How much pressure is on Cam Ward in his rookie season? | Jessica Benson Show
I keep seeing the same sentiment over and over when it comes to Cam Ward and this is the notion that he is the most slept on, most underrated number one pick that we have ever had maybe. And at some point when enough people are saying that, don’t you think it changes to the pressure begins to build a little bit for Cam Ward as that hype machine starts to grow through this preseason process? In a way, but the fact that the Titans did go, you know, three and 14 last year seems to help them. Uh because I’m I I’m seeing I’m starting to see though some people saying that, you know, the AC South is not overpowering. Just because the Houston Texans have won this division the last two years, it’s there for the taking. We have literally seen a team go worst to first most years. It didn’t happen in 24, but it happened in 23. We saw Jaden Daniels come in as, you know, the number one pick last year, take the Commanders to the playoffs. So, you know, a rookie quarterback coming in. The year before that it was CJ Strad with Houston. So, it can be done with a rookie quarterback. It can certainly be done in the AC South. Uh it and you’re right about a certain amount of pressure because people are starting to pay more attention. It’s like, ooh, oh wait, I forgot Cam Ward was taken by the Titans. What is he doing down there? And the the reviews here are that he’s doing a good job. You know, the Titans defense, the defensive coordinator is throwing the kitchen sink at this young man, trying to help him get ready. We’ll see. That’s what makes these joint practices today in Tampa, next week with Atlanta, h how you know the value of those and what somebody else throws at him, how he handles it. But then Sunday, the offense was so bad the coach was cussing them out. Um, you know, it was an ugly performance. They bounce back with what we saw yesterday, a good performance. He’s a rookie. It’s going to happen. So, but yeah, people are starting to pay attention and u you know, that’s the thing. I think that’s the biggest reason for this two-week road trip for the Titans is to see if he can help, you know, I mean, with the with the changes, it’s it’s it’s not as bad as college football, but you got to bring a team together quickly in an off season, and that’s what he’s trying to do with this road trip. What’s been the thing that you’ve liked the most from from Cam Ward out at practice, CJ? The way that he’s always talking to, you know, he’s always talking trash. uh you know he doesn’t back down from defenses but he’s always talking to his receivers. He’s trying to make sure that they are on the same wavelength that they’re seeing and and and you know it’s like why did you make this turning around? This is what I saw. This is why I threw the ball here. And you know, I’m not going to be surprised if we see a lot of ELA Manor and Shim DK out of Florida, the two receivers that were taken on the third day of the draft, because those two, I mean, the the receiving court has got, you know, playing time up for grabs. Yes, you’ve got Calvin Ridley who’s become his best friend at Cam Ward. You’ve got Tyler Lockett from Seattle who’s that WY veteran. You’ve got Van Jefferson who is trying to show that he’s at least the number three, if not number two receiver, but those two rookies are going to be huge. And Gunnar Helm, the tight end from Texas, he’s a guy that, you know, I tend to agree with some of my colleagues up here in the Nashville media court. He might be the number one tight end on this team right now. Uh, so they’ve said these young players are going to be the ones leading them and there’s a young group on offense around Cam Ward ready to pick that up and go. How have you seen the relationship between Cam Ward and Jeffrey Simmons grow? I I saw a picture of the two of them fishing together and then there was a clip that circulated on one of the NFL Network interviews where Jeffrey Simmons was joking about how yeah sure Cam Ward’s dicing up the defense now but once he gets back in the mix like that’s a different story. It just feels as if in terms of having like a defensive vet that Cam Ward can lean on. That relationship has started to grow early. Oh absolutely. when Jeff Simmons came in in the mini camp at the end of the offseason program, he was talking so much smack at at uh Cam Ward and the rookie came right back. So, I think that there’s that one that respect that this rookie is not backing down and if he’s taking it from a teammate, a threetime pro bowler, and you know, Jeff Simmons is has lost a bunch of weight. He’s down to around 305, which is what he’s listed at. Uh but he is moving very very fast. Uh it’s one of those things that he’s helping him with the, you know, the pressure and the fire, the defenses he’s going to be facing. But, you know, Jeff Simmons is a Mississippi kid. Cam Ward is a Texas kid, you know, so I think there’s something there as well that they do get along. And I I I think it’s only a win-win because, you know, if you’ve got that I mean, how many times we hear teams kind of met falling apart when there’s this division