NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Just like over 110 million football fans, Titans general manager Jon Robinson watched Super Bowl 50.
One thing stood out, and hammered home something that's critical in building a football team, he said.
"If you look at the Super Bowl, really the outcome of that game was decided by the lines,'' Robinson said. "Denver, they beat Carolina's line and they got to Cam (Newton). Denver's line was able to hold off Carolina's rush, Peyton (Manning) stayed upright, and he was able to get the ball out and Denver wins the Super Bowl."
Robinson made his comments on Thursday at an exclusive event for Titans season ticket members at the Music City Center, when he discussed his philosophies on building a football team, the NFL Draft, and free agency.
He repeated his thoughts on the Super Bowl during another session Thursday night.
The Broncos beat the Panthers 24-10 in Super Bowl 50. The Broncos were credited with seven sacks in the contest, but they hit Panthers quarterback Cam Newton 13 times in the game. While the Panthers sacked Manning five times, they were credited with just five QB hits in the game.
The Titans sacked Newton five times in the team's game against the Panthers on Nov. 15.
"If you watch the Super Bowl, the team that actually got to the quarterback, they won the Super Bowl. The team that protected their quarterback, they won the Super Bowl,'' Robinson said. "So it is about the lines, and protecting the quarterback and keeping him upright so he can get the ball to the guys who run and catch."
On Thursday, Robinson raved about Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota, and his athletic ability.
He also talked about the strengths of the upcoming draft, and said "the offensive and defensive lines are strong areas."
As for the Titans on offense and defense, Robinson said the team needs to get better, but he acknowledged he's seen some bright spots while watching film. He mentioned guard Chance Warmack and tackle Taylor Lewan when discussing the team's offense, along with Pro Bowl tight end Delanie Walker.
"I think offensively we have the quarterback, we have a couple of pieces up front on the offensive line in Chance and Taylor. And we have to get some more consistency out of the entire group because if one is playing good and four are playing bad, then we're only as good as a whole,'' Robinson said.
"We've got some pieces on the offensive line that are good football players. Taylor Lewan is a good football player. We just need him to be more consistent. We've got some playmakers at wide receiver. We just have to be more consistent. That's what we're talking about is that consistency on a day-to-day basis, so that those guys can maximize their abilities and show up on Sundays."
Defensively, Robinson said the Titans have some key pieces as well, beginning with Pro Bowl defensive lineman Jurrell Casey.
"Getting Jason McCourty back out on the field and getting him healthy so he can get back to the level where he's capable of being,'' Robinson said. "Our defensive front seven was a pretty strong unit with (Derrick) Morgan and (Brian) Orakpo and (DaQuan) Jones and Avery Williamson. "A lot of those guys, they played really well."
