1 00:00:09,760 --> 00:00:12,960 Speaker 1: Welcome to Playmakers everyone. I'm your host, Haley Ellwood. It 2 00:00:13,039 --> 00:00:15,640 Speaker 1: is Week fifteen. The Chargers are still It's so far, 3 00:00:15,800 --> 00:00:18,319 Speaker 1: and this week they will host the Tennessee Titans. So 4 00:00:18,400 --> 00:00:21,279 Speaker 1: joining me to talk about this game. This opponent is 5 00:00:21,320 --> 00:00:24,200 Speaker 1: Tennessee Titans Associate director of broadcasting and one of my 6 00:00:24,239 --> 00:00:28,160 Speaker 1: absolute favorite people in this crazy business, Amy Wells. Amy. 7 00:00:28,160 --> 00:00:31,000 Speaker 1: Thanks for coming on. How are you, Haley? I'm so 8 00:00:31,040 --> 00:00:34,040 Speaker 1: excited to do this podcast. I've seen you doing this 9 00:00:34,080 --> 00:00:36,639 Speaker 1: with other people and finally I get my turn. I've 10 00:00:36,680 --> 00:00:39,600 Speaker 1: been waiting for what feels like years. It only took 11 00:00:39,640 --> 00:00:45,919 Speaker 1: three years, but betterly than ever, we did it. It's 12 00:00:45,960 --> 00:00:48,599 Speaker 1: all good. We did it. We made it. We made it, 13 00:00:48,760 --> 00:00:51,479 Speaker 1: and we've also made it to week fifteen, somehow, some 14 00:00:51,600 --> 00:00:54,560 Speaker 1: way of this crazy twenty twenty two season, we've got 15 00:00:54,600 --> 00:00:57,360 Speaker 1: the Titans coming into SOFI to take on the Chargers. 16 00:00:57,440 --> 00:01:00,360 Speaker 1: What are your sort of overall impressions of this up 17 00:01:00,400 --> 00:01:02,520 Speaker 1: in this game? Well, I think this is going to 18 00:01:02,600 --> 00:01:05,080 Speaker 1: be a really fun matchup. I mean, both teams are 19 00:01:05,120 --> 00:01:07,920 Speaker 1: seven and six, so there's a lot of just parallel 20 00:01:07,959 --> 00:01:10,039 Speaker 1: with how these seasons have gone, not only from a 21 00:01:10,040 --> 00:01:13,600 Speaker 1: win loss standpoint, but also from an injury standpoint, it 22 00:01:13,640 --> 00:01:16,800 Speaker 1: seems like both of these teams have just spent the 23 00:01:17,000 --> 00:01:21,679 Speaker 1: entirety of this season reeling from personnel changes and these 24 00:01:21,760 --> 00:01:25,480 Speaker 1: injuries and lineup changes that you don't see coming until 25 00:01:25,560 --> 00:01:28,520 Speaker 1: late in the week. And I mean from a football standpoint, 26 00:01:28,560 --> 00:01:30,320 Speaker 1: it's also going to be a lot of fun because 27 00:01:30,319 --> 00:01:33,160 Speaker 1: these are two teams that are kind of leaning heavily 28 00:01:33,160 --> 00:01:36,720 Speaker 1: on their quarterbacks and their offensive philosophies to really try 29 00:01:36,720 --> 00:01:39,800 Speaker 1: and get these wins. So I think it's going to 30 00:01:39,840 --> 00:01:41,840 Speaker 1: be a lot of fun just to watch these two 31 00:01:41,840 --> 00:01:45,280 Speaker 1: teams battle each other. And historically the Chargers and Titans 32 00:01:45,319 --> 00:01:48,840 Speaker 1: have really fun matchups, like they're always fun games to watch, 33 00:01:48,920 --> 00:01:51,800 Speaker 1: So I'm really looking forward to this one. Yeah, we 34 00:01:51,800 --> 00:01:54,920 Speaker 1: think about the London game in twenty eighteen, that crazy 35 00:01:54,960 --> 00:01:57,640 Speaker 1: game I think the following year where both teams were 36 00:01:57,640 --> 00:01:59,760 Speaker 1: what two and four are like, had losing records and 37 00:01:59,800 --> 00:02:02,600 Speaker 1: it really felt like whoever was going to take off 38 00:02:02,640 --> 00:02:04,320 Speaker 1: and when that game was going to change and the 39 00:02:04,400 --> 00:02:07,440 Speaker 1: trajectory of their season. Certainly happened with the Titans in 40 00:02:07,480 --> 00:02:09,680 Speaker 1: that game, but it came down to the very end too. 41 00:02:09,720 --> 00:02:11,799 Speaker 1: You're right, they are kind of always fun. They're kind 42 00:02:11,800 --> 00:02:14,640 Speaker 1: of one of those weird AFC opponents that they sort 43 00:02:14,680 --> 00:02:16,960 Speaker 1: of always kind of know each other a little bell 44 00:02:17,280 --> 00:02:19,960 Speaker 1: and kind of closer. That is strange when you're not 45 00:02:20,040 --> 00:02:23,200 Speaker 1: in the same division at all. Right, there's a familiarity 46 00:02:23,280 --> 00:02:28,520 Speaker 1: between these two teams that is uncanny because we really 47 00:02:28,560 --> 00:02:31,480 Speaker 1: don't see each other that often. I know, the Titans 48 00:02:31,480 --> 00:02:34,560 Speaker 1: and the Chargers have a history that goes back way back. 49 00:02:34,600 --> 00:02:37,040 Speaker 1: The Titans had a real Chargers monkey on their back 50 00:02:37,120 --> 00:02:39,880 Speaker 1: for a while. It took some time for them to 51 00:02:39,919 --> 00:02:45,480 Speaker 1: start getting