1 00:00:10,240 --> 00:00:13,560 Speaker 1: This is the OTP presented by Farm Bureau Health Plans. 2 00:00:14,000 --> 00:00:16,319 Speaker 1: Let the experts at Farm Bureau Health Plans coach you 3 00:00:16,360 --> 00:00:18,400 Speaker 1: through it. When you need great healthcare coverage at a 4 00:00:18,400 --> 00:00:21,560 Speaker 1: price you can afford. They've been protecting Tennessee and since 5 00:00:21,680 --> 00:00:25,560 Speaker 1: nineteen forty seven with Amy Wells. I'm Mike Keith, glad 6 00:00:25,600 --> 00:00:28,000 Speaker 1: to have you with us as we are ready to 7 00:00:28,040 --> 00:00:32,000 Speaker 1: start preseason football. What a time to be alive. Mike Keith, 8 00:00:32,159 --> 00:00:34,919 Speaker 1: I have to say, this is about as much as 9 00:00:34,920 --> 00:00:39,000 Speaker 1: I've ever looked forward to a preseason game since my 10 00:00:39,120 --> 00:00:43,559 Speaker 1: first one in nineteen ninety eight. Yeah, once you've seen one, 11 00:00:43,640 --> 00:00:45,440 Speaker 1: it seems to go a little downhill, but this is 12 00:00:45,479 --> 00:00:49,040 Speaker 1: so exciting to have it back. It feels normal, it 13 00:00:49,080 --> 00:00:52,120 Speaker 1: feels exciting, It feels good to have people getting on 14 00:00:52,120 --> 00:00:55,120 Speaker 1: the field. And as a Titans fan, there's a lot 15 00:00:55,160 --> 00:00:57,120 Speaker 1: to watch. There's a lot to watch. I'm sure the 16 00:00:57,120 --> 00:01:00,959 Speaker 1: Falcons feel the same way. And let's remind everybody that 17 00:01:01,040 --> 00:01:04,640 Speaker 1: the game kicks off at sixth Central Friday night. Our 18 00:01:04,720 --> 00:01:08,479 Speaker 1: coverage begins on Titans Radio, all of the Titans radio 19 00:01:08,560 --> 00:01:11,760 Speaker 1: partners out there at five Central. If you're in the 20 00:01:11,800 --> 00:01:14,479 Speaker 1: Nashville area, that's one oh four five to zone the flagship, 21 00:01:14,520 --> 00:01:17,000 Speaker 1: but we've got a lot of great stations throughout the region. 22 00:01:17,560 --> 00:01:20,920 Speaker 1: Titans Countdown on the air, co hosted by Amy Wells 23 00:01:20,959 --> 00:01:24,360 Speaker 1: with Rhet Brian. I'm very, very excited. I was talking 24 00:01:24,360 --> 00:01:27,040 Speaker 1: to Rhet Brian about it the other day. Actually, I 25 00:01:27,080 --> 00:01:29,399 Speaker 1: can't believe it's here. I know, I can't believe this 26 00:01:29,480 --> 00:01:32,280 Speaker 1: is something that it feels like we've anticipated it and 27 00:01:32,360 --> 00:01:35,000 Speaker 1: talked about it and got really excited about it, and 28 00:01:35,080 --> 00:01:39,679 Speaker 1: now it's actually happening, and we're so excited for the countdown. So, 29 00:01:39,840 --> 00:01:45,000 Speaker 1: if you're the fifth host of Titans Countdown, fifth the fifth, 30 00:01:45,040 --> 00:01:48,320 Speaker 1: so you and Rhett. Rhett is obviously in the mix, 31 00:01:48,360 --> 00:01:51,760 Speaker 1: and then Jonathan Hutton, yes, that would be three. And 32 00:01:51,960 --> 00:01:54,920 Speaker 1: before that it was Larry Stone, Yes, but he was 33 00:01:54,960 --> 00:01:58,480 Speaker 1: not the first. The first was actually the late great 34 00:01:58,600 --> 00:02:03,600 Speaker 1: Joe McConnell. Okay, So the story goes in nineteen ninety seven. 35 00:02:03,720 --> 00:02:08,200 Speaker 1: We're playing in Memphis and Larry Stone is the executive 36 00:02:08,200 --> 00:02:11,200 Speaker 1: producer of Then the Oiler's radio networks are getting ready 37 00:02:11,200 --> 00:02:13,720 Speaker 1: to do the first preseason game. We give you a 38 00:02:13,760 --> 00:02:17,840 Speaker 1: background on Joe McConnell. Joe McConnell is an all time, 39 00:02:18,040 --> 00:02:23,960 Speaker 1: great voice. He did five NFL teams, he did Major 40 00:02:24,040 --> 00:02:28,320 Speaker 1: League Baseball, he did the NBA, and he did Purdue 41 00:02:28,400 --> 00:02:31,280 Speaker 1: for years. His true love was really Purdue. He passed 42 00:02:31,280 --> 00:02:33,120 Speaker 1: away just a few years ago. And he was this 43 00:02:33,320 --> 00:02:39,559 Speaker 1: crusty guy when we started working with him. He was old, 44 00:02:39,720 --> 00:02:42,960 Speaker 1: even though by today's standards you would not really consider 45 00:02:43,040 --> 00:02:45,360 Speaker 1: him an old guy, right, but he was an old 46 00:02:45,400 --> 00:02:49,040 Speaker 1: guy even when he wasn't that old soul. One thing 47 00:02:49,120 --> 00:02:51,680 Speaker 1: he did is he would order a glass of milk 48 00:02:51,680 --> 00:02:54,320 Speaker 1: and a lettuce wedge. That's what he wanted to eat 49 00:02:54,400 --> 00:02:57,760 Speaker 1: when he would go to o' charlie's milk. But a 50 00:02:57,800 --> 00:03:00,640 Speaker 1: glass of milk and a lettuce wedge. I mean, who odd? 51 00:03:00,680 --> 00:03:03,120 Speaker 1: But that was that was Joe. But Joe had this 52 00:03:03,200 --> 00:03:08,240 Speaker 1: great voice and everything. I mean, he really talked like 53 00:03:08,320 --> 00:03:10,200 Speaker 1: that all the time. And then when you heard him 54 00:03:10,200 --> 00:03:14,200 Speaker 1: on the air, he sounded like the NFL. And that's 55 00:03:14,200 --> 00:03:18,280 Speaker 1: why Mike McClure, who was really the oiler's official in 56 00:03:18,440 --> 00:03:23,079 Speaker 1: charge of bringing the team to Middle Tennessee, wanted him. 57 00:03:23,160 --> 00:03:26,639 Speaker 1: Because Mike McClure was a big Purdue guy, and so 58 00:03:26,880 --> 00:03:29,160 Speaker 1: he's like, hey, let's get Joe McConnell in here. And 59 00:03:29,280 --> 00:03:32,560 Speaker 1: Joe McConnell sounds like an NFL announcer. So Joe McConnell 60 00:03:32,960 --> 00:03:36,760 Speaker 1: and Jeff Van Note are our first broadcast team. So 61 00:03:36,880 --> 00:03:39,240 Speaker 1: Larry had been at the University of North Carolina as 62 00:03:39,280 --> 00:03:44,040 Speaker 1: the executive producer, and he scripts out an entire pregame, 63 00:03:44,120 --> 00:03:46,960 Speaker 1: an hour long pregame show. So I get ready to 64 00:03:46,960 --> 00:03:50,720 Speaker 1: do the first preseason game for the Tennessee Oilers Radio 65 00:03:50,760 --> 00:03:53,600 Speaker 1: network in nineteen ninety seven. And what Larry doesn't realize 66 00:03:53,640 --> 00:03:56,880 Speaker 1: is Joe has just always been a play by play guy. 67 00:03:58,000 --> 00:04:01,160 Speaker 1: That's really all he's ever done. Joe's never done a 68 00:04:01,160 --> 00:04:04,600 Speaker 1: pregame show. Joe's never been a reader. And if you're 69 00:04:04,600 --> 00:04:08,120 Speaker 1: in the broadcast business, you sometimes know there are people 70 00:04:08,200 --> 00:04:11,680 Speaker 1: who are readers and they really don't do anything else 71 00:04:11,760 --> 00:04:15,000 Speaker 1: particularly well. And then there's some people who do other 72 00:04:15,000 --> 00:04:18,120 Speaker 1: things particularly well, but they don't necessarily read a script 73 00:04:18,640 --> 00:04:21,400 Speaker 1: particularly well. And there's nothing wrong with that. Everybody has 74 00:04:21,400 --> 00:04:25,120 Speaker 1: strengths and weaknesses. Some people do all things well. Joe 75 00:04:25,240 --> 00:04:28,359 Speaker 1: was not a reader. So we get into the first 76 00:04:28,440 --> 00:04:33,320 Speaker 1: ever pregame show and Joe has no clue how to 77 00:04:33,320 --> 00:04:35,039 Speaker 1: do it. He has no clue how to sort of 78 00:04:35,040 --> 00:04:36,960 Speaker 1: