Welcome to the first edition of 'Speaking with the Enemy,' a new weekly feature here at Toro Times where I'll be sleuthing for some intel on each week's Houston Texans opponent.
This week, I reached out to Titan Sized site expert Justin Melo to give me the scoop on what we should expect out of the away team in this Sunday's matchup between a pair of 0-3 AFC South squads. Let's get to it!
Sonny Giuliano: Justin, do you by chance know what I did to Calvin Ridley for him to want to murder not one but two of my fantasy football teams this year?
Justin Melo: Calvin Ridley has been dealing with focus drops. He's not playing with confidence, and needs to overcome the mental struggles he's been dealing with. The Titans need him to figure it out.
SG: What's the feeling around the Titans organization on Cam Ward? Is this about what was expected from him early on?
JM: The Titans have been thrilled with Cam Ward. The offensive numbers haven't told the full story, as his teammates have fairly consistently let him down through three weeks. Ward has terrific command of the offense, and is making all the protection checks and audibles at the line of scrimmage. He's been the most positive story of the Titans' 0-3 start.
SG: How big of a change will it be with Brian Callahan handing play-calling duties to quarterbacks coach Bo Hardegree?
JM: TBD. Brian Callahan is still involved in game planning and install, and it's still his offensive playbook. Titans fans have questions regarding how much Bo Hardegree will actually change the offense. Those questions will start getting answered on Sunday.
SG: Do we believe Brian Callahan when he says that the trade of Jarvis Brownlee isn't the start of a fire-sale? If the answer is no, who might be next?
JM: The Jarvis Brownlee trade wasn't about the Titans being sellers at the deadline. It was about culture and the new GM getting rid of a player he didn't draft. With that said, the Titans are expected to be sellers at the deadline. L'Jarius Sneed, Arden Key, Dre'Mont Jones, Roger McCreary, Sebastian Joseph-Day, and Calvin Ridley could be among the players available to the highest bidder.
SG: Calvin Ridley is also available to the highest bidder in both of my fantasy leagues. Give me one player on the Tennessee Titans defense that fans of the Texans need to be wary of on Sunday afternoon.
JM: Jeffery Simmons. He's been outstanding this season despite receiving very little help from his defensive line teammates. Simmons is a game wrecker.
SG: The Titans have won five of the last six meetings with the Texans in Houston. If they make it 6 of 7 on Sunday, what do you think the reason why will be?
JM: Because Cam Ward and the offense show positive progress under Bo Hardegree. There have been signs of a more effective offense. The Titans believe results will come as they start to place more responsibility on Ward's plate.