Tennessee Titans Morning Links: Stronger, Faster, Defensier Edition
by August West on Sep 29, 2010 9:38 AM CDT
in Tennessee Titans Links
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FO put out the new DVOA rankings, and the Titans are a beastly 2nd in defense. That just further confirms that our D is probably the biggest surprise in the NFL, and one of the more acknowledged units in the game. I mean even serious fans like ourselves expected this defense to continue to struggle, but instead they're looking stronger, faster and smarter than any defense we've had outside of 2008 and 2001.
The Sporting News breaksdown this weekend's tilt against the Broncos. Good stuff here, and they spotlight our guy Alterraun Verner as one of the Titans to watch. Of course, they say also Kyle Orton should be 'licking his lips' at getting to play our defense (Ed. note: see above) because Eli Manning threw for a ton of yards. Lets be real here: Orton isn't Manning, and his receivers are nowhere near as good as Nicks, Smith or Manningham. I mean congrats on throwing all over a crappy Colts secondary at home, but lets keep things in perspective here.
I retweeted this last night from Clay Travis, but man I really wish I'd have heard the coach's show last night (I'm assuming that's where this came from):
Asked by name about @espn_afcsouth and his VY opinions Jeff Fisher jokingly suggested fans read books rather than listen to Kuharsky.
Jump!
None of the Giants was more disappointed with the loss to the Titans than Keith Bulluck, and Bulluck was one of the few Giants not directly responsible for the loss. Still, Bully is keeping everything in perspective and keeping the way his departure from the Titans went down as his motivation for a big year in New York.
Knowshon Moreno is not expected to play on Sunday, so the Broncos will rely on ex-Patriot Lawrence Maroney and ex-Eagle Corell Buckhalter.
LeGarrette Blount made his debut for the Bucs last week, and he ran for 27 yards on 6 runs, including a TD. In related news, we still have Donnie Nickey!
Kevin Mawae reacted to Bill Polian's omnipotent decree that the 18 game season (an idea Polian actually doesn't like) is a lock for the next CBA by a bit of disbelief:
"From a players’ perspective, this is not a done deal,’’ said Mawae. "We spent three hours in the bargaining session talking about this and, as players, the thing that concerns us the most is the toll this will take on a player’s body. Look at someone like me, a 16-year vet — that’d be 32 more games.
"Of all the things we’re trying to sell to other players, the 18-game season is the hardest thing to sell.’’
Peeking ahead at week 5, we will have a tough road game against the Cowboys, who will also have the advantage of coming off a bye week.
Follow me on Twiiter at @AugustWest_MCM, and be sure to send any links you'd like to share to mcmaugustwest@gmail.com!
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Well that and the play calling
Titans Blogger at Music City Miracles even though gramsey hates it.
"What if I was Peyton Manning?"- CJ to the ref after they picked up a personal foul flag for a late hit on him.
Re: The Defense
I’m cautiously optimistic about this defensive unit. The scary thing is that we can look to improve even more once McRath is back…
Verner I Have Confidence In
I have a lot of confidence in Verner. He and McCourty are about the same in ability, with the only difference being McCourty being a bit taller, stronger and more physical and better able to cover the bigger wide receivers and be a #2 CB (anyone remember Denard Walker?) where Verner is more similar to Finnegan.
My issue is that McCourty’s being out will increase Mouton’s role. Verner was getting some playing time in some packages before, now it looks like Mouton will take over what Verner was doing. That isn’t good. At all.
What is good, however, is that the Titans get their starting LB back next week.
Who do we think gets cut when McRath comes back?
Titans Blogger at Music City Miracles even though gramsey hates it.
"What if I was Peyton Manning?"- CJ to the ref after they picked up a personal foul flag for a late hit on him.
Nickey!! Nickey!!!
no way Nickey gets cut.
he’s a special teams…uumm…specialist! there we go!!
we can never get rid of a special teams “Specialst”!!
Especially one who never gets in on regular D unless Mike G, is hurt and he plays like a lost rookie in the Saftey area of the secondary, taking harrible pursuit angles to someone in front of him, He’s Probaly the Same speed as Craig “Big Country” Stevens, oh it would be ok if he was a TE but not a safety…..
He’s Pafetic see i can’t even speel it right…
by Ice0ne (CAJ) on Sep 29, 2010 11:24 AM CDT up reply actions
Shaw or Schommer
Better question: who’s up this week who’s been down the first 3 weeks? Obvious candidates are Schommer and Johnson and if it’s not Schommer, what’s he doing on the roster?
Oh Yes .. Denver Will Put Up Yards. And Points.
