Checking on the Haters

We’re back from break, and I’m about to say it. I’ll be the first one to say the it, I did not want Cam Ward going into the draft. I wanted ( and still do to an extent ) that Giants trade, where we get Abdul Carter and a handful of 1st and 2nd round picks. I still think Abdul Carter is going to be an absolute stud, but Cam’s bought me back in.

The least talked about number one draft pick in history, and he loves it. He was easily the best quarterback in this class, and I liked him, but I wasn’t convinced at all. Maybe it was my lack of ACC knowledge. Maybe I just don’t trust any quarterback the Titans have. Maybe I just didn’t know ball. But we’ve got a taste of Cam Ward, and I’m all the way back in.

You could make the argument the Titans are too broken to be fixed by a rookie quarterback, but the easy comparison is Jaden Daniels last year. Lead a dysfunctional Commanders team to a playoff win, built on 1 year deals with 35 year old players and a dream. Why not us? In my mind, the only thing stopping Cam from becoming a real NFL star, is how the offensive line plays, and Brain Callahan. I like Callahan and when his quarterback’s brain worked last year, his system worked! Titans had 2 receivers last year ( Ridely and NWI (sad face)) average over 15 yards per catch, and if you watched the games, the only way we really moved the ball was on big plays. Callahan found ways to scheme NWI open for 9 touchdowns last year. Without the O-Line play and Will Levis, I think we would’ve had a decent building year.

I said it last year, and I still agree with the take, but I genuinely liked what Ran Carthon tried to build for us. Ultimately, it all fell apart, as we all remember the memes, the nonexistent offensive line ( not JC or Pete, up and coming dogs ), and the overall mess of a football team we were. But he tried! And you can’t blame a man for trying, and I appreciated that. It was the busiest free agency we’d had in a decade. New GM Mike Borgonzi ( Italian ) had a much different approach, with a build from the ground up, grass roots campaign, heavy draft focus. And I have to say, I loved our draft. Everybody says that about their team, but when you look at the holes on the team and the upside of all these players, we might have some guys. The biggest thing, every player we drafted or signed, has huge upside and potential, and a low low floor.

Oluwafemi Oladejo, 2nd round edge rusher out of UCLA, played the majority of his collegiate career as an inside linebacker, shifting midway in his senior year to outside edge rusher. He is fast, strong, massive, but fairly raw. Out of all our picks, I think he will transition the best and be an early starter. Take a look at the guy and you’ll say “that’s a football player”. He fits the bill and I think within a year or two, he’ll be a stud.

Kevin Winston Jr, 3rd round Safety out of Penn State, is another huge upside. Had he had not destroyed his knee his senior year and had a similar season as his junior year, he’d have been a first or second round pick. Ballhawk and super physical, he’s a massive safety who can cover big receivers and tight ends, or even move into that sub linebacker spot, given he can stay healthy.

Then we have the pass catchers.

Chimere Dike, WR, Florida. Potential to be a huge deep threat for Cam Ward. Great speed, and with Calvin Ridley and on the other end, could scheme Dike open often with Callahan’s system.

Elic Ayomanor, WR, Stanford. Physical route runner, great with contested catches. Decent speed once he gets going, but biggest issue is his get-off and explosiveness. Everything i’ve seen, he’s a grinder with Ridley mentoring, could easily work his way into a starter.

Gunnar Helm, TE, Texas. Another big developmental player with big upside. Quadrupled his catches from junior to senior year, and got way better with the ball in his hands. Good size, and speed, should be a battle with other TEs for who starts.

Xavier Restrepo, WR, Miami. Undrafted. Dog. Cam Ward’s best friend. You look at him and he screams Miami. One of the most hyped undrafted players i’ve seen in a long time. Most likely be a special teams player, but, not to get ahead of myself, he reminds me of an Edelman type slot that will grind his way through punt team for a year or two.

There were a couple other pickups in the draft and free agency, getting a couple starter level offensive line pieces, drafting some projects late, and picking up Van Jefferson and Tyler Lockett. Not a bad haul. Borgonzi 100% wants to build these players up, ( maybe as a way to keep his job, telling Miss Amy “just one more year” ) and there’s a lot of projects and guys with a lot to work on. If one or two of these guys not named Cam Ward work out, I think this draft is a success. We got our guy in Cam ( look up his heart rate during the last moments of games ), and we got a bunch of potentail dogs. Overall, I’m happy and excited for Titans football, which after last year, nobody was.

Haters haven’t killed me yet. Titans may be back.

Currently taking questions.