,680 Speaker 1: lot of Formula one races, to the tortofants and all 503 00:26:43,720 --> 00:26:46,119 Speaker 1: those type of things. So yeah, it was. It was 504 00:26:46,160 --> 00:26:48,399 Speaker 1: probably a life that people was like, hey man, you 505 00:26:48,400 --> 00:26:50,280 Speaker 1: you were doing pretty good. Why would you give that up? 506 00:26:50,480 --> 00:26:53,080 Speaker 1: And I think you have to have something, you know, 507 00:26:53,240 --> 00:26:55,120 Speaker 1: I think when you look back at life, you want 508 00:26:55,119 --> 00:26:57,159 Speaker 1: to say that, hey, you know what I left it 509 00:26:57,200 --> 00:26:59,840 Speaker 1: better than what I found it. And so so many people, 510 00:27:00,080 --> 00:27:02,920 Speaker 1: coaches especially, have given me so much, like every step 511 00:27:02,920 --> 00:27:05,440 Speaker 1: alone the way, you know, I've had coaches that have 512 00:27:05,520 --> 00:27:08,119 Speaker 1: reached out to me and just believed in me more 513 00:27:08,160 --> 00:27:10,480 Speaker 1: than I believed in myself at times. And that goes 514 00:27:10,520 --> 00:27:12,280 Speaker 1: from the time I was eight years old all the 515 00:27:12,320 --> 00:27:14,080 Speaker 1: way to the last year I played in the NFL, 516 00:27:14,520 --> 00:27:16,320 Speaker 1: and so I just felt like it was one of 517 00:27:16,320 --> 00:27:18,879 Speaker 1: those things that I was always constantly helping kids and 518 00:27:19,000 --> 00:27:22,040 Speaker 1: mentoring kids, whether it was from you know, Little league 519 00:27:22,040 --> 00:27:23,879 Speaker 1: to high school or high school to college and some 520 00:27:23,920 --> 00:27:26,320 Speaker 1: college kids and then some NFL guys I was talking to, 521 00:27:26,760 --> 00:27:28,760 Speaker 1: and so at some point it's like, you know, if 522 00:27:28,760 --> 00:27:30,800 Speaker 1: you're really gonna be committed to doing it, then you 523 00:27:30,880 --> 00:27:33,439 Speaker 1: have to go all in. And so yeah, it was. 524 00:27:33,720 --> 00:27:35,280 Speaker 1: It was definitely one of those things I had to 525 00:27:35,280 --> 00:27:37,240 Speaker 1: talk with my family. I have three sons, two of 526 00:27:37,280 --> 00:27:39,760 Speaker 1: them are already in college, and one is an upscoming 527 00:27:40,040 --> 00:27:43,080 Speaker 1: high school senior. He's still in Houston, but he's probably 528 00:27:43,080 --> 00:27:44,680 Speaker 1: the most mature of all of them. So he was 529 00:27:44,720 --> 00:27:47,119 Speaker 1: the one that I felt like could make that adjustment 530 00:27:47,119 --> 00:27:48,720 Speaker 1: of hey, Dad's not going to be there for my 531 00:27:48,800 --> 00:27:51,600 Speaker 1: senior year because he pretty much had the mindset of 532 00:27:51,600 --> 00:27:55,680 Speaker 1: a college kid already. So for Eddie Robinson, head coach 533 00:27:55,680 --> 00:28:00,560 Speaker 1: of Alabama State, coming into this life and change in 534 00:28:00,640 --> 00:28:03,840 Speaker 1: this way, what's been the biggest surprise. I think the 535 00:28:03,880 --> 00:28:08,240 Speaker 1: biggest surprise is just dealing with Generation ZU and kind 536 00:28:08,240 --> 00:28:10,600 Speaker 1: of learning. And I have three kids who are in 537 00:28:10,640 --> 00:28:14,720 Speaker 1: that Generation Z mindset, and so everything is a why. 538 00:28:14,760 --> 00:28:17,520 Speaker 1: And I think for me as a player, it was 539 00:28:17,560 --> 00:28:19,960 Speaker 1: more a you do what the coach says or else. 540 00:28:20,080 --> 00:28:22,920 Speaker 1: And now it's like, well, coach, why all all right, coach, 541 00:28:22,960 --> 