add lib through it to read through it. He's never 79 00:04:37,000 --> 00:04:40,400 Speaker 1: done a pregame show. Oh, and I'm listening to this. 80 00:04:40,560 --> 00:04:45,840 Speaker 1: I'm in Knoxville. I'm the scoreboard host, but I'm positioned 81 00:04:45,920 --> 00:04:48,600 Speaker 1: in a studio in Knoxville. That's where I was for 82 00:04:48,640 --> 00:04:52,480 Speaker 1: that whole season. And the pregame's a disaster. And I'm 83 00:04:52,520 --> 00:04:54,560 Speaker 1: sitting here listening to this, and I'm thinking, Kyle Lee, 84 00:04:55,000 --> 00:04:57,159 Speaker 1: what we do on the Vault Network is a lot 85 00:04:57,240 --> 00:05:00,800 Speaker 1: better than this. I'm like, this guy's not good. Well 86 00:05:00,800 --> 00:05:03,080 Speaker 1: then you hear him call the game and you're like, well, yeah, 87 00:05:03,080 --> 00:05:06,520 Speaker 1: he is a good announcer. But Larry had to decide 88 00:05:06,600 --> 00:05:09,400 Speaker 1: after the first preseason game that he had to put 89 00:05:09,480 --> 00:05:12,920 Speaker 1: himself on the air to do the pregame show. Oh 90 00:05:13,040 --> 00:05:16,840 Speaker 1: my god, because Joe couldn't do it. Wow, that worked 91 00:05:16,880 --> 00:05:19,559 Speaker 1: out just fine because Larry was a great pregame host 92 00:05:19,640 --> 00:05:24,080 Speaker 1: for gosh, fifteen sixteen years. And so it's Joe McConnell, 93 00:05:24,560 --> 00:05:28,960 Speaker 1: Larry Stone, Rhett Bryan, Jonathan Hutton, and now Amy Will 94 00:05:29,120 --> 00:05:32,200 Speaker 1: and now me. You're five. First off, that's an awesome story. 95 00:05:32,800 --> 00:05:36,479 Speaker 1: But those are some pretty amazing names to be included, 96 00:05:36,800 --> 00:05:40,560 Speaker 1: pretty good. So I'm I'm very honored I'm so excited 97 00:05:40,600 --> 00:05:43,760 Speaker 1: to start. I'm a little butterfly. E Well, I wasn't 98 00:05:43,800 --> 00:05:48,080 Speaker 1: sure when say to everyone in Titans Radio, don't screw 99 00:05:48,120 --> 00:05:52,640 Speaker 1: it up. Yeah yeah, yeah, yeah, I know, and that's fine. 100 00:05:52,680 --> 00:05:55,160 Speaker 1: And the nice thing is is that I'm surrounded by 101 00:05:55,160 --> 00:05:58,120 Speaker 1: a group of people. The whole Titans Radio crew is 102 00:05:58,480 --> 00:06:01,039 Speaker 1: incredible and just the great group of people you could 103 00:06:01,040 --> 00:06:03,640 Speaker 1: possibly work with. But they'll make sure you know not 104 00:06:03,720 --> 00:06:06,400 Speaker 1: to mess it up. Yeah yeah, I've already been told 105 00:06:06,440 --> 00:06:09,599 Speaker 1: not to drop anything in the toilets, which I've done before. 106 00:06:09,800 --> 00:06:12,600 Speaker 1: Where did you do that in Atlanta the last time 107 00:06:12,600 --> 00:06:17,040 Speaker 1: that we played in Atlanta? My belt pack, So I 108 00:06:17,279 --> 00:06:21,000 Speaker 1: never thought I never thought i'd tell this story publicly, 109 00:06:21,040 --> 00:06:24,480 Speaker 1: but here we are welcome to the OTP everybody. So 110 00:06:24,640 --> 00:06:27,080 Speaker 1: the belt pack. When I am down on the sidelines, 111 00:06:27,160 --> 00:06:30,880 Speaker 1: I have a wireless microphone that I can talk into, 112 00:06:31,040 --> 00:06:33,760 Speaker 1: right and it's kind of like an antenna. And then 113 00:06:33,800 --> 00:06:36,320 Speaker 1: I have a pack that's about the size of a 114 00:06:36,360 --> 00:06:39,240 Speaker 1: pop tart and it goes on the back of my 115 00:06:39,360 --> 00:06:41,520 Speaker 1: belt typically or kind of on the back of my 116 00:06:41,600 --> 00:06:44,080 Speaker 1: jeans is where I put it, and it's attached to 117 00:06:44,120 --> 00:06:47,320 Speaker 1: the headset so that I can hear the entire program, 118 00:06:47,360 --> 00:06:50,080 Speaker 1: and I can hear what Philip Noel is saying into 119 00:06:50,120 --> 00:06:52,320 Speaker 1: my ear and I can hear the whole broadcast talk 120 00:06:52,360 --> 00:06:55,159 Speaker 1: back with you and everything. So my microphone my belt 121 00:06:55,160 --> 00:06:58,040 Speaker 1: pack kind of work in tandem. So I'm getting ready. 122 00:06:58,440 --> 00:07:01,480 Speaker 1: This was my first year as a sideline reporter, so 123 00:07:01,480 --> 00:07:03,479 Speaker 1: it's been a minute since we've been to Atlanta. My 124 00:07:03,520 --> 00:07:05,960 Speaker 1: first year as a sideline reporter. It's a couple games 125 00:07:05,960 --> 00:07:08,320 Speaker 1: into the season. I get my belt pack. I'm kind 126 00:07:08,320 --> 00:07:11,240 Speaker 1: of in the groove, like I'm not just scared out 127 00:07:11,240 --> 00:07:14,680 Speaker 1: of my mind any more nervous, but like have some confidence. 128 00:07:14,720 --> 00:07:16,840 Speaker 1: I've got it. I'm getting ready to go down to 129 00:07:16,880 --> 00:07:18,680 Speaker 1: the field, and I think I need to go to 130 00:07:18,680 --> 00:07:21,240 Speaker 1: the bathroom before I go down to the sidelines, because 131 00:07:21,240 --> 00:07:23,560 Speaker 1: I've had this problem before where at halftime there's not 132 00:07:23,560 --> 00:07:25,960 Speaker 1: a convenient bathroom. It's a whole thing. So I'm like, 133 00:07:26,040 --> 00:07:28,080 Speaker 1: I need to use the restroom before I head down. 134 00:07:28,440 --> 00:07:33,560 Speaker 1: I go into the stall, and through the process of 135 00:07:33,720 --> 00:07:36,320 Speaker 1: going to the restroom. Before I go to the bathroom, 136 00:07:36,480 --> 00:07:40,760 Speaker 1: thank god, my belt pack, which I had forgotten is 137 00:07:40,840 --> 00:07:47,600 Speaker 1: on my jeans, falls off and into the toilet. I 138 00:07:47,720 --> 00:07:50,679 Speaker 1: panic to the point where I don't even think about 139 00:07:50,720 --> 00:07:53,880 Speaker 1: what I'm doing. And I just reached down into the 140 00:07:53,920 --> 00:07:57,400 Speaker 1: toilet and grab it out. Well, yeah, I mean I 141 00:07:57,440 --> 00:08:00,400 Speaker 1: had to get it, But at no point point does 142 00:08:00,400 --> 00:08:02,720 Speaker 1: it occur to me that I just reached my bare 143 00:08:02,880 --> 00:08:10,200 Speaker 1: hand into a stadium bathroom stall, yeah, and just pulled 144 00:08:10,240 --> 00:08:13,200 Speaker 1: it out. And I'm thinking, what do I do now, 145 00:08:13,760 --> 00:08:17,800 Speaker 1: Like I have to go back to the booth in 146 00:08:17,880 --> 00:08:21,840 Speaker 1: the middle of the pregame show and tell them what 147 00:08:21,920 --> 00:08:26,000 Speaker 1: I've done. What did Philip Noel say? So here's the thing. 148 00:08:26,200 --> 00:08:31,440 Speaker 1: So I come back and like the most mousy little 149 00:08:31,520 --> 00:08:35,440 Speaker 1: like tap tap tap on the door because I don't 150 00:08:35,520 --> 00:08:37,800 Speaker 1: want anyone to know. My biggest fear is they're going 151 00:08:37,840 --> 00:08:41,400 Speaker 1: to tell you, because I'm afraid that you're going to 152 00:08:41,440 --> 00:08:45,240 Speaker 1: say something that's going to make me laugh and just 153 00:08:45,440 --> 00:08:48,320 Speaker 1: embarrass me to high Heaven. Like that is fear Number 154 00:08:48,360 --> 00:08:51,520 Speaker 1: one is that they tell Mike Keith. I know you 155 00:08:51,520 --> 00:08:54,319 Speaker 1: wouldn't have, but at the time, I'm like, oh God, 156 00:08:54,360 --> 00:08:56,960 Speaker 1: this is gonna be horrible. I'm never gonna live this down. 157 00:08:57,320 --> 00:09:00,800 Speaker 1: I'm just gonna die here right now holding the toilet 158 00:09:00,840 --> 00:09:04,880 Speaker 1: pack in my hand. So I knock on the door. 159 00:09:05,400 --> 00:09:09,439 Speaker 1: Brad Willis is like, hey, what's up. And I'm like, um, 160 00:09:09,480 --> 00:09:15,000 Speaker 1: it's wet. If I think what I said, and I'm like, 161 00:09:15,760 --> 00:09:19,280 Speaker 1: I dropped my belt pack in the toilet. I can't believe. 