NASHVILLE – Titans head coach Brian Callahan talked to reporters on Monday, one day after the team's 27-17 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
Here's a look at the hot topics from the presser as the team turns its attention to Sunday's game vs the Minnesota Vikings:
-Callahan said the team had no significant injuries coming out of the Chargers game.
-The Titans had 11 negative plays between penalties and sacks, and Callahan said that made things difficult. Quarterback Will Levis was sacked seven times in Sunday's game. "We have to do a better job protecting, blocking people in front of us," Callahan said. "And we have to do a better job getting the ball out when guys are available. It's a combination of things."
-Callahan complimented gunners Tre Avery and Justin Hardee for their performance in punt coverage on Sunday, when the team posted the franchise's second-highest net average in Titans history. Callahan said punter Ryan Stonehouse, who had a 50.0-yard net, punted well.
-Callahan said the left side of the offensive line – tackle JC Latham and guard Peter Skoronski – had solid performances, and "Daniel Brunskill in relief stepped up" at center in a big way, he said. "But obviously our issues on the right side continue," he said. "We weren't good enough there at all."
-Leroy Watson IV started Sunday's game at right tackle, and he played 33 of the game's 54 offensive snaps. John Ojukwu played 21 snaps as the two continued to share reps. Callahan said the team's options are limited at right tackle, while saying Isaiah Prince, who is on the team's practice squad, is still getting up to speed. Earlier, Nicholas Petit-Frere was the team's starter (before being benched), and another potential solution, Jaelyn Duncan, was placed on Injured Reserve after suffering a hamstring injury in the early stages of a start against the Bills. "There's only so many people available," Callahan said. "We've tried to help that side as much as possible. … There's only so many things available to us at the moment, and we're going to have to use all of them, whatever that looks like."
-Callahan said he saw improvement from Levis from an efficiency standpoint, and his decision using his legs. "He didn't put the ball in harm's way," Callahan said, "and he was accurate and aggressive." Callahan said Levis needs to improve on getting the ball out in a timely matter. "But I did see progress," Callahan said of Levis, "and there were a lot of things I did feel positive about coming out of that game with Will, with where he is at. Not turning the ball over, not putting the ball in harm's way, being smart, running, sliding – all those things were improvements. … I saw growth in Will's play in this game, I really did. There was improvement."
-Callahan didn't add much when asked about the overturned call on Sunday, when a Titans defensive touchdown was taken off the board. A pool report with NFL Vice President of Instant Replay Mark Butterworth was released after the game. "Do I look like I'd be satisfied," Callahan said with a half smile. "No."
-On the 56-yard kickoff return by the Chargers, Callahan said defensive back Julius Wood ended up on the ground while in coverage, and he "takes out three of the coverage guys down there," and that opened up a huge running lane. "It was really just an unfortunate issue," Callahan said. "That's just what happens in football sometimes."
-Callahan acknowledged the defense needs to be better in the red zone, where the team has struggled of late. The Chargers scored three red zone touchdowns on Sunday against the Titans.
-Callahan said cornerback L'Jarius Sneed remains "week to week" with his quad injury.
-Callahan said cornerback Chidobe Awuzie is getting closer to returning. "Not this week, I don't think," Callahan said of Awuzine, "but soon is probably the best way to put it."