00:28:25,159 Speaker 1: that's good. And then once you give them the answer, 542 00:28:25,320 --> 00:28:27,520 Speaker 1: they're so smart and they're so intelligence and they have 543 00:28:27,720 --> 00:28:31,880 Speaker 1: so much access to knowledge and information that they'll look 544 00:28:31,880 --> 00:28:33,399 Speaker 1: it up and they'll tell you what a coach, you know, 545 00:28:33,440 --> 00:28:34,959 Speaker 1: you weren't exactly right, and I was like, hey man, 546 00:28:34,960 --> 00:28:37,920 Speaker 1: it's not debate, you say so, And so I think 547 00:28:37,960 --> 00:28:40,520 Speaker 1: you always have to you have to challenge. So as 548 00:28:40,520 --> 00:28:43,000 Speaker 1: a coach is challenging because you have to have a why. 549 00:28:43,120 --> 00:28:45,200 Speaker 1: You have to give the kids a why we're doing this, 550 00:28:45,280 --> 00:28:46,800 Speaker 1: and you have to explain it to them once you 551 00:28:46,880 --> 00:28:49,480 Speaker 1: have to give them to buy in. And I guess 552 00:28:49,480 --> 00:28:51,240 Speaker 1: the biggest thing too, is you have to care about 553 00:28:51,280 --> 00:28:53,400 Speaker 1: the kids more than anything, and I think once you 554 00:28:53,520 --> 00:28:56,040 Speaker 1: kind of focus on the relationships, and so I think 555 00:28:56,120 --> 00:28:58,400 Speaker 1: the relationships that you have to have with the kids 556 00:28:58,840 --> 00:29:01,440 Speaker 1: is probably just as big is the football park, because 557 00:29:01,680 --> 00:29:03,120 Speaker 1: if you just come out and want to be a 558 00:29:03,120 --> 00:29:05,840 Speaker 1: hard nosed football coach, I just don't think it works 559 00:29:05,840 --> 00:29:08,000 Speaker 1: with this generation. You have to come up with, hey, man, 560 00:29:08,080 --> 00:29:10,920 Speaker 1: I care about you. I'm invested in your success just 561 00:29:11,000 --> 00:29:13,240 Speaker 1: like you. Now. I'm a hard nosed football coach, and 562 00:29:13,280 --> 00:29:15,560 Speaker 1: when I have to get on you, it's because of love, 563 00:29:15,600 --> 00:29:17,960 Speaker 1: and you know it as opposed. I'm just coming at 564 00:29:17,960 --> 00:29:19,880 Speaker 1: you straight with football, and you have to deal with 565 00:29:19,920 --> 00:29:22,840 Speaker 1: the consequences with the transfer portal and all the other 566 00:29:22,880 --> 00:29:24,960 Speaker 1: things going on in the world, with social media and 567 00:29:25,240 --> 00:29:27,600 Speaker 1: the millions of things that the distractions that the kids have. 568 00:29:28,040 --> 00:29:30,520 Speaker 1: I just don't think kids really respond just to that 569 00:29:30,920 --> 00:29:32,840 Speaker 1: hard nose do it my way, and I'm not going 570 00:29:32,880 --> 00:29:34,640 Speaker 1: to explain to you why I kind of coach. And 571 00:29:34,720 --> 00:29:37,120 Speaker 1: so you have to be that way at times, but 572 00:29:37,200 --> 00:29:40,120 Speaker 1: you have to temperate with a relationship first. It's been 573 00:29:40,520 --> 00:29:43,560 Speaker 1: twenty years since Eddie Robinson played in the NFL. What's 574 00:29:43,600 --> 00:29:46,560 Speaker 1: the biggest way you think the game itself has changed 575 00:29:46,800 --> 00:29:48,920 Speaker 1: since you were a player. I just think it's not 576 00:29:49,000 --> 00:29:51,520 Speaker 1: as physical. I think the game is a lot faster. 