Tennessee Titans Morning Links: How We Blitz Edition

by August West on Oct 13, 2009 8:57 AM CDT in Tennessee Titans Links

Want some idea of how cheery is it in the Titans locker room these days? Vince Young's alleged/apparent annoyance at getting mop-up duty has taken a back seat to Jevon Kearse storming out of the stadium after being told that he was a healthy scratch last game. In Kearse's defense, I don't know why you'd sit him when Dave Ball and Boom King have been even less effective this year...

Some observers think the problem with our defense isn't really how little or how much we blitz, but how we blitz:

For one thing, they believe that Cecil — the team's former secondary assistant, who was named the replacement for the departed Jim Schwartz instead of LB coach and former NFL defensive coordinator Dave McGinnis — needs to start employing a much more aggressive approach.

"Schwartz (who moved on to Detroit to become the Lions' head coach) would be dialing up blitzes from all over," said one observer.

Follow us through the jump for more news and links...

Nick Harper is out for 4-6 weeks with a broken forearm... which I'm actually pretty cool with. I mean I don't want to see anyone get hurt, but I don't want to see Nick Harper playing like he has all year either.

Jeff Fisher told reporters he understands why fans are so distraught over our poor start this year... which makes me feel about 0% better.

Vince Young was voted the 10th most beloved player in college football history, and I"m honestly surprised he's not higher on that list.

Will Leon of TitansTracker.com has a suggestion for yesterday's word association exercise: tomato can.

If there's anything you would like to share with the MCM community, please take advantage of the comments, fanshots and fanposts to do so! Or, you can always email me at mcmaugustwest@gmail.com.

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Comments

re: jevon

i understand how he might feel like a scapegoat in that situation. he’s a veteran on a bad team who always gives 110%, and to be the first, and only, starter at this point to be demoted must hurt. looks like we are headed for another ugly divorce with a player who has meant a good deal to this franchise over his career and that sucks.

The Dual Threat, Official Enforcer/Stat Geek of MCM.

by hal41605 on Oct 13, 2009 9:22 AM CDT reply actions

Hate to jump on the bandwagon

But, after this last game, I have to say:

1. Start Vince Young

2. Put Cecil on notice.

One, because Vince won’t do a worse job, and might make a difference. At this point, winning out the rest of the season will not guarantee a playoff berth. Not in the AFC, and especially not in the AFC South.

Two, because, after this much time, where else can the majority of the blame lie? Sure, Fisher is the head coach, but it’s the D that is letting us down, something that hasn’t happened in the past, and shouldn’t be happening now.

I still love and support my Titans, but I won’t bury my head in the sand. Something is very, very wrong in the Titans locker room.

by Rustmeister on Oct 13, 2009 9:23 AM CDT reply actions

I agree with both...

The thing is VY may or may not be even worse at throwing than KC. In his time on the sides he may have improved ten fold, or he may be the same VY he was when he lost the job. At the very least with VY you have the run dynamic. That alone could make a huge difference in every game we have lost so far.

It was said that KC was the starter as long as the team was winning. So after 0-5 when is the team considered to actually be losing?

As to Chuck. How do you return a pro bowler filled secondary and their coach gets promoted and they still go from spectacular to sucktacular? The Pitsburgh game made me question him. “The blitz is working… let’s stop doing that and try this fail 4 man rush until it works too….”

by Titan in WV on Oct 13, 2009 9:39 AM CDT up reply actions

Anyone else catch the Miami game last night?

I’m in envy of how creative they were on offense. We would never have the balls to put a guy like Pat White in the game to run the zone read on a game winning drive. Miami had 3 guys take snaps on the final drive (White, Henne, and Brown).

The team ate it up. Even more frustrating, it’s a very similar football team, built around a heavy running game and good defense. They stared 0-3 in the face and bounced back with two solid wins, without their starting quarterback. The coaching staff stayed enthusiastic and got creative, and the team responded.

by SuperHorn on Oct 13, 2009 9:23 AM CDT reply actions

+1 billion

I watched that game and thought, “Wow, so this is what creativity looks like…”

by Titan9 on Oct 13, 2009 9:26 AM CDT up reply actions

and yet they were still 1-3 headed into the game...