162 00:09:20,440 --> 00:09:25,280 Speaker 1: Well I had to. I had to let him know. 163 00:09:25,720 --> 00:09:29,280 Speaker 1: And so he's like he sees that I'm panicked. He's like, Okay, 164 00:09:29,559 --> 00:09:33,000 Speaker 1: this is fine, no problem. He grabs another belt pack, 165 00:09:34,080 --> 00:09:36,400 Speaker 1: gives it to me. He's like, this is fine, You're good. 166 00:09:36,679 --> 00:09:38,480 Speaker 1: Here you go. Here's a backup. Can you hear me? 167 00:09:38,679 --> 00:09:42,240 Speaker 1: If we do the test, it works. So he starts 168 00:09:42,240 --> 00:09:46,160 Speaker 1: like taking it apart. What he doesn't tell me is 169 00:09:46,200 --> 00:09:49,760 Speaker 1: that after I'm gone, he realizes that he is now 170 00:09:49,840 --> 00:09:55,440 Speaker 1: dealing with the toilet pack. Yeah, and so he has 171 00:09:55,520 --> 00:09:59,760 Speaker 1: to like dismantle it, get it all dried out. After 172 00:10:00,120 --> 00:10:03,680 Speaker 1: the game, I kind of I heard about it, and 173 00:10:04,040 --> 00:10:08,240 Speaker 1: in years since, it comes up pretty consistently that this 174 00:10:08,320 --> 00:10:11,520 Speaker 1: is a thing I have done. And it's so funny now, 175 00:10:11,720 --> 00:10:16,079 Speaker 1: but I have never gone to the bathroom after getting 176 00:10:16,280 --> 00:10:19,360 Speaker 1: my headset ever again, Like I won't even look at 177 00:10:19,360 --> 00:10:23,760 Speaker 1: a bathroom now, like no chance. But oh my gosh. So, 178 00:10:23,760 --> 00:10:27,640 Speaker 1: so when you turned into the OTP today, you sure 179 00:10:27,720 --> 00:10:30,440 Speaker 1: did expect this, didn't you? OT people. You know what, 180 00:10:30,559 --> 00:10:33,040 Speaker 1: OT people. I didn't expect to tell this tale today. 181 00:10:33,120 --> 00:10:36,280 Speaker 1: I didn't anticipate going down this road. But here we are, 182 00:10:36,559 --> 00:10:39,120 Speaker 1: and now we're returning to the scene of the crime. 183 00:10:39,200 --> 00:10:41,800 Speaker 1: So let's all just buckle up. We're in this together. Now. 184 00:10:41,880 --> 00:10:45,280 Speaker 1: This first place I ever did a game, and I 185 00:10:45,320 --> 00:10:49,480 Speaker 1: guess it's twenty three years ago, was in Atlanta and 186 00:10:49,679 --> 00:10:54,000 Speaker 1: it was the old stadium. Yeah it was yeah, at 187 00:10:54,080 --> 00:10:56,520 Speaker 1: the at the Georgia dum wow, that's where I did it. 188 00:10:56,559 --> 00:10:59,719 Speaker 1: There's a picture of me interviewing Less Steckel in the 189 00:10:59,760 --> 00:11:02,800 Speaker 1: post game. He was the offensive coordinator and I would 190 00:11:02,800 --> 00:11:05,280 Speaker 1: go downstairs and do the postgame interviews. Because my first 191 00:11:05,360 --> 00:11:10,240 Speaker 1: year I did color commentary for Joe McConnell. Ah. Yes, yes, 192 00:11:11,000 --> 00:11:14,480 Speaker 1: the old color guy. Yes, the worst color commentator in 193 00:11:14,520 --> 00:11:18,120 Speaker 1: the history of radio. It's you know, it actually ended 194 00:11:18,160 --> 00:11:19,719 Speaker 1: up being a great year. I learned a lot from 195 00:11:19,800 --> 00:11:22,400 Speaker 1: Joe and he was really good to me. And the 196 00:11:22,440 --> 00:11:26,240 Speaker 1: two announcer broadcasts can work really well if the two 197 00:11:26,280 --> 00:11:29,520 Speaker 1: of you get in a rhythm. It's sometimes better than 198 00:11:30,200 --> 00:11:32,880 Speaker 1: a play by play announcer and an analyst who's a 199 00:11:32,920 --> 00:11:35,640 Speaker 1: former player or former coach. But it's hard to kind 200 00:11:35,679 --> 00:11:38,400 Speaker 1: of work that because both announcers are used to talking 201 00:11:38,440 --> 00:11:41,280 Speaker 1: a lot. Yeah, and so you have to find that rhythm, 202 00:11:41,320 --> 00:11:44,480 Speaker 1: and we really did. It turned out to be a 203 00:11:44,480 --> 00:11:46,600 Speaker 1: really nice year and I learned a lot from him, 204 00:11:46,600 --> 00:11:49,480 Speaker 1: and he gave me a lot of room to be involved. 205 00:11:49,520 --> 00:11:53,640 Speaker 1: He was a very gracious man. And when they you know, 206 00:11:53,679 --> 00:11:55,839 Speaker 1: when they'd made the decision that he was not coming 207 00:11:55,880 --> 00:11:59,920 Speaker 1: back because they wanted someone that lived here. Yeah, which 208 00:12:00,120 --> 00:12:02,319 Speaker 1: makes sense, well they did, you know, they wanted someone 209 00:12:02,360 --> 00:12:06,240 Speaker 1: that lived here. And Joe lived in Indianapolis and had 210 00:12:06,280 --> 00:12:09,720 Speaker 1: a great situation because his wife had a fantastic job. 211 00:12:10,320 --> 00:12:12,920 Speaker 1: So all Joe really had to do is call games, 212 00:12:13,520 --> 00:12:17,240 Speaker 1: drink milk, eats, let us wedges, and best of all, 213 00:12:17,280 --> 00:12:20,760 Speaker 1: play golf. Is that not the dream? Play golf? And 214 00:12:20,880 --> 00:12:25,400 Speaker 1: he loves He would not. He was a character. They listened. 215 00:12:25,520 --> 00:12:28,120 Speaker 1: They used to do things to him. They prank called 216 00:12:28,200 --> 00:12:31,680 Speaker 1: him all the time in his hotel room, and he 217 00:12:31,720 --> 00:12:34,000 Speaker 1: would fall for it every time because he was this 218 00:12:34,160 --> 00:12:36,920 Speaker 1: really he was a guy that if you didn't know him, 219 00:12:37,080 --> 00:12:40,439 Speaker 1: you wouldn't. He was an acquired taste because he was 220 00:12:40,480 --> 00:12:43,840 Speaker 1: a gruff individual. But if you knew him, you loved him. 221 00:12:43,880 --> 00:12:46,480 Speaker 1: Dearly like I did, like Larry did, like all of 222 00:12:46,559 --> 00:12:49,120 Speaker 1: us did. But we could still mess with him, right 223 00:12:49,800 --> 00:12:54,120 Speaker 1: and would the sign of love. Yes, the prank calls 224 00:12:54,520 --> 00:12:57,160 Speaker 1: were just they called it, and he fell for it. 225 00:12:57,160 --> 00:12:59,160 Speaker 1: Every time they would put him. They would put him 226 00:12:59,160 --> 00:13:04,160 Speaker 1: on fake show in towns and everyone would sit in 227 00:13:04,200 --> 00:13:06,679 Speaker 1: the room, like right across the hall and listen to this, 228 00:13:06,720 --> 00:13:09,520 Speaker 1: and he would have no idea. That's fantastic, but he 229 00:13:09,640 --> 00:13:12,720 Speaker 1: was so he was such a good guy. Certainly, we'll 230 00:13:12,760 --> 00:13:15,360 Speaker 1: think about him when we walk into Atlanta and that 231 00:13:15,440 --> 00:13:18,040 Speaker 1: first preseason game and just what a good guy he 232 00:13:18,240 --> 00:13:20,720 Speaker 1: was because he didn't have to be nice to me. Yeah, 233 00:13:20,760 --> 00:13:23,800 Speaker 1: he really didn't. He chose to. Yeah, you know, he 234 00:13:23,920 --> 00:13:26,560 Speaker 1: chose to do that, and that was something that I'll 235 00:13:26,600 --> 00:13:29,760 Speaker 1: always value. And now we see another old friend, Arthur 236 00:13:29,760 --> 00:13:33,280 Speaker 1: Smith this week. Absolutely, and