Tennessee Titans @ Atlanta Falcons What 2 Watch 4

by Jimmy on Aug 22, 2008 6:00 AM CDT Comment 14 comments

The 3rd preseason game is the most important for most teams because it is the game where they play their starters into the 3rd quarter. That is not how the Titans will handle this game. Titans' Coach Jeff Fisher said on Thursday that the starters will play only the first half this week, and then next week against the Packers they will play into the 3rd quarter. Here are some things to watch for in tonight's game:

Offense

The Titans have done a little more game planning this week than they normally do in the preseason in order to give the offense, particularly the passing offense, some much needed confidence. Look for them to come out with a set number of scripted plays on their first drive like they would in a regular season game. Dinger is very good with the opening drive, so don't be surprised to see a TD to open the game.
We are still waiting for a receiver to step up and prove he can make plays. Lavelle Hawkins did it last week, but he is out this week with an ankle injury. Can Brandon Jones or Justin McCariens prove something on the field? I would say at this point McCareins, Justin Gage and The Hawk are the only locks to be on this roster opening day. Everyone else is playing for their lives.
I am always excited to see what Chris Johnson is going to do. He is supposed to return kicks in the first half. I would love to see him break one.

Defense

The defense has looked pretty solid in both of the games thus far. I look for them to get all over Falcons' rookie quarterback Matt Ryan.
Stephen Tulloch will get another start with Keith Bulluck out. It was fun to watch him fly all over the field last week. He is going to prove to be a very valuable part of this defense because he is backing up all 3 linebacker spots.
Jason Jones, William Hayes, Antonio Johnson, and Jacob Ford were all impressive in camp. It is time for them to make some plays in live action.

The Falcons are not expected to be very good this year. The Titans' starters need to look sharp in this game to continue buliding momentum towards the regular season.

Be sure and stop in tonight for the open thread that will be up at 5:00 p.m. central.

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Why save the the big working preseason game for a team we'll play during the season?

Either coach doesn’t feel they are ready and still have a lot to sort out or they don’t feel Atlanta has enough defense to give them a good test. If they’re still sorting things out then that scares me.

by Titanfan on Aug 22, 2008 8:48 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

He always plays it that way

Titans Blogger at Music City Miracles

by Jimmy on Aug 22, 2008 9:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, this is nothing new. The Titans usually use the 4th preseason game as their...

…dress rehearsal. I think Fisher thinks the team gets off to a better start that way.

DannoE

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

by DannoE on Aug 22, 2008 10:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

regarding receivers stepping up, Gage has always impressed

me. When he played at Missouri he was a huge weapon. I beleive he has got the goods and will perform well. Hawkins appears to be a great receiver, but is unable to play. Hopefully he will be ready to go soon.
CJ will have some big returns, he is a star.

by Joy Kat on Aug 22, 2008 11:21 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

our WR's

are the most pathetic bunch of bums ever assembled…..

beyond Gage, they could all get cut and we could sign any old retreat and not see a difference either way…..

IMO, there are 2 traits that make a good WR…..getting separation when matched up 1-on-1 and catching the ball…..we seem to draft guys that can do neither….

by zackmann on Aug 22, 2008 1:12 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I never knew I could miss Drew Bennett so much.

by August West on Aug 22, 2008 1:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

hawk

may be a good one. also crumpler. oh, wait…

we do suck at drafting wrs, but so does pretty much everybody else. that’s why not too infrequently the best rookie wr is some “who?” that got drafted in rounds 5-7.

our problem is we like to hold on to them a long time before we give up on them, and we don’t like to pay big money on luring established ones that aren’t too long in the tooth from other teams.

by numbertenox on Aug 22, 2008 1:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

2003 Wide Receivers

Holy Crap: In 2003, Mason, McCareins, and Bennett were all in the top 30 of DYAR (If you don’t know what this means you obviously aren’t a true football fan because you don’t read Football Outsiders)

2003 Wide Receivers

Also, Erron Kinney was the 4th best TE in DPAR.

2003 Tight Ends

If I hit a hole-in-one on this grand slam the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate.

by jasonkylebates on Aug 22, 2008 2:33 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs