Chargers 17 Titans 6: The Whole Season in One Game

by Jimmy on Jan 8, 2008 10:08 AM CST in Tennessee Titans News

To paraphrase Dennis Green: They are who we thought they were.

The Titans showed on Sunday in San Diego what they have shown us all season long. An inconsistent offense with inconsistent quarterback play, and a defense that played well enough to keep that offense in the game. I am not sure what happened to the secondary in the 2nd half, but they are not the reason the Titans lost. Cortland Finnegan stood accountable for his play after the game:

"I guess they were working me some, because I was just mentally not into the game, I was so emotionally involved," the second-year pro said. "I didn't help my team out.

"I guess pride comes before a fall and when you get high on yourself and you think you're doing something, God's got a funny way of showing you. So I think that was it for me."

Finnegan became one of my favorite players as the season went along, and the fact that he took responsibility for his part makes me respect him that much more. Finnegan had a great season, and his interception in the first half was a really good play. It is unforunate that his only bad game of the season came in the playoffs. He seems like the type of guy that will use this to motivate his offseason preparation and will come back an even better player in 2008.

The other problem with the defense was the fact that they could not get any pressure on Philip Rivers. They were only able to sack Rivers once, and that was on a corner blitz by Finnegan. Part of that was because the Chargers used a lot of max protect, especially once Antonio Gates went out of the game. That is what makes the play of the secondary that much more mind-boggling. Rivers had all day to throw, and the Chargers receivers were wide open all day. Chris Chambers had 6 catches for 120 yards, and Vincent Jackson had 5 catches for 114 yards and a touchdown.

The Titans did a better job than any of us could have hoped for on LaDainian Tomlinson. LT carried 21 times for just 42 yards. If you would have told me before the game that those would be his numbers, I would have predicted the chances of a Titans win at 90%.

The Titans offense looked like they have all year. The problem with the Titans' offense is that there is basically no room for error. Jeff Fisher said after the game you overcome mistakes by making plays. When you don't have playmakers mistakes cannot be overcome, so when Chris Brown fumbles at the San Diego 12 or when Rob Bironas misses a 38 yard field goal, the team just can't recover. I don't know about everyone else, but I never had the feeling the Titans were going to score a touchdown in this game.

Vince Young played like he has all year. He only carried the ball twice when it seemed like there were a lot of opportunities for him to take off. He made some nice throws and some bad throws. There were times where it didn't appear he and his receivers were on the same page.

It is fair to say at this point that Vince regressed in his second season. There were a lot of contributing factors to that regression. I think he was more hurt than the Titans let on for most of the season. That is part of the reason he didn't run as much. It appeared that he was trying to prove that he can be a pocket passer. That is not who he is and not the reason the Titans took him with the #3 pick. It also appears that he and Norm Chow were not on the same page this season. I don't know who's fault that is, but hopefully before Fisher, Chow and Vince go their separate ways for the offseason, they will sit down and hammer some things out (assuming that Chow will be here next season).

Look, as disappointing as this loss is, this season should be judged as nothing less than a success. Would we have like to see them play on? Of course, but virtually no one gave them a shot to make the playoffs. This team, just 2 seasons removed from a salary cap blow up, made the playoffs, and they have more cap space for 2008 than any club in the league. It is a great time to be a Titans' fan.

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I agree

The offense did exactly what i expected them to do, but i was a little disapointed in the defensive play in the second half. The Secondary seemed to fall apart, and the D line Stopped getting pressure on Rivers in the fourth. Finnegan had a bad game it stinks that was in the playoffs I really hope that that doesn't become habbit he needs to come up big in the post season

by mccarronz on Jan 8, 2008 10:41 AM CST reply actions

Absolutely.

I never really thought we would score a touchdown in the game once it got going. I was hoping for a defensive play for 6 or good field position. It didn't happen, and now we're home watching the Jags and Colts play on. It is definitly disappointing, but then again, we are rebuilding and still made the playoffs despite playing in the much stronger AFC and one of the strongest divisions in football history, going 4-2. I know no one else thought we'd make it that far, but all the Titans fans knew we had the chance. When the game ended, i wasn't mad like i usually was. I accepted the loss and took it in stride for being a great season, so I went upstairs, threw my Bulluck jersey on, and went out sporting it, proud of the way the Titans fought all season.

by titanbt53 on Jan 8, 2008 10:52 AM CST reply actions

I didn't

think we would score a TD either. But if you asked me at halftime based on the way our Defense was playing, what the final score would be. I would have told you we get another FG and win the game 9-0. I thought they could muster up maybe 1 score on us at the most.

by Big Bad Bulluck on Jan 8, 2008 11:09 AM CST reply actions

Ehhh.

I thought you could tell after Rivers had two 20+ yard recptions towards the end of the half from blown coverages and no pressure on him. We started off with a blitz and forced a fumble and never went back. Somehow people were WIDE open in our secondary, which is why I dont like everybody praising Rivers. Any QB in teh league woulda have made those throws, minus the one he had thrown perfectly in stride where Griff made the tackle and got hurt momentarily.

by titanbt53 on Jan 8, 2008 11:23 AM CST reply actions

I am anxious for next season to start already

It can't get here soon enough.
Secondly I admire anyone who can step up and take responsibility for their mistakes. It takes a big person to do that. I don't understand why the Chargers receivers were so wide open. Perhaps it was the same type of breakdown that happened earlier in the year against the Texans. That was a total meltdown. Whatever the root cause, it needs to be addressed.
Secondly, is the issue of the offense lacking a break away receiver. If the Titans can sign a good free agent that would be terriffic no matter WHO is QB. Who wouldn't want a Randy Moss type guy on offense? There are a few available, that should be considered strongly by the Titan organization. Will Bud Adams be willing to pay the price to get a top 10 proven receiver though?
Lastly and most importantly is the QB position. IF the Titans are able to secure a top tier receiver and Young continues to struggle next season, something serious will have to happen. I beleive the decision makers will allow another season of mediocre play before they take a hard look at trading or signing someone else. They have a lot riding on their #3 pick and I am certain they will exhaust every avenue to try and make it work. However if at the end of the day he cannot perform things will change. No different than any other position. Either you perform or you are cut/traded.
Right now I only have the remainder of the football playoffs to watch and enjoy. 9 months seems like a long time from now till Titan football kicks off again.

JOY KAT

by Bergman on Jan 8, 2008 12:44 PM CST reply actions

A couple of thoughts

Adams will open up the wallet. The guy is getting old and wants a championship in a real bad way.

A couple of notable QBs drafted 3rd overall: Heath Shuler and Akili Smith. I'm sure there are others.

by T Coleman on Jan 8, 2008 5:41 PM CST up reply actions

Good Synopsis

The game in San Diego was frustrating as all of you have mentioned. The game was there for the taking at the end of the 1st half. As was also mentioned, I don't know what happened to the pass coverage in the 2nd half. Maybe the team got ahead of themselves and decided that since the the pass coverage was so good in the 1st half, they would concentrate on LT in the second half. I don't think they expected Rivers to light it up like he did.

As for the offense, that is where the game was lost, in my opinion. Defensively holding a playoff team to 17 points should have been good enough at the end of the day to at least have some opportunities to pull it out. As a Texas grad and long-time follower and fan of VY, it is stunning to watch the Titans struggle so much on offense.

I would break VY's struggles down to several things, most of which has been discussed at length here:

He was hurt. I would agree with Jimmy that he was injured more seriously than he let on, and this hampered his effectiveness.
Play Calling / Offensive Mindset. I think a lot of Vince's success at QB comes from knowing how to create/improvise when a play breaks down. His inconsistency in this area to me is a reflection of (1) His injury, and (2) Continuing to learn what he can/cannot do with the Playbook.
Limitations either he or the Coaching Staff may have put in place with regard to his running.
Lack of Playmakers at the receiver position. I think a healthy Vince could have made the best of this situation, however.

I would put his issues in that order. For Vince to take the next step this year, I think he needs to be comfortable with the Offensive sets primarily. He's not there yet, and whether that's due to Norm Chow or other issues, I can't really tell yet. If he was healthy the whole year I think we could have gone 12-4. Vince is good enough to take this team to the playoffs every year, but not good enough at this point to make a deep run. I think this is his most important offseason ever.