that's gonna be weird. It's 237 00:13:33,320 --> 00:13:36,520 Speaker 1: gonna be weird, but I'm still just so happy for him. 238 00:13:36,640 --> 00:13:40,480 Speaker 1: And while I would like the Tennessee Titans to win 239 00:13:41,240 --> 00:13:44,360 Speaker 1: this first preseason game, I'm always have cheering for him 240 00:13:44,400 --> 00:13:46,440 Speaker 1: from afar. I want to see him do well. I 241 00:13:46,480 --> 00:13:49,000 Speaker 1: want to see him have success because I think we 242 00:13:49,080 --> 00:13:52,320 Speaker 1: all have so much respect for Arthur and the way 243 00:13:52,320 --> 00:13:54,920 Speaker 1: that he did it well, the same way. We're sitting 244 00:13:54,920 --> 00:13:58,600 Speaker 1: on the OTP two years ago talking about him as 245 00:13:58,640 --> 00:14:02,679 Speaker 1: the offensive coordinator, and we're discussing him as if he's 246 00:14:02,720 --> 00:14:05,200 Speaker 1: going to be a big success. And I know people 247 00:14:05,240 --> 00:14:10,679 Speaker 1: who were listening, we're thinking, Homer's Official Titans Podcast, You've 248 00:14:10,720 --> 00:14:13,720 Speaker 1: got to say that. But the truth is we really 249 00:14:13,800 --> 00:14:18,400 Speaker 1: believed he would be that good because everybody around knew 250 00:14:18,440 --> 00:14:21,160 Speaker 1: what a great coach he was. And I think he 251 00:14:21,240 --> 00:14:25,720 Speaker 1: will revitalize Atlanta because I think he will revitalize their 252 00:14:25,800 --> 00:14:30,160 Speaker 1: offense very quickly, and in their division, I think they 253 00:14:30,200 --> 00:14:33,240 Speaker 1: could finish second this year. I think they might sneak 254 00:14:33,280 --> 00:14:35,640 Speaker 1: into the playoffs under him, And I know that's gonna 255 00:14:35,640 --> 00:14:39,200 Speaker 1: shock some people. But Matt Ryan's a good quarterback. I 256 00:14:39,320 --> 00:14:43,240 Speaker 1: like Kyle Pitts. Ridley's a good receiver. He'll shore up 257 00:14:43,240 --> 00:14:46,400 Speaker 1: the offensive line, he'll have a running game. They went 258 00:14:46,440 --> 00:14:48,720 Speaker 1: and got Mike Davis from Carolina, and they've got a 259 00:14:48,720 --> 00:14:52,040 Speaker 1: couple other backs who who are pretty good, and they're 260 00:14:52,040 --> 00:14:55,840 Speaker 1: not bad on defense and their division. I mean, Tampa's 261 00:14:55,840 --> 00:14:58,040 Speaker 1: the world champion, I got it. But who knows what 262 00:14:58,160 --> 00:15:01,200 Speaker 1: New Orleans has and who really knows what Carolina has. Right, 263 00:15:01,280 --> 00:15:03,440 Speaker 1: there's a lot of question mark. I think it's in 264 00:15:03,480 --> 00:15:07,680 Speaker 1: the NFC South. It's Tampa and the other three guys, Right, 265 00:15:07,920 --> 00:15:09,920 Speaker 1: that's kind of what it looks like. So one of 266 00:15:09,920 --> 00:15:12,160 Speaker 1: I'm is gonna finish second one, I'm gonna finish third one. 267 00:15:12,200 --> 00:15:15,960 Speaker 1: I'm gonna finish fourth, knowing Arthur and knowing that their 268 00:15:16,040 --> 00:15:19,320 Speaker 1: quarterback situation is the best of the three other guys. 269 00:15:19,600 --> 00:15:22,960 Speaker 1: Because Matt Ryan's good player. Absolutely, he takes a lot 270 00:15:22,960 --> 00:15:26,000 Speaker 1: of grief, but he's really good player. Yep. You know, 271 00:15:26,000 --> 00:15:29,240 Speaker 1: if we'd have had Matt Ryan over the last fourteen years, 272 00:15:30,000 --> 00:15:33,320 Speaker 1: I mean, considering some of the quarterbacking unfortunately we went through, 273 00:15:33,840 --> 00:15:38,560 Speaker 1: he would have to me he's he's gonna benefit the 274 00:15:38,640 --> 00:15:42,400 Speaker 1: same way that Tannehill has benefited from Arthur. Here's the 275 00:15:42,440 --> 00:15:46,280 Speaker 1: stat under several different guys in his career in Miami, 276 00:15:46,400 --> 00:15:49,800 Speaker 1: Tannehill had an eighty seven passer rating, which is okay 277 00:15:49,920 --> 00:15:52,560 Speaker 1: for an NFL quarterback. It's like a C plus in school, 278 00:15:52,800 --> 00:15:55,760 Speaker 1: not bad. And that's what I always thought Tannehill. I thought, 279 00:15:55,800 --> 00:15:58,840 Speaker 1: you know, he's he takes a lot of grief, but 280 00:15:58,960 --> 00:16:01,640 Speaker 1: he's not a bad play or just on I always 281 00:16:01,680 --> 00:16:05,360 Speaker 1: liked him. Under Arthur Smith, his passer rating was one ten. 282 00:16:05,960 --> 00:16:10,160 Speaker 1: So to go from eighty seven to one ten incredible. Well, 283 00:16:10,160 --> 00:16:14,120 Speaker 1: it's something, there's something there and Arthur, you know, Arthur 284 00:16:14,160 --> 00:16:15,840 Speaker 1: did a whale of a job with him. Well, and 285 00:16:15,880 --> 00:16:18,400 Speaker 1: we've seen that Arthur does such a good job of 286 00:16:18,880 --> 00:16:22,760 Speaker 1: evaluating what he's got and playing to their strengths. He 287 00:16:22,840 --> 00:16:26,200 Speaker 1: does such a good job of utilizing people in a 288 00:16:26,280 --> 00:16:28,720 Speaker 1: way that they are doing what they're the best at, 289 00:16:29,080 --> 00:16:32,000 Speaker 1: instead of asking them to do something for the sake 290 00:16:32,040 --> 00:16:34,920 Speaker 1: of a scheme or an idea or a philosophy. He 291 00:16:35,000 --> 00:16:38,600 Speaker 1: does such a good job of really keying into what 292 00:16:38,800 --> 00:16:42,280 Speaker 1: is going to make his player successful. Yeah, he doesn't 293 00:16:42,280 --> 00:16:45,840 Speaker 1: care about his own theory. No, it's not like, well, 294 00:16:45,840 --> 00:16:48,840 Speaker 1: this is what I do and he says, Okay, this 295 00:16:48,920 --> 00:16:50,560 Speaker 1: is what I've got and so here's how we're going 296 00:16:50,600 --> 00:16:52,720 Speaker 1: to do it. Yeah. And he's been around, He's been 297 00:16:52,720 --> 00:16:54,960 Speaker 1: around a lot of good coaches to I mean, starting 298 00:16:55,000 --> 00:16:58,560 Speaker 1: with the mun Chacks and and Malarkey had some good 299 00:16:58,600 --> 00:17:02,040 Speaker 1: theories that he took things from. And he was around, 300 00:17:02,080 --> 00:17:05,080 Speaker 1: you know, several guys who had different ways of looking 301 00:17:05,119 --> 00:17:07,760 Speaker 1: at it. I've loved the back and forth between he 302 00:17:07,840 --> 00:17:11,639 Speaker 1: and Matt Lafleour this week. Have you heard that it 303 00:17:11,800 --> 00:17:15,000 Speaker 1: started with Arthur? And of course he worked for Matt 304 00:17:15,040 --> 00:17:18,000 Speaker 1: for a year. And I think there's a real chance 305 00:17:18,040 --> 00:17:21,359 Speaker 1: that if the Titans hadn't promoted Arthur's offensive coordinator, he 306 00:17:21,400 --> 00:17:24,160 Speaker 1: would have been Matt's offensive coordinator in Green Bay, yep. 307 00:17:24,520 --> 00:17:26,560 Speaker 1: And I think that's sort of born out by the 308 00:17:26,560 --> 00:17:29,560 Speaker 1: fact that this week they asked him in a press conference, 309 00:17:29,720 --> 00:17:32,960 Speaker 1: Arthur about Matt Lafleur, and he goes, well, he goes, 310 00:17:33,000 --> 00:17:35,199 Speaker 1: I don't spend an hour before every game looking at 311 00:17:35,240 --> 00:17:37,439 Speaker 1: myself in the mirror and it's like, here we go, 312 00:17:38,600 --> 00:17:43,000 Speaker 1: here we go, and then Matt came back with something 313 00:17:43,119 --> 00:17:47,600 Speaker 