Music City Miracles blogger and official Jon Bovi tour manager.

by August West on Oct 13, 2009 9:47 AM CDT up reply actions

still a lot more fun to watch

than the titans

by numbertenox on Oct 13, 2009 10:12 AM CDT up reply actions

I wasn't aware of the record.

But yeah, a little more fun to watch than the Titans. Would I take a boring gameplan and the wins versus the wildcat and the losses? Of course not, but if we’re going anyway to lose at least entertain us.

by Titan9 on Oct 13, 2009 10:26 AM CDT up reply actions

Their defense needs some tightening

Is their main issue (Dolphins).

by numbertenox on Oct 13, 2009 10:45 AM CDT up reply actions

and yet they defeated the jets

and are now 2-3 with a buttload of momentum. I’d trade for that in a heartbeat.

by T the D on Oct 13, 2009 10:47 AM CDT up reply actions

They kept it close against the colts, though. They probably should've won that game.

by jayosanne on Oct 13, 2009 12:25 PM CDT up reply actions

I would take 1 - 3 over 0-5

by bullrider73 on Oct 13, 2009 12:59 PM CDT up reply actions

the great titans mystery

why do you ever draft a guy like vince if your only plan is to make him a pocket passer?

The Dual Threat, Official Enforcer/Stat Geek of MCM.

by hal41605 on Oct 13, 2009 9:26 AM CDT up reply actions

Because your boss tells you to.

by Titan9 on Oct 13, 2009 9:28 AM CDT up reply actions

It boggles the mind.

It HAS to be that Fisher just wasn’t involved in the decision.

When we get to 0-8, I’d like to see just one game. Just one, where Fisher runs the offense with Vince taking every snap out of the shotgun.

by SuperHorn on Oct 13, 2009 9:29 AM CDT up reply actions

Just one, where Fisher runs the offense with Vince taking every snap out of the shotgun.

im not ready for the world to end

The Dual Threat, Official Enforcer/Stat Geek of MCM.

by hal41605 on Oct 13, 2009 9:33 AM CDT up reply actions

hal, it already has

this is all post-apocalypse strategy we’re doing now, so I want to see Vince in a no-huddle, shotgun, multi-option, two minute drill in the first quarter offense. OK?

by JimR on Oct 13, 2009 9:49 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

the day fisher runs even half of a game from shotgun

is the day we will all cease to exist

The Dual Threat, Official Enforcer/Stat Geek of MCM.

by hal41605 on Oct 13, 2009 9:53 AM CDT up reply actions

I know, I know

you are right. That’s why I keep saying the Fisher and Vince are NOT a good fit for each other. One of them has to go. At the start of the season I assumed that was obviously Vince, and it probably still is. Vince can play, but he’s a fish out of water in Fish’s offense. (wow, I made a pun. :-) )

by JimR on Oct 13, 2009 10:08 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

if we do that all game

we score 40 and the opposing D is completely exhausted. Sure VY would probably throw 2 picks or so, but we’d get the W

by T the D on Oct 13, 2009 10:49 AM CDT up reply actions

Agree

by JimR on Oct 13, 2009 10:58 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

it doesn't even need to be every snap

but yes, it should be the foundation.

by T the D on Oct 13, 2009 10:48 AM CDT up reply actions

+1

Bring Back Vince Young!

by pigskinpundits.com on Oct 13, 2009 10:25 AM CDT up reply actions

It was actually four

Ricky took a snap that drive I believe as well. That’s what a good offensive coordinator has to do in this league now: CREATIVITY and INNOVATION. Our offense wouldn’t be considered either if this was 1993.

Did anybody see the Broncos take down the Pats with their own version of the wildcat? Moreno in the deep shotgun with Orton going in motion, reading the coverage, and either taking the snap or direct snapping it to Moreno. It worked for them as well.

