Nate Washington is Hurt But the World is Not Ending
by Jimmy on Aug 25, 2009 8:40 AM CDT
in Tennessee Titans Commentary
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I know that the easy thing to do this morning is talk how we are cursed at wide receiver, and trust me, I know all about curses. But before we start talking about Yancey Thigpen, Carl Pickens and David Givens, let's keep a few things in mind:
First of all, we have no idea how serious the injury to Nate Washington is. We know he is going to miss the rest of the preseason, but we are still a little more than two weeks from the opener in Pittsburgh. It doesn't seem all that likely that he will be ready, but it is still way too early to rule him out.
Another thing to remember is that we aren't even sure what we have in Washington yet. He has the speed to get down the field that this offense desperately needs, but he has never been the guy like the guys listed above.
Thirdly, we are better off in the playmaking department than we have been in years past. I feel so much better with Justin Gage, Kenny Britt, and Jared Cook instead of Gage, Justin McSuckins and Bo Scaife, and that is not a knock on Scaife. Cook is going to be a better playmaker than Scaife is, but Scaife is still a solid receiving option who is still on the roster.
Bottom line is even with Washington out for a period of time, the Titans are still better at receiver/tight end than they have been in a long, long time. So the sky is not falling chicken little.
And, if all else fails, they could move Vince Young to wide receiver. I kid..
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I'm a pessimist
Without Washington, we are only marginally better than last year.
And hamstring injuries tend to linger.
The WR curse continues.
by zackmann on Aug 25, 2009 8:56 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
We obviously are working too much on the quads
and not enough on the hamstrings.
Official MCM Hater!
FREE BRYCE BROWN!
"... the World is Not Ending"
maybe that’s just what they want us to believe!
Music City Miracles blogger and official Jon Bovi tour manager.
I'm trying!
to be an optimist. But, the injury list that seems to grow daily is making it tough. Does this say something about the training program or what??
by JimR on Aug 25, 2009 11:16 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
Maybe
but the Titans were remarkably healthy last season.
Titans Blogger at Music City Miracles even though gramsey hates it.
True
and it seems like pre-season injuries are up around the whole league this year. Is that right or is it just my perception? Where’s our stats guy?? :-)
by JimR on Aug 25, 2009 11:31 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Probably on a layover in Baltimore.
I’ve spent more time there waiting to catch a plane back from Nashville than I even want to think about.
DannoE
"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one."
At least we're not the colts...
Their injury list on defense is huge
Christie kicks it high and short...Gonna be fielded by Lorenzo Neal at the 25...He dishes it back to Wycheck...He throws it across the field to Dyson...
Crowd roaring after Suter’s goal tied it up… Preds win the faceoff and Arnott crosses the blueline, slapshot and a SCORE! Arnott blows it by Hasek and the Preds take the lead 4-3…
by Michaeltastic on Aug 25, 2009 2:23 PM CDT up reply actions
I might cry
If Britt AND washington have hamstring issues after coming here. Maybe we should stick to drafting athletic tight ends.
Who doesn't want to be a promiscuous dope fiend?
by BonzosMontreaux on Aug 25, 2009 2:35 PM CDT reply actions
Damn.
They’ve got the TE down pretty good, don’t they? LOL
Never have to worry about fielding good TEs here. :-)
"Bite my shiny metal ass!" -- Bender Bending Rodriguez
"Life is just one crushing defeat after another until you just wish Flanders was dead."
by The Jade Scorpion on Aug 25, 2009 2:43 PM CDT up reply actions
Yikes!
“Bottom line is even with Washington out for a period of time, the Titans are still better at receiver/tight end than they have been in a long, long time. So the sky is not falling chicken little.”—-
Based on what? We’ve essentially traded McSuckins for a rookie WR who may or may not pan out, and whom we have spent the entire preseason wondering if he’s over injury x, y, or z. I suppose we can dream of a history-breaking, INSTANT impact from a rookie WR, but it’s hardly likely even if he does wear a Titans uniform (and it should thus be automatic). Expecting a rookie WR to improve our WR corps IMMEDIATELY is unrealistic by any measure.
We may actually field a weaker WR corp than last year, despite the flawed logic that we could field no WRs on the roster and be better simply by subtraction of McSuckins. In reality, Cook will still fight for field time at a position where we already fielded a Pro Bowler, and Gage will again be our #1 if Washington is hurt. Are we really betting the bank that a POSSIBLE improvement (a rookie) at #2 WR solves the problem?
At this point, I defy the anti-Harrison folks at MSM. Evaluate the injury – if Nate is not going to be ready for Week One, bring in Marvin – he knows the division, is a sure-handed WR, we have plenty of cap space for this year, and he won’t cost Draft Picks via trade; in other words, you lose NOTHING by bringing him in.. And despite all of the Harrision hate, he’s better than any option we have right now other than the overblown hype of unproven rookies, and an inability to see any possible downside with fielding rookies and hoping for the best.