wins against this Chargers team just anytime. So, yeah, 52 00:02:45,520 --> 00:02:48,720 Speaker 1: the history behind it, the familiarity between the two teams, 53 00:02:49,080 --> 00:02:52,600 Speaker 1: and then just good football games, you know. I mean, 54 00:02:52,720 --> 00:02:56,320 Speaker 1: they have complementary styles in terms of the way that 55 00:02:56,360 --> 00:02:59,600 Speaker 1: they play. What these teams are able to do. I 56 00:02:59,639 --> 00:03:02,000 Speaker 1: think I just think it's gonna be fun to watch. Yeah, 57 00:03:02,080 --> 00:03:04,000 Speaker 1: I'm right there with you. So the Titans, I'm a 58 00:03:04,000 --> 00:03:05,840 Speaker 1: little bit of a skid right now, but still leading 59 00:03:05,840 --> 00:03:08,280 Speaker 1: the AFC South. What has kind of been going on 60 00:03:08,440 --> 00:03:10,360 Speaker 1: with that team as of late. I know you mentioned 61 00:03:10,360 --> 00:03:13,000 Speaker 1: injuries and things like that. Yeah, and I mean there's 62 00:03:13,040 --> 00:03:15,359 Speaker 1: a couple of things that play here. The injuries are 63 00:03:15,360 --> 00:03:18,200 Speaker 1: really a big one. I mean, the Titans lost Treylan Burkes, 64 00:03:18,200 --> 00:03:20,480 Speaker 1: who was their main receiver and he was really coming 65 00:03:20,480 --> 00:03:24,440 Speaker 1: onto the scene in the latter end of his rookie year. 66 00:03:24,480 --> 00:03:27,119 Speaker 1: I guess I should say he was having a lot 67 00:03:27,120 --> 00:03:29,360 Speaker 1: of success, and so it was hard for the Titans 68 00:03:29,400 --> 00:03:33,160 Speaker 1: to lose an offensive threat like that. Losing Denico Autry 69 00:03:33,160 --> 00:03:36,320 Speaker 1: on the defensive side of the ball going down against 70 00:03:36,360 --> 00:03:39,080 Speaker 1: the Green Bay Packers, were hopeful that he'll be able 71 00:03:39,120 --> 00:03:41,520 Speaker 1: to come back at some point, but it's a waiting 72 00:03:41,560 --> 00:03:44,200 Speaker 1: game and it seems like it's just been those kind 73 00:03:44,240 --> 00:03:48,600 Speaker 1: of hits. Against the Jags last Sunday, they lost Dontrell Hilliard, 74 00:03:48,640 --> 00:03:52,240 Speaker 1: who was a big player when it came to special 75 00:03:52,280 --> 00:03:56,960 Speaker 1: teams and a returner, but also on offense, he was 76 00:03:57,200 --> 00:03:59,600 Speaker 1: a real contributor. So it's just things like that. You 77 00:03:59,680 --> 00:04:03,840 Speaker 1: keep losing these pieces and that's really frustrating. Football wise, 78 00:04:03,880 --> 00:04:06,520 Speaker 1: there's been a bit of a turnover issue as of late. 79 00:04:06,560 --> 00:04:08,600 Speaker 1: The Titans have been giving them up. They haven't been 80 00:04:08,640 --> 00:04:12,600 Speaker 1: taking too many away, and that's uncharacteristic for this Titans team. 81 00:04:12,640 --> 00:04:16,080 Speaker 1: Earlier in the season, we saw this defense creating turnovers 82 00:04:16,120 --> 00:04:19,160 Speaker 1: a bunch. They were getting lots of takeaways and they've 83 00:04:19,160 --> 00:04:22,400 Speaker 1: been in a real drought. We all know that sometimes 84 00:04:22,400 --> 00:04:26,080 Speaker 1: those things come in bunches, and the Titans haven't had 85 00:04:26,120 --> 00:04:30,120 Speaker 1: any bunches recently, so trying to find something that's going 86 00:04:30,160 --> 00:04:32,679 Speaker 1: to get them back on track and really get them going. 87 00:04:33,480 --> 00:04:35,279 Speaker 1: And then on the offensive side of the ball, the 88 00:04:35,320 --> 00:04:38,720 Speaker 1: Titans have had some issues really getting that run game going. 89 00:04:38,760 --> 00:04:42,640 Speaker 1: They've had a hard time really getting some traction. And 90 00:04:42,760 --> 00:04:45,279 Speaker 1: when you have a hard time doing that, you're so 91 00:04:45,400 --> 00:04:47,920 Speaker 1: limited in what you're able to do. The Titans offensive 92 00:04:47,960 --> 00:04:50,920 Speaker 1: line has seen a lot of personnel changes recently and 93 00:04:51,360 --> 00:04:54,080 Speaker 1: that has been a big impact. It's really just kind 94 00:04:54,080 --> 00:04:58,000 Speaker 1: of changed the momentum. I guess that the Titans are 95 00:04:58,040 --> 00:05:01,160 Speaker 1: able to really establish and and Tannehill has been hit 96 00:05:01,200 --> 00:05:03,960 Speaker 1: a bunch and that's hard to do. He's been sacked 97 00:05:04,000 --> 00:05:06,880 Speaker 1: ten times in the last two games, which is hard 98 00:05:06,960 --> 00:05:10,600 Speaker 1: to do anything when your quarterback isn't able to really 99 00:05:10,640 --> 00:05:12,919 Speaker 1: go through his entire progression and do the things that 100 00:05:12,960 --> 00:05:15,159 Speaker 1: he needs to do. And this is a team that 101 00:05:15,279 --> 00:05:18,640 Speaker 1: relies on the run game pretty heavily, and they haven't 