NASHVILLE – Titans interim coach Mike McCoy held a zoom press conference on Monday, one day after the team's 26-9 win over the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Titans return to action this Sunday vs the New Orleans Saints at Nissan Stadium.
Here's a look at some of the hot topics from today's presser:
-McCoy did not offer any injury updates.
-Quarterback Cam Ward completed 21-of-28 passes for 228 yards in Sunday's game, with a passer rating of 122.3.
McCoy said the rookie continues to make strides.
"Cam played an outstanding game yesterday," McCoy said. "And I just think the way he prepares; I've told you guys a number of times that he wants to be great. He tries to play perfect. You're never going to play a perfect game. But he just continues to get better week in and week out. You saw him check into a play yesterday that became a big play for us. That was not—it was not a scripted play with an alert or anything tagged to it. He did it on his own. He took off and ran once again to get a big first down for us. And I just think you see him getting better week in and week out. Is it perfect? No, but it's never going to be perfect. But he just continues to get better. And I think the way we run in the football, it helps him tremendously. And I think Cam has really now understands the benefits of playing in second-medium-to-short and third down. Same type of deal. So. I'm just very pleased with his growth week in and week out."
-The Titans have won two of their last three games, and have scored at least 24 points in four of their past five games.
McCoy said he has enjoyed seeing the team buy in since he took over for Brian Callahan back in October, and ending the season with momentum and good vibes.
"I love leading an organization, a team," he said. "And I think the players have done a phenomenal job of buying in to how we want to play, what we want to do, the entire organization really, because we're all in this thing together. So it's very rewarding when you have a game like yesterday, because this is what the players, the organization deserve, is to go out and play the way we did against a really good football team, Kansas City, who's been one of the best for—they've been in seven straight championship games, and just the way our team has played in all three phases. And we've got some great leaders on our football team and in this organization. So, I'm just so happy for the players because they deserve to win. They put so much—they bust their tails week in and week out. They've worked extremely hard. They've stayed positive. Same thing with the coaches. The plans they've put together, it's been a lot of fun seeing the guys execute the way they did yesterday. It's not surprising all the way they've worked."
-James Williams Sr. stepped in at inside linebacker and tallied nine tackles, two quarterback pressures and a sack on Sunday.
"I'm so happy for James," McCoy said. "I said that early in the week when we knew that Ced(ric Gray) was going to be out. As players, you wish you could play everybody. But that's not the way the game works. So the NFL game is an opportunity—you've got to make the most of your opportunity. And that's something that James did. James worked extremely hard the entire season. Did a great job whenever he was over on the look teams for the offense, in the kicking game, when he's playing, obviously being a core special teams player for us all year long. And you just love turning the tape on last night or this morning and watching it and seeing him making the plays that he made, getting the sack. Just so happy for him because it's, like I said, it's all about making the most of your opportunities. And he went out there yesterday and did that."
-Edge rusher Jaylen Harrell recorded another sack on Sunday, and has been surging of late.
"Well, I think it's making the most of your opportunities," McCoy said of Harrell. "You're playing more. You look at the players on the defense that he's playing with, the leadership, the way they work. He's got two vets that he is behind. He's been working in with. And they all rotate, obviously, during the games. You've got a great player like Jeff (Simmons) inside. And then it's a great example of a guy making the most out of his opportunities and more playing time. And give the coaches, give Ben (Bloom) credit for the way he's worked with him and how he's done and how he has helped them become a better player. And that's why, like I mentioned earlier, give these coaches a ton of credit for helping these young players play at a higher level and getting better every week."
-The Titans will practice Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday of this week, which is different than the regular schedule for Sunday game.
McCoy said he wanted to give players and coaches Christmas Day off on Thursday.
"That was an easy one for me," McCoy said. "Knowing—I'm a family person, we can't thank our families enough for the sacrifices we make as players and coaches and everybody in an organization. So when I started looking a couple weeks back at what we were going to do, I thought of family first and thinking that give these players and coaches and everyone in the organization the opportunity spend the entire Christmas day with their families, I think they deserve it. Your kids are only a certain age for so long, so the more time you can spend with them on Christmas morning, they deserve. And it was an easy decision for me to make the schedule because the type of players we have, and their work ethic, and how they've worked week in and week out, through the ups and downs of the season. They haven't flinched at all, so I had no hesitation at all of saying, 'Okay, hey, we're going to practice Tuesday and Wednesday. Get out of here Wednesday afternoon, and then enjoy Christmas Eve and Christmas with the family.' Because these players deserve it, and I got all the confidence in the world that they're going to prepare the right way, and come back Friday focused, and continue to work the way they have all week long. So I'd like to say Merry Christmas to all our fans out there, and everybody in the organization, to have a great Christmas with their families."
-McCoy had his son on the field in post-game, along with his "adopted son," he said with a smile.
"I had my son Luke with me, and then I had my adopted son," he said. "To what I saw last night on the media, that was Mike Borgonzi's son, Joey, that was with me. So it was kind of great to have him down there. And all the media post last night, my two boys out there, but that was actually Mike's son with me and having him come from Kansas City. Luke's now 23, so 13 years ago, I know what Luke went through on game days when we played another team, or through my days in Denver and San Diego, when you play the teams where you're coming from, or you coach what it means. So it was a great opportunity to take Joey out there with us and see some of his old favorite players. And obviously, Coach (Andy) Reid, what a great guy he is to go out there and shake his hand and talk about everybody. So it's a lot of fun being able to do that. And Luke had a great time taking him around also."
