The Misuse of LenDale White
by Jimmy on Oct 12, 2009 12:58 PM CDT
in Tennessee Titans Commentary
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Last week I wrote a post titled "Everything That is Wrong with the 2009 Tennessee Titans in One Drive," and darned if we didn't see almost the exact same situation in last night's loss to the Colts. Here is the scenario:
The score was 7-6 Colts. The Titans defense had just forced the Colts offense to go three and out. A Mark Jones 15-yard return gave the Titans the ball at their own 32 yard line. The first play was a run with Chris Johnson that got stopped for -3 yards, but wait, their was a defensive holding penalty on the Colts that gave the Titans a 1st and 10 at the 37. LenDale White carried the ball on the next two plays for gains of 6 and 3 respectively. So that sets up a 3rd and 1 against an undersized defense. Instead of the obvious call, LenDale up the middle, the Titans decide to throw the ball 20 yards down the field to the sure-handed Justin Gage. Of course, the pass falls incomplete. Instead of lining up and running the ball on 4th and 1, the Titans decided to punt the ball back to Peyton Manning. He, of course, leads the Colts right down the field for a touchdown. Good thing we played the percentages there.
Why is LenDale even on the team if they aren't going to use him in that situation. I was so excited about the prospects of having Mike Heimerdinger back as the offensive coordinator. He was able to do so much with Steve McNair and Eddie George in his first tour here, but lately it seems that he has lost his mind. The whole taking the shots down the field worked with McNair throwing to Derrick Mason and even Drew Bennett. It is high time he got his mind around the fact that Kerry Collins, Gage, and Nate Washington are not of that caliber.
Last night was the perfect time to give LenDale the ball 20+ times. I understand the argument against this is that takes the Titans most dangerous weapon, Chris Johnson, off the field, but if we are being honest, CJ had a bad game last night. He was running everything side to side instead of north and south. Again, if there were ever a defense to run north and south against instead of east and west, it is the Colts defense that is undersized and built on speed. Nevermind the fact that Lendale, given 20+ carries, could wear down a defense and keep Peyton on the sideline. Win, win, win.
Heimerdinger needs to get his head out of his butt and start calling the plays to this team's strengths. If not, it is time for him to move on once again.
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You are so right...LenDale needs more playing time
how many times did he get the ball…maybe 6 times i think,correct me if I’m wrong.
you beat me to it
"hey, quit reading these ridiculous words of wisdom and get back to work!"
by stetix01 on Oct 12, 2009 1:29 PM CDT reply actions
It is ridiculous
I was speechless on that 3rd and 1 play. SPEECHLESS.
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I agree
3rd and 1…why not pound the ball with LenDale,instead we throw the ball down the field 30 yards and of course it was over thrown—-nice trow Kerry Collins…horrible playcalling
I somewhat disagree
Gage got open downfield and if we had a QB that could hit an open receiver we would have had a touchdown. I thought it was a good play IF you were planning on going for it on fourth down. When that ball fell incomplete I was like, OK, clearly we are going for it on fourth here, but then we didnt. So Terrible!
Wide open receiver. Terrible throw.
Why, why, why
do you think Gage would have caught it if the pass had been on target? When either of our QBs hit receivers in the hands, they drop it. That’s why this was such a low percentage play: we can neither pass nor catch!!
by JimR on Oct 12, 2009 2:19 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
i think that....
its a surprise to the receivers when it IS on target. as much talk of how bad VY’s passing is, ppl are totally ok with KC doing it.
"Waiting for the return of the Mac"
"Let VY loose, give him the chance to play his heart out. for himself, for the titans...and for mcnair"
"Titans & Texans fan, dont bug me w/your petty b.s., life's confusing enough."
Good point!
The receivers are dropping the ball out of sheer shock that the ball was thrown that close to them. And, yes, there’s a huge double standard.
by JimR on Oct 12, 2009 5:08 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
havent we tried throwing on 3rd and short like 10 times over the last 3 games?
there’s that definition of insanity again.