102 00:05:18,680 --> 00:05:21,000 Speaker 1: been able to get it going in a way that 103 00:05:21,520 --> 00:05:25,520 Speaker 1: is really sustainable. They've you've seen some bright spots. You've 104 00:05:25,560 --> 00:05:30,360 Speaker 1: seen some big moments, but it hasn't been consistently happening 105 00:05:30,400 --> 00:05:32,720 Speaker 1: for the entirety of a game. And that's what the 106 00:05:32,760 --> 00:05:35,640 Speaker 1: Titans need to do to win ball games. So much 107 00:05:35,640 --> 00:05:39,160 Speaker 1: of these two teams, like gosh, the offensive line personnel changes, 108 00:05:39,279 --> 00:05:41,880 Speaker 1: things of this sort. It's you know, sacking getting to 109 00:05:41,880 --> 00:05:45,039 Speaker 1: the quarterback. There's so many parallels, like you've mentioned between 110 00:05:45,080 --> 00:05:46,800 Speaker 1: the Titans and what's been going on with the Chargers 111 00:05:46,800 --> 00:05:48,920 Speaker 1: as of late, which is those sort of changes and 112 00:05:49,000 --> 00:05:51,279 Speaker 1: sort of how you've had to kind of try to 113 00:05:51,279 --> 00:05:53,640 Speaker 1: get things going, try to get things moving as the 114 00:05:53,640 --> 00:05:55,520 Speaker 1: season has gone on, and when you're in this really 115 00:05:55,520 --> 00:05:58,920 Speaker 1: critical point too of playing meaningful football as we know 116 00:05:59,200 --> 00:06:02,120 Speaker 1: in December. You know, as I said before, you guys 117 00:06:02,160 --> 00:06:04,040 Speaker 1: do lead the division at this point. The Chargers are 118 00:06:04,040 --> 00:06:07,520 Speaker 1: fighting for this wildcard spot, but same things all around. 119 00:06:07,720 --> 00:06:10,599 Speaker 1: You mentioned the reliance on Ryan Tannehill. You were mentioned 120 00:06:10,640 --> 00:06:13,159 Speaker 1: trying to get the running game going. Who does this 121 00:06:13,279 --> 00:06:15,760 Speaker 1: offense go through at this point? Is it still Derrick 122 00:06:15,800 --> 00:06:17,640 Speaker 1: Henry or is it really sort of trying to get 123 00:06:17,640 --> 00:06:21,279 Speaker 1: Tannehill in the passing game going. It is still Derrick 124 00:06:21,360 --> 00:06:24,720 Speaker 1: Henry mainly because the run is something that this team 125 00:06:24,760 --> 00:06:27,960 Speaker 1: relies on so heavily. Derrick Henry. We know when he 126 00:06:28,000 --> 00:06:31,360 Speaker 1: touches the ball and he's able to really get some 127 00:06:31,440 --> 00:06:35,279 Speaker 1: good yardage and get some meaningful carries, the Titans generally 128 00:06:35,279 --> 00:06:38,240 Speaker 1: win ball games when that happens. Derrick Henry's success is 129 00:06:38,279 --> 00:06:42,120 Speaker 1: directly correlated to Titans success, and that is just science 130 00:06:42,160 --> 00:06:46,880 Speaker 1: at this point. Obviously, Ryan Tannehill in the passing game, 131 00:06:46,880 --> 00:06:48,680 Speaker 1: they need to be able to do things as well, 132 00:06:49,000 --> 00:06:51,680 Speaker 1: but you have so many more options when you have 133 00:06:51,720 --> 00:06:54,279 Speaker 1: a run game that's going. You've got so much more 134 00:06:54,320 --> 00:06:56,320 Speaker 1: that you can do in terms of any sort of 135 00:06:56,520 --> 00:07:00,440 Speaker 1: RPO kind of setup that you're trying to do. There's 136 00:07:00,520 --> 00:07:04,000 Speaker 1: just so many more options. And for the Titans, when 137 00:07:04,040 --> 00:07:06,760 Speaker 1: they've been getting so far behind when it comes to 138 00:07:07,440 --> 00:07:11,880 Speaker 1: just points, they have to throw the ball more. When 139 00:07:11,960 --> 00:07:16,760 Speaker 1: that run game is taken away. They're so one dimensional 140 00:07:16,880 --> 00:07:21,600 Speaker 1: and so that's really frustrating. So running the ball is crucial. 141 00:07:22,040 --> 00:07:25,120 Speaker 1: Getting every aspect of that. It's not just Derrick Henry. 142 00:07:25,160 --> 00:07:27,320 Speaker 1: It's not just the running backs. It's the offensive line, 143 00:07:27,400 --> 00:07:29,600 Speaker 1: it's the tight ends being able to block. There's so 144 00:07:29,600 --> 00:07:32,239 Speaker 1: many more things that go into it than just Derrick 145 00:07:32,280 --> 00:07:36,000 Speaker 1: Henry running hard, but Derrick Henry also does need to 146 00:07:36,080 --> 00:07:38,360 Speaker 1: run hard like that is also a thing that needs 147 00:07:38,320 --> 00:07:41,040 Speaker 1: to happen, and all of it needs to come together, 148 00:07:41,080 --> 00:07:43,120 Speaker 1: and the ways that we've seen it happen for the 149 00:07:43,120 --> 00:07:46,040 Speaker 1: Titans offense in the first half of the season need 150 00:07:46,120 --> 00:07:49,560 Speaker 1: to get it back on track. It feels like they're close. 