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The Tennessee Titans are 0-3: What Now?

Gramsey may not be surprised by this start, but I am.  It was pretty easy to excuse away the loss in the opener.  It was opening night against the defending champs in their house.  

That is where the excusable losses end.  the Texans are not a good team and losing to them at home is just not acceptable, especially when you look at the way the game was lost.

Today's game is a win if Ryan Mouton doesn't put the ball on the ground twice.  Be very careful though who you blame for that.  There has been a lot of hate here for Mouton, but Jeff Fisher is the one who put him out there, in those elements, after Mouton had dropped two punts the week before.  It is also Fisher who has been convinced all along that we don't need any help in the return game.  That is on him plain and simple.

Be careful not to fall into the trap of talking about how the Titans are still a good team because all of the losses are a play here and a play there from being wins.  That is the National Football League.  There are very few games in this league that are decided by more than a play here or there.  This team has some major holes that are going to have to be addressed before we can even think about getting into anything that resembles a playoff run.

Star-divide

 

What really sucks about today is that the team was able to fix one of their biggest ailments after the first quarter.  The defense looked today like a defense that could help a team win some games.  Sure they gave up 24 points, but 14 of those points came on a short field after turnovers on special teams.  Chuck Cecil showed today that he is able to make adjustments in game.  It was good to see that.

A couple of things:

People, please stop talking about Albert Haynesworth.  He is gone, and it was the right decision for the franchise to make.  You simply cannot afford to give one player that much money.  Look at how it is working out for the Redskins.  Obviously this was a better defense with him here, but that is irrelevant at this point.

I would have actually liked to see Vince Young get a shot today.  Now obviously it wasn't going to happen because he wasn't well enough to be the backup, but Kerry Collins is not going to be successful against a pass rush like that.  By the end of the game he was pretty much running backwards as soon as got the snap.  (If we are being completely honest, Collins was off target even before the pass rush was getting to him.)

Would VY have done any better in that game?  I don't really know, but if Collins cannot have at least a 3:1 TD to turnover ratio, it isn't worth having him in the game because there is no upside.

So the title of this is what now?  I don't really know the answer.  This team still has enough talent on it to make a run at a playoff berth, but some things have to get worked out for that to come to fruition.  It starts with Fisher admitting that we need some help in the return game.  Until he does, we are going to continue to keep ourselves a play here and a play there from winning games.

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One point of clarification

When I say 3:1 for Collins, I really mean TD drives, not TD passes.

Titans Blogger at Music City Miracles even though gramsey hates it.

by Jimmy on Sep 27, 2009 6:46 PM CDT reply actions  

Regardless whose fault it is,

We need to pick up a return man this week. Justin Miller is a good option.

FOREVER #9

Official Graphic Designer/Researcher/Grammar Police of MCM.
Official Graphic Goon of OTF.

by Aditya T (smashville) on Sep 27, 2009 6:46 PM CDT reply actions  

reading from his post-game quote

fisher wants to use mouton all the way

by LastSd on Sep 27, 2009 6:54 PM CDT up reply actions  

Man I hope not

Mouton might be fine as a nickel back, but he certainly cannot catch punts in the NFL- not yet anyhow.

I don’t know what this blind devotion Fisher has for Mouton is about, but we clearly need a dude that can at least FIELD A PUNT.

by TNTitans on Sep 27, 2009 8:45 PM CDT up reply actions  

Fa Sho

Cut Hawkins, sign Miller ASAP

MrDeeboi33

by MrDeeboi33 on Sep 27, 2009 9:15 PM CDT up reply actions  

Post Game Quotes

Here

Jeff Fisher
On Finnegan being a possible alternative to Mouton on punts…

No. They’re playing corner, and returning, and covering kicks. Those guys got a lot of work in today and they’re going to be better off for it.

On Mouton’s fumble…

He just didn’t track the ball. He’s going to be a good corner for us and a good special teams player. Eventually, he’ll become a good returner. He just needs to settle down a little bit.

On pass protection for Kerry Collins…

I thought Kerry made plays. Kerry was under pressure and he put the ball in places at the end where we needed to make some plays. We just couldn’t come up with two or three catches.

by SuperHorn on Sep 27, 2009 7:01 PM CDT reply actions  

Except now Mouton has to step up on the defensive side after the injury

along with fielding punts

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 Sep 27, 2009 7:03 PM CDT up reply actions  

Yikes.

If this is true, we’ve officially reached the point where Jeff Fisher believes in his own infallibility.

There has to be a point – HAS to be a point – when a coach can admit making a mistake in judgement or a miscalculation. If even now he cannot concede that Mouton should not be fielding punts, I mean – just wow.

Boy, oh boy. I mean, you expect to hear a coach talk about making changes because the status quo “isn’t getting the job done.” But with Fisher, you just get “we’re gonna stick with the status quo, and dammit this time it’s going to work because I AM NOT WRONG!”

Seriously, no accountability for anyone? Really? NOBODY has to fear for losing their job?!?!?! Not even Mouton?!?! Really?!?!?!

Just wow.

