NASHVILLE – Titans coach Robert Saleh conducted a zoom conference call with reporters on Monday, one day after the team's 43-36 overtime loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Titans have a bye this Sunday. The team will return to action on November 15 against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium.
Here's a look at some of the hot topics from today's call:
-Cam Ward threw for a career-high 304 yards and two touchdowns on Sunday, with a 104.6 rating. Saleh said Ward had been improving, "and it was good for him to finally get the numbers that he'd been looking for." Saleh credited Ward's teammates for making plays, and running back Tony Pollard for his success, which opened up the play-action pass. Saleh credited offensive coordinator Brian Daboll for scheming guys open. "We still left a lot of yards out there," Saleh said, while acknowledging there were mistakes in the final moments that hurt the team's chances of winning. "We're a young offense, still trying to figure it out." Saleh said Ward still needs to clean things up from a ball security standpoint, "but it was definitely a really cool step in the right direction for him."
-Pollard racked up 117 yards and two touchdowns on Sunday, and he has five touchdowns in back-to-back 100-yard games over the past two weeks. Saleh credited Daboll and o-line coach Carmen Bricillo for their work in developing "blocking schemes and combinations we've been using" while also saying: "Give Tony credit – he breaks a lot of tackles. If the o-line is blocking it for two (yards), he is finding four and five. If they block it for six or seven, he is finding an explosive run. A lot of credit to Tony, but it is everyone."
-Saleh acknowledged the drops by the veteran receivers, which include Calvin Ridley and Wan'Dale Robinson. "It is happening way too often, in critical moments," Saleh said. "(Cam) has to be better at putting the ball where it needs to be put, but at the same time guys have to be better securing the catch at a higher clip."
-The Bengals racked up 510 yards of offense on Sunday against the Titans defense, including 462 passing yards and five touchdowns from quarterback Joe Burrow. Saleh said the Titans put together a game plan that allowed them to create turnovers, "but we have to be better. We'll be better. … We'll get it figured out."
-Saleh praised safety Amani Hooker, who had three interceptions on Sunday, for his ability to make pre-snap reads. Saleh said he texted Hooker Sunday night and asked him what the interception record is for safeties in a season "because I think he is going to break it, he is that special." Hooker has five interceptions in eight games, and Saleh said he could have a few more. "He is really playing at a Pro Bowl level," Saleh said.
-Saleh said tight end Gunnar Helm, who had five catches for 76 yards on Sunday, will continue to be involved. "Gunnar, the game plan kind of dictated it, with the way their coverage system, it allowed the tight end to roam free in the middle of the field a little bit," Saleh explained. In addition to Helm, Saleh said Chimere Dike and some of the team's younger receivers have potential that will be fun to watch moving forward.
-Saleh said defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers "is battling a very, very bad injury" and he appreciates him battling through it to play on Sundays. "I would argue," Saleh said, "a 75 percent JFM is better than most."
-Saleh said the team's medical staff is still evaluating injured players, and the team will take its time through the bye week. "I won't have an update until Wednesday of next week," Saleh said.
-Saleh ended the call congratulating NashvilleSC for their success. "Good luck in the playoffs," Saleh said. "One day we're going to meet you there."