151 00:07:49,880 --> 00:07:52,560 Speaker 1: It felt like in the first half of the Jags 152 00:07:52,600 --> 00:07:56,280 Speaker 1: game last week, it felt like the Titans were really 153 00:07:56,320 --> 00:07:59,680 Speaker 1: getting something going. Derrick Henry touched the ball something like 154 00:08:00,200 --> 00:08:03,320 Speaker 1: ten plus times in the first quarter and was able 155 00:08:03,360 --> 00:08:05,720 Speaker 1: to have a lot of success and then they were 156 00:08:05,720 --> 00:08:08,440 Speaker 1: just never able to get back to it and ultimately 157 00:08:08,960 --> 00:08:12,640 Speaker 1: the scores represented that, Yeah, he had such an incredible 158 00:08:12,680 --> 00:08:15,720 Speaker 1: You mentioned that first half against the Jaguars, and when 159 00:08:15,760 --> 00:08:20,320 Speaker 1: he mentioned science with him physically, he just doesn't. It 160 00:08:20,320 --> 00:08:22,880 Speaker 1: blows my mind that he is able to do what 161 00:08:22,920 --> 00:08:27,200 Speaker 1: he does because at his size, it's insane. It's just 162 00:08:27,320 --> 00:08:30,720 Speaker 1: insane that he is as quick as agile and everything 163 00:08:30,760 --> 00:08:33,959 Speaker 1: for as large as he is that it's like humans 164 00:08:33,960 --> 00:08:35,800 Speaker 1: are not meant to do what he does, but he 165 00:08:35,840 --> 00:08:38,640 Speaker 1: does it at such an insane level. And I think 166 00:08:38,720 --> 00:08:41,080 Speaker 1: as games go on and the season goes on, and 167 00:08:41,120 --> 00:08:43,640 Speaker 1: I know that there's been times where it's been struggled 168 00:08:43,640 --> 00:08:45,840 Speaker 1: to get going. But at the same time, when you 169 00:08:45,840 --> 00:08:48,240 Speaker 1: look at like the first half that he had, how 170 00:08:48,320 --> 00:08:50,680 Speaker 1: is he able to just shoulder so much of a 171 00:08:50,800 --> 00:08:53,800 Speaker 1: load as the season goes on, as these games go on, 172 00:08:53,840 --> 00:08:57,000 Speaker 1: and you know, here we are in December. You mentioned 173 00:08:57,000 --> 00:08:59,640 Speaker 1: how big he is and just how it doesn't make sense. 174 00:08:59,640 --> 00:09:03,120 Speaker 1: And my favorite thing in the world is during training 175 00:09:03,160 --> 00:09:06,480 Speaker 1: camp when we'll have joint practices with people and Derrick 176 00:09:06,559 --> 00:09:09,199 Speaker 1: Henry walks out onto the field for the first time 177 00:09:09,600 --> 00:09:13,120 Speaker 1: because the staff of whatever team it is that we 178 00:09:13,200 --> 00:09:16,760 Speaker 1: are working with, their jaws just dropped because he's a 179 00:09:16,800 --> 00:09:19,280 Speaker 1: big dude. And when he walks out without pads on, 180 00:09:19,800 --> 00:09:23,959 Speaker 1: he looks like he's wearing pads. I mean, he's one 181 00:09:24,000 --> 00:09:26,320 Speaker 1: of the mob stars. Like it doesn't make any sense. 182 00:09:27,160 --> 00:09:29,800 Speaker 1: He's just a giant human being who is able to 183 00:09:29,840 --> 00:09:32,240 Speaker 1: do what he does at an incredibly high level. Like 184 00:09:32,280 --> 00:09:35,160 Speaker 1: you said, and here's the reality of it. One of 185 00:09:35,160 --> 00:09:38,480 Speaker 1: the things Derrick Henry is known for is those insane 186 00:09:38,600 --> 00:09:42,440 Speaker 1: workouts during the offseason where he's benching like five kids 187 00:09:42,559 --> 00:09:47,200 Speaker 1: and chains and like rolling tires over mountains and doing 188 00:09:47,240 --> 00:09:50,600 Speaker 1: these ridiculous things, and those are fine, and I'm glad 189 00:09:50,600 --> 00:09:53,800 Speaker 1: he does those things because it makes him big and strong, definitely, 190 00:09:53,920 --> 00:09:58,280 Speaker 1: But he's not benching a Volkswagen during the season. He's 191 00:09:58,440 --> 00:10:02,080 Speaker 1: incredibly good at main taining his body and being really 192 00:10:02,160 --> 00:10:05,800 Speaker 1: intentional about what he is that he does throughout a week, 193 00:10:06,920 --> 00:10:10,280 Speaker 1: and he works really closely with our training staff, with 194 00:10:10,800 --> 00:10:14,000 Speaker 1: our strength and conditioning coaches to make sure that when 195 00:10:14,000 --> 00:10:18,080 Speaker 1: it's time to push, he can push without being reckless 196 00:10:18,120 --> 00:10:20,240 Speaker 1: about it, and when it's time to pull back and rest, 197 00:10:20,280 --> 00:10:24,720 Speaker 1: there are people there who pull him back. Titans fans 198 00:10:24,720 --> 00:10:26,800 Speaker 1: are so tired of me pointing this out because I 199 00:10:26,880 --> 00:10:29,680 Speaker 1: mentioned it about once a week, but it is so 200 00:10:29,800 --> 00:10:32,840 Speaker 1: incredible to me that when he is working and he 201 00:10:33,000 --> 00:10:36,840 Speaker 1: is out practice, he is moving for the entirety of 202 00:10:36,840 --> 00:10:39,720 Speaker 1: the practice time, like there is not a moment where 203 00:10:39,760 --> 00:10:43,520 Speaker 1: he stops. If he's not on the field working through something. 