1: and then Arthur. That's who Arthur is. And that's why 314 00:17:47,880 --> 00:17:51,240 Speaker 1: Arthur got along so well with the Fellows is because 315 00:17:51,280 --> 00:17:54,440 Speaker 1: he can he can give and take. So be good 316 00:17:54,480 --> 00:17:56,520 Speaker 1: to see him. Doesn't sound like he's gonna play Matt 317 00:17:56,600 --> 00:17:59,359 Speaker 1: Ryan in this game. Sounds like we're gonna see AJ 318 00:17:59,560 --> 00:18:03,800 Speaker 1: McCarey and Philippe Franks who played it not one but 319 00:18:03,880 --> 00:18:07,719 Speaker 1: two Southeastern Conference schools. He did Florida and Arkansas. So 320 00:18:08,240 --> 00:18:10,640 Speaker 1: we'll see and we'll see what the Titans are going 321 00:18:10,760 --> 00:18:13,800 Speaker 1: to do. Have you been surprised at all the national 322 00:18:13,960 --> 00:18:17,359 Speaker 1: folks who made their way into town in the last week, 323 00:18:17,680 --> 00:18:19,879 Speaker 1: you know, it seems like it kind of happened all 324 00:18:19,920 --> 00:18:22,520 Speaker 1: at once. Usually there's a little bit of a trickle 325 00:18:22,680 --> 00:18:25,760 Speaker 1: of some national people in and out, and some years 326 00:18:25,800 --> 00:18:28,320 Speaker 1: we have more than others. But who this last week, 327 00:18:28,320 --> 00:18:31,160 Speaker 1: it's been like boom, everybody, he's here to see the Titans. 328 00:18:31,520 --> 00:18:34,520 Speaker 1: NFL Network's been here, We've seen all kinds of different 329 00:18:34,520 --> 00:18:37,680 Speaker 1: analysts coming through. It's been great to see the Titans 330 00:18:37,720 --> 00:18:40,360 Speaker 1: getting that national attention. You know. I had a chance 331 00:18:40,400 --> 00:18:42,359 Speaker 1: to catch up with a guy that I really respect, 332 00:18:42,440 --> 00:18:46,800 Speaker 1: Dan Graziano from ESPN, and I really respect him for 333 00:18:46,840 --> 00:18:48,800 Speaker 1: a lot of reasons. I think. I think he's really 334 00:18:48,800 --> 00:18:53,560 Speaker 1: good on TV. But he's quite a reporter because he 335 00:18:53,720 --> 00:18:58,920 Speaker 1: bases what he reports on facts. Everything is researched. He's 336 00:18:58,960 --> 00:19:01,960 Speaker 1: not mister hot and you know, mister hot take is fine, 337 00:19:02,040 --> 00:19:04,679 Speaker 1: you can do that, but it's great to see a 338 00:19:04,800 --> 00:19:08,679 Speaker 1: national guy who still does that. And they're several, you know, 339 00:19:08,720 --> 00:19:11,160 Speaker 1: and there's several in a variety of sports, but he's 340 00:19:11,200 --> 00:19:13,280 Speaker 1: a guy that really jumps out to me that I 341 00:19:13,720 --> 00:19:16,320 Speaker 1: that I really respect I had a chance to catch 342 00:19:16,400 --> 00:19:18,520 Speaker 1: up with him a little bit. And for the OT people, 343 00:19:18,880 --> 00:19:28,200 Speaker 1: here's my chat with Dan Graziano from ESPN and the 344 00:19:28,320 --> 00:19:32,640 Speaker 1: decision to come see the Titans. Is it a tough one? No, 345 00:19:33,520 --> 00:19:35,840 Speaker 1: this is a camp I've not been to before. I 346 00:19:35,960 --> 00:19:38,960 Speaker 1: like to go to those and you know, make new friends, 347 00:19:39,080 --> 00:19:41,199 Speaker 1: see some old ones, and it's a you know, I 348 00:19:41,280 --> 00:19:43,480 Speaker 1: was just telling some of these guys, like, I feel 349 00:19:43,520 --> 00:19:46,480 Speaker 1: like I'm stopping at almost every AFC contender. I want 350 00:19:46,480 --> 00:19:49,920 Speaker 1: to see Buffalo, I want to see Pittsburgh, Cleveland, you know, Indianapolis, 351 00:19:49,920 --> 00:19:51,840 Speaker 1: so like it makes sense to try and get a 352 00:19:51,840 --> 00:19:54,040 Speaker 1: clearer picture of what's going on. But no, it's a 353 00:19:54,119 --> 00:19:58,040 Speaker 1: team obviously very interesting, and I certainly would expect I 354 00:19:58,119 --> 00:19:59,800 Speaker 1: could end up at one of their games or more 355 00:19:59,840 --> 00:20:01,720 Speaker 1: than this year or so good to get to know. 356 00:20:01,800 --> 00:20:05,240 Speaker 1: So folks, what are your top questions about the twenty 357 00:20:05,280 --> 00:20:08,080 Speaker 1: one Tennessee Titans. Well, I think after last year, did 358 00:20:08,080 --> 00:20:09,879 Speaker 1: they do enough on defense that they can get to 359 00:20:09,880 --> 00:20:12,240 Speaker 1: the quarterback now? Obviously it's a huge problem last year 360 00:20:12,240 --> 00:20:14,840 Speaker 1: and I think that probably cost them some games, and 361 00:20:15,640 --> 00:20:17,879 Speaker 1: it was a focal point bringing in Bud Dupree and 362 00:20:18,720 --> 00:20:20,959 Speaker 1: making some changes on that side of the ball. I 363 00:20:20,960 --> 00:20:23,280 Speaker 1: think it'll be interesting to see how that comes together. 364 00:20:23,520 --> 00:20:26,399 Speaker 1: On the offense, I mean, the change of coordinators, I 365 00:20:26,400 --> 00:20:30,240 Speaker 1: think is an interesting storyline. By keeping it in house 366 00:20:30,320 --> 00:20:33,160 Speaker 1: and probably keeping everything basically the same is the wise 367 00:20:33,200 --> 00:20:35,000 Speaker 1: way to go based on how it's gone the last 368 00:20:35,040 --> 00:20:37,840 Speaker 1: couple of years. So yeah, I mean, it'd be fun 369 00:20:37,840 --> 00:20:39,960 Speaker 1: to see Julio Jones and A. J. Brown on the 370 00:20:39,960 --> 00:20:42,200 Speaker 1: practice field together, but I'm sure that time will come, 371 00:20:42,280 --> 00:20:44,159 Speaker 1: and as long as they're ready for the games, it 372 00:20:44,160 --> 00:20:47,119 Speaker 1: doesn't much matter about all that. Were you surprised that 373 00:20:47,160 --> 00:20:49,959 Speaker 1: the Titans were the team that ended up with Julio Jones, 374 00:20:50,240 --> 00:20:53,360 Speaker 1: I'm trying to remember that stretch. No, seriously, like, because 375 00:20:53,840 --> 00:20:56,920 Speaker 1: I think they were definitely brought up as a possibility 376 00:20:56,960 --> 00:20:59,040 Speaker 1: all along, and then it was kind of like, yeah, no, 377 00:20:59,080 --> 00:21:01,280 Speaker 1: I don't think it was a surprise. I mean, when 378 00:21:01,320 --> 00:21:03,480 Speaker 1: you look at what they have here, I mean, AJ 379 00:21:03,680 --> 00:21:06,720 Speaker 1: is such a superstar caliber player, and then they really 380 00:21:06,720 --> 00:21:09,800 Speaker 1: didn't with Corey Davis leaven they really didn't know exactly 381 00:21:09,800 --> 00:21:12,440 Speaker 1: who else was gonna be out, So it made sense, 382 00:21:12,560 --> 00:21:15,560 Speaker 1: especially for a team like this that's it's been so 383 00:21:15,680 --> 00:21:17,800 Speaker 1: close the last couple of years, Like you look at 384 00:21:17,800 --> 00:21:20,800 Speaker 1: teams like that, they'll they'll go get the missing piece 385 00:21:20,840 --> 00:21:23,400 Speaker 1: guy right like they'll they'll stretch and get the missing people. 