**

TITANS HEAD COACH MIKE MULARKEY**

Opening statement…

Well, that was not the way we wanted to start the preseason, obviously, but there were some good things defensively, if there was anything. Not good offensively even though we still had opportunities to win the game at the end, we just kept finding ways to lose it. We've got a lot of work to do. It was a good wakeup call for us offensively. A good example of if you play like that, you're going to lose the game. I did like some of the things our defense did. I liked what some of the young guys on defense did.

On if he expected the secondary to struggle…

No, I didn't expect that. Some of what we did on offense, I expected some of that. I did. Not to that extent. I was concerned about it going in because first preseason games, you look around the league, that's what it looks like. I'm trying to change it and be clean, but that was overly poor. So, no, I think we've got to do some things, we've got to look at the tape. We're in training camp, we're still teaching these guys. We've got to look at some of the things we're doing coverage-wise, how far off we're playing with some of our corners, because they're just banging quick game on us.

On how Marcus Mariota played…

I was pretty pleased with Marcus. It was good to see him go to his right the first play, out on an unblocked defender and (he) moved around the pocket really well, made some plays. I was pretty pleased with him.

On if getting Mariota on the move was by design…

I wanted him to know he could. He was excited about it. We liked the play, we liked him getting out of the pocket, and he made a really good play on it. But I think that showed all the work he's put in, I mean all the work he's put in to come back full strength is paying off.

On the offensive line struggles…

Yeah, that was what was disappointing because it wasn't just rookies, it was veterans. The problem was it was against blitzes we face every day. And it wasn't just the line. It was backs included. It was everybody. We've got to clean up some things, obviously. But it wasn't just the rookies. It was some veterans that I'm disappointed in.

On if it was a technique issue…

Again, I'm not going to use the first preseason game as an excuse, but some of that is, again, it's full-throttle everybody early on just techniques aren't going to be as good as they're going to be, hopefully, next week and the week after.

On Jayon Brown…

Yeah, Jayon played pretty well. Actually, he did, Josh Carraway made some plays, Aaron Wallace made some plays. Those young guys made some plays.

On if the offensive line struggles were due to communication…

It was really a little, but (also about) being out of place. They anticipated what was coming, they knew what was coming, they just weren't in the position to block it. That's not good enough. That's not what we want. That's no acceptable.

On why Logan Ryan didn't play more after a poor first series…

I'm not going to base everything on the first series. That was the gameplan and that's what we did.

On if starting Antwaun Woods was a reward…

He's playing better. The guys that are playing better, in this game, started. They rotated. You've got to start somebody. We put Antwaun in there, then we rotated (Sylvester Williams) and whoever played better, we'll see. By the time we play next week, we'll see who's being most effective at the nose.

On if Woods' play is sustainable…

I saw a good bit, it looked like he was plugging it up pretty good. But for me to fairly evaluate him, I personally have to watch the tape. I can't do it by the naked eye.

On if Kevin Dodd getting a lot of playing time was good for him…

I'm sure it was. Plus, his conditioning, he got a late start on conditioning. It's good to have the number of reps that he had. Nothing but good for him tonight to have all that experience and see where he's at conditioning wise.

On Alex Tanney's performance…

Again, I'll look at the tape. I thought he did some good things. The turnovers, I was disappointed in that. We had that. The interception, you've got to throw it on time and then you've got a play. And the fumble in field goal range, we've just got to do a better job of protecting the ball in the pocket. Those are some of the things I was disappointed in. But overall, he got hit multiple times, and to come back and still make some throws, I was impressed with him.

On Tanney getting hit…

Well, we were going to talk about that, because Alex looked at us and said he was okay while he was on his knee. But maybe Tyler (Ferguson), maybe it was the best way for him to get inducted into the National Football League, just out of the blue to get thrown in there, hand the ball off and have a third down and a lot of yards. I was pretty impressed he did it, didn't even blink.

On Jurrell Casey's sack being called for a penalty…

Yeah, I thought it was really questionable. I don't know how you teach them. You've taught them since they were eight years old to wrap up and now all of a sudden you can't wrap up. I'm going to find out because I have to teach that. I don't know. I'm going to ask the exact rule on that. I know if his shoulder is involved, again, I've got to look at the tape. I thought it was a clean sack. A momentum-killer. An absolute momentum-killer.

On the pass interference call…

No, that was, again, that was a big play, too, to Delanie (Walker). It's preseason for them as well.

On working Josh Kline in…

Yeah, we don't want his first experience in an NFL game, so we're trying to get as much work with him now as we can.

