Tennessee Titans GM Jon Robinson talks Marcus Mariota, RBs, rookies
Tennessee Titans general manager Jon Robinson was a guest on the “Move the Sticks” podcast with NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah and Bucky Brooks last week.
With minicamp in the books and training camp coming in July, Tennessee Titans general manager Jon Robinson sat down for an interview with NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah and Bucky Brooks on their podcast “Move the Sticks” last week.
On top of talking about the quarterbacks, running backs and rookies, Robinson said it was important for the Titans to change their culture from “good to great” after three consecutive 9-7 seasons.
In fact, that has been head coach Mike Vrabel’s message all offseason, according to the Titans’ GM.
Jon Robinson on Marcus Mariota and Ryan Tannehill
Among the topics covered in the interview was the relationship between the team’s two quarterbacks, Marcus Mariota and Ryan Tannehill, as well as the dynamic of having two starting-caliber signal-callers.
While we already knew Mariota has been confirmed as the surefire starter for 2019, Robinson reinforced that fact when talking with the NFLN pair. He also let us know about the good relationship Mariota and Tannehill have.
“Well that’s one thing that when we decided to make that move and add Ryan, I explained to Marcus that he’s our quarterback and we’re trying to make as competitive a roster as possible. And I explained to Ryan that Marcus was our quarterback, but we want him to come in here and push Marcus and help him be the best he can be on the field, and those guys have really, really worked well together.”
Jon Robinson on Derrick Henry and Dion Lewis
Next up on the docket was the situation at running back. Clearly the Titans have two solid backs with different skill sets in Derrick Henry and Dion Lewis, so Robinson was asked how the team will handle having so much talent in the backfield.
Robinson didn’t hint either way who will be getting the majority of carries on the ground, but he did go on to explain the selfless nature of both Henry and Lewis.
“When one guy’s got the hot hand, he wants either to keep getting balls thrown his way or keep getting it handed to him. But I think that just says a lot to the character of the backs in that room—that it’s all about the team and they’re willing to do whatever to help the team win… Both of those guys are selfless players, they encourage each other, they compete with each other and it’s really a good room for us.”
Jon Robinson on the rookies
Robinson initially kicked off the interview talking about the rookies on the team. No one rookie was talked about specifically—except for first-round pick Jeffery Simmons, whose injury was mentioned briefly—but Robinson did go into how the rookies were putting in enough work to learn the playbook and how the veterans have helped them
“I think they’ve done a really good job of immersing themselves with the coaches, trying to loearn the playbook and the terminology. As both of you guys know, anytime that you’re making the transition from college to pro, there’s a lot of maybe plays that are similar and schemes that are similar, but the terminology is different. We’re fortunate to have a great locker room here and the veterans have really helped those guys as well.”
If you want to listen to the full interview, you can find it here. Robinson also had some great insight into scouting running backs, the Kevin Durant injury, and more.