577 00:29:52,600 --> 00:29:55,440 Speaker 1: Speed is more of an emphasis now than it ever has. Been, 578 00:29:55,480 --> 00:29:57,760 Speaker 1: and I think everything's trying to move fast, trying to 579 00:29:57,800 --> 00:30:00,400 Speaker 1: make the players think fast and run fast, those type 580 00:30:00,400 --> 00:30:04,120 Speaker 1: of things. Where before I talked to my old buddy 581 00:30:04,120 --> 00:30:05,800 Speaker 1: Lorenz O'Neill, I said, hey, man, I don't know if 582 00:30:05,800 --> 00:30:07,760 Speaker 1: you'd have made it into this new age NFL. Man, 583 00:30:07,880 --> 00:30:12,800 Speaker 1: it's not an appreciation for that guy who's just you know, big, strong, 584 00:30:13,120 --> 00:30:15,320 Speaker 1: and I'm more physical than you, and so you know, 585 00:30:15,400 --> 00:30:17,640 Speaker 1: to me, I'm trying to have a good mix of both. 586 00:30:17,680 --> 00:30:20,120 Speaker 1: You know, our offensive naturally be spread and open up, 587 00:30:20,160 --> 00:30:22,720 Speaker 1: will throw the ball around. But I still have two big, 588 00:30:22,720 --> 00:30:25,000 Speaker 1: physical fullbacks where I feel like when we want to 589 00:30:25,040 --> 00:30:28,320 Speaker 1: run the football, it's still about blocking and tackling at 590 00:30:28,320 --> 00:30:30,320 Speaker 1: the end of the day. So although it has changed 591 00:30:30,360 --> 00:30:32,320 Speaker 1: a whole lot, I think those teams who can still 592 00:30:32,320 --> 00:30:34,640 Speaker 1: be physical at the point of attack at the old 593 00:30:34,640 --> 00:30:36,800 Speaker 1: line and D line level will have success as long 594 00:30:36,840 --> 00:30:38,960 Speaker 1: as you also have those skill positions when the game 595 00:30:39,000 --> 00:30:41,360 Speaker 1: gets into the speed aspect of I have to know. 596 00:30:41,560 --> 00:30:45,320 Speaker 1: You mentioned Greg Williams, and for those on the outside, 597 00:30:46,080 --> 00:30:48,720 Speaker 1: they have a certain perception of Greg Williams. For those 598 00:30:48,720 --> 00:30:51,280 Speaker 1: of us, for those of us who worked with him 599 00:30:51,320 --> 00:30:54,800 Speaker 1: on a daily basis, we have a very different perspective 600 00:30:54,960 --> 00:30:58,120 Speaker 1: on him and understand, you know a little bit more 601 00:30:58,120 --> 00:31:01,840 Speaker 1: about what he's really about. What's the best advice that 602 00:31:02,000 --> 00:31:06,280 Speaker 1: Greg Williams has given you towards your coaching career. Well, 603 00:31:06,400 --> 00:31:09,160 Speaker 1: you know, he actually came down here for our spring 604 00:31:09,200 --> 00:31:11,280 Speaker 1: games and uh, you know, we were in a tunnel 605 00:31:11,280 --> 00:31:13,720 Speaker 1: and he talked to the kids a little bit. Of 606 00:31:13,760 --> 00:31:15,760 Speaker 1: course it was someone X rayed. You know, Greg's gonna 607 00:31:15,760 --> 00:31:20,680 Speaker 1: be Greg, and so, um, I guess just the biggest 608 00:31:20,680 --> 00:31:23,960 Speaker 1: thing he said, just just believing what you're doing and so, um, 609 00:31:24,000 --> 00:31:26,400 Speaker 1: don't let anybody talk you out of what you know 610 00:31:26,600 --> 00:31:29,280 Speaker 1: is right. And so it's been a couple of situations 611 00:31:29,320 --> 00:31:31,920 Speaker 1: that have happened and I'm like, man, you know what, 612 00:31:33,120 --> 00:31:35,280 Speaker 1: I'm gonna go with my first mind and not and not. 613 00:31:35,480 --> 00:31:37,440 Speaker 1: Don't get me wrong, you always want to get input, 614 00:31:37,480 --> 00:31:39,760 Speaker 1: you know. I I tell my coaches from a GA 615 00:31:39,920 --> 00:31:42,080 Speaker 1: to the defensive coordinator, no matter where you are, if 616 00:31:42,120 --> 00:31:44,400 Speaker 1: you see something, say something. I think everybody has to 617 00:31:44,440 --> 00:31:46,400 Speaker 1: have an input on winning. But at the end of 618 00:31:46,440 --> 00:31:48,440 Speaker 1: the day, the head coach has to bear to make 619 00:31:48,480 --> 00:31:51,280 Speaker 1: that final decision and put the responsibility on your back. 620 00:31:51,440 --> 00:31:53,920 Speaker 1: Like today, you know, we're giving out equipment. So some 621 00:31:53,960 --> 00:31:55,960 Speaker 1: of the guys that I didn't get this. I didn't say, hey, 622 00:31:55,960 --> 00:31:58,720 Speaker 1: you know what, anybody have a problem, it's my fault. 