If we maintain the Defensive Roster, keep Bironas, and possibly get a true #1 Receiver, I think this team can go really far if Vince takes it to the next level.

by LeftHandedTexan on Jan 8, 2008 3:02 PM CST reply actions

I think...

lack of pressure had a lot to do with it in the second half... As soon as Rivers started to get going we need to call the right blitz to knock him on his ass... there were a lot of plays we should have made but i'm proud... we damn near had it and we had a lot of key injuries this year. Roydell and Vince had some chemistry over the last 3 or 4 weeks... Mawae... Hope... Scaife...and even players that played weren't all healthy...I think we are poised for a big year next year....

by Titans Fan 10 on Jan 8, 2008 5:52 PM CST reply actions

I believe

that you have Vince wrong Jimmy. I think he didn't run not because HE wanted to show that he is a pocket passer, But because that is what Coach Fisher and Chow wanted out of him more than anything. His 61% completion % is a big step in completing his game. I do believe that Fisher wanted him to be a more accomplished passer as the season progressed and I don't think that happened as much as Fisher would have liked it too.

Keep in mind if you tell him to take off on every other play then how is he to learn from making mistakes? Vince would become just another Vick. I'd rather see Vince take some lumps now as a passer. Take what he learned this year and beat some teams in the playoffs with his arm instead of just his legs.

Something else I'd like to say is that this team next year with or without FA/Draft additions is going to be very good. We basically fielded the same team in 07 as in 06. Biggest difference was another year in the system and experience. Plain and simple. Was Griff and upgrade? Yes, Was Harper an upgrade? No but he wasn't a down grade from Pac either. This team will not be more eager than every and Most now know what it will take to win. I've said it a 100 times and will say it again. The physically difference from player to player isn't that great, but the committment and desire is what seperates the great ones from the others! Once common factor in players like Elway, Montana, Rice, and Eddie was thier desire to be the best!!! This team has that now!

Fisher says that they will look hard at getting a offensive play maker in FA. I still think we Go DT in the First round and I still think we end up having gem of a WR deep in the roster.

If you think about it the WR corps it the only group that didn't have jack for examples. Moulds is past his prime in a big way. For for a player like Williams or Jones to go out and out play him was nothing. But you add a play making example for follow and learn from then you will see other players step up and surprise!

by white02slpss on Jan 8, 2008 7:05 PM CST reply actions

So you think every time....

....Fisher told the media they encourage Vince to run that he was lying?

Titans Blogger at Music City Miracles

by Jimmy on Jan 9, 2008 7:46 AM CST up reply actions

Oh

and after watching the game against the chargers I hope we can retain Troupe!

by white02slpss on Jan 8, 2008 7:06 PM CST reply actions

Agree.

I don't think we should let go of Troupe just yet. He's a physical speciman, one of the fastest tight ends in football. Anyone remember him jumping over Champ Bailey a few years ago? I do. Give him a chance, he's not overly expensive or anything.

by titanbt53 on Jan 8, 2008 10:15 PM CST reply actions

He is a roster spot though

He is a roster spot though. He really did not contribute much this season when he was playing. Scaife is the better blocker of the two T.E. and Troupe seems to have a hard time hanging onto the ball at times. HE is very athletic, I will give him that, but I have seen people who are less physically gifted do more than Troupe. Maybe he is just in a slump and will pull out of it. Who knows? You can't wait forever for someone to develop into what you think they should/could be. The only reason to keep him around now is if he is real cheap and maybe put him on the practice squad. If he improves, put him back on the roster.

JOY KAT

by Bergman on Jan 9, 2008 11:01 AM CST up reply actions

Wow. I agree completely. LOL.

DannoE

Go read FRIDAY MAD SCIENCE at www.paperbackreader.com
Thanks!

by DannoE on Jan 9, 2008 12:34 PM CST up reply actions

I don't see him being a TE any more...

If we keep Troupe, I hope they just let him slim down some and play WR (probably the slot); he just cannot block, and maybe not having to read the line calls will let him focus on routes and catching.

He's not what Fisher demands at TE, but Scaife is... so, why not let Troupe try something new where his athelicism can be a bigger advantage?

My name is August West, and I love my Pearly Baker best, more than my wine

by August West on Jan 9, 2008 10:58 AM CST reply actions