Titans’ Taylor Lewan talks leadership, 2019 suspension, RT competition, more

Tennessee Titans left tackle Taylor Lewan addressed a number of topics during a Zoom call with the media on Thursday.

Lewan, who was suspended for the first four games of the 2019 season, admits he “threw a wrench” into the offensive line’s chemistry and both he and left guard Rodger Saffold weren’t on the same page until after Week 7.

Taylor Lewan said he "threw a wrench" into the #Titans o-line with suspension at start of last season. Said he and Rodger Saffold really started to understand each other about 7 games in after the #Panthers game. Said the goal is to continue that by keeping open communication.

— Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) May 28, 2020

In 2020, Lewan is looking to take on a bigger leadership role and hopes to learn from his past mistakes like the ones he made when former Titans head coach Ken Whisenhunt named him a captain in 2015.

Taylor Lewan says he's looking to take on a bigger leadership role for the #Titans this yr. "For a while I shied away from that a little bit. I am more grounded and know who I am as a person. It's important for me to take on a leadership role and it's going to help the team."

— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) May 28, 2020

Lewan said he shied away from a leadership role at times. Said when Ken Whisenhunt made him a captain, he sometimes tried too hard to act a certain way. Said he looks forward to challenge of being a good leader.

— Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) May 28, 2020

Taylor Lewan: "I owe it to this team to be a better leader."

— Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) May 28, 2020

Lewan believes the competition at right tackle between Dennis Kelly and Isaiah Wilson will be good for the team, and he plans on helping both players in any way he can.

Taylor Lewan said the competition at right tackle between Dennis Kelly and Isaiah Wilson will make the team better.

— Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) May 28, 2020

Lewan said he is eager to help Isaiah Wilson and Dennis Kelly. Said he just wants to win football games.

— Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) May 28, 2020

The former No. 11 overall pick hopes that he has at least five more good years left in him, but is prepared for the day when the Titans decide to draft his potential replacement.

.@TaylorLewan77 said he hopes he has five really good years left in him, maybe more.@Titans

— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) May 28, 2020

.@TaylorLewan77: Prepared for the day when the @Titans draft a "slappy" to try and take his job. Said he's prepared to beat him out @Titans

— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) May 28, 2020

Lewan says he has been working out with several players on the team during the offseason, but insists they have been practicing social distancing and using masks and hand sanitizer.

Lewan on working out with fellow OL together: "Don't worry. We're 6 feet away. We have our little masks on and we've got all the hand sanitizer in the world."

— Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) May 28, 2020

Lewan also praised new Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady as one of the best to ever play, but also says he’s a poor golfer after his performance in “The Match”.

Lewan on Tom Brady: He's no doubt the best football player of all-time but a really poor golfer, which makes us all feel better about ourselves.

— Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) May 28, 2020