623 00:31:58,720 --> 00:32:01,200 Speaker 1: Don't blame anybody else. Blame it on me and come 624 00:32:01,280 --> 00:32:02,760 Speaker 1: see me if you have an issue. And I think 625 00:32:02,800 --> 00:32:04,840 Speaker 1: as the head coach, you have to have big shoulders 626 00:32:05,080 --> 00:32:07,400 Speaker 1: to take on that responsibility because you're gonna get up. 627 00:32:07,440 --> 00:32:09,560 Speaker 1: You're gonna get most of the credit if it's right, 628 00:32:09,600 --> 00:32:11,440 Speaker 1: and you're gonna get all of the credit if it's wrong. 629 00:32:11,600 --> 00:32:13,400 Speaker 1: So don't be afraid to say, hey, this is the 630 00:32:13,400 --> 00:32:15,360 Speaker 1: way we're going to do it, and move forward and 631 00:32:15,440 --> 00:32:18,160 Speaker 1: realize that it may not always be a popular decision. 632 00:32:18,200 --> 00:32:20,040 Speaker 1: And so I think those are the things that we 633 00:32:20,160 --> 00:32:23,360 Speaker 1: talked about, like, hey, sometimes being that leader is going 634 00:32:23,440 --> 00:32:25,959 Speaker 1: to make you unpopular because you're the guy that's pushing 635 00:32:26,040 --> 00:32:28,800 Speaker 1: people beyond where they normally want to go. And so 636 00:32:28,880 --> 00:32:31,200 Speaker 1: that's a hard thing to do. But when you get 637 00:32:31,240 --> 00:32:33,160 Speaker 1: there then they understand it and they appreciate it. But 638 00:32:33,240 --> 00:32:37,200 Speaker 1: during the process, then yeah, you're definitely the bad guy. Eddie. 639 00:32:37,320 --> 00:32:43,600 Speaker 1: You are nothing like Greg Williams, and yet Greg Williams 640 00:32:43,800 --> 00:32:47,200 Speaker 1: loved you so much as a player. Eddie Robinson. I mean, 641 00:32:47,240 --> 00:32:49,720 Speaker 1: he might have had one who was he loved more. 642 00:32:49,760 --> 00:32:52,440 Speaker 1: I don't know who it would be. He considered you 643 00:32:52,560 --> 00:32:55,800 Speaker 1: his kind of guy. Isn't that the real statement about 644 00:32:55,800 --> 00:32:58,560 Speaker 1: the beauty of football that two people who could be 645 00:32:58,640 --> 00:33:02,200 Speaker 1: so different could merge in the way that you did 646 00:33:02,240 --> 00:33:07,160 Speaker 1: with Greg and that other players do on a daily basis. Yeah, 647 00:33:07,240 --> 00:33:09,520 Speaker 1: And I think that's the biggest thing. And I tell 648 00:33:09,600 --> 00:33:12,040 Speaker 1: my guys, you know, I have my guys. The offense 649 00:33:12,160 --> 00:33:14,560 Speaker 1: is fussing at the defense and it's going back and forth. 650 00:33:14,560 --> 00:33:16,640 Speaker 1: And the one thing I tell him is, Hey, on 651 00:33:16,720 --> 00:33:19,600 Speaker 1: fourth and one, when we're standing on the sideline, we're 652 00:33:19,640 --> 00:33:22,280 Speaker 1: all rooting for our offensive lineman to make that play, 653 00:33:22,320 --> 00:33:24,280 Speaker 1: the same one that you fussed at in practice the 654 00:33:24,280 --> 00:33:27,480 Speaker 1: whole week. You're praying that he makes that block, all right, 655 00:33:27,520 --> 00:33:29,760 Speaker 1: because at that point we're all together, and that's the 656 00:33:29,800 --> 00:33:32,560 Speaker 1: beauty of football. I mean, you're NFL is fifty three 657 00:33:32,600 --> 00:33:34,800 Speaker 1: guys committed to one goal. We have about one hundred 658 00:33:35,000 --> 00:33:36,920 Speaker 1: hundred and ten that practice. So you have one hundred 659 00:33:36,920 --> 00:33:39,480 Speaker 1: and ten people that are all committed to one goal, 660 00:33:39,480 --> 00:33:42,360 Speaker 1: and everybody has something that they can contribute to winning. 