386 00:21:23,600 --> 00:21:24,960 Speaker 1: I don't think they made a good deal. I don't 387 00:21:24,960 --> 00:21:27,760 Speaker 1: think it was an overpay, but no, I don't think 388 00:21:27,760 --> 00:21:31,280 Speaker 1: I think it made a lot of sense all along. Dan. 389 00:21:31,400 --> 00:21:33,399 Speaker 1: When you watch Derek Hendry work and then you get 390 00:21:33,440 --> 00:21:35,879 Speaker 1: a chance to visit with him, what jumps out to 391 00:21:35,880 --> 00:21:38,680 Speaker 1: you about number twenty two, Well, you know he's so 392 00:21:38,680 --> 00:21:41,280 Speaker 1: sort of loud and obnoxious in me first, no, I 393 00:21:41,760 --> 00:21:43,840 Speaker 1: can barely hear what the guys saying. It's hysterical. No, 394 00:21:44,040 --> 00:21:47,600 Speaker 1: I mean just the level of the level of confidence, 395 00:21:47,640 --> 00:21:50,080 Speaker 1: like the quiet self confidence that you know, he knows, 396 00:21:50,640 --> 00:21:52,960 Speaker 1: you know, whatever I'm doing training wise in the off 397 00:21:52,960 --> 00:21:56,800 Speaker 1: season has worked. I'm gonna stick with it. He's obviously 398 00:21:56,840 --> 00:21:59,399 Speaker 1: a team first guy. I mean, he's he's got to 399 00:21:59,400 --> 00:22:01,639 Speaker 1: be everything would want him to be. When you when 400 00:22:01,680 --> 00:22:03,479 Speaker 1: you make the pick, when you extend the guy, give 401 00:22:03,560 --> 00:22:05,840 Speaker 1: him the contract, he comes out and works even harder. 402 00:22:05,960 --> 00:22:08,960 Speaker 1: So now a lot to admire about him and what 403 00:22:09,000 --> 00:22:10,920 Speaker 1: he's done in his career. And the obviously, like I mean, 404 00:22:10,960 --> 00:22:14,080 Speaker 1: watching him, there's nothing there's no one in the league 405 00:22:14,240 --> 00:22:16,720 Speaker 1: exactly like him, So it's a lot of fun to 406 00:22:16,720 --> 00:22:18,639 Speaker 1: to meet people like that and talk to him a 407 00:22:18,680 --> 00:22:20,720 Speaker 1: little bit about what makes them tick. But he doesn't. 408 00:22:21,480 --> 00:22:26,320 Speaker 1: He doesn't talk a lot about himself. A true throwback. Yeah, absolutely, 409 00:22:26,400 --> 00:22:28,800 Speaker 1: I mean you think about you just don't see guys 410 00:22:28,840 --> 00:22:30,879 Speaker 1: like that. I mean, they don't. They don't make guys 411 00:22:30,920 --> 00:22:33,240 Speaker 1: like that. They're not. There's not ten or fifteen of 412 00:22:33,280 --> 00:22:36,800 Speaker 1: them walking the earth. So um, now, it's it's it's special. 413 00:22:36,840 --> 00:22:40,000 Speaker 1: And obviously you can see the way they're managing him 414 00:22:40,000 --> 00:22:42,280 Speaker 1: through camp and how important he is and how important 415 00:22:42,280 --> 00:22:43,720 Speaker 1: it is for him to be ready for the season. 416 00:22:43,800 --> 00:22:48,719 Speaker 1: But you know, what he brings, as you know, I 417 00:22:48,760 --> 00:22:52,040 Speaker 1: mean is November, December, January, right like when other teams 418 00:22:52,040 --> 00:22:54,920 Speaker 1: are wearing down and he's not. That's when it gets 419 00:22:54,960 --> 00:22:58,679 Speaker 1: really terrifying. So obviously, you know, huge, huge benefit to 420 00:22:58,720 --> 00:23:00,720 Speaker 1: them to have a guy like that. It's the number 421 00:23:00,760 --> 00:23:04,879 Speaker 1: one question that Tennessee or Buffalo, or Pittsburgh or Baltimore 422 00:23:04,960 --> 00:23:08,800 Speaker 1: must answer. Can we beat Kansas City? No doubt. I 423 00:23:08,840 --> 00:23:10,919 Speaker 1: mean that they're the big bad Wolf, they're the you know, 424 00:23:10,960 --> 00:23:13,680 Speaker 1: they're the AFC champions two years running, and they were 425 00:23:13,720 --> 00:23:16,840 Speaker 1: this close, you know, the year before, so yeah, I 426 00:23:16,840 --> 00:23:19,360 Speaker 1: think they you have to and I'm sure everybody's got 427 00:23:19,400 --> 00:23:21,920 Speaker 1: tape of the Super Bowl and trying to figure out, 428 00:23:21,960 --> 00:23:24,320 Speaker 1: but you know, they redid the offensive line, so it's 429 00:23:24,359 --> 00:23:28,520 Speaker 1: not you can't really count on that working again. But yeah, 430 00:23:28,560 --> 00:23:31,400 Speaker 1: I think I think you know, Buffalo lost to them 431 00:23:31,840 --> 00:23:34,800 Speaker 1: in the conference championship game and felt like that was 432 00:23:35,200 --> 00:23:36,960 Speaker 1: they played a lousy game, like the first time in 433 00:23:36,960 --> 00:23:38,600 Speaker 1: three months, they played a bad game, and it happened 434 00:23:38,640 --> 00:23:41,680 Speaker 1: to be that day. Cleveland lost after Mahomes went out, 435 00:23:41,680 --> 00:23:43,240 Speaker 1: and I know they definitely felt like they should have 436 00:23:43,240 --> 00:23:46,000 Speaker 1: won that game. So those are two teams that have 437 00:23:46,119 --> 00:23:48,360 Speaker 1: been toe to toe with them, and you know this 438 00:23:48,400 --> 00:23:50,000 Speaker 1: is another when you go back two years and then 439 00:23:50,119 --> 00:23:53,760 Speaker 1: the conference championship games. So I think everyone's probably focused 440 00:23:53,760 --> 00:23:55,400 Speaker 1: on how to take them down, not just in their 441 00:23:55,440 --> 00:23:59,040 Speaker 1: division but in the AFC. And while you know, you 442 00:23:59,080 --> 00:24:01,000 Speaker 1: recognize that you have to get there and you have 443 00:24:01,040 --> 00:24:02,920 Speaker 1: to do other things in the meantime, I think that's 444 00:24:03,560 --> 00:24:05,679 Speaker 1: that that gives everybody the same kind of goal to 445 00:24:05,680 --> 00:24:07,919 Speaker 1: shoot for as long as they're at the top. Is 446 00:24:07,960 --> 00:24:10,919 Speaker 1: Tampa Bay because they are a team that returns all 447 00:24:11,000 --> 00:24:14,240 Speaker 1: twenty two starters. Is that the team that's the favorite 448 00:24:14,240 --> 00:24:16,600 Speaker 1: overall to repeat? Yeah? I think so because you look 449 00:24:16,640 --> 00:24:19,679 Speaker 1: at it on paper. I mean, the problem is you 450 00:24:19,680 --> 00:24:21,400 Speaker 1: don't know who's going to get hurt, and they had 451 00:24:21,600 --> 00:24:23,359 Speaker 1: and you don't wish it on anyone. They had very 452 00:24:23,359 --> 00:24:25,439 Speaker 1: good injury luck last year, and the stats say it's 453 00:24:25,480 --> 00:24:28,800 Speaker 1: hard to repeat that year over years. So you look 454 00:24:28,800 --> 00:24:31,879 Speaker 1: at Tampa Bay's roster and you look at maybe the 455 00:24:31,920 --> 00:24:34,280 Speaker 1: Saints taking a step back depending on what happens with 456 00:24:34,280 --> 00:24:37,320 Speaker 1: the quarterback, and you think, well, they should roll in 457 00:24:37,320 --> 00:24:40,000 Speaker 1: that division. And then the rest of the NFC. You 458 00:24:40,040 --> 00:24:42,120 Speaker 1: remember with Aaron Rodgers coming back, I think that throws 459 00:24:42,119 --> 00:24:43,920 Speaker 1: a little bit of a question mark. The NFC West 460 00:24:43,920 --> 00:24:45,840 Speaker 1: teams could beat each other up, but yeah, I think 461 00:24:45,840 --> 00:24:48,120 Speaker 1: they deserve to be a favorite on paper, even though 462 00:24:48,240 --> 00:24:51,080 Speaker 1: the numbers tell us it must have been seventeen years 463 00:24:51,119 --> 00:24:55,119 Speaker 1: since anybody repeated so. And yes, the quarterback was Tom Brady, 464 00:24:55,320 --> 00:24:59,560 Speaker 1: but Brady also knows from other experiences how difficult it is. 465 00:24:59,560 --> 00:25:01,280 Speaker 1: In the number are things that can come up. So 466 00:25:01,560 --> 00:25:04,080 Speaker 1: you ask me what would prevent Tampa Bay from winning it? 467 00:25:04,160 --> 00:25:06,800 Speaker 1: I don't know. I just feel like there's always something 468 00:25:07,040 --> 00:25:09,000 Speaker 1: I mean the Chiefs right at the end last year, right, 469 00:25:09,400 --> 00:25:13,240 Speaker 1: So yeah, who are the teams in Dan Graziano's mind 470 00:25:13,280 --> 00:25:16,040 Speaker 1: who had the best offseason in the NFL? All right? 