Moreno’s being out will help. But Kyle Orton is a very good QB (still remember him at Purdue) who was held back in Chicago by Ron Turner’s non-offense but is now in a system that fits his skills, and has 4 very good WRs. “Orton isn’t Manning, and his receivers are nowhere near as good as Nicks, Smith or Manningham” … not sure where that comes from. Now Denver doesn’t run the ball like the Giants, but that’s typical of that Weis Patriots offense that Denver runs anyway. Plus Denver is going to be fighting to keep from falling into a 1-3 hole, which would basically end their season. So, Denver is going to come out slinging. The Titans will get plenty of hits and sacks, but Denver has no choice, because they know they can’t run the ball. Their only hope is to get a double digit lead on Tennessee and try to maintain it.
I say that Denver will score at least 24 points and may get to 28. The Titans are going to need as many points as they can. And yes, like the Steelers, Denver does run a 3-4 defense. And they are 10th in the NFL in stopping the run. Bottom line: it is going to take more than 16 pass attempts to win this week. Way more.
So Denver is going to score more on us than they did against the Colts at home?
Doubtful.
Official MCM Hater!
"If anyone asks you, you fixed my television. Now go!"
If that's the game plan:
Then, we must run, run, run the ball. Control the clock. Keep the ball out of that offense’s hands. Protect the ball. Do not take risks. Two goals: Time of possession, and turnover differential. Everything else is irrelevant.
- Jeff Fisher
And get our running back killed....
Titans Blogger at Music City Miracles even though gramsey hates it.
"What if I was Peyton Manning?"- CJ to the ref after they picked up a personal foul flag for a late hit on him.
hahahaha
It’s scary how typical this sounds.
by Los Blancos Chicca on Sep 29, 2010 12:02 PM CDT up reply actions
wow, homer much?
Our secondary is much, much better than anything the Broncos have faced, and over the past several years the crowd noise at LP Field has helped out by drawing more false starts than anyone else in the league.
The Broncos complete inability to run the ball shows in the TD numbers: despite over 1,000 passing yards through three games, Orton only has 4 TDs. Vince has 3 TDs on 1/3 the passing yards. We’ve outscored you guys by 17 points despite facing MUCH better defenses.
If the Broncos score 24 points on offense it’ll be because they’re starting every drive on our 30.
Music City Miracles blogger and official Jon Bovi tour manager. Follow me @AugustWest_MCM.
by August West on Sep 29, 2010 10:08 AM CDT up reply actions
sorry, homer wasn't the right word
wrong was.
Music City Miracles blogger and official Jon Bovi tour manager. Follow me @AugustWest_MCM.
by August West on Sep 29, 2010 10:10 AM CDT up reply actions
Huh? Homer? For The Broncos?
Ummm … no. For the record, I think that the Titans can score PLENTY of points if they go to a shotgun no huddle offense with Vince Young at QB and 3 WRs (so long as one of those WRs isn’t not Gage but is Britt), or perhaps with two TE offense. You know, what the Titans ran either in 1999 when they went to the Super Bowl or in 2002-2003 when they were going to the AFC title game and stuff. The 3 WRs (or 2 TEs) would spread the field for CJ and open running lanes for VY, Britt would be making plays all over the field like he did in the end zone Saturday … but hey. That would require actually wanting VY as a QB. Which Fisher does not.
I expect this Sunday to be similar to the NYG game...
… Except less penalties from the Broncos. I just hope we pass the ball more. I know that is pretty much all we have been talking about but it’s soooo important and will throw teams off completely.
Hopefully the coaches will look at that Steelers game and learn from the mistakes… and also look out what a big difference the 2nd half was over the 1st last Sunday. But that could be asking for much.
The 3-4 defence is worrisome, especially when most see that VY struggles against that formation.. I think he will pull through this if given the chance.
by Los Blancos Chicca on Sep 29, 2010 12:08 PM CDT up reply actions
Can we put that myth to bed?
Vince struggles against the Steelers and the Chargers, not “3-4 defenses”.
I’m not sure where this whole rumor started, but let’s go ahead and end it right here.
I agree
I don’t see it as a problem… which is why I said “most see” I am not one of those mosts.
by Los Blancos Chicca on Sep 29, 2010 12:33 PM CDT up reply actions
Exactly...
My brother and I were talking about this just last night.. about how VY plays against different formations and their variants and how he reads defences better than people give him credit for.
by Los Blancos Chicca on Sep 29, 2010 12:39 PM CDT up reply actions
Us passing the ball as much or more than we rush...
Would probably put the opposing team’s D-Coordinator into a coma.
Leave the Meth alone.
Dude, leave the Meth alone. 24 or 28 points. No way. They couldn’t punch it in for a TD when they were inside the one against the Colts. If they score 24 or 28 points it is because they have gotten some cheap ones from Titans turnovers. If the Titans play their game this should be a TItans victory. If this team is going to the playoffs teams like the Broncos get BEAT!!!
It is just that simple.
The key to victory
is to stop Tim Tebow.
Sorry, couldn’t help myself.