661 00:33:42,640 --> 00:33:44,640 Speaker 1: And so if you're not contributing to winning. Then you're 662 00:33:44,640 --> 00:33:47,360 Speaker 1: actually holding us back and you and you're forcing us 663 00:33:47,400 --> 00:33:49,360 Speaker 1: to have to work harder to overcome the part that 664 00:33:49,360 --> 00:33:51,760 Speaker 1: you're not putting into it. So I mean, yeah, you know, 665 00:33:51,880 --> 00:33:54,520 Speaker 1: Greg and I you know, we first met my rookie 666 00:33:54,600 --> 00:33:56,600 Speaker 1: year and he was a quality control guy, so I 667 00:33:57,000 --> 00:33:59,360 Speaker 1: kind of and I went with Greg from he was 668 00:33:59,440 --> 00:34:02,200 Speaker 1: quality troll. Then he moved up to the linebackers coach. 669 00:34:02,240 --> 00:34:04,880 Speaker 1: So the first the first position coach room he was in, 670 00:34:05,240 --> 00:34:06,600 Speaker 1: I was one of the linebackers, so I had to 671 00:34:06,600 --> 00:34:07,960 Speaker 1: break him in there. And then he moved into the 672 00:34:07,960 --> 00:34:10,120 Speaker 1: special teams coach and I had to break him in again. 673 00:34:10,440 --> 00:34:12,640 Speaker 1: Then he moved the defensive coordinator and of course then 674 00:34:12,680 --> 00:34:14,560 Speaker 1: finally to the head coach. And I was there in 675 00:34:14,560 --> 00:34:16,399 Speaker 1: Buffalo with him when he was the head coach. I've 676 00:34:16,440 --> 00:34:18,920 Speaker 1: seen him the whole step of the way. So I 677 00:34:19,000 --> 00:34:21,200 Speaker 1: told my kids after he spoke to him in the tunnel, 678 00:34:21,600 --> 00:34:23,600 Speaker 1: I was like, I said, Hey, this is my guy, 679 00:34:23,680 --> 00:34:26,640 Speaker 1: Greg Williams. And I promise you you know, I wouldn't 680 00:34:26,640 --> 00:34:28,759 Speaker 1: have made it eleven years in the NFL if not 681 00:34:28,840 --> 00:34:30,279 Speaker 1: for him. But he wouldn't have made it as a 682 00:34:30,320 --> 00:34:31,960 Speaker 1: head coach and not for me, So we have it 683 00:34:32,360 --> 00:34:34,759 Speaker 1: like every vote kind of gave yourself the hard time. 684 00:34:34,800 --> 00:34:37,239 Speaker 1: But I mean he's the guys you can tell. I 685 00:34:37,320 --> 00:34:38,840 Speaker 1: just have a lot of respect for it. So the 686 00:34:38,840 --> 00:34:41,759 Speaker 1: feelings are mutual and truly men. He helped me to 687 00:34:41,840 --> 00:34:45,960 Speaker 1: get to an eleven year NFL career just with his enthusiasm, 688 00:34:46,080 --> 00:34:48,880 Speaker 1: his attention to detail, and just the grit and the 689 00:34:48,880 --> 00:34:51,520 Speaker 1: toughness that he kind of kind of showed. And I 690 00:34:51,600 --> 00:34:54,680 Speaker 1: understand that it came from being under Buddy Ryan, being 691 00:34:54,760 --> 00:34:57,399 Speaker 1: under Jeff Fishers, So I watched him evolving to that 692 00:34:57,400 --> 00:34:59,320 Speaker 1: that guy as a head coach and then you know, 693 00:34:59,400 --> 00:35:01,919 Speaker 1: a defensive coordinated that was part of the Saint Super 694 00:35:01,920 --> 00:35:05,480 Speaker 1: Bowl and everything. So yeah, definitely one of my favorite guys. 695 00:35:05,480 --> 00:35:08,800 Speaker 1: It's a great friend and outside of football, we're good friends. 