NASHVILLE – Four new Titans were introduced on Thursday at Saint Thomas Sports Park, and they're now joined together on the same team.
Running back Tony Pollard, center Lloyd Cushenberry, cornerback Chidobe Awuzie and linebacker Kenneth Murray all officially signed with the Titans on Thursday.
They came in on the same day, met with coaches, ate lunch together, and answered questions from reporters.
The early vibes, well, they're good.
"Being here, the energy here has been immaculate," Murray, who played the past four seasons with the Chargers, said at an afternoon press conference. "I think this place is up-and-coming, and I just want to be a part of something special, building something special, and win some football games."
Pollard said he feels it, too.
So did Awuzie.
"Being here, being around," Pollard said. "Feeling the energy of the new staff, the new guys in the building. … You feel the energy, and this feels like the place I needed to be."
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Tony Pollard Back in Tennessee
Pollard (6-0, 215) returns to Tennessee after playing the past five seasons (2019-23) with the Dallas Cowboys, where he earned a Pro Bowl selection following the 2022 campaign.
Pollard was a fourth-round selection by the Cowboys in the 2019 NFL Draft from the University of Memphis.
"It just felt like this was the place for me to be, especially coming back home, with family so close," said Pollard, who went to Memphis Melrose High School. "It was just perfect timing. Everything worked out the way it should, me being from Memphis, born and raised in Memphis, went to the University of Memphis. So, I am very familiar with the area, have a lot of family here. It just made sense for me to be home."
Each of the past two years, Pollard had posted 1,000-yard rushing seasons and ranked seventh among NFL running backs during that time with 2,012 rushing yards. Over his career, he has tallied 3,621 rushing yards, 23 rushing touchdowns and seven 100+ yard performances. Additionally, he has posted 176 career receptions for 1,319 receiving yards and five touchdowns. He has played in 79 of a possible 83 career games. In 2023, he totaled 1,005 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 252 carries and 55 receptions for 311 yards.
"All I am focusing on is coming in and being the best me I can be this year," said Pollard, who will work alongside fellow running back Tyjae Spears. "I am glad I found a home, and I'm ready to get to work."
Lloyd Cushenberry, Man in the Middle
Cushenberry said there were a lot of factors that influenced his decision to sign with the Titans.
One of them was the presence of veteran offensive line coach Bill Callahan.
"The biggest factor was Bill Callahan – his resume speaks for itself," Cushenberry said. "He's coached a lot of great guys. I've heard a lot of great things about him. I think it's a good opportunity for me to grow my game and take that next step as a player."
Cushenberry (6-4, 315) joins the Titans after four seasons (2020-23) with the Denver Broncos. He has started and played 57 career games since entering the NFL and was the first Denver center to start all 16 games as a rookie. Last year, he played in all 17 games and lined up for 99.7 percent of the offensive snaps. Denver drafted Cushenberry with a third-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
He plans to help lead the way in Tennessee.
"I am looking forward to it," Cushenberry said. "First of all, I want to come in and show these guys what kind of worker I am. I am not really a huge talker off the field, I just want to establish myself, make sure these guys know I am a hard worker and show what a hard worker I am, lead these guys by example."
CB Chidobe Awuzie Ready to Make an Impact
Awuzie is a tough, physical corner, and he plans to prove it in Tennessee.
"I am a competitive guy," Awuzie said. "Really physical, a technician, and I am a brother. I have always been part of a brotherhood, or a team, and I've been able to excel in the locker room, and the culture of winning. So, when that is the standard, which I feel is the case here, I feel like they'll get the best of me.
"I am really excited to implement what I have, and also to earn the respect of everybody in the building – that is my No.1 goal at first."
Awuzie (6-0, 202) brings seven years of NFL experience to the Titans, including four seasons (2017-20) with Dallas and three years (2021-23) with Cincinnati. Over his NFL career, he has totaled 369 tackles, six interceptions, 62 passes defensed, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries in 86 games (74 starts). His 62 passes defensed rank 20th in the NFL since 2017.
"The No.1 thing, again, is about earning respect," said Awuzie, who tallied 156 tackles, two interceptions, 25 passes defensed, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery in three years with the Bengals. His 25 passes defensed led all Bengals defensive backs over the last three years. "If you are around me, I like to push people, and I like to be pushed as well."
Kenneth Murray Ready to Raise His Game
Murray (6-2, 242) played from 2020-23 with the Chargers. Over his NFL career, he's totaled 321 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, five sacks, two interceptions, 10 passes defensed and one forced fumble in 59 games (53 starts).
He has high expectations for himself on a new team, in Nashville.
"I can come here, and be dynamic, and I'm really looking forward to that," said Murray, who tallied 107 tackles, seven tackles for loss, three sacks, one interception and four passes defensed last season.
Murray was a first-round pick (23rd overall) by the Chargers in the 2020 NFL Draft.
"I definitely feel like I am a guy on the rise," Murray said. "Everybody's journey is different. My story may not have had the storybook story that people may have wanted. I came out and had some ups and some downs. After this past season I was able to showcase my abilities, and I think they expect more of that in the future."