With our young talent, with VY and the right scheme, we could definitely do some damage, Infinitely more than we are with this vanilla dog crap.

by T the D on Oct 13, 2009 10:10 AM CDT up reply actions

Broncs Offense

With lining up Orton where they did, he also got a different perspective for the audible. Everytime they did it, he would audible out to something different. I think VY could really benefit there as well.
Collins rating is down there with Jamarcus Russell and Fish keeps saying “Collins is not the problem”…I agree…it’s the blinders on the sideline. I love Fisher, but old school is NOT GETTING IT DONE. With coaches like Cower and Gruden hanging out and waiting, he needs to get his SHi* together and start getting creative. What does he have to lose thats not already on the Line?

by writerjason on Oct 13, 2009 11:45 AM CDT up reply actions

+1 observation of the week

Bring Back Vince Young!

by pigskinpundits.com on Oct 13, 2009 10:24 AM CDT up reply actions

I love that they recognize what team they have

and they have to step up their creativity and adapt; they’re doing it very well.

by jayosanne on Oct 13, 2009 12:29 PM CDT up reply actions

I know I am late to the convo busy day at work

SuperHorn,

I was extremely impressed also with not only the creativity, but the timing of the playcalls. They seemed to call the perfect play at the perfect time. It was one of the best called games I have personally ever watched. I feel like they completely neutralized the Jets blitz just with their playcalling. They also blocked well obviously, but the Jets never knew when to blitz, and it seemed every time they did they got burned.

T-Rac's Posse - T-Rac is one boss raccoon.
My personal Tribute to Air McNair

by T--Rac's Posse on Oct 13, 2009 1:10 PM CDT up reply actions

The Titans are a complete trainwreck right now.

And that falls squarely on the shoulders of the coach.

by Titan9 on Oct 13, 2009 9:27 AM CDT reply actions

everyone on this team

is a grown man and a professional. there is blame to be had by all.

The Dual Threat, Official Enforcer/Stat Geek of MCM.

by hal41605 on Oct 13, 2009 9:34 AM CDT up reply actions

I agree.

I’m not putting the losses all on Fish but the general disrepair and fading morale are directly related to him. It’s his job to hold it together and this team, from all perceptions, is going in the exactly opposite direction.

by Titan9 on Oct 13, 2009 10:24 AM CDT up reply actions

Fisher should consider benching himself

Bring Back Vince Young!

by pigskinpundits.com on Oct 13, 2009 10:25 AM CDT reply actions

Where's the link to

VY’s alleged aggravation?

by T the D on Oct 13, 2009 10:50 AM CDT reply actions

Here

Music City Miracles blogger and official Jon Bovi tour manager.

by August West on Oct 13, 2009 11:37 AM CDT up reply actions

Thank you sir

Not sure how I missed it. How dare he look at the scoreboard!!!!!!!!

by T the D on Oct 13, 2009 12:10 PM CDT up reply actions

Here

Fannation

by titanben on Oct 13, 2009 11:40 AM CDT up reply actions

Nick Harper

Broken arm:

Is this to disgusting to post? Or is it not disgusting at all? My wife didn’t want to see it.

by Titanfan on Oct 13, 2009 12:24 PM CDT reply actions

Your freaking pictures are awesome.

Awesome!

Official MCM Hater!

Retire #9!

by gramsey712 on Oct 13, 2009 12:52 PM CDT up reply actions

+1

I wish i could take such great pictures.

Ain't no time for hesitatin'
All you got to do is groove

by BonzosMontreaux on Oct 13, 2009 3:11 PM CDT up reply actions

did anyone else notice

how in the steelers game, we continued getting killed by the blitz, and instead of trying some screen passes like most good offensive coordinators would do, especially when you have chris johnson to dump it off to. We kept trying the deep passes and kerry would just end up running around and throwing it away. The players aren’t the problem. We need to clean house in the coaching department. Ive never been impressed with fisher, a nutless monkey could win with the talent he has had come through his locker room.

by russm8678 on Oct 13, 2009 3:17 PM CDT reply actions