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Terry McCormick: Youth Not an Excuse Anymore

Great article by Terry McCormick in this morning's City Paper about the Titans not being able to use the excuse of youth anymore.  The past few years we have excused a lot of things because the Titans had one of the younger teams in the league.  That is not the case anymore.  Vince Young is in his 3rd season as the quarterback.  The defense will return 11 of 12 starters from last year's team, and the one non-returning starter, Antwan Odom, is replaced by  a veteran in Jevon Kearse. 

This is the year for the Titans to take that next step.  Just making the playoffs is not good enough for this team.  They need to make the playoffs and make some noise once they get there or people, starting with Jeff Fisher, should be held accountable.  If VY doesn't take steps forward this year, and I think he will, it will be time for the front office to examine whether or not he really is the right quarterback for this franchise.

What is a reasonable expectation for this team?  IMO anything less than 10-6 is unexcusable.

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I've got to agree. 10-6 should be worst-case.

This should be a playoff team if Vince is really the QB that we need leading the team. I still tend to think that he is. Defensively, we should be in great shape. Offensively, we’ll still struggle to outscore high-powered offenses if our defense bends a bit too much. But that’s the game we play and I think we’re past the point of making excuses because of age or inexperience.

by B-Rizzle on Jul 2, 2008 9:36 AM CDT   0 recs

agreed on the 10-6 as the lowest excusable

I really, really want to see our guys win division this year, as well… I think we can do it if healthy and playing up to snuff.

by August West on Jul 2, 2008 9:58 AM CDT   0 recs

10-6 is a must

The AFC South is by far the toughest division in football, and we might be fighting for a wildcard spot at 10-6. We would have to go 12-4, at least 4-2 in division play, to win the division. I am hoping for a confrence championship this year, and I think that Dallas will represent the NFC in the Superbowl. A lot has to happen for the Titans to get there, but its not inconceivable.

by TrenchantTitan on Jul 2, 2008 10:29 AM CDT   0 recs

11-5 is, to me, a reasonable goal.

If they can split with Jax and Indy and then win the ones they ought to win elswhere (like vs. the Browns), that looks to me like 11-5.

It’ll be a really interesting year. If VY comes into his own as a QB, then the offense could do very well. First off, it is a power offense in a League that is widely headed towards a speed and finesse defensive mindset. The Titans should EASILY be able to force teams to keep 8 or even 9 in the box. If they can then throw downfield… I mean, 12-4 is not out of the question.

DannoE

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

by DannoE on Jul 2, 2008 11:05 AM CDT   0 recs

Tough division

I normally post on Burnt Orange Nation, and I’m not really a Titans fan, but I obviously follow VY (actually just wrote a long post about him). I think he’ll improve, but the Titans reside in arguably the toughest division in the NFL and also in the tougher conference. They may be better than last year, but it won’t necessarily translate to more wins. Not even the Texans look to be pushovers any longer.

I respect the Titan organization and it does have some Texas players that I follow, so I’d love to see them succeed. However, I think saying “10-6 is the worst case scenario” is a bit rough on the team. The Colts are still among the NFL elite, the Jags seem on the rise, and the Texans have improved. If the Titans break even in their division, that’d be respectable. However, that’d require them to win 7 of their other ten games, and they don’t have too many weak teams in their schedule. At least, that’s how it looks like now.

I think VY and the Titans will get better, but it may not show in the win-loss column. That’s the nature of the beast in their division and in the AFC in general.

by TheElusiveShadow on Jul 2, 2008 3:00 PM CDT   0 recs

Agree

9-7 certainly isn’t what we’d like to see out of this team, but I wouldn’t exactly call it “unexcusable” given their schedule.

However, I do agree that it’s time for Vince to put up or shut up. I’m one of his largest supporters, but if there isn’t an improvement it’s time to look to the future with a different QB. With all that said, I’m willing to bet that we see a dramatic improvement in his performance this year and think we can make a push to win the division.

by SuperHorn on Jul 2, 2008 4:21 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't like the "NFL elite" argument

Why can’t the Titans be amongst the “NFL elite?” It is not a good excuse to say the teams in the division are on the rise or better. It is time for the Titans to stop using that as an excuse and win games.

Titans Blogger at Music City Miracles

by Jimmy on Jul 2, 2008 5:27 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Amen.

DannoE

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

by DannoE on Jul 2, 2008 8:00 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm no saying use it as an excuse

I’m just inserting in a bit of caution when you look at the big picture. The Titans are certainly capable of 10-6 or 11-5, but the NFL can be a tricky place. Teams sometimes surprisingly rise and fall due to unforeseen circumstances.

However, by no means am I saying don’t aim high. All fans should do that. I just hope the blame game doesn’t get too heated if the Titans don’t win as much as fans want. After all, like I said, the entire team could get better and still lose 8 games. It might require patience to wait yet another year.

by TheElusiveShadow on Jul 3, 2008 12:26 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

the nfl is a tough place

i’d be fine with anything over 8-8

as long as we don’t have a losing record, i think we are good….

very few teams can be at or over .500 for many, many years in a row….i say we work on just doing that…..if VY can lead us to at or over .500 every year he is here, he’ll go down as a legend…..

