GENERAL MANAGER MIKE BORGONZI
(opening statement)
This is an exciting day for the Tennessee Titans organization here as we welcome Cam Ward and his family here to Nashville. As I said to Cam on the phone last night, we went through the whole process here with him, and we came away with obviously the player but also the person that he is, the leader and the teammate. And we didn't think there was anyone more deserving to really represent this franchise than Cam Ward. So, Cam, I'd like to have you come up here and introduce you. Before you step to the podium, Cam, we have a special guest here.
WARREN MOON
I just came here because I have a lot of respect for this young man right here. A lot of our journey is similar as far as all the things that he was told throughout the journey about not being good enough, nobody wanted to give him that great opportunity. But he just kept fighting. He kept working. He kept showing leadership, perseverance. And here he is today the number one overall pick in the National Football League Draft.
So, that's the reason I wanted to be here, just to let him know how proud I am of him. And I've watched your career ever since you were at our rival, Washington State—and I didn't like how you played against my Huskies all the time, but you had to do what you had to do. But as far as the number and everything is concerned, I wore the number one for a lot of different reasons, and I wore it for a long time, starting back in 1976 when I was in college. And I think I wore it very honorably for the Houston Oilers organization to the point where I created a Hall of Fame career for myself. Now I'm part of the Tennessee Titans family, and my Houston Oiler jersey will probably never be worn again—I hope it won't—but the Tennessee Titans jersey is going to be worn by Cam (Ward). And Cam will be starting a new, not regime here, but just a new freshness in this organization to kind of revitalize it and get it back to where it was a number of years ago, one of the more successful organizations in the league. I'm excited to see what he's going to do with his legacy wearing this number, and I'm proud of the things that I did to establish my legacy with the time I wore that number. So, Cam, I'm going to be watching your career. I'm here for you. I'm going to help you as much as I can possibly do, whenever you need me. And just wish you the best of luck. And you come from a great family. I think that's where a lot of it starts. And I think you'll do well here. Congratulations on being the number one overall pick, and now the work gets started.
QUARTERBACK CAMERON WARD
I appreciate you. Mr. Mike (Borgonzi), Miss Amy (Adams Strunk), Coach (Brian) Callahan and Mr. Chad (Brinker), thank y'all for giving me the opportunity. Y'all know y'all made what is right for the organization, you as well, Miss Amy. I'm grateful for my family to be here in this moment with me. I've been praying for this since I was six years old. I'm ready to get to work, ready to be with my teammates, try to win some games in the future.
(on Mike Borgonzi explaining it wasn't just about Cam Ward as a player but as a person too that attracted the Titans)
It means a lot. Especially my background, where I came from, what I had to do to get to this journey. But it's all God and hard work. And I just think that I did a lot of little things in my career to take care of everything to maximize my talents. I'm excited to get to work here. Just meeting my guys in the locker room, in the cafeteria already, I know some good things are about to happen.
(on how he can repay his parents for all of their sacrifices they made that led him here)
I just think I can't repay them. Nothing can, just what they sacrificed since I was a kid all the way to high school, to where I am now. They sacrificed financially for me. Time-wise, there's days my dad would wake up at 5:00 a.m., we'd drive halfway across Texas to get to camps. I'll never be able to repay them. But I just hope me being able to repay them one way is just by putting on for them and the family on the field.
(on the process of Warren Moon granting Cam Ward the jersey number one)
I've been asked him. I called him about a month ago. So I didn't know this was going on. But I knew this was going to happen. I'm excited that Mr. Moon was able to bless me with giving me this number. But I think to me the number would never mean anything; it's all about the plays you make on the field. I'm ready for this opportunity with my teammates.
(on if the number one holds a significance for him)
It doesn't hold a significance. It's all about how you play on the field. The person doesn't make the number, the player makes the number.
(on if he feels a need to live up to the legacy of previous quarterbacks in the organization)
Not really. All those players, they played for the Oilers. I'm a Titan. None of that pressure ever gets to me. I really don't care what the outside world sees me as. The only thing that matters is the building and my teammates. I never get too high, never get too low. I just want to go make plays.
(on the challenge of being a leader in an NFL locker room)
I just think just being real on time with stuff, especially offensively. You have to be an elite communicator. I think that's what I learned being in college. I think that's why we were able to have one of the best offenses at Miami this last year. We had elite communication from myself, the O-line, the receiving corps and the running backs. I think that's the big part, is continuing to get better each year in and out. But I think communication is a big key to us having success.
(on how he developed the skill of always staying levelheaded)
I would say about losing a lot in my life. And whether it's off the field or on the field, I just think the more you never change your level, more good things will happen to you. You also got to be a good teammate because at the end of the day I'll never be the only person to win us a game. There will always be a receiver catching the ball, the running back running, the defense tackling. Everybody plays a vital role and I just try to do mine each week out.
(on how he has been able to elevate each team he has been a part of)
I think I elevated those guys just by being a teammate, I would say, being a real locker room guy and also holding people accountable. I think you can't do that unless you actually know the person on a personal level. But at the end of the day it all starts on the practice field. Can't nothing translate to the game unless you rep it over and over. But I plan on getting to work.
(on if he met any other team owners during the draft process)
Yeah, I got a chance to meet with the other teams' owners as well. But I think Miss Amy, she jumped off the charts. The connection I had with her off rip. My parents, my mom got a chance to talk with her. And she's from my part of the area. She's down South. So I just think it was already made to happen.
(on building relationships with receivers)
I would say watching a lot of film with those guys and also getting reps in practice. Whether, I know we're going to have bad days in practices, missed reps here and there, but you got to be able to make it up at the end of practice. But you also got to have the receivers who want to push themselves like I had in Miami. I'm surrounded by that with Tennessee. I have some elite vets, some elite young guys. I'm ready to get to work with those guys. But it starts in the film room. The football stuff on the field will take care of the rest.
(on when he started dedicating more time to the film room)
I've probably noticed it the most when I got to Wazzu (Washington State). And it's something that you do fall in love with because I'm behind the 8-ball. I didn't get a chance to grow up in high school and college playing different offenses and learning football. I really didn't start learning football until I got to Wazzu. So as I progressed throughout my career I started to love it even more. And I just think just over time I've gotten better. I learned how to watch film the right way. I think I have a great way of seeing space on the field, also, again, through progressions. So I think everything has helped me to this point. I've also played with some teammates who have got a chance to play in the NFL, in my past. I just think it all worked out.
(on how Brian Callahan's offense fits him schematically)
I think a lot of stuff translates over from what I did at Miami, even at Wazzu and UIW (Incarnate Word). It's a real quarterback friendly offense. You see what he did with Joe Burrow when he got him his rookie year. But Coach Callahan is one of the best offensive minds out there. And for me, it's a blessing to play for him, for somebody who I know is going to believe in me, who will put the ball in my hands at the end of the game and go win it. As a quarterback that's all you can really live for.
(on the play he wanted Callahan to put in last night)
Switch verts.
(on why he likes that play)
Verticals. We're window shopping over here.
(on his respect for Warren Moon)
I got a lot of respect. I didn't know much about him until the draft was really starting since February after the last game the Titans had. Before I called him I made sure I watched his highlights to make sure he was legit. So he was. He was legit. I'm trying to get up to his level one day. Might take me a little time, but I'll get there eventually. He's a hall of famer. For me to be in that same number that he was in, it's an honor. I'm excited that he's here. He made time out of his way. He could have done plenty more stuff, but he made sure he was here for me. I'm forever grateful for it.
(on if Warren Moon's football journey resonates with him)
A little bit I would say. I also think it was a different time, too. The game's progressed many years. There's a lot of plays I've seen, he's doing five-step drops on the center and they're running quick game. That's not what we doing nowadays, from an understanding like that. But I just think, as the game progressed, he was ahead of his time, I would say. But I'm sure he made the most of it and he did.
(on if he had any hesitation in calling Warren Moon for the number)
I didn't have no hesitation making the phone call. The only thing he could say is no. So if he would have said no, I would have just got a different number. I wasn't too worried about it. Don't hurt to ask.
(on what the term franchise quarterback means to him)
Somebody who can lead their teammates for a numerous amount of years, not just one season. You've got to be consistent in the National Football League. That's why you see some of the best quarterbacks out here, like Pat (Mahomes), Josh (Allen) and Lamar (Jackson) being in playoffs every year; they're consistent quarterbacks. That's where I want to get to in my career real fast. And it's good that I can do it in a quarterback-driven system like Coach Callahan has and around a lot of good weapons.
(on what traits he has that fit a franchise quarterback description)
I think I don't get enough credit for the type of processor that I am. I think I see space real well. Over my college career, I've gotten better at each stop, again, through progressions. And I just think my feel for the pocket is something that can't be coached. But it's also something that you have to watch a lot of film on.
(on what it means that the franchise has put its belief in him)
That's all I really needed. All I need is one shot and I'll make the most of it. For them to draft me number one overall I know they won't regret it. I'll make sure they don't.
(on his family never missing a football game)
They just like to see me play football, honestly, I would say. They never missed a game my whole career, from little league, my dad coaching me, all the way to this point. It's a blessing. Not a lot of athletes can have both their parents at their games. So I'm one of the lucky ones out here. Every time I get in the stands, it's really the only two people I look for. They're at the game, I'm good. I'm just trying to go win a game.
(on how he plans to implement himself as a leader with his new teammates)
Just being a good communicator, I would say. Coming in with confidence, watching film with those guys and also understanding them. We're going to have missed communication, but at the end of the day, when it comes to Sunday we'll be on the same page. I think the more we can mess up during the week is going to end up leading to better plays on Sundays.
(on what his motivation has been to keep getting back up after being knocked down)
I'd say myself. It's something that I really do want. I love playing the game of football. And it's only here for a short amount of time. So every chance I get to step on the field, I try to take full advantage of it. And I never forget where I came from. I always remember where I came from. It's just a blessing to be here. Not a lot of people can do what I did, go the journey I had to go to get to this moment. And I'm excited to play for this organization.
(on working with quarterbacks coach Darrell Colbert Jr.)
I think the biggest thing he's helped me is throwing from confined spaces. Not over-striding. In high school, even throughout college, I was a big over-strider when I was throwing the ball. He's helped reduce that. And he's never changed my arm angles. He knew I could do some crazy stuff on the field. I live for moments like that. But he also knows I'm a gunslinger, that's who I am, that's who I'll be as long as I play football. Never tried to change me. He's only made me better each year I've trained with him, I've been with him for four years. It's the reason he has the number one quarterback in the draft.
(on his relationship with Shedeur Sanders)
I've created a special relationship with him especially me first getting to know him about five years ago when I started working with him when I was at UIW. But it did surprise me because he's a good quarterback. He doesn't get a lot of the credit he deserves, especially the plays that he made at Colorado, a lot of quarterbacks in the country aren't making those plays. When he gets his opportunity, I'm pretty sure it will happen soon today, he'll make sure he makes plays on the field when he gets the chance.
(on if he had another jersey number in mind if Warren Moon said no)
I'd probably wear seven.