204 00:10:43,600 --> 00:10:47,120 Speaker 1: He's on the sidelines working with running backs coach Tony Doos, 205 00:10:47,160 --> 00:10:50,320 Speaker 1: he's catching passes, he's on the jugs machine, he's in 206 00:10:50,360 --> 00:10:53,520 Speaker 1: the sand pit, which it is really cold in Nashville, 207 00:10:54,200 --> 00:10:57,000 Speaker 1: not a fun time to be in the sand, but 208 00:10:57,080 --> 00:10:59,880 Speaker 1: he does it anyway, and he's always doing things to 209 00:11:00,080 --> 00:11:02,640 Speaker 1: keep his body warm, to keep working on a specific 210 00:11:02,760 --> 00:11:06,400 Speaker 1: skill set, and he did it in a controlled, responsible 211 00:11:06,440 --> 00:11:09,640 Speaker 1: way throughout the season. And so he is able to 212 00:11:10,040 --> 00:11:13,720 Speaker 1: shoulder a tremendous amount of work not only throughout the 213 00:11:13,840 --> 00:11:17,160 Speaker 1: entirety of the game, but throughout the entirety of the season. 214 00:11:17,280 --> 00:11:20,400 Speaker 1: And I think that that is so impressive that he 215 00:11:20,520 --> 00:11:23,440 Speaker 1: has continued to learn more about how to do that, 216 00:11:23,559 --> 00:11:26,800 Speaker 1: how to maintain, how to stay healthy throughout his career. 217 00:11:26,880 --> 00:11:30,600 Speaker 1: And that's why we haven't seen him plateau or we 218 00:11:30,679 --> 00:11:33,199 Speaker 1: haven't seen him kind of start to wear down or 219 00:11:33,240 --> 00:11:36,280 Speaker 1: break down throughout a season. It just doesn't happen. It's crazy, 220 00:11:36,360 --> 00:11:39,560 Speaker 1: It makes no sense, but it's incredible. Well, one other 221 00:11:39,559 --> 00:11:41,480 Speaker 1: thing that doesn't make a lot of sense for both 222 00:11:41,480 --> 00:11:45,080 Speaker 1: of these teams another parallel second halves of games for 223 00:11:45,160 --> 00:11:47,720 Speaker 1: the offense is just not really doing it. I read 224 00:11:47,760 --> 00:11:50,120 Speaker 1: that the Titans are struggling. The Chargers have not scored 225 00:11:50,160 --> 00:11:54,120 Speaker 1: a third quarter, third quarter touchdown since Week five. I 226 00:11:54,440 --> 00:11:55,920 Speaker 1: made a joke the other day, I was like, blow 227 00:11:55,960 --> 00:11:57,880 Speaker 1: the third quarter into the sun, Like it's just not 228 00:11:58,000 --> 00:12:00,400 Speaker 1: working right now. But they found way is to win 229 00:12:00,480 --> 00:12:03,679 Speaker 1: at certain times. Something's got to give right, doesn't it 230 00:12:03,720 --> 00:12:05,760 Speaker 1: feel like at this point, like here you go, you 231 00:12:05,800 --> 00:12:07,400 Speaker 1: got these two teams that are kind of matched in 232 00:12:07,400 --> 00:12:09,840 Speaker 1: that sense, like who's gonna win it out in the 233 00:12:09,880 --> 00:12:13,560 Speaker 1: second half. Well, mathematically, you have to assume that one 234 00:12:13,640 --> 00:12:15,920 Speaker 1: of these two teams is scoring to score something in 235 00:12:15,960 --> 00:12:18,640 Speaker 1: the third quarter. I'm not great with numbers, but like 236 00:12:18,679 --> 00:12:22,520 Speaker 1: the Lave averages just tells me, yeah, I talk, I 237 00:12:22,559 --> 00:12:26,120 Speaker 1: don't math, but Lave Averages tells me somebody is going 238 00:12:26,160 --> 00:12:29,079 Speaker 1: to score some sort of points in the third quarter, 239 00:12:29,440 --> 00:12:32,000 Speaker 1: and that might just be what blows the doors off 240 00:12:32,040 --> 00:12:35,360 Speaker 1: for whichever team it is. It does really feel like 241 00:12:36,040 --> 00:12:40,000 Speaker 1: whichever team has the more has more points going into 242 00:12:40,160 --> 00:12:44,360 Speaker 1: the half, has a substantial advantage in the second half 243 00:12:44,360 --> 00:12:46,560 Speaker 1: of the game. And Mike Rabel has talked about it. 244 00:12:46,679 --> 00:12:50,800 Speaker 1: He's talked about consistency and talked about controlling the game 245 00:12:50,880 --> 00:12:54,720 Speaker 1: and playing Titans football for four quarters. You can't control 246 00:12:54,760 --> 00:12:58,800 Speaker 1: a game if you are behind in points. It just 247 00:12:59,480 --> 00:13:03,160 Speaker 1: doesn't work out. And it's something that sounds so stupid 248 00:13:03,240 --> 00:13:06,559 Speaker 1: and so trivial. And when you say, well, the Titans 249 00:13:06,600 --> 00:13:08,320 Speaker 1: need to score more points if they want to win, 250 00:13:08,440 --> 00:13:12,600 Speaker 1: people say, yeah, no, kidding. But it's something that really 251 00:13:12,640 --> 00:13:16,080 Speaker 1: needs to happen. And for the Titans, it's getting into 252 00:13:16,120 --> 00:13:18,360 Speaker 1: the red zone and then scoring