On injuries…

A couple of tweaks on groins but nothing real serious, really. Nothing I can tell you that should hold anybody back.

On Taywan Taylor's performance…

Yeah, that was a big play. Again, that was close, too. I don't know exactly if he was touched or not. It was a close play, a big play for him. He did some good things. He did some things he needs to improve on with his route running, but I was pleased for him, for his first game as a Titan.

On if there is a big picture lesson from the game…

I hope not. I think it is a wakeup call, though, that teams are not going to get caught off guard by us. They're going to come prepared to play, regardless of what the situation is – scrimmage, practice, preseason game. We've got to be prepared and I was just disappointed. I had a bad feeling, to be honest with you, going in, because my message was I just wanted a clean, really clean, not a lot of mistakes, not a lot of self-inflicted wounds. And I harped on that and we couldn't do it and I don't know why. That's what the film's all about, studying that tape and seeing what the problem was.

**

QB MARCUS MARIOTA**

On what it felt like to be playing again…

It was a blessing. It's an honor and a privilege. The recovery process was a long one. To be out there today playing with the guys meant the world to me. I enjoyed it.

On how the first play felt…

It felt good. Instincts took over. You play the game you've always been playing. It felt good to get out of the pocket and make a play. Overall, I thought the day went ok and I was glad to just be out there. 

On HC Mike Mularkey saying he planned for him to be on the move in the first play…

We always talk about the game plan a few days in advance. I had a good idea that was probably what was going to be called. Again, it was more that I enjoyed the moment. You crave those moments when you're going through the rehab process. You keep telling yourself, "Man, this is what you're working for." That's the way I approached it. I really just enjoyed it.  

On if the first hit completed the rehab process…

Not necessarily. There are still things I can do to help my body get better. It's part of the game. It's a contact sport. It felt good to get some of the cobwebs out, but I wish it didn't happen there.

On how he thought the offense did…

It was alright. We moved the ball. We had too many negative plays, too many penalties. Those are things that are self inflicting and things we have to correct. That's what the preseason is for, to iron those things out. We'll get better from it.

On if the plan was for him to only play two series…

I wasn't sure. I'd play the whole game if I could.

On if he asked to play a third series…

I was lobbying for it, but J. Mike (QB Coach Jason Michaels) said I was done.

On how he thought the protection was today…

I thought they did a good job. It just comes down to the point that we have to help those guys. We have to get guys going in the right direction, including myself. The delay of game. Getting ourselves in extended third downs where these guys pin their ears back. We didn't help those guys up front out today and we have to do a better job.

On if this game was a wakeup call…

When you get hit in the mouth like that, it wakes some guys up. Unfortunately, I don't think we played to the best of our abilities. The defense and special teams came out and played today. We didn't hold our end as an offense. We're going to have to play better in order to have some success this year. 

On if it will be helpful to have tape to look at…

Yeah, it provides us an opportunity to just get better. I think when it comes down to it, guys get into a mode, especially in training camp, of not worrying about what's going on. You're getting your body ready. Now, we're focusing on game situations and what happens during a game. To have what happened tonight, made guys realize we have to step up and play every opportunity. 

On going into camp with the Carolina Panthers this week…

It's got to be about us. We have to take it each and every single day and get better. There's a lot to improve from. I mean, if we just take back this film and find ways to improve, we'll have a better week this week.

On if Taywan Taylor can celebrate his next touchdown…

Yeah, for sure. Absolutely. Anytime one of those young guys gets in, it's a special moment. For him, I thought he made a great play on the ball. It's one of those things where instant replay showed him as down. He made a great play and those are things we're going to expect from him this year and I think he's very capable of doing them.

On if he was surprised by Taylor's athleticism…

No, those are things we've seen day in and day out in OTAs and in camp. That's the expectation level for him and we have to continue to find ways to get him the ball and let him do his thing.

On if he has any advice for Alex Tanney…

Just go back and look at the film and see where you can be better. I thought he played well. Obviously, there were a couple of things in the red zone. When it comes down to it, things happen a little bit faster, especially that throw down in the red zone. It happened so quickly. When you get pushed out of the pocket, it's tough to make a throw on time with that. For what was dealt to him, I thought he handled everything well. He got guys communicating and doing what they're supposed to do. All in all, I thought he did a good job. 

On who surprised him the most tonight…

I'll have to look at the film. I was just going back and reflecting throughout the game and just trying to help Tanney out when he was in there. I wasn't really focusing on one specific guy or specific players. I was just trying to help our team win.