Gage and Harrision with Britt learning the ropes is a WR tandem that breeds confidence, to me. It’s an upgrade from last year, hands down.
If you can do better than Harrison, fine – but don’t try and sell me magic rookie WR beans. This ain’t my first rodeo. Get some help if Washington is hurt – especially since he’s supposed to be our “burner,” and now will have a nagging hammy injury.
I’m going against the grain here – bring in Marvin Harrision. Unless, of course, you are lucky enough to have an opportunity to acquire someone better. But Harrison could step in IMMEDIATELY and play, and knows his opponents here (he could probably give us some scouting help aganist Indy, for that matter), and all he costs is money.
"Bite my shiny metal ass!" -- Bender Bending Rodriguez
"Life is just one crushing defeat after another until you just wish Flanders was dead."
by The Jade Scorpion on Aug 25, 2009 2:36 PM CDT reply actions
Britt doesn't have to be an
“INSTANT impact from a rookie WR” to be better than McSuckins. He just has to catch the ball.
Titans Blogger at Music City Miracles even though gramsey hates it.
Well....
NO argument there. But putting a rookie WR in and expecting him to produce immediately (even if by “immediately” you mean year one) is not a wise battle plan. This is no secret.
"Bite my shiny metal ass!" -- Bender Bending Rodriguez
"Life is just one crushing defeat after another until you just wish Flanders was dead."
by The Jade Scorpion on Aug 25, 2009 2:46 PM CDT up reply actions
Bah!
They could put Hawkins in McCareins old spot, and it would be a mega-upgrade. And I believe that Britt is better than Hawkins, and I believe that Cook could move outside and play WR if push came to shove.
Also, the Saints had a rookie WR have an impact a just two years ago, and the Eagles did pretty well with DeSean Jackson, despite his idiot “dop the ball” incident. Also, the Giants got some good prodduction out of at least one of their rookie WRs the year they went to the Super Bowl. So, bottom line, It’s not unheardof for a rookie WR to contribute real value. It’s just rare.
DannoE
"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one."
The Giants...
….weren’t COUNTING on the rookie WR having an impact – it was a bonus. He didn’t have to start from Week One (and, by the way, have to never get injured). Coulston was a shock, hence his Seventh Round Draft status.
There is a big difference here, in that the Titans would be expecting the rookie to start from Week One and would be gambling a portion of the team’s season on a rookie starting WR.
We need a veteran, and I think Harrison’s plusses outweigh any potential minuses right now.
"Bite my shiny metal ass!" -- Bender Bending Rodriguez
"Life is just one crushing defeat after another until you just wish Flanders was dead."
by The Jade Scorpion on Aug 25, 2009 3:11 PM CDT up reply actions
Do I actually have to defend a first round pick by saying...
…that it doesn’t matter what round he was taken in? I mean, we’re talking about a potential #3 receiver here, not the Savior of the Franchise.
DannoE
"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one."
look at it this way:
we still have .12 gage, our best WR last season.
we still have scaife, our most reliable target.
chris johnson should see a bigger role in the passing game.
if britt doesn’t pee his pants during a game, he will be an upgrade over mccareins.
once they start scheming for jared cook, a guarantee at no point will we think about brandon jones.
lavelle hawkins was non-factor last season. he will probably see some action this season.
even without washington, the titans are still definitively more talented on offense than they were last year.
The Dual Threat, Official Enforcer/Stat Geek of MCM.
So by fielding the same players...
…we’re “definitely more talented on offense?”
Gotta disagree there. The “let’s all hope everyone just gets better” gameplan doesn’t give me any confidence in an offensive upgrade – just as it hasn’t in any previous season.
"Bite my shiny metal ass!" -- Bender Bending Rodriguez
"Life is just one crushing defeat after another until you just wish Flanders was dead."
by The Jade Scorpion on Aug 25, 2009 3:15 PM CDT up reply actions
Nate's Injury
According to an article I just read on Yahoo sports. Fisher says his injury isn’t serious, hopefully it’s not.
I agree, it’s not an impossibility to have a rookie WR contribute right off. It doesn’t happen often, but it’s not impossible. Besides, I don’t think he’d be expected to be the go to guy from the get go.
Please link the article.
"Bite my shiny metal ass!" -- Bender Bending Rodriguez
"Life is just one crushing defeat after another until you just wish Flanders was dead."
by The Jade Scorpion on Aug 25, 2009 3:20 PM CDT up reply actions
This article...
…noticable limp? Strained right hamstring? Fisher "not saying anything?’
Let’s be real….Washington is NOT going to be playing for a while – and when he does, you don’t just quickly get over a hammy injury……
Hearing a member of mangement give us political speak on injuries is always a bad sign. I know they want to quell any ideas of looking outside of the organization for help, but sometimes you’re got to own up to a team need.