"hey, quit reading these ridiculous words of wisdom and get back to work!"
by stetix01 on Oct 12, 2009 6:32 PM CDT up reply actions
You know its bad when...
my seven year old son looks at me and says “if I was coaching Dad I would have run Lendale up the gut”
he has no future here
what-so-ever
"hey, quit reading these ridiculous words of wisdom and get back to work!"
by stetix01 on Oct 12, 2009 6:33 PM CDT up reply actions
So then does this mean
That we’re done with The Thickness™? Will he be gone next season? Are the coaches punishing him for his fumble against the Ratbirds in the playoffs? Has Heimerdinger/Fisher lost his/their JESUS FREEWHEELIN’ MIND?
What other possible explanation could there be?
i too ....
was excited about the return of dinger in the hopes he could return us to the titans of old, and it could work, but not with KC at the helm. ppl need to get off of KC’s performance last year, it was a fluke, 0 and 5 is a deep enough hole. let him sit back and collect his money, and let VY try and do something with this team that we have.
"Waiting for the return of the Mac"
"Let VY loose, give him the chance to play his heart out. for himself, for the titans...and for mcnair"
"Titans & Texans fan, dont bug me w/your petty b.s., life's confusing enough."
that series really bothered me
Maybe heimerdinger isn’t the genius everyone makes him out to be. For me, its a no-brainer giving lendale the ball on a 3rd and 1. We could have run play action later in the game if he converts, which I am certain he would have.
by vancouverTITAN on Oct 12, 2009 1:51 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
How do you think Lendale is feeling?
I know they are saying the right things to the media, but you gotta think that locker room is getting edgy. Lendale’s future is riding on his performance this season. He put in the most work he ever has this offseason and isn’t getting any carries.
I have wondered this a lot myself.
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Member of the Committee to Keep Keith Bulluck.
Eric Berry for Heisman!!
by Pride of the Southland on Oct 12, 2009 3:18 PM CDT up reply actions
i'll bet....
he jets after his contract is done, nobody likes being treated like the red headed step child.
"Waiting for the return of the Mac"
"Let VY loose, give him the chance to play his heart out. for himself, for the titans...and for mcnair"
"Titans & Texans fan, dont bug me w/your petty b.s., life's confusing enough."
Well he certainly isnt going to want to stick with an 0 - 16 team, especially if he isnt getting any work on it.
RIP Steve McNair (1973 - 2009) Retire #9!
Member of the Committee to Keep Keith Bulluck.
Eric Berry for Heisman!!
by Pride of the Southland on Oct 12, 2009 4:22 PM CDT up reply actions
he's a goner for sure
And u can’t blame him. I think lendale is a top 20 back in the league and I fail to see why we don’t utilize him a lot more, especially since he’s going to be gone. Why not have him and cj on the field at the same time? We’re too rigid and predictable on both sides of the ball.
by vancouverTITAN on Oct 12, 2009 5:23 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
not for sure
He is an RFA next year, no? If we offer him a couple million bucks, no one can sign him without forking over a 1st round pick.
by joshuaboone on Oct 12, 2009 10:43 PM CDT up reply actions
That series drove me insane
I totally agree with jimmy and the earlier post. That was the time to run Lendale inside. I went freaking nuts in the stands when we tried to throw it downfield. I was excited when CMH came back for another spin as OC but I am convinced that most of the problems on offense fall in his lap. His playcalling makes no sense and I don’t see it getting any better. Every week the SOS.
Luv Ya Blue
Yes, yes it
Surprised you recognized him in uniform!
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whats up with marks anyhow?
Haven’t heard anything about this guy all season…
by vancouverTITAN on Oct 12, 2009 5:19 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
They could both carry the ball
but it would look kind of funny.
Titans Blogger at Music City Miracles even though gramsey hates it.
“go left little bruddah!”
“no cut right big bro!”
bonk heads
RIP Steve McNair (1973 - 2009) Retire #9!
Member of the Committee to Keep Keith Bulluck.
Eric Berry for Heisman!!
by Pride of the Southland on Oct 13, 2009 8:59 AM CDT up reply actions
I agree
Jimmy’s right on target on this issue! LW should actually start the game and soften up defenses so a quicker CJ can spell him and play the 3rd down role. They can always mix it up by putting both backs on the field as others here have suggested. I agree with Voluntitan23 Heimerdinger’s calls dont make a whole lotta sense at times. “46”
It's not than just decisions
The titans only major acquisition was a #3 receiver from the steelers for Haynesworth and Carr. There were plenty of receivers they could have signed. TJ, TO, they could have traded for Boldin. They could have signed a defender. They just failed in the offseason.
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