696 00:35:08,920 --> 00:35:13,120 Speaker 1: Are two more questions when when you played for the Titans, 697 00:35:13,680 --> 00:35:17,080 Speaker 1: Eddie Robinson again steady Eddie, the guy who did everything 698 00:35:17,160 --> 00:35:19,759 Speaker 1: well and was there for every game. There were a 699 00:35:19,760 --> 00:35:23,879 Speaker 1: lot of things that you were able to master. What 700 00:35:24,400 --> 00:35:27,920 Speaker 1: is maybe the main thing from your game that you 701 00:35:28,000 --> 00:35:29,759 Speaker 1: hope we're going to be able to see in your 702 00:35:29,800 --> 00:35:32,880 Speaker 1: Alabama State team. I think the biggest thing is preparation. 703 00:35:33,160 --> 00:35:35,920 Speaker 1: I think situational football, which I learned. I had some 704 00:35:36,000 --> 00:35:38,080 Speaker 1: really good coaches and you know, Jeff Fisher was one 705 00:35:38,080 --> 00:35:41,719 Speaker 1: of those guys. You know, situational football, situational football, and 706 00:35:41,800 --> 00:35:44,120 Speaker 1: that's what I preached to the kids, you know, being 707 00:35:44,200 --> 00:35:46,440 Speaker 1: great at the two minutes. Really, you know, we won 708 00:35:46,480 --> 00:35:49,480 Speaker 1: a lot of games thirteen to ten. You know, the 709 00:35:50,040 --> 00:35:51,640 Speaker 1: end of the half and the end of the game 710 00:35:51,719 --> 00:35:55,440 Speaker 1: was always crucial from the offense and defensive standpoint. Even 711 00:35:55,480 --> 00:35:57,560 Speaker 1: if you look at the Music City nervehood that was 712 00:35:57,600 --> 00:36:00,279 Speaker 1: a play you know, with Allen our special teams, we 713 00:36:00,360 --> 00:36:02,880 Speaker 1: practiced that play for two years and never did we 714 00:36:02,920 --> 00:36:04,960 Speaker 1: think it would ever come about to anything. It was 715 00:36:05,000 --> 00:36:08,439 Speaker 1: that Saturday morning you run the play. Yeah yeah, And 716 00:36:08,480 --> 00:36:11,000 Speaker 1: he was always this is gonna help us win the game. 717 00:36:11,040 --> 00:36:14,040 Speaker 1: One day, were like, sure will right. So but then 718 00:36:14,480 --> 00:36:16,840 Speaker 1: I was talking with Greg Favorits just last week about that, 719 00:36:16,880 --> 00:36:18,920 Speaker 1: I said, But then when we needed it, it was 720 00:36:18,960 --> 00:36:21,279 Speaker 1: all about the preparation. So the biggest thing that I'm 721 00:36:21,320 --> 00:36:23,480 Speaker 1: trying to do with my team, I don't want anything 722 00:36:24,040 --> 00:36:26,440 Speaker 1: that can happen on Saturday that we didn't prepare for. 723 00:36:26,640 --> 00:36:29,120 Speaker 1: So when you were talking about, you know, preparing for 724 00:36:29,160 --> 00:36:33,040 Speaker 1: the intro, preparing for the pregame, preparing for the halftime. 725 00:36:33,080 --> 00:36:35,600 Speaker 1: So we'll replicate all of those things in practice so 726 00:36:35,920 --> 00:36:38,239 Speaker 1: when the game comes, it's not their first time doing it. 727 00:36:38,280 --> 00:36:40,239 Speaker 1: Like we have a new staff, so I know, when 728 00:36:40,280 --> 00:36:43,520 Speaker 1: you come in a halftime for that first time, offense 729 00:36:43,560 --> 00:36:46,280 Speaker 1: over here, defense over here, and everybody's just cris crossing 730 00:36:46,320 --> 00:36:48,200 Speaker 1: and you don't get anything done at halftime. So that's 731 00:36:48,200 --> 00:36:50,120 Speaker 1: something that you have to prepare for. So I think 732 