Interview: Titan Radio's Larry Stone
Jeff Fuqua
Jun 5, 2009
 |
Over
the next few weeks, goTitans.com will interview a number of the media
who cover the Tennessee Titans. Our first interview is with Larry
Stone,
executive producer and gameday host of the Tennessee Titans Radio Network
.
What is your opinion of the Titans draft and what role will the top selections play in '09?
If there's anything that's difficult to predict in the NFL, it's the
draft. To me, you listen to the coaches. Are they excited about the
guys? You saw it last year with Jim Washburn and William Hayes -- a guy
that the rest of us spent the afternoon wondering "who?" In this case,
there seems to be very genuine anticipation about how some of these
guys can fit in. Mike Heimerdinger's reaction to Kenny Britt, for
example, said he was sold that Britt could help and not just be another
receiver body.
Much like the 2000 draft, the help the Titans get from this class will
define how exceptional we can rate the team's depth. Remember, Keith
Bulluck played little as a rookie.
The other thing I like about the draft: you seem to see even more a
willingness between Mike Reinfeldt and Jeff Fisher as well as their
respective staffs to take a chance on a guy. The second day...it's
worth a reach...especially at this point of the team's development (a
more veteran, talent-laden squad). If it works, great. If it doesn't,
that's ok. Does McCourty or Schommer make an impact? Let's see...if
they don't, I don't think the Titans will be worried about keeping
draft picks on the roster.
What do you think the loss of Albert Haynesworth and the addition
of defensive coordinator Chuck Cecil will impact the Titans defense
this season?
I really don't see the Cecil change being a major factor. When it's all
said and done, this is Jeff Fisher's Titans defensive system. Chuck
will be challenged with the calls on gameday...and making the
adjustments...but the system itself remains close to Jeff Fisher's
plans. That's not to say Chuck won't tweak it, just as Jim did with the
pressure adjustments he made to Gregg Williams' style.
Losing a guy like Albert Haynesworth is not easy. I've said and written
many times I thought his re-signing stood as the toughest decision this
franchise faced since it arrived here. Still, I think the Titans
believed that kind of investment at defensive tackle did not fit the
strategy they have for building a roster.
What Titans players do you expect will have a breakout season in '09 on offense and defense?
One of the biggest keys to the success of last year...the way guys
blossomed from 2007. Tulloch, Griffin, Finnegan are just a couple of
examples. Jason Jones would seem to fit that mold...a guy that produced
last year...now, what happens with a year of off-season work,
off-season conditioning, spending extra time in the playbook with
Washburn.
Those types of guys have to get better for you to get better as a team.
Can Vince Young push Kerry Collins for the starting QB spot this season?
No. It would take a monumental failure or injury in the Collins camp for a change to take place in 2009.
What do you anticipate as the biggest change for the Titans offensive this season?
Mike Heimerdinger has had more time to prepare an offense with an
experienced quarterback who can throw the ball down the field...and a
group of receivers he should trust more. What will he do with that?
Similarly, how will that ability to stretch the field help the run game?
Finally, we saw very little of what many expected when the Titans
drafted Chris Johnson. Remember the "he's only a receiver in a running
back's number" comments. Is Chris ready to expand his playbook? Does
Mike feel like he can do more?
What do you see as the position the Titans will look to improve or add depth to before the start of the regular season?
It still would not surprise me to see the Titans add a veteran receiver
based on what they see from Davis, Hawkins and Williams during the June
workouts. It's tough to call it a last chance, but I think in lots of
ways, it is.
A veteran along the offensive line might also be an area to consider.
What will be some of the top positional challenges we can expect to see this training camp and preseason?
You don't see many starter battles in camp -- maybe Leroy Harris'
ability to push for more playing time. This camp will be more about (a)
pushing for the bottom roster spots and (b) pushing the staff to keep
you over another position.
For example, if you're a receiver and you're not Britt, Gage or
Washington, you need to be pushing the team to keep an extra receiver
over a running back.
Wideout, backfield, linebacker, secondary -- all have plenty of those types of matchups.
With LenDale White in his final season, what do you anticipate him
needing to do in order for the Titans to offer him a long-term deal?
Work hard. Produce. Be productive both on the field and in the
lockerroom. Then, the question becomes what is a long-term deal? Much
beyond two years, I just don't see that with a running back.
Which players do you feel are "on the hot seat" and need a solid
training camp/preseason in order to make the '09 53-man roster?
There are obvious answers... guys like Chris Henry and Paul Williams.
Beyond that, a guy like Ryan Fowler needs to produce. He fell off the
radar in 2008. Will the Titans see more upside (at less cost) in a
recent draft pick?
Roster spot isn't the issue, but for Vince Young, this is likely the most important camp of his football career to this point.
Do you feel the Titans have done enough to make a push for the Super Bowl this season?
At this point, probably only one team does not feel that way -- and I'm
hoping Jim Schwartz doesn't read this. You have to have so many
breaks...so many things fall the right way. The 2008 Titans got that.
It is foolish to believe this team will not have to endure more bumps
in the road. The schedule, for example, is already full of them. A
short week for the opener. West coast trips. Different kickoff times.
How do you deal with the bumps? How long does it take you to get over
them? Those are keys along with avoiding a slow start and devistating
injuries.
Larry Stone
oversees
all aspects of the on-air product at Titans Radio including eight hours of game day
coverage on the 70+ stations in seven states covered. Stone also serves as host of the gameday broadcast, working
closely with the team of Mike Keith and Frank Wycheck.
|
|
| NEXT GAME |
TBA
|
| LAST GAME |
| Titans |
17 |
| Seahawks |
13 |
| Passing |
V. Young:
17/28, 171 yards,
1 INT, LG 29,
RT 63.2 |
| Rushing |
C. Johnson:
36/134, 3.7 AVG, 2 TDs, LG 12 |
| Receptions |
N. Washington:
6/83, 13.8 AVG,
LG 29 |
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2009
TEAM STATS
|
|
Total Offense
|
12th
|
|
Total: 351.4
|
| Passing: 189.4 |
| Rushing: 162.0 |
| Scoring Avg.: 22.1 |
| Total Defense |
28th |
| Total: 365.6 |
| Passing: 258.7 |
| Rushing: 106.9 |
| Scoring Avg.: 25.1 |
2009
STAT LEADERS
|
|
Passing
|
| V. Young |
|
Attempts: 259
|
| Completions: 152 |
| Yards: 1879 |
| Touchdowns: 10 |
| Interceptions: 7 |
| Passer Rating: 82.8 |
| Rushing |
| C. Johnson |
| Carries: 358 |
| Yards: 2006 |
| Average: 5.6 |
| Touchdowns: 14 |
| Receiving |
| K. Britt |
| Receptions: 42 |
| Yards: 701 |
| Average: 16.7 |
| Touchdowns: 3 |
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