471 00:25:16,760 --> 00:25:18,639 Speaker 1: You know, the Rams add a couple of pieces. I 472 00:25:18,680 --> 00:25:22,240 Speaker 1: think when you add superstar caliber talent like Duprie and 473 00:25:22,320 --> 00:25:25,600 Speaker 1: Julio Jones here, I think that's probably deserves to be 474 00:25:25,640 --> 00:25:29,160 Speaker 1: in the mix. I think, you know the quarterback situation, 475 00:25:29,240 --> 00:25:31,960 Speaker 1: if Carson Wentz can be healthy, then I think that's 476 00:25:32,000 --> 00:25:34,840 Speaker 1: a big, big get for Indie, who has a real 477 00:25:34,920 --> 00:25:37,120 Speaker 1: strong core and is going to be a difficult team 478 00:25:37,200 --> 00:25:41,080 Speaker 1: to intend with. Cleveland needed to add on defense. They 479 00:25:41,160 --> 00:25:43,600 Speaker 1: have probably at least seven new starters on that side 480 00:25:43,640 --> 00:25:46,640 Speaker 1: of the ball, So assuming they made the right choices, 481 00:25:47,320 --> 00:25:49,920 Speaker 1: that that would be a good strong offseason two so 482 00:25:50,320 --> 00:25:52,680 Speaker 1: top of my head. Yeah, and then the Chiefs needed 483 00:25:52,680 --> 00:25:55,400 Speaker 1: to fix the offensive line and they think they did, 484 00:25:55,600 --> 00:25:58,440 Speaker 1: so you'd have to count them as well. Finally, who 485 00:25:58,440 --> 00:26:00,600 Speaker 1: are the rookies that you want to see this year? 486 00:26:01,119 --> 00:26:04,600 Speaker 1: You know? The quarterbacks? I think Trevor Lawrence is almost 487 00:26:05,960 --> 00:26:08,520 Speaker 1: he's almost like the forgotten number one pick, right because 488 00:26:08,560 --> 00:26:11,480 Speaker 1: it was it was such a foregone conclusion for so long. 489 00:26:12,280 --> 00:26:14,560 Speaker 1: Curious to see how that all works, especially with urban 490 00:26:14,600 --> 00:26:16,920 Speaker 1: Meyer down there, and I'm interested to see when those 491 00:26:16,920 --> 00:26:19,200 Speaker 1: other guys play. I'm going to see if Trey Lance 492 00:26:19,240 --> 00:26:21,720 Speaker 1: can win that job, if Justin Fields can win that job. 493 00:26:21,760 --> 00:26:23,800 Speaker 1: The coaching staffs in those places are adamant that it 494 00:26:23,800 --> 00:26:25,920 Speaker 1: won't be the case, but yeah, and then having been 495 00:26:25,920 --> 00:26:29,159 Speaker 1: to Pittsburgh's camp, a lot of high hopes for Naigie Harris, 496 00:26:29,359 --> 00:26:31,439 Speaker 1: and I think he's going to have a big, big 497 00:26:31,560 --> 00:26:33,960 Speaker 1: role there and I'm interested to see how he handles that. 498 00:26:34,000 --> 00:26:36,440 Speaker 1: In fact, I was just talking with Derek Henry about 499 00:26:36,440 --> 00:26:38,480 Speaker 1: that and how excited he is to see another Alabama 500 00:26:38,520 --> 00:26:41,080 Speaker 1: back come in and get that chance. So yeah, I 501 00:26:41,119 --> 00:26:43,440 Speaker 1: think that's a guy to keep an eye on for sure. 502 00:26:49,680 --> 00:26:52,840 Speaker 1: That's Dan Graziano from ESPN, who was in Nashville Monday 503 00:26:52,880 --> 00:26:56,359 Speaker 1: and Tuesday this past week on the OTP, which is 504 00:26:56,359 --> 00:26:59,800 Speaker 1: presented by Far Bureau Health Plans for better Coverage, better 505 00:27:00,240 --> 00:27:02,959 Speaker 1: and better customer service Farm Bureau Health Plants. They've been 506 00:27:02,960 --> 00:27:06,640 Speaker 1: providing Tennesseeans with the home field advantage for almost seventy 507 00:27:06,680 --> 00:27:10,359 Speaker 1: five years. All Right, Titans and the Falcons, give me 508 00:27:10,440 --> 00:27:14,159 Speaker 1: a Titan. You really are interested to see in a 509 00:27:14,200 --> 00:27:18,719 Speaker 1: game situation, Racy McMath. Really, he's someone who has shown 510 00:27:18,800 --> 00:27:22,280 Speaker 1: up in camp. We've seen these flashes. We've heard coaches 511 00:27:22,320 --> 00:27:25,200 Speaker 1: talk about him, We've heard players talk about him. I'm 512 00:27:25,359 --> 00:27:28,960 Speaker 1: anxious to see what he's able to do against an 513 00:27:29,040 --> 00:27:32,080 Speaker 1: unfamiliar defense. I'm anxious to see what he's able to 514 00:27:32,080 --> 00:27:34,680 Speaker 1: do when he's given some of these opportunities to really 515 00:27:34,720 --> 00:27:38,879 Speaker 1: show up. Do I think it will be on special teams. 516 00:27:38,880 --> 00:27:40,399 Speaker 1: Do I think it's going to be as a receiver. 517 00:27:40,520 --> 00:27:42,840 Speaker 1: I don't know. I don't know, but I'm excited to 518 00:27:42,880 --> 00:27:45,400 Speaker 1: see what he kind of looks like when you get 519 00:27:45,440 --> 00:27:48,280 Speaker 1: him impads on a field in a real game situation. 520 00:27:48,480 --> 00:27:53,760 Speaker 1: Ola A. Dainey outside linebacker number ninety two keeps showing 521 00:27:53,880 --> 00:27:57,520 Speaker 1: up in practice. It's like every day he would have 522 00:27:57,600 --> 00:28:01,080 Speaker 1: had a sack and you're just like, is this for real? 523 00:28:01,280 --> 00:28:04,360 Speaker 1: You know? The amazing thing about Olah Daney is he 524 00:28:04,520 --> 00:28:07,720 Speaker 1: is still even though I think this is year four 525 00:28:07,760 --> 00:28:10,919 Speaker 1: in the league, Olah A. Daney is still one of 526 00:28:10,920 --> 00:28:15,000 Speaker 1: the youngest Titans. It's it is crazy, but you know, 527 00:28:15,040 --> 00:28:18,320 Speaker 1: he came to this country from Nigeria, started school early, 528 00:28:18,440 --> 00:28:20,800 Speaker 1: skip grades. I think he graduated high school when he 529 00:28:20,840 --> 00:28:25,560 Speaker 1: was like sixteen. He's really really smart, but he's a 530 00:28:25,600 --> 00:28:28,680 Speaker 1: tough guy brought in to play special teams. I want 531 00:28:28,680 --> 00:28:31,560 Speaker 1: to see him rush the passer. I'm interested to see that. 532 00:28:31,680 --> 00:28:34,399 Speaker 1: Give me another Titan, you're interested to see against the 533 00:28:34,400 --> 00:28:38,800 Speaker 1: Falcons on Friday night? I have another one. Yeah, give 534 00:28:38,800 --> 00:28:42,160 Speaker 1: me yours first. Tucker McCann, TCC's good one. I want 535 00:28:42,160 --> 00:28:44,520 Speaker 1: to see the kicker. I want to see the whole 536 00:28:44,600 --> 00:28:47,880 Speaker 1: kicker thing. I'm really interested in how that's going to 537 00:28:48,000 --> 00:28:52,920 Speaker 1: play out, because Tucker McCann against Sam Ficken. Do one 538 00:28:52,960 --> 00:28:56,160 Speaker 1: of those guys do well enough to start to separate 539 00:28:56,240 --> 00:28:59,200 Speaker 1: from the other and give the Titans some confidence or 540 00:28:59,200 --> 00:29:02,760 Speaker 1: do they have to keep looking? Can I say a group? Sure, 541 00:29:03,040 --> 00:29:07,000 Speaker 1: I'm interested in seeing. Yes, the Beatles, I'm interested in. 542 00:29:07,360 --> 00:29:10,160 Speaker 1: They're going to be I heard they're living in the stadium. 