Tennessee Titans Morning Links: Smashing, Dashing and Bongo Bashing Edition

by August West on Oct 22, 2008 9:03 AM CDT in Linkage Comment 9 comments

LenDale White + Crazy Legs Johnson = Smash and Dash.

That's numeric science, people. Just ask quadratic-theory-knowin' commenter BigW!

I highly encourage everyone to vote for LenDale for the FedEx Ground Player of the Week award, which BigW also linked to in the Fanposts; not just for the adulation of our boy Smash, but because if LenDale wins FedEx will make a $1,000 donation to the Nashville branch of the Safe Kids USA coalition. So, unless you hate children, go vote! (Huge thanks to Jason Sparks for pointing out this very important benefit!)

So now that we've learned they like to be called Smash and Dash, it's time to give some credit to the guys who make those runs possible: the best offensive line in the league, Ahmard Hall and the tight ends.

Being the only undefeated team in the NFL has it's rewards, such as being a frontrunner in several Awards races via SI's Bucky Brooks:

Defensive Player of the Year:

1. Albert Haynesworth, DT, Titans (Last week's ranking: 1): The monstrous playmaker is the game's most dominant player.

Coach of the Year

1. Jeff Fisher, Titans (1): The Titans continue to bludgeon opponents behind a smash mouth running game and a suffocating defense. With a three-game lead in the AFC South, the Titans have the inside track on securing home field for the playoffs.

Offensive Rookie of the Year:

1. Chris Johnson, RB, Titans (3): The Titans' fleet-footed back broke out of his two-game slump with a dazzling 168-yard rushing day against the Chiefs. Despite operating in a two-back rotation in Tennessee, Johnson ranks fourth in the league in rushing yards and averages over five yards a carry.

Follow me through the jump for more links and a hilarious video!

In this week's Jumping the Gun News, JJ Cooper says the Titans can finish the Colts Monday. I won't buy the idea that the Colts are dead until we pry their AFC South Tiara from Peyton's cold hands.

Hat tip to astute reader ryansax for passing along this good read from the man who gave us the nickname "The Flaming Thumbtacks" (back when his column was a mandatory read), Gregg Easterbrook.

Setting this up would just ruin the hilarity of it... let's just say Bob Zimmerman would approve!

There's a whole lot of internet out there, so if you have a link you'd like to submit for tomorrow's Morning Links, email me at mcmaugustwest@gmail.com! (Be sure to include your commenting handle so I can give you semi-anonymous credit.)

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Comments

For years I have hated it when the talking heads say nice things about the Titans.

It always seemed like they would let it go to their heads and crash and burn afterward. This team is different. They really don’t care if they are being built up or torn down, they just win.

By the way did you all see the Fisher Show last night? I loved it when Smash gave a shout out to Ahmard. That’s a man who knows who lays the blocks.

by DZone on Oct 22, 2008 9:30 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Smash n Dash

I like it.

by Rustmeister on Oct 22, 2008 11:06 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

That vid cracks me up

The best part is the chick directly behind Chris. She is sneezing or something but in a loop……

by BigW on Oct 22, 2008 11:13 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Agree on colts

Even if we win Monday (which I think we will) and have them 4 games down, I still wouldn’t write the Colts off. Too well coached (both by Dungy and Manning) that they’re likely to ever stop fighting. Also, AFC seems weaker this year than normal – or at least there are fewer dominating teams. I bet by the end of the year that we’re talking about some teams with chances to be wildcards at 9-7, which is normal discussion for NFC but would be a weird development for AFC. If we win monday, Colts would need to go 6-3 the remainder of the season to finish at that mark, which they could very easily do.

But, the likelihood of them coming back from 3-4 to take the division from a 7-0 Titans would pretty small. The Titans would probably only have to go 5-4 the remainder of the way to prevent it, even if the colts went 9-0.

Similarly the Patriots won’t seem to say die either, as much as I’d like them to (hate those guys. hate hate hate).

by numbertenox on Oct 22, 2008 12:12 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

They are still the AFC South Champions until they are unseated.

I hate Music City Miracles!

by gramsey712 on Oct 22, 2008 12:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

People keep saying that there are no dominant teams in the AFC, but...

… the Titans have yet to lose, and the Steelers and Bills have yet to lose to a team in the AFC.

I think the problem is that most folks either cannot or will not wrap their minds around the idea that last season was the abberation whereas this season is more the return to normalcy. It is very hard to STAY dominant.

Also: the Titans and Steelers are both historically good teams surrounded by quality organizations. Both were playoffs teams last year. It should not be SHOCKING that they are good teams this year.

DannoE

"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one."
Go Titans!

by DannoE on Oct 22, 2008 1:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Who are the people saying that there are no dominant teams?

The Patriot people and the Colt people. Figures.

I hate Music City Miracles!

by gramsey712 on Oct 22, 2008 2:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

We'll see at end of year

But I betcha a 9-7 in the AFC either gets in or is right on the edge this year. The bills, steelers, and titans are all in different divisions. I didn’t say there weren’t any dominating teams, I said fewer, which opens the door more for a 9-7 to squeeze in when it’s all said and done…

by numbertenox on Oct 22, 2008 2:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs