GREEN BAY, Wisc. – Cam Ward got a hug from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell here on Wednesday.
Will he get another one, on stage Thursday night, after being picked first overall by the Titans in the NFL Draft?
Well, Ward sure hopes so.
"I got a chance to learn more about (the Titans) personally over the last couple of months, and I am excited to hopefully hear my name called first, to go to a good organization like that," Ward said at an NFLPlay60 event on Wednesday, just outside Lambeau Field. "They have a great owner, a great GM, great assistant GM, great president. The team there, they have a pretty elite team, in my opinion – they don't get enough credit on paper for what they really are. So, if I am there, I know it will turn out good."
Ward said it was great to meet "Miss Amy" – owner Amy Adams Strunk – during the process.
He also had praise for Titans coach Brian Callahan while saying he's already interacted with Oilers legend Warren Moon and current Titans receiver Calvin Ridley.
"It was really good, meeting Miss Amy for the first time," Ward said. "Getting a chance to actually put a face with a name, hear about where she's from, her dad (founder and long-time owner Bud Adams), what they were back in Houston when they had the Oilers. It's a good organization."
Titans General Manager Mike Borgonzi said on Tuesday the franchise has reached a consensus on the pick, but didn't reveal which player the team would pick.
Ward has been a popular pick for Tennessee in mock drafts.
The first round of the NFL Draft is here on Thursday night.
"I think I'd fit in good," Ward said of the Titans. "Coach Callahan's offense, what he did with (Bengals QB) Joe Burrow his first year. … Getting a chance to meet with those guys, a lot of (the offense) translates to what I did at Miami this past year. I think if I ended up there it would be plug-and-play, just have to learn some new terminology, some new protections. But I think we'd be good.
"(There's) a lot of speed over there (in Tennessee), they don't get enough credit for it. They revamped the o-line, which I think is going to be a real good o-line this year, the overall team they have… Calvin Ridley is one of the best route runners in the game, has a great personality. Van Jefferson is an elite vet receiver.
"I think the quarterback there is going to be surrounded by some good weapons, and I just hope I'm that guy."