00:36:50,360 --> 00:36:52,279 Speaker 1: you know, with Greg and Jeff and all those type 733 00:36:52,320 --> 00:36:54,080 Speaker 1: of things, at the end of the game, you know, 734 00:36:54,239 --> 00:36:57,240 Speaker 1: the last three plays, last two plays, last one play. 735 00:36:57,320 --> 00:36:59,040 Speaker 1: It's something that you have to drill in the guys 736 00:36:59,040 --> 00:37:02,120 Speaker 1: because when no situations happened, it mainly happened once in 737 00:37:02,120 --> 00:37:04,560 Speaker 1: the season, but it's gonna cost you to lose or 738 00:37:04,560 --> 00:37:07,480 Speaker 1: win the ballgame based on have you seen it before? 739 00:37:07,920 --> 00:37:11,160 Speaker 1: Or is everybody panicing because nobody has ever done it before. 740 00:37:11,239 --> 00:37:13,759 Speaker 1: And so that's the biggest thing. And as a coach 741 00:37:13,800 --> 00:37:16,920 Speaker 1: you're always thinking, is there one more thing that could 742 00:37:16,960 --> 00:37:19,560 Speaker 1: happen that I didn't prepare them for? All right? So 743 00:37:19,960 --> 00:37:21,560 Speaker 1: and that's how I was as a player. I mean, 744 00:37:21,600 --> 00:37:24,759 Speaker 1: if you look at my note sheet getting ready for 745 00:37:24,800 --> 00:37:28,120 Speaker 1: a game. I had probably way more notes than I needed, 746 00:37:28,160 --> 00:37:30,799 Speaker 1: and I would always condense it down to five things, like, hey, 747 00:37:30,840 --> 00:37:32,600 Speaker 1: these are the five things that I'm looking for, But 748 00:37:32,640 --> 00:37:35,399 Speaker 1: it was a whole sheet of the things that what else? 749 00:37:35,400 --> 00:37:37,279 Speaker 1: And I think as a as a player, I was like, 750 00:37:37,880 --> 00:37:39,600 Speaker 1: what if? Guys who As a coach, I know, I'm 751 00:37:39,640 --> 00:37:41,920 Speaker 1: absolutely going to be that to the extreme. I was 752 00:37:41,960 --> 00:37:43,960 Speaker 1: just trying to make sure that anything that could go 753 00:37:44,000 --> 00:37:46,799 Speaker 1: wrong that we were preparing for Eddie Robinson when you 754 00:37:46,840 --> 00:37:51,000 Speaker 1: walk onto that field against Howard in Atlanta, how's that 755 00:37:51,040 --> 00:37:55,040 Speaker 1: gonna feel, Man, It's gonna feel great, I'm sure for me. 756 00:37:55,560 --> 00:37:57,719 Speaker 1: You know, the guys that inspired me was my head coach, 757 00:37:57,760 --> 00:38:00,680 Speaker 1: Houston Markham, you know who won a national championship here 758 00:38:00,719 --> 00:38:04,279 Speaker 1: with us and was undefeated season, legendary coach. And then 759 00:38:04,360 --> 00:38:06,279 Speaker 1: but then you know Eddie Robinson. Of course I'm not 760 00:38:06,400 --> 00:38:08,200 Speaker 1: related to him, but that's the guy that he coached 761 00:38:08,200 --> 00:38:10,520 Speaker 1: in the same conference, played against him for four years, 762 00:38:10,840 --> 00:38:13,600 Speaker 1: would always see him at Bank. Was just the most 763 00:38:13,640 --> 00:38:15,839 Speaker 1: classiest of individuals as a coach, and he is one 764 00:38:15,880 --> 00:38:17,680 Speaker 1: of those coaches when you beat him you felt bad. 765 00:38:17,719 --> 00:38:19,560 Speaker 1: You'll saying he was just that good of a guy 766 00:38:19,960 --> 00:38:23,319 Speaker 1: and then the WC. Gordon's the Marino Chasm. So those 767 00:38:23,320 --> 00:38:25,720 Speaker 1: are guys who are legendary coaches in the SWAT Conference, 768 00:38:25,760 --> 00:38:29,400 Speaker 1: who I have personal relationships with, who encouraged me to like, hey, heyy, 769 00:38:29,400 --> 00:38:31,560 Speaker 1: we need you involved in the conference. You know, you 770 00:38:31,600 --> 00:38:32,920 Speaker 1: need you to be an ad you need to be 771 00:38:33,000 --> 00:38:35,239 Speaker 1: a coach, you need to do something. You have to participate. 