Bill Callahan & The Titans OL
Short discussion about the Titans OL vs. Saints (Preseason Week 3)
This is a spur of the moment chalk talk I felt compelled to have after watching the film from the Tennessee Titans final preseason game vs. New Orleans. I am thoroughly impressed and giddy about the Tennessee Titans offensive line play.
The success of all offenses begins and ends up front with the offensive line unit. The Titans hired Brian Callahan earlier this year following 5 seasons under previous head coach Mike Vrabel. Callahan was previously the offensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals and the son of longtime and legendary NFL offensive line coach, Bill Callahan, who was currently serving as the Cleveland Browns OL Coach since 2020.
Coach Bill Callahan has long been respected as one of the best in the business coaching the OL position. Some of the notable players under his mentorship include the likes of Nick Mangold, Alan Faneca and D’Brickashaw Ferguson while with the New York Jets. All of which were back to back Pro Bowlers for the 2008 and 2009 seasons. A few years later with the Dallas Cowboys he coached Tyron Smith, Nick Martin and and Travis Frederick on their way to the 2014 All-Pro team. The man can flat out coach the offensive line.
Along with Bill Callahan, the Titans hired Scott Fuchs as the assistant offensive line coach, who has nearly 30 years coaching experience at the Collegiate level. Between Fuchs and Callahan, there is nearly 55 years of experience coaching the OL.
Film cut-ups from the 2024 Preseason game TENN. Titans vs. NO Saints.
Cut-up #1
Tennessee is in 11 personnel Condensed Pistol running return motioned Power with TE lock for kick-out.
This is a creative play that results in a power scheme without pulling any lineman across formation. What I’m most impressed about is the Titans commitment to playing fundamentally sound. Everyone is square and rooted (feet in the ground & planted slightly behind the body for power) with a wide base. This is a beautiful combo block by the LG & LT. I’ve slowed down the clip in next video:
The play-side TE (PSY) takes two steps and makes initial contact with a wide base and short choppy steps before rooting himself in the ground and matching out the DE to create the “Kick"-out”.
The Deuce block (LT & LG) is a thing of beauty. The two combo in near perfect lock-step through the 3tech into the second level with eyes to the ILB (#47). The LT could clean up his footwork a little bit; as a result his feet get narrow upon first contact but is able to re-establish his base late in the combo.
The LG is clinic tape. Watch his right foot post step first, root, and then left foot steps directly at the crotch of the 3tech followed by tight elbows and a hammer (initial thrust). He gets thrown off tilt by the LT but his base keeps keeps him in position with eyes to the ILB. BEAUTIFUL.
More of the same from the Center and RG. The DT is lined up in a 1tech but just before the snap of the ball he jumps to what ends up being a head up 2tech. (I think it happens so fast that the Center was mentally prepared to hammer the 1tech into the RG and combo.) The late shift puts the DT out of reach causing the hammer to take longer than expected resulting in the center being late on the LB. The Center ideally would play the 2tech “long” with his right arm extended out & hand on the 2tech hip to help the guard. This would allow him to quickly pick up LB run through. Regardless, look at how square the C is off the ball with a strong base.
RG & RT you see the same qualities. The RG with a lateral step to over take and because he is square, the late jump to a 2tech by the DT is not a problem. He can then post his left foot and reroute back to the DT to match him.
Cut-up #2: Same-side Duo
The Titans running what looks to be Same-side Duo. (Anyone feel like arguing Duo vs. IZ?) For now, it doesn’t matter. Pretty Ace & Deuce combo to part the red sea here. TE is able to work to inside leverage on the Shaded DE and RT matches his defender and gets a finish.
The TE (Y) is working to hook out the shaded 7tech. Again, first step is a lateral (almost backward), square right foot step loosing ground following by a step toward the crotch of the defender. He is working through the inside number of the defender. Once he has leverage, he roots his feet under & behind him & lifts. Elbows tight, Reached and Sealed off. Great job.
The Deuce combo again (LT & LG) and this time the LT does a better job of keeping his base on the vertical combo and playing long (extended right arm) for the LG to overtake with eyes to the LB. Fighting to stay square.
The LG again with beautiful technique. Right foot step first, roots with square shoulders and wide base into a left foot step towards the crotch of the DT. Contacts & lifts with tight elbows. He the torques and finishes the defender using the momentum of the LT combo.
Center is square with a wide base but his hands/elbows get a little wide. The defender gains inside hand placement on him but the Center is able to take a half hop step backwards and root himself with upward force/leverages and maintain control. RG in an overlap technique on the combo with eyes on the LB looking for run through.
RT matches his defender out and finishes him.
Cut-up #3: Outside Zone Weak
The LT matches his block, LG is able to reroute and pick up the LB trying to undercut and run through. The Center helps the RG hook and then climbs to get hands on the ILB. Again, focusing on the the footwork & fundamentals of staying square and keeping technique. Square is STRONG. Square is fast.
LT matches out DE and takes two steps prior to engaging (Left foot, right foot, roots). Left elbow is tight and inside but his right hand misses the mark wide. He’s still able to root himself with hits feet wide and slightly behind him with upward lift. He then fights to torque the defender out.
The LG with OZ footwork steps lateral and flat. The LB is attempting to undercut him and run through but because the LG steps and keeps himself as square as possible, he is able to plant his left foot and reroute to the run through LB.
Center takes OZ step lateral and flat, stays square and is able to plant and play long to pass the 1tech off to the RG with eyes towards the ILB. Again, STAY SQUARE. Center passes off the DT and plants his right foot to climb to the ILB scraping. Great effort by him to stay in the fight and get to the LB for the RB to make a cut.
RG plays long on the backside 3tech with eyes to the 1tech expecting him to be passed. Stays square and is able to hook with the help of the C
It cannot be stressed enough the importance of staying square, rooting the feet and making contact with an upward lift and elbows tight to the body for inside hand placement. Staying square is the best way to play fast and play strong.
I would recommend some of the online clinics out there with Coach Jim McNally that is about two hours worth of content about this topic. There are also clinics with Coach Kyle Flood & Coach Bill Best respectively that dive into this. I will post the link to McNally below:
Coach Jim McNally: Parts One & Two
Needless to say, I am thoroughly impressed with the Titans OL during the Preseason game against the Saints and I look forward to watching them throughout the year continue to develop and grow under the tutelage of Callahan and Fuchs. Thanks for reading.
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