Feel like a throwback day?
Definitely had that feeling. It was a fun day for a lot of different reasons. But to be able to finish the season out and finish my time out here with a win, was a lot of fun. It felt really good.
Watching Derrick (Henry) run like that, season high in yards I think that makes the two of you together 33-20 when you start together. Nice to see him have that day as well?
Yeah. No question. Obviously, Derrick's (Henry) been so consistent during his time here. And to see him have the day he had today was a lot of fun for me as well. I know I turned my head, and he gets through the line of scrimmage, without much contact, there's a chance at being a big one. And he had a couple of those today, as well as the tough yards he's been consistent with over the last five years. So big day for him and a lot of fun see him have that success.
You talked about finishing your time out here, is that just you've been around long enough to understand the business side of things, or is that something you thought about much this week?
Yeah, I understand the business side of things. Obviously, we all know what happened this year. It doesn't take a whole lot of foresight to see that.
The Jaguars obviously had a lot to play for, trying to win the division. You guys just trying to finish well off. How come this team was the one that came out with the energy and the juice?
We want to go out and finish the season strong. Like I said, it wasn't the season we wanted, but I'm proud of the guys in the locker room through thick and thin throughout this year, showed up to work week-in and week-out even when there was nothing so to speak to play for but pride and respect. Guys came to work each and every day. There was a lot of days it took a lot of effort and intentionality from everyone in the locker room. But guys kept working, they kept trying to get better together and improve. We wanted to finish the season out in the right way, leave the season with a good taste in our mouths and we did that.
Kind of a throwback game in a lot of ways. I mean, you had Derrick (Henry) with big yards, efficient passing game, goal line stand. Seemed like this was the kind of game we saw a lot of, maybe not as recently, but a little further back.
Yeah, no doubt. It felt like a vintage Titans game, especially in Nissan. We had a lot of those over the last few years here. Maybe not this year, but over my time here, it was a lot of games I can think back that were so similar, hard-fought games back-and-forth, big plays by the defense, answers by the offense, and everything in between. Just a fun day and a fun way to end it.
Did you enjoy playing the spoiler role, keeping them out of the postseason?
It's always huge to get a division win. But for me, and I think for a lot of the guys in the locker room, it was about going out and finishing this thing the right way for each other. We put the work in, the time in over the course of the season through thick and thin, and to be able to leave with a good taste in our mouth and a win at home in front of our fans who showed up for us, it was a lot to play for just in that.
What was going through your head in the victory formation there with fans chanting?
I was just enjoying the moment. There were several times today, where I had to put myself back in the moment and not step back and get emotional about a lot of things. But I was always want to just be in the moment, be in the huddle celebrating with the guys a hard-fought win. Felt like that's the way it should be.
That pregame moment in the tunnel with Derrick (Henry), is that one of those moments that is unique for you guys? What was that like taking the field kind of together and having a moment together before the game?
Yeah, that was definitely one of the moments where you're giving me a minute and I definitely got emotional right there. Really went through a lot of the history that we've had together mentally. But just tried to stay in the moment and had some words with Derrick (Henry). Just wanted to go out and finish this thing together in the right way. We were able to do that. But yeah, definitely one of the moments where I had to catch myself a little bit, lock back in, and get ready to go.
One day long from now when you're looking back on your career, what's going to stand out to you most about being a Tennessee Titan?
It's tough to say right now. I've created so many memories during my five years here. So many fun games, and relationships that I was able to build on and off the field with my family. So many fun games here at Nissan, the hard-fought wins, the ups, and the downs, all the times in the locker room, it's endless really. I can go on with the memories forever. Thankful for my time here and what it has meant to me and my family. Definitely, a lot of things that I'll never forget.
You mentioned you had some words with Derick (Henry). What exactly did you say before you went out?
I don't remember exactly what it was. It was something like, "One time for the one time. Let's finish this thing right. Love you, brother, Let's go do this,' something like that. I think we're kind of in the same boat, right? Didn't want to get too emotional, but at the same time, acknowledge the situation and the moment. No doubt we'll have some time to sit back and reminisce a little bit in the future. That was a sweet moment and a cool moment. I'm thankful for it
Ryan, were you aware where DeAndre (Hopkins) was with his incentives? How much did it mean to help him hit some of those numbers?
I was very aware. I thought that we were actually a couple of yards short. And I told him, 'Hey I'm gonna get you this ball. I don't care what they call, I'm gonna get you this ball.' They said he ended up getting it. So, thankful that I didn't have to go rogue there, call a pass play at the end. I've got nothing to lose here. I'm out anyways, so what are they going to do? Thankful he was able to hit that. Obviously, wanted that for him and what he's meant for this team over the course of this year. Showed up for us week-in and week-out and made huge plays over the course of this season. He definitely deserves it.
You mentioned earlier this week when we talked to you just how emotional this year has been for you maybe the most emotional in your career. Looking back is there one big lesson, or one big takeaway that you can take away from this season?
I don't know if there's one overarching lesson. But, yeah, it's been emotional. It's been a hard season, obviously. Just trying to stay true to who I am, and what I believe in, and be the same guy, obviously when things are going well and obviously, this year, when things weren't going well. And there were a lot of time where I had to swallow my pride and forcefully lift my head up and go into the building with a smile on my face on days when I didn't want to. I wanted to pity myself and be mad. But I knew that wasn't a positive thing, and it wasn't a good thing for my teammates to see. I didn't want to be a negative influence in any way, an energy vampire, in any way. Had to put my chin up and a smile on my face, even when I didn't feel like it. Hopefully, I was able to help the guys out, help the team out. And they saw my character through the whole process, because at the end of the day, what you do and how you do it speaks a lot to your character.
Do you want to keep playing? How many years do you think you have left?
Yeah, I know I can keep playing. I don't know what the future holds, and we'll see. We'll cross that bridge when we get there. But I know I can keep playing. I feel good, I feel confident that if given the right opportunity and the right place, yeah, I'd love to keep playing.
