Tennessee Titans Morning Links: It's Just The Tale Of A Heart Attack Edition

by August West on Nov 6, 2009 8:59 AM CST in Tennessee Titans Links

The Titans are preparing for the always dangerous workhorse Frank Gore this Sunday. If they had trouble tackling MJD on a few plays, they'll need to focus twice as hard on the much stronger Gore. Wyatt also discuss the new questions surrounding the return game as no one knows if Chris Davis or Alvin Pearman will be returning kicks and/or punts.

Maybe after all those snaps the defense just Need(s) Some Air... by the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club!

The Sporting News breaks-down Vince Young on the cover, then pairs off the keys for the game as we prepare for San Francisco. the third one id no breakdowns in the secondary, and given how bad our breakdowns have been (more like meltdowns), I'd bump that puppy right up to number one.

Follow us through the jump for links on disappointments, injuries and a match made in football heaven...

The Titans are using a large defensive line rotation as expected, but the results from some guys just haven't been there. Off-season pick-up Jovan Haye has really been a letdown so far. He's been great against the run, but that isn't what we need right now, so he and his 4-year $16 million deal were inactive Sunday while second round pick Sen'Derrick Marks got his first meaningful playing time.

PFW takes a more in-depth look at Haye's struggles.

The match between the Titans and Rod Hood is going about as well as can be expected so far for a mid-season signing of a street free agent at a starting position on defense. Hood sounds absolutely euphoric about getting this shot and the early returns.

David Stewart injured his hammy at practice, but the injury doesn't appear to be much of a concern at this point. It's a little easier for an O-lineman to play through that than a WR or CB. the only thing that gets dicey about that is our only experienced depth there, OT Mike Otto, hasn't practiced in about two weeks. I've never seen then swing LeRoy Harris out there, so I'm guessing that would make Troy Kropog, who was active for his first game last week, the next in line should Stewart be a scratch on Sunday.

Paul Kuharsky takes a look at the strength of schedule for AFC South teams through the first half and second half of the year. We had the 3rd hardest schedule in the NFL through week 8, and like the other top 4 teams in that count we have a crap record to show for it.

Vince Young still has many tests yet to come this season, says David Climer.

The match-up between MLB Stephen Tulloch and Frank Gore on Sunday is a key one for the Titans, and it's a quite interesting one since the two men have been competing against each other since the earliest days of pee wee football. Think they haven't seen each other since? Wrong: they played at rival high schools, then both played in the ACC (though Gore's years at Miami were marred by two ACL injuries that limited his playing time).

Here, Stephen Tulloch blogs about the first win, and gives some heads-up about the charity work he'll be doing with Backfield in Motion to help feed the needy on Thanksgiving Day.

Every time you read a great Titans-related story on the web and don't share it with the MCM community through the fanposts, fanshots or by emailing me at mcmaugustwest@gmail.com a Ravens (or Steelers) fan smiles. Is that what you want?!!!!?!?!

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1-7?

You know I am usually quite optimistic however looking at the stats and our recent history it is not favorable for us to come out with a win. They held the Colt’s and Manning for most of their game until a fluke play at the end gave the colts their win. The 49’s are a different team with Singeltary at the helm. I hope we can pull it off but I am not holding my breath on this one.

by studiocat on Nov 6, 2009 9:45 AM CST reply actions

I think we'll be OK, but.....

the defense has got to gang-tackle. If we can hold Gore to under 100 yds, and CJ can run for over 100 yds (I doubt that he can put up over 200 again), and if we can turn EVERY trip to red zone into 6 (not 3), we’ve got a chance. I know, I know…that a lot of ifs. But it IS doable.

by titansfan4ever on Nov 6, 2009 9:55 AM CST up reply actions

it's all about the d

the 49ers o-line has been atrocious and it’s even more banged up than before. our d-line needs to have a field day, stuff gore and get after smith. if they can do that, the titans will win.
their run d might be very good, but cj is unlike any other back in the league in his ability to make a defense pay for even the slightest crease. we will probably see a lot of cj tackled at or behind the line, but hopefully he will also break a couple big ones. with the secondary back from the dead and playing at a decent level gives me a lot more hope.

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

by hal41605 on Nov 6, 2009 10:01 AM CST up reply actions

pressure, pressure and more pressure

did i mention pressure?

"hey, quit reading these ridiculous words of wisdom and get back to work!"

by stetix01 on Nov 6, 2009 10:14 AM CST up reply actions

Yeah, I was impressed....

with the pressure our D-line put on the Jags…looks like the secondary’s not the only squad that was back from the dead!

by titansfan4ever on Nov 6, 2009 10:24 AM CST up reply actions

This is probably the 2nd toughest game left on the schedule.

The Colts will be tougher, but this is also going to be a very tough match-up. It was knowing that this game was on the schedule that made the dropped games against Houston and NY so bad. This is a tough trip to have to make.

That said, I agree with Hal that the key is the Defense, alogn with VY playing mistake free and making just a couple of drive extending first downs. I think there’s a good possibility that neither Offense can do a lot. In which case, Time of Possession and/or simple mistakes could well prove decisive. In this, neither team really has an advantage.

It’s likely to be a nail-biter either way. But a win here would go a long way towards redeeming the season—or at least showing that it can be redeemed.

DannoE

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

by DannoE on Nov 6, 2009 11:19 AM CST reply actions