"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 Sep 27, 2009 8:54 PM CDT up reply actions  

Hey Fish

We are in a class with the Chiefs and the Browns… We have a worse record than the Lions and the Raiders… Thanks, Gutcheck time

by Big Bad Bulluck on Sep 27, 2009 10:37 PM CDT up reply actions  

EXCUSES, EXCUSES, EXCUSES!!!!!!!!

Do you really think Kerry made plays?

MrDeeboi33

by MrDeeboi33 on Sep 27, 2009 9:23 PM CDT up reply actions  

I agree that if Collins isn't going to play any better, than someone else should

have a shot. I am tired of ineffective play. Yes a play here or there would have made a HUGE difference. The Steelers only have one win this year. They were the Superbowl champs! What happened there?
The special teams situation HAS to change, it is unacceptable the way it is.

Joy Kat
Kerry Collins is my evil twin.

by Joy kat on Sep 27, 2009 7:06 PM CDT reply actions  

do you guys realize

that the titans and steelers are 1-5, and only have a win because they faced each other. and the broncos and bengals are 5-1, and only have a loss because they played each other.

and i hope fisher is just saying these things cause a good coach and protects his players in the media – and not cause he ACTUALLY thinks kerry collins made plays

by mattd97 on Sep 27, 2009 7:11 PM CDT reply actions  

This is more than a specials teams problem. Our defense on the first drive was atrocious. Our wide eeceivers dropped multiple balls. Our running game is inconsistent. Our specials teams speaks for itself.

by nyctitan on Sep 27, 2009 7:12 PM CDT via mobile reply actions  

along with believing that theres nothing wrong with our special teams. this team is based on field position and we have an injured 50 year old punter, a kicker that we no longer trust enough to kick a fg on 4th down, and no kick/punt returners.

by mattd97 on Sep 27, 2009 7:20 PM CDT reply actions  

HERES YOUR REALITY CHECK....................

Bulluck is right. At 0-3, the Titans’ playoff hopes are at best on life support – only three of 96 teams since 1990 have recovered from losing their first three games to eventually make the playoffs.

Source
City Paper

by studiocat on Sep 27, 2009 7:23 PM CDT reply actions  

Forget the stats.

FOREVER #9

Official Graphic Designer/Researcher/Grammar Police of MCM.
Official Graphic Goon of OTF.

by Aditya T (smashville) on Sep 27, 2009 7:25 PM CDT up reply actions  

"stats are for losers, I like winning games" -Will Muschamp

But seriously, we’re in big trouble and absolutely have to win 2 out of next 3 if not all 3.

by jacobb23 on Sep 27, 2009 7:41 PM CDT up reply actions  

Wow... Listen to Lendale on Mouton:
"I’m not taking no shots, I’m not saying he lost the game, I’m not saying any of that," White said. "But you asked me if it’s [being] a rookie. Kenny Britt’s a rookie too, right? Is he making plays? Once we draft you and you’re on this team, you make plays."

FOREVER #9

Official Graphic Designer/Researcher/Grammar Police of MCM.
Official Graphic Goon of OTF.

by Aditya T (smashville) on Sep 27, 2009 8:09 PM CDT reply actions  

That's My Boy.......

Tell it like it is dude, straight, no chaser!

MrDeeboi33

by MrDeeboi33 on Sep 27, 2009 9:28 PM CDT up reply actions  

I take issue with this
Be careful not to fall into the trap of talking about how the Titans are still a good team because all of the losses are a play here and a play there from being wins. That is the National Football League. There are very few games in this league that are decided by more than a play here or there.

8 (potentially 10) of the games this week were determined by more than a score. In this league, the best teams beat up on the weaker teams, meaning the best teams generally rise to the top. Still, in just a 16 game season, luck plays a much bigger role than people are willing to admit. That’s not to excuse the Titans play as just “bad luck” mind you, they lost the game. Still, if the Titans are a 10-win talent team, they can easily win just 7 or 8 games over the course of the season based purely on bad luck, i.e. the sum offense and defense not being reflected in the scores. It’s random variation. I think the Titans are very talented team and by your own admission could easily be 1-2 with one less stupid decision.

King of the bling come to lay down the evidence//Not George Bush, L-Millz be da president

by Sam Page on Sep 27, 2009 8:16 PM CDT reply actions  

Plenty of blame

Finnegan did not exactly inspire confidence when he was fielding punts. The realitites of the cap and roster size force tough decissions. the guy we cut stunk it up during pre-season. Yes mouton is the one most at fault today but not sure finnegan would have done any better. On another front in my opinion VY would have peed down his leg today against that rush. KC did not play great but had a couple of balls dropped that could have changed the flow of the game. Bottom line it is a team loss, from coaches to players.

Luv Ya Blue

by Voluntitan23 on Sep 27, 2009 8:34 PM CDT reply actions  

yeah finnegan is far from the answer. he struggled in the spot week 1, and is far too important a player for us.

