Titans HC Brian Callahan: OTA Presser Full Highlights

AtoZ Sports

Tennessee Titans HC Brian Callahan spoke to the media prior to the team's practice this morning. Callahan discussed versatility at the WR position, what all rookie QB Cam Ward has learned thus far, and managing a 'marathon' of a season for some of the Titans new faces.

Transcript

00:00We have a pretty good feel for where we think they naturally fit.

00:05And then we're putting guys in positions to see what they can handle as far as volume goes,

00:09as far as position movement goes, how much can guys move.

00:13This is a bit of a learning period for us, especially about our new players.

00:16A lot of new players, a lot of young players have a position.

00:19So we're just trying to find out where they best fit.

00:21We have some pretty good ideas of what we think they're capable of doing,

00:24but we're sort of pushing them and testing them on those limits

00:27and where we can use them and how we can use them.

00:29But so far, I've been happy with that group and where they've progressed to.

00:33We're seeing fun, young, talented players and kind of learning every day.

00:37And then we're trying to integrate the veteran guys.

00:39This might be just a bit different for them than normal.

00:41So they're all learning, but it's been a good process.

00:45There's definitely a route tree inside that takes a particular skill set to do.

00:52There's teams I think you're finding more and more have more slot receivers

00:56because formations are condensed.

00:59So a lot of things are inside the numbers.

01:01You're kind of working with two or three different versions of some players.

01:04I think the Rams are a good example of that style of offense.

01:09But there's a lot of different ways you can use players.

01:12There's a lot of different body types that you can use inside.

01:16But there is a certain skill set you have to have.

01:18There's a recognition you have to have and a feel because everything inside is different

01:22than it is just going one-on-one with a corner.

01:24Or just being able to see a corner and a safety.

01:26That part is just a lot more challenging for those guys inside.

01:30It's just the recognition part.

01:33Understanding what's being thrown at them from a defensive perspective.

01:37Protection game is always really important.

01:39So we're hitting reps at that.

01:40Today is a big third down day.

01:41So we'll see lots of different pressures.

01:43Understanding where your answers are.

01:45Those things have progressed.

01:46I'm happy with that process so far.

01:49And then you're just seeing different types of space and field defense that throws

01:54that maybe he might have made in college that don't show up in the NFL the same way.

01:58He's learning from those.

01:59I think it's been great.

02:00He's had a lot of learning that has occurred from just the act of doing

02:04and things that he's maybe used to doing that are different at this level.

02:07And that's always for young quarterbacks the case.

02:09It's always going to feel different.

02:10So pleased with where he's at.

02:12He's picking it up pretty quickly as far as the mental part goes.

02:15And we're learning every day he's out here.

02:17When you've got a guy like you.

02:18I've had that conversation.

02:19You know, there's everybody always starts out of the gate pretty hot.

02:24But you start to get in the actual routine and you understand how long of a season it is

02:31and the marathon that it is for young players from the time they finish the college season

02:35to the time they finish the NFL season.

02:37I've made that point.

02:39Again, it's not telling him what to do.

02:41I'm just making the point that there's a lot ahead of him that he's not aware of yet.

02:45When it comes to this length and the week to week to run when it comes up for these guys.

02:52It is a marathon.

02:53I mean, this is a long run for these young players.

02:56And all of them have to have the same sort of mindset that you're trying to get better every day.

03:00You're trying to put the work in that's required.

03:02But there's also that element of this is going to go all the way into January every day for the next several months.

03:09And there is a bit of pace that's probably required.

03:12So they learn.

03:13They figure it out.

03:14But you try to help them and give them advice and point them out if you can.

03:17But I have no problem with guys trying to get the work in.

03:19It's a balance for sure.

03:21One of the things that's good about these practice settings too is we do encourage those guys to try throws.

03:27And particularly for camp, new scheme, new concepts.

03:33Maybe footwork's different.

03:35Covered structures are more varied.

03:37Different things that show up.

03:38So try things out is sort of the message that we tell all those guys.

03:42If you want to try an aggressive throw, try it out.

03:44We're going to point out where and when it could be better.

03:47Here's your other alternative.

03:48But this time of year is for finding out what you can get away with.

03:52There also is a time that you've got to understand that we're trying to move the ball forward and

03:56you can't take negative plays.

03:57And you don't want to take sacks on the ball.

03:59So how can you best protect the ball and protect the ball?

04:02Those are all sort of ongoing conversations.

04:04But certainly encourage guys in practice to be aggressive and try throws that

04:08see what it feels like.

04:10Yes.

04:11Yes.

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