772 00:38:35,320 --> 00:38:37,879 Speaker 1: So and I did as an announcer and stuff like that, 773 00:38:37,920 --> 00:38:40,680 Speaker 1: but they always wanted me to do more in the conference. 774 00:38:40,719 --> 00:38:43,440 Speaker 1: So and I think about my why. It's part of 775 00:38:43,480 --> 00:38:45,959 Speaker 1: it with those guys who holding me accountable to say, hey, 776 00:38:46,040 --> 00:38:47,960 Speaker 1: you know, we're older. You know we we've done a 777 00:38:47,960 --> 00:38:49,840 Speaker 1: lot of great things for the SWAT Conference, but we 778 00:38:49,920 --> 00:38:52,480 Speaker 1: need some younger guys to take it to the next step. 779 00:38:52,719 --> 00:38:55,239 Speaker 1: And I just felt like, for me, with the opportunity 780 00:38:55,320 --> 00:38:58,200 Speaker 1: presenting itself, how could I not, you know, give up 781 00:38:58,239 --> 00:39:01,360 Speaker 1: my personal life to give everything I can for the 782 00:39:01,400 --> 00:39:03,920 Speaker 1: SWAT Conference and for the school and for the kids 783 00:39:03,960 --> 00:39:06,800 Speaker 1: because somebody did the same thing for me. Eddie Robinson, 784 00:39:06,920 --> 00:39:10,440 Speaker 1: former Titans linebacker, We cannot wait to see what you're 785 00:39:10,480 --> 00:39:13,560 Speaker 1: gonna do with Alabama State this season as the head coach. 786 00:39:14,040 --> 00:39:16,399 Speaker 1: We will be following you from here. Thanks so much 787 00:39:16,400 --> 00:39:19,120 Speaker 1: for the time. Absolutely invest a lux of the Titans 788 00:39:19,120 --> 00:39:28,120 Speaker 1: also tightened up, tighten up. Really cool guy, Eddie Robertson. 789 00:39:28,360 --> 00:39:31,480 Speaker 1: That is so cool. Yeah, I'm so glad that he 790 00:39:31,640 --> 00:39:33,520 Speaker 1: was willing to talk to you guys and you were 791 00:39:33,560 --> 00:39:36,160 Speaker 1: able to have that conversation. What a neat thing. Well, 792 00:39:36,360 --> 00:39:38,879 Speaker 1: he didn't need the money. No, he thinks he can 793 00:39:38,920 --> 00:39:41,399 Speaker 1: make a difference in people's lives the same way Eddie, 794 00:39:41,440 --> 00:39:44,520 Speaker 1: George thinks he can make a difference at Tennessee State 795 00:39:44,640 --> 00:39:48,640 Speaker 1: by sharing that knowledge, by mentoring. It's a cool story. 796 00:39:48,719 --> 00:39:51,480 Speaker 1: It just warms your heart. Football well, and he was 797 00:39:51,520 --> 00:39:55,320 Speaker 1: really he was really good, Yeah, really really good. Love it. 798 00:39:55,520 --> 00:39:58,239 Speaker 1: He liked it when we beat Jacksonville too. I too 799 00:39:58,320 --> 00:40:00,279 Speaker 1: like it when we beat Jacksonville. Eddie and I have that, 800 00:40:00,640 --> 00:40:02,799 Speaker 1: Teddy and you have that in common without a doubt. 801 00:40:02,840 --> 00:40:08,880 Speaker 1: All Right, So pad's on Monday, OTPs to come, lots 802 00:40:08,920 --> 00:40:10,960 Speaker 1: to do. Let's take a little break now, take a 803 00:40:11,000 --> 00:40:13,400 Speaker 1: deep breath and move along. Thank you so much for 804 00:40:13,480 --> 00:40:16,600 Speaker 1: joining Amy Wells and me for the O t P. 805 00:40:17,120 --> 00:40:21,359 Speaker 1: Welcome to the Big Show where the Legends go. Everybody 806 00:40:21,520 --> 00:40:25,960 Speaker 1: knows it's our house, fighting for Tennessee. Making us to 807 00:40:26,080 --> 00:40:27,719 Speaker 1: read greatness is MENSI be