… pacman jones anyone? just kidding… or am i? i am… or am i?

by mattd97 on Sep 27, 2009 8:41 PM CDT up reply actions  

I really hope you're kidding

I’d honestly rather lose every game forever than cheer for a team that pays money to that worthless sack of dirt.

by TNTitans on Sep 27, 2009 8:48 PM CDT up reply actions  

i second that

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

by stetix01 on Sep 27, 2009 10:11 PM CDT up reply actions  

It's Getting To THAT Point.....

If we can keep him from shootin’ up any “skrip clubs” we might can salvage the season…..and bench Kerry the Choker!

MrDeeboi33

by MrDeeboi33 on Sep 27, 2009 9:31 PM CDT up reply actions  

Its like i keep reliving the ravens game

all three games have left me with that feeling of wanting to slit my wrists…..We need to get this monkey off our back.

by zero defects on Sep 27, 2009 9:02 PM CDT reply actions  

Like some kind of Groundhog's day, they keep playing the same game over and over

The one where bad plays undermine any and all good plays, and the offense ends up disappearing in the second half.

by Strangely Enough on Sep 27, 2009 9:23 PM CDT up reply actions  

i know

i have been in a crappy mood all night, plus the haters hve been blowing up my phone

Luv Ya Blue

by Voluntitan23 on Sep 27, 2009 9:17 PM CDT reply actions  

This game is on Fisher.

ignoring the fact that we need a returner is unacceptable. its not like this crept up on us. we have seen all season that its a problem and need to get corrected by signing a FA.

LETS SIGN PAC!

by ryansax on Sep 27, 2009 9:47 PM CDT reply actions  

Collins was bad.... BUT

he wasnt getting much help from the recievers.i counted AT LEAST 5 balls that were dropped by the WR in the 4th quarter alone.

bullsh*t

by ryansax on Sep 27, 2009 9:48 PM CDT reply actions  

On a tougher note:

Manning leading the Colts to another big win.

After all these years, Fisher, have you still not figured out that you need a franchise QB to be a contender year-in and year-out in the modern-day NFL?

Pittsburgh even figured it out. Sheesh!

"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 Sep 27, 2009 9:54 PM CDT reply actions  

We had a franchise quarterback for a lot of years there

And even though the VY experiment has not been all roses, they did draft high to get another one, and their selection may or may not have been up to Fisher, we’ll never know. In any case, “failure to secure a franchise QB” isn’t something you can really pin on Fisher. Not securing a veteran return man, on the other hand….

Frustration, I understand. We’re unhappy about everything.

What now, is they play their fourth game, is what now.

by numbertenox on Sep 27, 2009 10:15 PM CDT up reply actions  

WE NEED A STUD QB!

Plain and simple. No way around it.

Kerry is too old, Vince just isn’t an NFL quarterback. We need another Steve McNair.

War Eagle and Go Titans

by Apeman3289 on Sep 27, 2009 10:37 PM CDT reply actions   1 recs

Rec'd.

Official MCM Hater!

Retire #9!

by gramsey712 on Sep 28, 2009 8:31 AM CDT up reply actions  

Maybe they should be giving McCourtey a real chance at the return job?

He made a good decision (as a rookie) letting the ball go out of bounds today and getting us starting field position on our 40. Mouton made a bad decision last week (as a rookie) fielding that return instead of letting it go for a touchback.

All I know is that Fisher needs to remove Mouton from fielding returns, period. Try him out replacing an injured Vinnie, if need be, but put the returns in someone else’s hands, Jeff.

by Titans_Girl on Sep 28, 2009 1:07 AM CDT reply actions  

On the other side...

Mounton and McCourty both look like decent cover CBs. That counts for a lot. Now if we only had a return guys who actually WAS a return guy, I’d be happy.

And yo! Collins has been DREADFUL in the second half of EVERY GAME THIS SEASON. What is going on with that?

DannoE

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

by DannoE on Sep 28, 2009 6:57 AM CDT reply actions  

It is clear Collins has not played well this season Mouton has played worse.

Having 4 turnovers really bites. Not many team can overcome that with a win, unless the other team turns it over just as many times, and that didn’t happen yesterday. These guys have the talent it comes down to no turnovers equals a win. IT is as simple as that.

Joy Kat
Kerry Collins is my evil twin.

by Joy kat on Sep 28, 2009 7:09 AM CDT reply actions  

He wasn't bad in coverage. In fact, I daresay, he's playing at least as well as any rookie CB in the League.

He’s just not a Returner. That’s not a sin, especially in a, what, 4th round pick?

Off topic: I have a Little Ankle this week. Hurts like a bastard, too.

DannoE

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

by DannoE on Sep 28, 2009 8:13 AM CDT up reply actions  

Start Vince!

VY a playmaker and he don’t nut up in a big game especially a close game!

by datboybevans on Sep 28, 2009 12:03 PM CDT reply actions  

bravo jimmy

that was the wisest commentary i have ever read," BRAVO".

by jjlngstrk on Sep 28, 2009 7:18 PM CDT reply actions  

karma

The titans are going to eventually learn that you cannot win games on the cheap some players got to be retained at a reasonable cost. If this season is going to be turned around, they got to sign a veteran return man.

by jjlngstrk on Sep 28, 2009 7:29 PM CDT reply actions  

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