NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - The Tennessee Titans hit a breaking point this past Sunday.
Tennessee lost to the Houston Texans 16-13 on a last-second field goal after tying the game late in the fourth quarter. The Titans dropped to 1-9 overall for the league’s worst record.
Frustrations bubbled over for team captain and defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons after the game.
Simmons passionately expressed his feelings in the locker room Sunday, telling the media he’s sick of losing and saying the same things week-to-week, and his teammates should feel equally fed up with their sub-par trends and tendencies.
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The Titans’ leader in sacks this season specifically touched on the need for young players on the team to step up and find a way to play at a higher level.
Thursday, WSMV4 asked Simmons and fellow captain Cody Barton how the young players have responded to the call to action, and what goes into the disconnect between the veterans’ and young players’ approaches.
“You know, everyone is at their different pace, but I think the NIL (name, image, and likeness) stuff in this day and age kind of changes their outlook on certain things,” Barton said. “It ain’t how it used to be when I first got in the league, but that’s just where the leadership comes into play for us veterans.”
“Frustration is high and we’re losing, but like I said after the game, for me, it’s never an attack,” Simmons said. “I want to challenge my teammates. Certain guys, you kind of got to put your arm around just a little bit, but it’s also, we’re all grown men and we all have a job to do.”
The Titans will host the Seahawks Sunday at 12 p.m. at Nissan Stadium.
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