when you're in the 253 00:13:18,360 --> 00:13:21,200 Speaker 1: red zone. It's making sure that you are able to 254 00:13:21,240 --> 00:13:24,760 Speaker 1: dictate the style of football that's being played. It's getting 255 00:13:24,800 --> 00:13:26,760 Speaker 1: the opponents off the field on third down. Some of 256 00:13:26,760 --> 00:13:30,280 Speaker 1: these things that are really kind of basic fundamental football 257 00:13:30,360 --> 00:13:34,040 Speaker 1: things that the Titans just have to clean up because 258 00:13:34,080 --> 00:13:37,080 Speaker 1: in the second half, if they're coming from behind, it 259 00:13:37,200 --> 00:13:39,800 Speaker 1: just doesn't seem like they are able to get back 260 00:13:39,840 --> 00:13:42,559 Speaker 1: to Titans football, which is what they do really well 261 00:13:44,200 --> 00:13:46,520 Speaker 1: when they are behind and trying to make up for 262 00:13:47,080 --> 00:13:50,680 Speaker 1: lost time and lost points. Yeah, what is Titans football 263 00:13:50,720 --> 00:13:52,680 Speaker 1: is it's just like patting the rock, just like getting 264 00:13:52,679 --> 00:13:57,440 Speaker 1: at it. Oh yeah, it's tough, aggressive, winning the line 265 00:13:57,440 --> 00:14:02,000 Speaker 1: of scrimmage, just running it down your throat football, which 266 00:14:02,000 --> 00:14:05,920 Speaker 1: sounds very aggressive, but that's kind of what it is. 267 00:14:05,960 --> 00:14:11,160 Speaker 1: I mean, it really is just a overly physical, dominant, 268 00:14:11,240 --> 00:14:14,240 Speaker 1: punch him in the mouth anytime, anyplace kind of football, 269 00:14:14,360 --> 00:14:17,560 Speaker 1: because that's Mike Vrabel, like that is what this head 270 00:14:17,559 --> 00:14:21,040 Speaker 1: coach is is. I mean, walk in the room, lock 271 00:14:21,120 --> 00:14:23,400 Speaker 1: the doors. One person's coming out of here a winner. 272 00:14:23,480 --> 00:14:27,280 Speaker 1: And that's how it is. Every single game, and guys 273 00:14:27,320 --> 00:14:30,880 Speaker 1: really buy into it and the team is built for 274 00:14:30,960 --> 00:14:33,360 Speaker 1: that kind of football. It's a lot of physical guys 275 00:14:33,400 --> 00:14:36,280 Speaker 1: who love the game of ball and are just able 276 00:14:36,360 --> 00:14:41,000 Speaker 1: to grind relentless as a way that I would describe 277 00:14:41,040 --> 00:14:45,480 Speaker 1: this team, because they will just wear you out. And 278 00:14:46,600 --> 00:14:49,440 Speaker 1: when that's working really well for this Titans team and 279 00:14:49,480 --> 00:14:52,440 Speaker 1: they really are able to control a game, man, it's 280 00:14:52,520 --> 00:14:56,560 Speaker 1: fun to watch because they are a powerful team when 281 00:14:56,600 --> 00:15:00,200 Speaker 1: they can get all of their pieces working as they're 282 00:15:00,200 --> 00:15:03,880 Speaker 1: supposed to. So defensively, in talking to that unit, you 283 00:15:03,960 --> 00:15:06,840 Speaker 1: mentioned a lot of the injuries that that team has 284 00:15:06,920 --> 00:15:09,800 Speaker 1: faced and maybe getting you know, not as much getting 285 00:15:10,080 --> 00:15:12,400 Speaker 1: as not getting as much pressure on the quarterback I 286 00:15:12,440 --> 00:15:14,720 Speaker 1: should say, But what kind of things do they need 287 00:15:14,760 --> 00:15:18,720 Speaker 1: to do to maybe turn that performance of that unit around. Well, 288 00:15:18,720 --> 00:15:21,720 Speaker 1: there's a couple of things. They've got to get off 289 00:15:21,720 --> 00:15:24,680 Speaker 1: the field on third down. I mean, that is a huge, 290 00:15:24,840 --> 00:15:28,440 Speaker 1: huge thing that has been a frustration for them for 291 00:15:28,480 --> 00:15:32,920 Speaker 1: a couple of weeks, is getting the opposing offense off 292 00:15:32,960 --> 00:15:36,440 Speaker 1: the field on third down. Again, something that sounds pretty basic, 293 00:15:36,840 --> 00:15:39,040 Speaker 1: but it's really a thing that you have to do 294 00:15:39,480 --> 00:15:43,280 Speaker 1: and one of the main reasons why they haven't been 295 00:15:43,320 --> 00:15:47,120 Speaker 1: getting opposing offenses off the field on third down is 296 00:15:47,240 --> 00:15:50,680 Speaker 1: explosive place. I mean, plays of twenty yards or more 297 00:15:50,720 --> 00:15:53,960 Speaker 1: are something that the Titans just haven't been able to 298 00:15:54,000 --> 00:15:56,840 Speaker 1: defend against as well as they need to to really 299 00:15:56,880 --> 00:16:00,480 Speaker 1: get the win. And so that's something thing that has 300 00:16:00,520 --> 00:16:02,960 Speaker 1: been a big point of emphasis time and time again, 301 00:16:03,320 --> 00:16:06,680 Speaker 1: controlling those explosive plays, making sure that that can't happen. 302 00:16:06,840 --> 00:16:09,440 Speaker 1: And a lot of that starts with affecting the quarterback. 