ORLANDO – Titans head coach Brian Callahan met with reporters early Monday morning here at the NFL owners meetings.
Callahan tackled a whole bunch of topics during a 30-minute period.
Let's touch on some of the biggest topics here:
-Callahan said the team added some explosiveness on offense with receiver Calvin Ridley and running back Tony Pollard.
"His speed, his ability to get in and out of breaks, to separate, are really kind of top level for the position in the league," Callahan said of Ridley. "He brings an element that we really needed, and the opportunity to add him was really awesome."
Callahan gave a pretty interesting answer when asked about the team's pursuit of Ridley.
See below:
He also discussed the pairing of Pollard and returning running back Tyjae Spears.
See below:
-Callahan said quarterback Will Levis is fired up about the new additions, and he thinks it will make him work even harder.
"What's ahead for him is exciting," Callahan said of Levis. "And, I think he really wants to be good. He's eager and willing to do what it takes to be a good player, and he's got really good physical talent. … I'm excited about what's to come for him."
Here's a clip of Callahan talking about Levis:
-The Titans, under Callahan, have made a number of changes to their strength and conditioning staff.
The team hired Zac Woodfin as Director of Sports Performance, Mark Lovat and Grant Thorne as Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coaches, and John Shaw as Assistant Sports Performance – Speed Training Coach.
Woodfin, Lovat, Thorne and Shaw join holdovers Brian Bell (Assistant Director of Sports Performance) and Haley Roberts (Sports Performance Assistant) from the team's previous sports performance staff.
Callahan spoke about the group here on Monday morning, and what it could mean moving forward.
"That was a really important hire," Callahan said of Woodfin, "and I waited until the end of it so I could really spend all my attention and focus on who the best person for that role would be. And Zac has knocked it out of the park."
Here's a video clip with background on the new coaches and what the changes could mean for injury prevention and more:
-Calahan was asked about the team reportedly trading for Chiefs cornerback L'Jarius Sneed.
Here's what he said:
-Callahan has positive things to say about quarterback Mason Rudolph, who was added to compete behind Levis.
"I've always believed in the importance of having a good back up," Callahan said, "both in the room and on the field, and I think Mason fits that bill, obviously in competition with Malik Willis. I am excited about what Mason brings and what he has shown as a player in the league."
-Callahan touched on a number of position battles, and returning players:
He mentioned Nicholas Petit-Frere and Jaelyn Duncan when asked if he things the right tackle is on the roster. He said both players have skills, but he said they need some development. He expects them to compete, "but we might end up adding a tackle in the draft," Callahan said. "We might end up adding another tackle later. It could happen a bunch of different ways."
Callahan said he sees Dillon Radunz starting out at guard.
Callahan said Elijah Molden has "some flex" because he has played nickel and safety, but he said there's room to add at the safety position.
Callahan he's looking forward to working with receiver Kyle Philips, and he likes receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine as well.
"I liked him coming out of college," Callahan said of the two returning receivers. "So, I'm excited to see what he brings. … Nick has earned his way. His journey has been impressive, what he has done and how he has done it."
Here's a chip of Callahan talking about Philips and NWI:
Callahan was also asked how he views the team's edge rushing position.
"I think good, I think with Harold (Landry) we've got a guy with proven ability to rush," Callahan said. "I think Arden (Key) is a proven situational rusher. I think he played really well last year. I think we still need more. You can never have enough pass rushers, I think we've got guys who have proven themselves, with the ability to do it.
"You'd like to have three of them. You'd like to have four of them. I think we do have some guys that can rush the passer and we'll keep trying to add guys to the position."
-Callahan has a great deal of knowledge on new cornerback Chido Awuzie – the two were together with the Bengals.
It's one of the reasons the team targeted Awuzie in free agency.
Here's a video clip below:
-Callahan said he's put in requests with the league to hold joint practices during training camp in Nashville, with one team in particular (he didn't name team).
Callahan said the league is usually pretty accommodating. The practices would pair up with a preseason opponent in August.
"I love joint practices," Callahan said. "I can't wait to do it. Hopefully we'll have a team in."
Callahan also said he expects his starters to play in the preseason, "how much they'll play remains to be seen. But there is an element of having that game feel before you go get ready to play. It doesn't have to be a lot, but I think it is important for guys to get a little bit of action."