**

WR TAYWAN TAYLOR **

On *his 42-yard reception…. *

I thought it was a touchdown.  I just tried to be on alert, get up, and run in the endzone and make a play for my team.  Coach Mularkey and Coach Robiskie have been preaching all off-season a play is never over in the NFL and to stay aware.

On getting open deep...

At Western Kentucky that was one of my best attributes.  I told coach I will do whatever he needs me to do. I will line up outside, I will line up in the slot, wherever he wants me to go.

On playing in his first NFL game…

It was surreal, going on the field, putting the jersey on for the first time.  It was unbelievable.

On his performance…

I think I did fairly well but there are things I can improve on.  I look to get better as we move on.

**

QB ALEX TANNEY**

On how he feels the game went…

Two plays in the redzone I regret, that's six points there if I don't turn the ball over so that's something I have to learn from and get back to practice this week and work on.

On if him being in a battle for a spot on the team makes him take more risks in the game…

We had so many opportunities there, the defense played great and kept us in the game. We had a couple opportunities there once we crossed the 15, like I said before turning the ball just can't happen in the redone

It's something you talk about, learn from it and move on.

On if he talked to his father about the reaction to his comment and what made him feel as if he should further address it…

When you see something that's blowing up, that's on First Take and ESPN, I think it should be addressed. My words were simply that I'm very passionate about what I do. I said at the beginning while you guys were there that I'm all about making the game safer. I understand the CTE symptoms and what not and what families are affected, but it's simply about passion. 

On the shots down the field…

Yeah, you know I thought Taywan (Taylor) made some big plays and some big catches for us it's something I want to see on the film once we got on the plane, a couple of those just to see where the ball was at. 

On if he thought his night was going to be over after he took a big hit early…

No, I don't think so that's part of football, it's almost gets you in the game quicker, so no, I didn't think that was going to happen.

On what actually happened on the play he took the big hit and if it was just cobwebs…

Yeah you could say that, it was a play action there and right when I flipped my hips and turned around you know I took one in the chops, but I bounced right back I feel fine.

On how he thinks Tyler Ferguson reacted to coming in the game so early after the hit…

Yeah you know he's prepared he puts in the work he studies and puts the time in so I know he would've been ready if he had to go. * *

S KEVIN BYARD

On coach calling it a wakeup call…

Oh for sure, I definitely think it was a wakeup call. We didn't get a touchdown tonight. I'm pretty sure the offense wants to have a better performance but, I have fully trust in those guys, Mariota and all those boys will get everything fixed up for the next game and for the opener, for real.

On if he is becoming a playmaker…

Yeah I felt like I made a couple plays, but the first play of the game I missed the tackle. I was frustrated about that on the sideline and the rest of the game but, I stayed in the game. When I came out, made sure I was rooting for those boys on the sideline. So, like I said, get back to the film and fix those things that we messed up on tonight. 

**

LB KEVIN DODD**

On how it feels to be back after injury…

It feels good to be back out there with my guys and not practicing and going up against someone else other than (teammate) Jack Conklin. But it felt really good.

On his emotions at the start of the game …

It was no different. It's just football. But after coming out for warmups, it did feel a little emotional just to be back out there. It felt really special. When I first came out to warm up and get a feel of the stadium and the turf, I felt a little emotional. There were a lot of doubts in the offseason whether I would be where I am today.* *

On the last time he felt that emotional on the football field…

Last time I played, back in November.

On being tired in the fourth quarter…

I was trying to get every special team rep I can to get my conditioning up to where it needs to be.* *

On the run defense tonight and overall pass rush being a positive tonight.

That's always been a positive thing of mine, being a run stopper and a pass rusher. I gotta get back in to the rhythm of things, just keep working, chipping away at it, play by play.

On expecting questions about his recovery from injury…

Yes. But it's kind of expected. People want to talk about my injury, but they also want to see me back out there. 

On the fact that people have a lot of expections from him in year two…

I like being above the radar, but I do my best when I'm under pressure.

LB JAYON BROWN

On having his first NFL game under his belt…

It was good to be back out there. It was a good feeling. I have to improve from the mistakes I made in today's game and just learn.

On his speed tonight…

I was trying my best to make plays, so we can get off the field. It went pretty well, but unfortunately, we didn't get the win.

On the linebackers as a whole in tonight's game…

Yes, it was a good night for the LBs. We just have to improve from here and just keep winning.

On if he thinks he can do this for a while…

Oh yeah. Definitely.