"Bite my shiny metal ass!" -- Bender Bending Rodriguez
"Life is just one crushing defeat after another until you just wish Flanders was dead."
by The Jade Scorpion on Aug 25, 2009 3:26 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Article
It’s certainly vague for sure, but that’s how he pretty much sums every injury up. No, I don’t think he’ll be playing soon, but maybe he’ll make the opener. That’s just my hopes, lol.
There was another article on MSN suggesting we might be interested in Matt Jones, hope to hell theres no truth to that one.
Matt Jones.
Well………that wouldn’t surprise me. He may have baggage, and probably won’t help us, but he’s dirt cheap!
I’m with you, there………
"Bite my shiny metal ass!" -- Bender Bending Rodriguez
"Life is just one crushing defeat after another until you just wish Flanders was dead."
by The Jade Scorpion on Aug 25, 2009 3:51 PM CDT up reply actions
P.S.
If you think he’s getting over a hammy by Opening Day,
you’re way too optimistic.
"Bite my shiny metal ass!" -- Bender Bending Rodriguez
"Life is just one crushing defeat after another until you just wish Flanders was dead."
by The Jade Scorpion on Aug 25, 2009 3:52 PM CDT up reply actions
Yeah, you might be right, but...
Britt made it back from his hamstring injury in a couple weeks, I believe anyway. So, hopefully Nate can too. Even though, Nate’s may be more serious than Britt’s was. Here’s to hopin’, lol.
I'm with ya,
amigo.
It’s going to be a tough first half, schedule and all. We need EVERYBODY, ASAP.
"Bite my shiny metal ass!" -- Bender Bending Rodriguez
"Life is just one crushing defeat after another until you just wish Flanders was dead."
by The Jade Scorpion on Aug 25, 2009 4:11 PM CDT up reply actions
Article
It’s certainly vague for sure, but that’s how he pretty much sums every injury up. No, I don’t think he’ll be playing soon, but maybe he’ll make the opener. That’s just my hopes, lol.
There was another article on MSN suggesting we might be interested in Matt Jones, hope to hell theres no truth to that one.
LOL...
As a Cubs fan,
I get teased with rumors like “Boldin to Tennessee” waaaaay too often.
If I had a nickle for every player the Cubs we’re supposedly trading for……
I’m already accustomed to those teases – it barely phases me these days. LOL
"Bite my shiny metal ass!" -- Bender Bending Rodriguez
"Life is just one crushing defeat after another until you just wish Flanders was dead."
by The Jade Scorpion on Aug 25, 2009 4:08 PM CDT up reply actions
So your a Cubs fan
No wonder you are the most negative person ever.
Who doesn't want to be a promiscuous dope fiend?
by BonzosMontreaux on Aug 25, 2009 5:44 PM CDT reply actions
Actually....
The Cubs scarcely have teased me with dreams of a title – 1984 and 2003 are really the only teases, and they never really even got to the Big Series. Cubs fans are typically pretty happy and disturbingly optimistic, considering the last championship basically followed the end of the Civil War. ;-)
The Oilers/Titans have beaten the hell out of me with some of the most agonizing losses ever – Baltimore twice, Buffalo (32 points), Super Bowl (one yard)…….ugh…….
I try to stay positive, but I don’t buy into the political speak that teams have become pros at in recent years. Getting straight talk on injuries – especially of just-signed players – is pretty much impossible; and getting an organization to actually admit they have weaknesses – and that all of the solutions aren’t just hiding in the coaches’ minds or in the players already on the roster – is beyond the ability of mortal man to achieve anymore.
I miss the straight talk of the Ditkas and Knoxes. These days, coaches are just another branch of the PR tree for NFL organizations – don’t say anything negative, don’t suggest we need help, don’t admit the injury is worse than we’re saying, don’t ever talk about going outside of the organization for help………..
How I’d love to hear them just say, “Washington’s injury isn’t season-ending, but bad. It’ll probably temper his speed for most, if not all of this year. We’re a little short-handed at WR right now, and we’re probably going to have to go out there and bring somebody in to make us better for this year. We realize the window doesn’t stay open forever, so we’re going to take a step we usually do not take because the situation now warrants it. We’re in contact with teams and available veteran WRs to see who can help us win in 2009.”
As far as being negative – I believe the Titans, with a slight tweak of the roster, can be Super Bowl Champions this season. That’s not negative, and pointing out that they might be missing a rare opportunity at a title because they are incapable of admitting weaknesses is hardly overly-critical.
Even the Steelers figured out you need WRs.
"Bite my shiny metal ass!" -- Bender Bending Rodriguez
"Life is just one crushing defeat after another until you just wish Flanders was dead."
by The Jade Scorpion on Aug 25, 2009 6:59 PM CDT up reply actions
So why aren't you working for the team
if you have it all figured out?
Official MCM Hater!
FREE BRYCE BROWN!
Because I would not make....
…a very good politician.
"Bite my shiny metal ass!" -- Bender Bending Rodriguez
"Life is just one crushing defeat after another until you just wish Flanders was dead."
by The Jade Scorpion on Aug 25, 2009 10:50 PM CDT up reply actions
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