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Robert Saleh is changing his approach in Tennessee. The new Titans head coach announced Thursday he’ll be calling defensive plays himself – something he didn’t do during his tenure with the Jets.
“Calling plays, for me, it’s not necessarily about control, but it’s about connecting with the players,” Saleh explained during his introductory press conference. “When you’re calling plays, you feel the strain that you’re putting on them with each call. You’re feeling the connection and what each one is going through.”
Saleh regrets not handling playcalling duties in New York, where his Jets compiled a disappointing 20-36 record. He believes the hands-off approach prevented him from fully engaging with the game’s flow and building stronger connections with his players.
That connection will be crucial as Saleh tackles perhaps his most important challenge – developing quarterback Cam Ward, last year’s No. 1 pick.
To help with that mission, Saleh hired former Giants head coach Brian Daboll as offensive coordinator. It’s a move that should excite Titans fans given Daboll’s impressive quarterback resume that includes work with Brett Favre, Tom Brady, and Josh Allen.
The Daboll Factor
Saleh didn’t mince words about why he brought in Daboll, calling him the “perfect man to match up with Ward” while highlighting how Daboll’s scheme consistently identifies run/pass conflicts in opposing defenses, then “attack[s] the s— out of it.”
Daboll most recently worked with Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart and has a knack for maximizing quarterback talent – something Saleh couldn’t accomplish with Zach Wilson in New York.
Robert Saleh was all smiles as he met the media in Tennessee for the first time Thursday.
In reflecting on Wilson’s struggles after being selected second overall in 2021, Saleh admitted he didn’t provide enough support through defense and the run game. He pointed to Tom Brady’s first season with the Patriots (413 pass attempts in 15 games) as a blueprint for developing young quarterbacks.
“He was backed by an elite defense with an unbelievable run game and a system that allowed him to just kind of move the sticks on third down, be great in two-minute, be efficient in the red zone and score points,” Saleh explained. “The best way to develop a quarterback is to give him a team that doesn’t make him feel like he has to be Superman. But, I don’t want to put a straitjacket on him either.”
Saleh and Ward have only spoken briefly since the coaching hire, but the defensive-minded coach already has clear ideas about what the young QB needs to improve after a rookie campaign that included 3,169 passing yards, 15 TDs and 7 interceptions.
“For Cam, it’s just helping him understand what’s most important in that moment and helping develop a mindset that he doesn’t have to be the hero,” said Saleh. “It’s OK to rely on your teammates.”
The Titans aren’t short on resources to build around their young quarterback. Saleh and GM Mike Borgonzi have over $100 million in cap space for the upcoming free agency period, plus 10 draft picks – including the valuable No. 4 overall selection.
This financial flexibility should give Tennessee plenty of options as they look to add talent around Ward while Saleh implements the defensive vision he’ll now be calling himself on gamedays.
