NASHVILLE – Titans coach Brian Callahan held a press conference on Saturday, one day after the team's 23-20 preseason win over the Falcons.
The Titans return to practice at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park this week before playing the Minnesota Vikings in the preseason finale at Nissan Stadium.
Here's a look at some of the hot topics from today's presser:
-Callahan started off today's press conference thanking a bunch of the team's staff for their work before and during the 10-day road trip to Tampa and Atlanta, from the operations department to the video department to the security team to the training staff to the equipment staff to the team's nutritionists. "I thought all of our support staff was lights out on the entirety of the trip," Callahan said. "It was really cool to watch (them) work. I just wanted publicly acknowledge and appreciate all the work they put into it to make this thing happen."
-Left tackle Dan Moore Jr., who left Friday's game early with an injury, should be OK, per Callahan.
-Oli Udoh replaced Moore at left tackle when he was injured. Callahan said the battle for the third and fourth tackle spots is open, and there's full competition. "(Udoh) has done well," Callahan said. "There are some things about Oli that have been positive. He had some opportunities in the game, and I thought he did a nice job."
-Callahan praised linebacker Cedric Gray once again after his impressive performance on Friday night. Callahan said the game is slowing down for Gray, that he's diagnosing quicker and reacting faster to plays. Callahan said Gray has proven to be an effective blitzer, and "I'm happy with where he's at."
-Callahan said running back Kalel Mullings needs to show improvement in pass protection while noting Tony Pollard and Julius Chestnut are excellent in pass pro.
-Callahan said defensive back Kendell Brooks is showing up on special teams, which helps his case to make the roster. Callahan said he has gotten better compared to last season, and "he's in the mix." "He has flashed," Callahan said of Brooks. "He has flashed in camp, and he's a downhill-type player."
-Callahan complimented cornerback Marcus Harris, who was credited with four tackles and two passes defense in Friday's game. "Marcus has really come on," Callahan said of Harris, the team's sixth round pick out of California. "He is starting to understand, he is playing with more confidence, he is playing his technique well. He does have real recovery speed. … He has come on, and he has to keep it coming. I thought it was a good game for him."
-Callahan said the team plans to practice in pads twice this week leading up to Friday's preseason finale against the Vikings. Callahan said he anticipates players playing in the game on Friday, but how much remains to be seen. "I don't have anything definitive on that at the moment," Callahan said. "But my early, general thoughts, are that we're still going to play. How much, I'll let you guys know as I figure it out, as we get through the injury report. But I plan on those guys, for the most part, playing."
