NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Rare is a transcript some thing I'd share here, but Bill Callahan's first conversation with the press seems worthy. I was with the group for about 10 minutes before splitting off to get other offensive coaches.
Here's a lightly edited transcript with some re-ordering and a few videos spliced in with some notes with my thoughts in italics.
Bill Callahan has no doubt about JC Latham at LT for #Titans. https://t.co/HMltI0wYIj
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) May 9, 2024
That "I don't" answer to "Do you have any doubts about his ability to move to the right?" is the answer that should put everyone at ease about the shape of the line. We're looking at Latham, Peter Skoronski and Lloyd Cushenberry, left-to-center, which is solid. Then competition on the left side. If you're demanding pre-camp solidity at those two spots then you're just not familiar with the shape the roster was in at the end of 2023.
The Titans have addressed left tackle, center, two receiver spots, running back, defensive end, nose tackle, two inside linebacker spots and two cornerback spots in the starting lineup -- 11 starting spots in all. Additionally, they added a backup quarterback, a return man who could play some receiver, a fourth corner, and two more outside linebacker. That's 16 contributors before we assess the class of undrafted free agents.
They simply weren't going to be able to get new everywhere and Callahan has been known to develop previously under-developed players.
Callahan on Jedrick Wills flip from right to left tackle in Cleveland
JC will come in here and learn a whole different skill set of footwork, angle sets, things of that nature that he hasn’t been exposed to. But I do give JC credit because when he was here for his 30 visit, we talked a lot about the matchups that he had at Alabama, some of the great defensive ends that he had to go against each day, It was interesting to talk to him about all the various moves that he learned from these defensive linemen, and then he could talk really comfortably about what they were trying to do to him, how they were trying to do it. So I think he;s a little more advanced in that regard – knowing the types of moves that he’s going to encounter.
Not to say that Jedrick didn’t. Because Jedrick faced a slew of good played there as well. It was just interesting the dialogue we had. I didn’t have that with Jed because it was Covid at the time that we drafted Jed. We didn’t have the 30 visit, I didn’t get the school visit. The only visits I had with Jed were over Zoom when we were getting him ready to play as a rookie. But he made a tremendous transition as well. If you can imagine not seeing a player the whole spring, showing up to training camp., and training a rookie, flipping his position.
On what he's doing at this stage
I’m just evaluating, assessing, trying to help these guys learn a whole new different tool box than they are accustomed to. They are exceptional hard workers, that’s great, that's a good start for us. Then how it plays out, I think we’ll wait. I'll kind of be a little bit more reserved on my judgment until we get to training camp and we get a chance to see them in the preseason when the live bullets start flying. Right now it’s all positive. These guys are working hard. They are learning some new sets, different angles, different strikes, things of that nature that can help their game.
Qualities his guys have to have
The physicality is non-negotiable. That's in their DNA here, I’ve always felt that. That part of playing hard, playing with tempo has always been there for these kids. It’s just a matter of tweaking techniques. It’s just a matter of giving them a couple different tools in terms of tools, hands, things of that nature to try to build them a different toolbox.
No, he wasn't going to take outright shots at the previous coaching or what was left behind for him. But he didn't have to go out of his way to compliment Tennessee Titan offensive line DNA as if Mike Munchak and not Kevin Carter and Jason Houghtaling were the previous IOL coaches. But he did. That's more than being classy, I think.
On Lloyd Cushenberry
It’s great to have Lloyd here. The thing that strikes me about Lloyd is, he’s a guy that could have gone anywhere. I’m happy that he got paid and deservingly so. But he wanted to be with a team that could improve his game and he wants to be great. And that really struck me, that the game goes deeper than the wallet for him. He had tremendous passion, curiosity, and intellect that goes beyond anything. He’s great for our room, super for the team in terms of running the show up from and he had a dynamic presence that will obviously help all younger players come along in time.
Huge compliments. When he arrived Cushenberry spoke of Callahan being a big draw for him.
On being able to leave the Browns to come work for Brian Callahan with the Titans.
It was really interesting. A year ago he was interviewing around the league and I didn’t think I was going to do that, I didn’t think I wasn’t going to go with him at the time. We had long discussions about that. This year was a little bit different when he got the job I just felt compelled to help him I felt that at this junction of my career, God-willing how many years I’ve got left, I just wanted to really help him, help the Titans help him succeed, it was kind of a no-brainer in that regard. It’s family. I want to see him succeed just like any parent wants to see their child succeed. Yeah, it’s rare, it’s unique. I’m fired up about it.
Bill Callahan wasn't fired up about Indianapolis or Arizona. Brian Callahan also interviewed with Denver by Zoom in 2022.
When Brian got the job
I was very excited, just overwhelmed that he got the job. It’s beyond anything I ever imagined for him. When he was a teenager, going to training camp with us, he would stay with us for weeks, be throwing with Jerry Rice, he'd be out there with Rich Gannon. I never thought that this would come to this juncture where he is right now. Incredibly proud of what he’s done, of course all my children I’m proud of them. But you know the steps that he’s taken to do it on his own, it was his own path, his own journey. It was earned, he was completely dedicated and driven to do this and do this. So proud of him and so excited for him as well.
Working with Nick Holz
Never thought that. Nick Holz is a tremendous individual, I think one of the bright minds in the game. I think you will see that in years to come. I think Brian has put together a tremendous staff. You look at Dennard (Wilson) and some of the coaches on the staff that have come up through the ranks from being (quality control coaches) up through the ranks to where they are now, it an exceptionally smart, bright, intellectually-driven staff which is fun. The room is great, it keeps me young. When I am in there those guys are always bouncing ideas off or sharing experiences so that’s been positive.
Going back to Nick, I think he’s going to be a star in this league. I think the future is really bright for him. For him and Brian to be back together again, that’s another unique situation. They both played together in high school, they followed each other in college, kept their friendship together in college, so it speaks to both their character.
(similarities in father/son coaching styles)
He’s his own person and I’m my own person for all these years. What’s interesting is he knows what I am lik for al;l; these shared experiences when you go back in time and you think about how we’ve communicated through wins and loses as a son and a dad and all those experiences he had in high school and in college
The transition has been seamless for me, it was very natural and it was very comfortable.
Saadihiq Charles, signed from Washington
Had a really good career in Washington I felt. Some of the things I identified on film were positive, could play into our scheme and could add into what we are doing here. It was a little bit of a no-brainer to acquire him. I think we’re going to put him in the best position he can play, we’re going to put the best five out there who’s to say that he can’t play center as well? We have to train everybody, cross-train them across the board.
Coaching as he's gotten older
The more experience you have as a coach it becomes easier. I’ve got a little more patience now than I did when I was 30, 35 years old. So it’s a little bit more natural for me to walk into a room and try to turn the switches around a little bit differently.
Leroy Watson who the Titans traded for from Cleveland
Bill Callahan on Leroy Watson. #Titans. pic.twitter.com/aOkLP8RnK3
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) May 9, 2024
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