303 00:16:09,520 --> 00:16:11,720 Speaker 1: You know, the Titans are going to have to get 304 00:16:11,720 --> 00:16:14,280 Speaker 1: after Justin Herbert. They're just going to have to make 305 00:16:14,360 --> 00:16:17,200 Speaker 1: him uncomfortable. They're going to have to force him to 306 00:16:17,280 --> 00:16:19,760 Speaker 1: make some quick decisions, and then they're going to have 307 00:16:19,840 --> 00:16:23,800 Speaker 1: to cover all of the offensive weapons the Chargers have. 308 00:16:24,440 --> 00:16:27,560 Speaker 1: And again, injuries are a big part of that. It's 309 00:16:27,600 --> 00:16:31,200 Speaker 1: hard when Jeffrey Simmons isn't playing at one, he's just 310 00:16:31,600 --> 00:16:35,720 Speaker 1: dealing with injuries like everybody else and missing Denico Autry 311 00:16:35,920 --> 00:16:39,240 Speaker 1: and Tear Tart has struggled with some injuries. There's so 312 00:16:39,280 --> 00:16:43,080 Speaker 1: many people who have just been beat up. This offense 313 00:16:43,280 --> 00:16:46,320 Speaker 1: or this defense, excuse me, is just beat up, and 314 00:16:46,440 --> 00:16:50,440 Speaker 1: so's there's a lot of different ways that they can 315 00:16:50,480 --> 00:16:53,760 Speaker 1: clean some things up, but being able to contain those 316 00:16:53,760 --> 00:16:57,200 Speaker 1: explosive plays and really get opposing offenses off the field 317 00:16:57,280 --> 00:16:59,960 Speaker 1: and not letting them extend drives and then score pol 318 00:17:00,000 --> 00:17:03,960 Speaker 1: points would go a long way to helping this Titans 319 00:17:04,000 --> 00:17:07,240 Speaker 1: defense get back on track. Makes sense, all right? A 320 00:17:07,280 --> 00:17:09,600 Speaker 1: couple more for you. Who is maybe a player that 321 00:17:09,720 --> 00:17:12,760 Speaker 1: Smith flying under the radar, someone that might not be 322 00:17:12,800 --> 00:17:15,760 Speaker 1: a household name, but is a guy who Chargers fans 323 00:17:15,760 --> 00:17:17,720 Speaker 1: and this Chargers team should keep their eye on this week. 324 00:17:18,280 --> 00:17:20,440 Speaker 1: I don't know if he's flying under the radar anymore 325 00:17:20,440 --> 00:17:22,880 Speaker 1: because he's had a big last couple of weeks, but 326 00:17:22,960 --> 00:17:27,359 Speaker 1: it's rookie tight end Chigaconquo. He has shown up in 327 00:17:27,400 --> 00:17:30,320 Speaker 1: some pretty big ways. He was targeted six times last 328 00:17:30,359 --> 00:17:34,679 Speaker 1: Sunday and he had six catches. He had an incredible 329 00:17:34,720 --> 00:17:38,719 Speaker 1: two point conversion catch that involved his hand and his 330 00:17:38,840 --> 00:17:41,600 Speaker 1: helmet and kind of a mushing of the ball in 331 00:17:41,640 --> 00:17:45,840 Speaker 1: between two. It was beautiful and even he couldn't describe it, 332 00:17:45,920 --> 00:17:47,960 Speaker 1: so I don't feel bad that I couldn't either. That 333 00:17:48,160 --> 00:17:50,280 Speaker 1: was well done. I got the visual helped. If you're 334 00:17:50,320 --> 00:17:53,120 Speaker 1: watching this on video right now, yeah, you're welcome for that. 335 00:17:54,320 --> 00:17:57,160 Speaker 1: But he really he's a guy that in his rookie year, 336 00:17:57,200 --> 00:18:00,320 Speaker 1: has come in and has learned a lot and has 337 00:18:00,400 --> 00:18:05,440 Speaker 1: really worked on his trust, in his chemistry with Ryan 338 00:18:05,480 --> 00:18:07,879 Speaker 1: Tannehill and really making sure they're on the same page. 339 00:18:07,880 --> 00:18:11,600 Speaker 1: And they're working together a lot to know what each 340 00:18:11,640 --> 00:18:14,280 Speaker 1: other likes and each other's style. You know, there's so 341 00:18:14,400 --> 00:18:22,280 Speaker 1: much nuance to that quarterback pass catcher relationship. There's a 342 00:18:22,280 --> 00:18:25,840 Speaker 1: lot of details, and they've spent a tremendous at tremendous 343 00:18:25,840 --> 00:18:30,399 Speaker 1: amount of time working through those details. And he's someone 344 00:18:30,480 --> 00:18:33,120 Speaker 1: that has been it's fun to watch him grow. It's 345 00:18:33,160 --> 00:18:35,880 Speaker 1: fun to watch him become more of a weapon that's 346 00:18:36,000 --> 00:18:39,600 Speaker 1: used in this Titans offense. And he's also just a big, 347 00:18:40,000 --> 00:18:43,680 Speaker 1: strong dude, Like he's built very well for a tight end, 348 00:18:43,720 --> 00:18:46,280 Speaker 1: and so it's been fun to watch him use those 349 00:18:46,280 --> 00:18:49,480 Speaker 1: physical attributes that we've seen since training camp and now 350 00:18:49,520 --> 00:18:53,640 Speaker 1: put everything together to become a more well rounded tight end. 351 00:18:53,760 --> 00:18:58,040 Speaker 1: And he's a guy that I'm really excited about his 352 00:18:58,119 --> 00:19:01,000 Speaker 1: trajectory going forward because I think the sky's the limit 353 00:19:01,040 --> 00:19:02,880 Speaker 1: for him. Yeah, And I think that's what you want 354 00:19:02,880 --> 00:19:05,200 Speaker 1: to see at this point in the season two right 355 00:19:05,520 --> 00:19:08,320 Speaker 1: as a rookie. You kind of catch fire late in December. 