between offense and defense, but when your top defensive player and your quarterback have each other’s backs, I think that’s something that can only help throughout the locker room. Oh, and the Titans on Tuesday to help that situation brought in Camward’s cousin, a 10-year veteran, a three-time Pro Bowler in Quandre Diggs, who the Titans signed last year. He played eight games before a foot injury and he is back with the team to, you know, brings a lot of experience to that secondary room. But I’m really curious to see how long he sticks around because he looked good when he was playing last year. He just got hurt. So, and now he’s got a guy who, you know, Cam Ward walks into the locker room, not only is Jeff Simmons standing there, uh, his cousin Quandre Diggs does is right there as well. When the Titans play the Bucks this weekend, how much run do you expect for Cam Ward, has there been any indication they’re they’re playing for that? Yeah. Oh, yes. Uh, Brian Callahan said yesterday that, you know, Cam Ward will be playing with the starters at least a series or two. So, we’ll see how that goes. I mean, preseason games, we’ve seen starters go a series and then out. So, but Cam Ward, I mean, they understand they need him ready September 7th at Denver. So, uh, if he gets two series Saturday night, I won’t be surprised with the rest of the preeason. It’s the preseason, but at the end of the day, there are, you know, things that you can take away, things that people look forward to. Is there one storyline that you’re particularly interested in seeing play out as we get into the preseason action this coming weekend? Does Aaron Rogers play in Pittsburgh? How does Shador Sanders play for the Browns in a quarterback room that’s got six guys? Not, you know, that counts all the injured guys, but I mean, yeah, he’s fourth. Exactly. He uh Shador Sanders is fourth on their quarterback list, the roster that that depth chart that they put out Monday, and yet he’s starting against Carolina. So, uh yeah, that that’s good. And Travis Hunter, I mean, he’s the kid that they’re working in at, you know, he’s starting at wide receiver opposite Brian Thomas for the Jaguars, but he’s also listed as a backup cornerback. Is he going to play two ways in the in the preseason or are they saving that for packages when they hit the the regular season? So, those are some of the things I’m keeping an eye out. Teresa, what what are some some things that Titans fans should be excited about going into the the season this year? Well, Cam Ward, I mean, you know, the fact outside of Cam Ward, right? I think everybody’s excited about Cam Cam. I mean, I literally just saw a tweet pop up that said, “Happy Cam Ward first official joint practice day to all who celebrate.” So, we’re just checking off everything on the list of what we can anticipate to see from Cam Ward this season. Well, the offensive line, I mean, let’s face it, it’s been a revolving door. Uh, the inability to protect a quarterback going back, it’s been an ongoing issue. Uh there’s a reason why they spent, you know, consecutive first round picks on offensive line. Uh Dan Moore has kind of been invisible in training camp and for a left tackle that’s a good thing, especially with their recent history. So, can they protect the quarterback? Uh can they do that through the, you know, through the second and third teams? Uh special teams, I mean, we’ve got a new kicker and Joey Sly. He hit that 66 yarder a couple weeks ago in in practice at the stadium. They’ve got Johnny Hecker who’s been a Pro Bowl punter. We’re still looking to see who will be the returner. Is it uh you know Prochay who’s wide receiver and I’m trying to think of the other uh uh Jaquan Jackson is also been getting a chance. So, who steps up at returner? And, you know, on defense, I really want to see we’re, you know, Legious Sneeed is not quite back yet from the pup list. So, we’ll see when he gets back. But, in the meantime, he hasn’t been very healthy since he came to Tennessee. So, who is going to step up? Right now, it’s it’s been Roger Mccuri, Jarvis Brownley, who’s in his second year really coming on. And remember last week I mentioned James Williams at inside linebacker. That’s a kid that it’s like what? He just keeps finding a way. He’s he’s the starter at inside linebacker next to Cody Barton, the guy they went out and signed. So, yet another young player that the Titans are going to be leaning on heavily this season. So, uh there’s a lot to watch. Um, and and you what receivers are, you know, how’s that receiver rotation going? Because that may be the the area with the most competition for jobs on the roster when the cuts are made August 26th. The Jessica Benson Show with CJ Hurt.
Teresa Walker from the AP joins the Jessica Benson Show with CJ Hurt to discuss Tennessee Titans training camp and the biggest stories of the NFL Preseason.
How much pressure is facing Titans QB Cam Ward? Does he need to be good right away or will the organization and fans be patient with him? Plus, why do the Cleveland Browns have SIX quarterbacks on their roster?
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