by zackmann on Jul 2, 2008 8:33 PM CDT   0 recs

that's true, but

the thumbtacks already have a crapload of 8-8 / 7-9 seasons. they’re due a streak of winning ones, and they should be on an uptick now. they’ve got a reasonably mature team, with a highly drafted 3rd year qb, an experienced oc surrounded by a staff that’s been very stable, a pretty favorable schedule overall (certainly more favorable than last years), and they’ve proven themselves with this roster when it was younger. an 8-8 season to me would be a real puzzler, barring vince getting worse or some act of god (a half dozen or so of our starters go out and get drunk together, pile in the same car to go home, and drive off a bridge while being chased by vanderbilt cops). i think 10-6 to 12-4 range is where they should be at, and i really think they’ll do it – i still have faith that VY is not gonna hit his stride and not let his team down.

by numbertenox on Jul 2, 2008 10:13 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

bad

part about finding out vince isnt our guy is he is probally going to take fisher out with him. its all about the qwarterback and if vince dosnt live up to his expecthions everyone is going to blame fisher for thelack of results.
the last thing i want to see this next year is vince walking to thesidlines after a failed 3rd down pass play pointing to the way the reciver should have gone. that happend about 20 times to many last year.
i am not really sold on vince yet. with dinger back we will get a better idea of what kind of qwaterback he can really be. if he cant score points with chow and now dinger maybe its vinces problem but the bad part is if it is vinces fault fisher will be gone before vince. and that would suck.

by dentureboy on Jul 2, 2008 11:59 PM CDT   0 recs

I don't think that

DannoE

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

by DannoE on Jul 3, 2008 6:40 AM CDT   0 recs

Urgh.

Anyway, Fisher’s not going anywhere. The man has a pretty good history of success. Enough folks know it that Bud Adams would never take the chance of looking like an idiot for firing one of the League’s most-respected coaches.

If this team can just do what Fisher would have gotten past teams to do with this level of talent, then I think 11-5 is a VERY realistic goal.

DannoE

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

by DannoE on Jul 3, 2008 6:42 AM CDT   0 recs

ding dong i said if vince sucksass this year and dosnt score points and we miss the playoff due to vinces poor play and lack of points all the fire jefffisher.com sites will be back unfortunalty. iam not sold on vince, he pouts, cant hit the long ball, he wants to qwit football cus he wasnt having fun, hes looking like hes a star in a gay football porno. he needs to grow up. if we dont make the playoff due to lack of offense people shold look at vince as the possible problem not fisher.
if vince cant get it and score points in his third year we should have payed more attention to that wonderlick test or lack of one cus he should be catching on by now .

by dentureboy on Jul 3, 2008 7:47 AM CDT   0 recs

Then why don't you go be a Colt's fan?

Good lord.

What’s with the gay stuff?

Danno has a point. Bud Adams is not gonna fire Jeff Fisher. Period. If you want to start your firejefffisher site back up, go ahead. But it’s wishful thinking on your part.

by gramsey712 on Jul 3, 2008 8:04 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

And stop with all that VY crap

It’s getting really tired

wonderlic..hehehehe
shirt off pictures…hehehehe
can’t hit the long ball…hehehehe
wanted to quit football…hehehehehe

Tired.

by gramsey712 on Jul 3, 2008 8:08 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm sure VY knows how to use the shift key and apostrophes, at least

hes looking like hes a star in a gay football porno. he needs to grow up.

Calling someone gay for no reason, then saying it’s a cause of their struggles? Yes, VY is the immature on here…

by August West on Jul 3, 2008 10:14 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

it's pretty clear to me that

kerry collins is the answer for 2008.

by guilded on Jul 3, 2008 9:41 AM CDT   0 recs

No kidding

I saw a guy with a Panthers Collins jersey on at a game last year.

I bought him a beer for being brave.

by gramsey712 on Jul 3, 2008 10:54 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

what was that poster last year that would not quit with the

collins stuff?

i guess they got banned.

so now i pour a little misguided love for kerry out in their honor

by guilded on Jul 3, 2008 11:14 AM CDT   0 recs

That was JoyKat!

And she’s still around. She has chilled out a little and actually has made some good posts lately!

by gramsey712 on Jul 3, 2008 11:19 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I miss JoyKat.

I didn’t always agree with her, but she had a different perspective, and that was good. I only got tired of it when it was endlessly redundant.

And finally, Kerry Collins is a GREAT backup QB, and I am super-glad he’s on the team. But in a division where EVERYONE can rush the passer at least pretty well, he is NOT the answer. Yes, he has a good long ball. BUT it doesn’t help if Dwight Freeney puts his boot through Kerry’s sternum on the 3rd play from scrimmage.

DannoE

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

by DannoE on Jul 3, 2008 12:03 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

And BTW, calling me a "ding dong" just weakens your argument.

Didn’t you say you were a dentist last year Dentureboy? I mean, what’s up with the act?

DannoE

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

by DannoE on Jul 3, 2008 12:09 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

i wasnt calling you a ding dong i was making the point that the light needs to go on in your brain. like ding dong hellooo get my point. dont take is so personal. if vince young cant score points this next year and we miss the playoffs all the fire jeff fisher sites will be back on the net. vince youngs lack of production if it happens is going to take fisher down before vince is gone and i think it should be the otherway around.

by dentureboy on Jul 3, 2008 2:22 PM CDT   0 recs

fish would be on a skillet

but adams wouldn’t fire him. besides was VY really fisher’s pick? i always heard that was an adams edict. fish might get so much crap if VY busted next year that he’d leave on his own, but i don’t think adams would fire him.

we’re gonna be so tired of arguing about hypothetical stuff before the season starts that we’ll be too tired to post once it does.

by numbertenox on Jul 3, 2008 7:29 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

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