356 00:19:08,560 --> 00:19:10,840 Speaker 1: I guess where we mid December, but late in the season. 357 00:19:10,960 --> 00:19:13,200 Speaker 1: That's like, all right, there's some possibility here for what's 358 00:19:13,200 --> 00:19:16,359 Speaker 1: to come later on. Oh absolutely, And he spent so 359 00:19:16,480 --> 00:19:19,560 Speaker 1: much time blocking the Titans tight ends say that five 360 00:19:19,600 --> 00:19:23,439 Speaker 1: times fast. I have spent a lot of time being 361 00:19:23,960 --> 00:19:26,800 Speaker 1: a big part of the blocking game. It's really fun 362 00:19:26,840 --> 00:19:29,240 Speaker 1: to see them now, guys like Austin Hooper, guys like 363 00:19:29,320 --> 00:19:31,840 Speaker 1: Chicka con Quo get more involved in the passing game 364 00:19:31,840 --> 00:19:34,200 Speaker 1: and being able to show off those skills and make 365 00:19:34,240 --> 00:19:37,760 Speaker 1: some big plays for this Titans offense that they weren't 366 00:19:37,800 --> 00:19:40,800 Speaker 1: able to make before just because they were helping block. 367 00:19:41,000 --> 00:19:43,160 Speaker 1: Because there were so many issues on the offensive line. 368 00:19:43,200 --> 00:19:45,919 Speaker 1: They need some extra help up there. Sure. All right. 369 00:19:45,960 --> 00:19:47,520 Speaker 1: Final question for you, and I know we've kind of 370 00:19:47,520 --> 00:19:49,800 Speaker 1: talked about it a bit, but what do you think 371 00:19:49,840 --> 00:19:51,840 Speaker 1: a factor is how this game in how this game 372 00:19:51,880 --> 00:19:53,280 Speaker 1: plays out, Is it going to come down to the 373 00:19:53,280 --> 00:19:55,280 Speaker 1: second half. Is it going to come down and affecting 374 00:19:55,280 --> 00:19:58,119 Speaker 1: the quarterbacks? What do you think that is? You know, 375 00:19:58,200 --> 00:19:59,960 Speaker 1: I think there's a lot of different things. I think 376 00:20:00,160 --> 00:20:02,360 Speaker 1: second half play is going to be something that's going 377 00:20:02,400 --> 00:20:06,000 Speaker 1: to be incredibly important for both teams. You've pointed out 378 00:20:06,080 --> 00:20:11,119 Speaker 1: the similarities are a little uncanny actually between these two teams. 379 00:20:11,119 --> 00:20:13,119 Speaker 1: So I think whoever is able to really show up 380 00:20:13,119 --> 00:20:16,120 Speaker 1: in the second half of this game and really put 381 00:20:16,160 --> 00:20:19,800 Speaker 1: on the show that we're all hoping to see, I 382 00:20:19,840 --> 00:20:22,680 Speaker 1: think that is going to be the X factor. And 383 00:20:23,200 --> 00:20:27,080 Speaker 1: again my stupid answer, that is actually very real. You 384 00:20:27,160 --> 00:20:30,560 Speaker 1: need to score points, and for the Titans, I think 385 00:20:30,600 --> 00:20:33,800 Speaker 1: that's going to mean scoring points in the second half 386 00:20:33,800 --> 00:20:37,640 Speaker 1: and scoring points in the fourth quarter, and really showing 387 00:20:37,720 --> 00:20:41,199 Speaker 1: up in that way, not just defensively but offensively, and 388 00:20:41,359 --> 00:20:43,840 Speaker 1: not just moving down the field, but scoring once you 389 00:20:43,840 --> 00:20:46,160 Speaker 1: get in the red zone. So I think that's going 390 00:20:46,200 --> 00:20:48,879 Speaker 1: to be the biggest factor, is who can score in 391 00:20:48,920 --> 00:20:51,160 Speaker 1: the second half and who can really use that time 392 00:20:51,160 --> 00:20:54,040 Speaker 1: to shine? Makes a lot of sense. We can't wait 393 00:20:54,040 --> 00:20:55,399 Speaker 1: for this one. It'll be a lot of fun. I 394 00:20:55,400 --> 00:20:58,480 Speaker 1: can't wait to see you. It's so far. Yay friends 395 00:20:58,680 --> 00:21:02,400 Speaker 1: in December and out Amy, thanks for coming on. We're 396 00:21:02,400 --> 00:21:05,000 Speaker 1: so lucky to have you and we appreciate it. We 397 00:21:05,040 --> 00:21:07,960 Speaker 1: can't wait to come out to your fancy stadium and 398 00:21:08,080 --> 00:21:11,080 Speaker 1: come hang for a while in sunny California. Get out 399 00:21:11,080 --> 00:21:13,360 Speaker 1: of here. This is a dream in December. It's kind 400 00:21:13,359 --> 00:21:15,879 Speaker 1: of cold. It's cold for us right now, but you 401 00:21:15,920 --> 00:21:22,600 Speaker 1: know define cold cold one sixty five. Oh stop it, okay, 402 00:21:22,640 --> 00:21:26,400 Speaker 1: I'm bringing us one day. That's kiddy fun. We'll see 403 00:21:26,400 --> 00:21:28,680 Speaker 1: you on Sunday, Amy. Thanks, can't wait.