543 00:29:10,200 --> 00:29:13,520 Speaker 1: I'm interested to see the running backs and who's kind 544 00:29:13,520 --> 00:29:17,120 Speaker 1: of taking what reps, and who's getting a lot of work, 545 00:29:17,160 --> 00:29:19,880 Speaker 1: and where we're playing certain guys, and I mean, there's 546 00:29:19,960 --> 00:29:23,200 Speaker 1: so many different options in that room right now. I'm 547 00:29:23,240 --> 00:29:26,000 Speaker 1: interested to see how guys are utilized and who really 548 00:29:26,000 --> 00:29:28,360 Speaker 1: shows up and shows out. So the guy in that 549 00:29:28,400 --> 00:29:31,720 Speaker 1: group that I'm most interested to see is McKay Sargeant. 550 00:29:32,960 --> 00:29:36,720 Speaker 1: He's the rookie undrafted out of Iowa. He's five eight 551 00:29:36,800 --> 00:29:39,080 Speaker 1: two o eight. I mean, he's a little bowling ball 552 00:29:39,760 --> 00:29:42,720 Speaker 1: and he's looked really sharp in practice, and I think 553 00:29:42,720 --> 00:29:46,560 Speaker 1: he's caught some people's eyes. And you're wondering, I mean, 554 00:29:46,880 --> 00:29:49,680 Speaker 1: in this situation, does he take it even a step further? 555 00:29:49,960 --> 00:29:53,160 Speaker 1: You know, he's a weird situation. He's from Key West. Well, 556 00:29:53,400 --> 00:29:57,960 Speaker 1: I think I realized that what football players from Key West? Well, 557 00:29:58,000 --> 00:29:59,680 Speaker 1: and that's what he said. So he went to a 558 00:30:00,000 --> 00:30:02,000 Speaker 1: camp at the University of Florida, he was a sophomore, 559 00:30:02,360 --> 00:30:05,080 Speaker 1: and he met a JUCO coach. Well, he's not recruited 560 00:30:05,080 --> 00:30:07,920 Speaker 1: by anybody. He was a no star. And the reason 561 00:30:08,080 --> 00:30:10,920 Speaker 1: is because he's in Key West. Probably more than anything else. 562 00:30:11,000 --> 00:30:13,760 Speaker 1: Nobody can get nobody can get to you, nobody can 563 00:30:13,800 --> 00:30:17,479 Speaker 1: see you. And so the coach at Iowa Western says, 564 00:30:17,720 --> 00:30:20,720 Speaker 1: come play for us. So he red shirts and then 565 00:30:20,760 --> 00:30:25,080 Speaker 1: he plays a second year at Iowa Western at JUCO 566 00:30:25,200 --> 00:30:27,720 Speaker 1: and he makes Junior College All American. Well, then he's 567 00:30:27,720 --> 00:30:29,720 Speaker 1: trying to figure out, Okay, I mean, you're Junior college 568 00:30:29,760 --> 00:30:32,040 Speaker 1: All American, You're gonna go somewhere, right, Well, I mean 569 00:30:32,080 --> 00:30:35,000 Speaker 1: he can't sort of find a place to go, and 570 00:30:35,280 --> 00:30:39,000 Speaker 1: he ends up. Kirk Ference has to step in at 571 00:30:39,040 --> 00:30:42,520 Speaker 1: the end and takes him at Iowa, and it's just 572 00:30:42,640 --> 00:30:45,080 Speaker 1: at the end of a long period of time. And 573 00:30:45,160 --> 00:30:48,000 Speaker 1: he was really productive for them. Now, he split carries 574 00:30:48,120 --> 00:30:50,720 Speaker 1: last year, so he didn't have great stats. He's an 575 00:30:50,760 --> 00:30:53,680 Speaker 1: interesting player. Now I'm not saying gonna be that Derrington Evans. 576 00:30:53,720 --> 00:30:55,880 Speaker 1: I think Darrington Evan's gonna be on this football team, 577 00:30:56,320 --> 00:30:59,600 Speaker 1: but I think the whole third back thing is still there. 578 00:31:00,360 --> 00:31:03,520 Speaker 1: So I'm talking about McKay sargent because he's new, and 579 00:31:03,720 --> 00:31:06,280 Speaker 1: we're talking about Brian Hill because he's a former Falcon 580 00:31:06,320 --> 00:31:07,960 Speaker 1: and he's played in the league. He had nearly five 581 00:31:08,080 --> 00:31:11,120 Speaker 1: hundred yards. And then we forget Jeremy McNichols. That's what 582 00:31:11,160 --> 00:31:14,080 Speaker 1: I was gonna say. Jeremy McNichols played in every game 583 00:31:14,160 --> 00:31:18,120 Speaker 1: last year, and yet he's kind of falling, not falling 584 00:31:18,120 --> 00:31:20,360 Speaker 1: to the wayside, but he's just a name that's not 585 00:31:20,400 --> 00:31:22,920 Speaker 1: at the faces, not being mentioned in the conversation. But 586 00:31:23,360 --> 00:31:26,600 Speaker 1: somebody's gonna, probably in the end, gonna have to beat 587 00:31:26,680 --> 00:31:29,960 Speaker 1: him out because he's not gonna go away. No, this 588 00:31:30,040 --> 00:31:34,200 Speaker 1: guy likes football to the point where he said, I 589 00:31:34,240 --> 00:31:36,960 Speaker 1: can stay in this league if I'll learn to be 590 00:31:37,000 --> 00:31:40,960 Speaker 1: a pass protector. Yep, and he did an unreal job 591 00:31:41,520 --> 00:31:44,800 Speaker 1: as a pass protector last year. Handled the ball. Some 592 00:31:45,080 --> 00:31:47,080 Speaker 1: did find when he got a chance to handle the ball. 593 00:31:47,280 --> 00:31:51,200 Speaker 1: Maybe not the most spectacular thing he does, but overall, 594 00:31:51,440 --> 00:31:55,280 Speaker 1: you're saying, this guy's good player, played teams, do whatever 595 00:31:55,320 --> 00:31:57,480 Speaker 1: he has to do. So yeah, I think that's a 596 00:31:57,480 --> 00:31:59,239 Speaker 1: great point by you. I think the running back thing 597 00:31:59,280 --> 00:32:00,840 Speaker 1: is gonna be really good. Battle. I think it's just 598 00:32:00,880 --> 00:32:03,680 Speaker 1: gonna be fun to watch. It's gonna be interesting. But shoot, 599 00:32:03,720 --> 00:32:06,840 Speaker 1: there's places at every single position group. There are battles, 600 00:32:06,920 --> 00:32:10,480 Speaker 1: there are guys, I know, right, I mean it's every 601 00:32:10,520 --> 00:32:12,720 Speaker 1: single place on the field. There's something to look at. 602 00:32:13,400 --> 00:32:15,200 Speaker 1: I think you're right. It's gonna be a fun game, 603 00:32:15,240 --> 00:32:18,120 Speaker 1: all right. So remember Amy Wells and Rhett Brian on 604 00:32:18,240 --> 00:32:22,760 Speaker 1: Titans Radio five o'clock Central time Titans Countdown. Go to 605 00:32:22,800 --> 00:32:25,560 Speaker 1: Tennessee Titans dot com. It's got a listing of all 606 00:32:25,600 --> 00:32:28,360 Speaker 1: the stations in the Nashville area. One h four five Zone, 607 00:32:28,360 --> 00:32:32,440 Speaker 1: which is our flagship kick off at sixth Central. Correct well, 608 00:32:32,480 --> 00:32:34,640 Speaker 1: thank you, and then Mike Keith takes over. That's when 609 00:32:34,640 --> 00:32:37,479 Speaker 1: I take over, takes us in. Well, actually it's when 610 00:32:37,520 --> 00:32:41,040 Speaker 1: Dave McGinnis takes over. That's there. I'm holding them. It's 611 00:32:41,040 --> 00:32:43,080 Speaker 1: really I'm holding the bag for it. Would you like 612 00:32:43,200 --> 00:32:46,680 Speaker 1: a would you like a seven iron? Sir? It's Coach Max. 613 00:32:46,920 --> 00:32:49,440 Speaker 1: It's Coach Max show, and we all entrust me. We 614 00:32:49,520 --> 00:32:52,040 Speaker 1: all know it. So for the lady that we hope 615 00:32:52,080 --> 00:32:55,840 Speaker 1: doesn't drop her cordless pack in the toilet, everything's going 616 00:32:55,880 --> 00:33:00,520 Speaker 1: in the toilet, don't everything's going in everybody in the pool, 617 00:33:00,640 --> 00:33:03,800 Speaker 1: don't say that. For Amy Wells, I, Mike Keith, thank 618 00:33:03,840 --> 00:33:07,040 Speaker 1: you for joining us for the o T Welcome to 619 00:33:07,120 --> 00:33:11,640 Speaker 1: the Big Show where the legends go. Everybody knows it's 620 00:33:11,680 --> 00:33:16,360 Speaker 1: our house, fighting thought Tennessee, making us to read greatness 621 00:33:16,520 --> 00:33:20,840 Speaker 1: is meant to be ours. Now. We got tight and 622 00:33:20,920 --> 00:33:22,400 Speaker 1: butter running through a ves