If the Broncos come to LP and play one dimensional football, Orton is going to get killed. Orton will not be licking his lips, but Derrick Morgan may be licking his.
200 yds from CJ?
Hmm, is he going to get 100 rushes up the gut?
by rothbard on Sep 29, 2010 10:28 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
18 Game season
No way a team could make it through an 18 game season with the number of active roster spots they have now. How many more would they need? How many more could the owners afford before their profits suffer?
Can you imagine how many times we could run the ball in 18 games????!?!?
We would need 6 backs on the team.
Titans Blogger at Music City Miracles even though gramsey hates it.
"What if I was Peyton Manning?"- CJ to the ref after they picked up a personal foul flag for a late hit on him.
by Jimmy on Sep 29, 2010 10:51 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
YEAH!
run it up Emano’s Butt, Harris’ Butt, and up Jake Scott’s Butt.
But no farther, because that would be unfair.
we can’t have CJ "the fastest man in the NFL " running to the outside, that’s just unfair.
shooooot we mite as well put cj at full back, because that’s how he runs.
by Ice0ne (CAJ) on Sep 29, 2010 11:28 AM CDT up reply actions
that's definately a part of it
and it’s what may get the union to go along: owners would have to agree to probably 6 more active roster spots, which means more jobs.
Music City Miracles blogger and official Jon Bovi tour manager. Follow me @AugustWest_MCM.
by August West on Sep 29, 2010 11:30 AM CDT up reply actions
you think
broncos receivers aint good?
you’re in for a surprise then…
Not to say our D can’t take care of em cuz they can but still…
Names to remember: Brandon Lloyd, Demerius Thomas, Jabbar Gaffney
We should legalize weed here in Colorado, everyone already has it and we're a mile high anyways.
by RareColoradoTitanFan on Sep 29, 2010 10:51 AM CDT reply actions
The only name to remember on that list
is Thomas.
Titans Blogger at Music City Miracles even though gramsey hates it.
"What if I was Peyton Manning?"- CJ to the ref after they picked up a personal foul flag for a late hit on him.
But
If you remember his name spelled that way good luck trying to find him
by z24lax on Sep 29, 2010 11:00 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Doubt his first name is on his jersey
Titans Blogger at Music City Miracles even though gramsey hates it.
"What if I was Peyton Manning?"- CJ to the ref after they picked up a personal foul flag for a late hit on him.
He has had 1 good game since 2008
Titans Blogger at Music City Miracles even though gramsey hates it.
"What if I was Peyton Manning?"- CJ to the ref after they picked up a personal foul flag for a late hit on him.
I thought he had another pretty good game earlier this year.
My point is only the fact Orton’s looking for him.
Vols fans love Jabar Gaffney
Music City Miracles blogger and official Jon Bovi tour manager. Follow me @AugustWest_MCM.
by August West on Sep 29, 2010 11:31 AM CDT up reply actions
Yea August....
Jabar Gaffney another great Florida Gator receiver who has done NOTHING in the PROS!!!!!!
I like Jabar Gafney almost as much as I like...
…Tim Tebow
…a hole in the head
"Do the Titans have a miracle left in them in what has been a magical season to this point? If they do, they need it now. 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. 30, 40, 50, 40, 30, 20, 10, 5, endzone...touchdown, Titans! There are no flags on the field! It's a miracle! Tennessee has pulled a miracle! A miracle for the Titans!"
by TennesseeTyrants on Sep 29, 2010 3:02 PM CDT up reply actions
In reference to Bulluck, the best thing this game did is show why it was a GOOD decision to cut Bulluck
1) Witherspoon is better (right now, obviously not career).
2) Because of his status with the team, if the Titans kept Bulluck they would have had to start him
3) Bulluck, even in his prime, is NOT a good blitzer, so we would’ve seen a lot of the same with this defense as we did last year with no effective blitzing and Bulluck getting a lot of tackles while not making any effective tackles and big plays, but his stats would’ve led to people saying how he hasn’t lost it.
Say what you want and I know CJ2K is amazing, but 3 years ago, Bulluck makes that tackle on the goalline.
I know it’s en vogue to bash our front office and sometimes with very good reason, but they get a lot right as well, and they got the Bulluck decision completely right.
T-Rac's Posse - T-Rac is one boss raccoon.
My personal Tribute to Air McNair
by T--Rac's Posse on Sep 29, 2010 12:49 PM CDT reply actions
Cut = not resign
EDIT BUTTON SBNATION, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD
T-Rac's Posse - T-Rac is one boss raccoon.
My personal Tribute to Air McNair
by T--Rac's Posse on Sep 29, 2010 12:50 PM CDT up reply actions
I agree and have expressed this before
Our FO does a great job. They may not be the nicest, most diplomatic guys when getting rid of veterans but they definitely know when to cut guys loose.
I agree
I hated to see Bulluck go under any circumstances, but Will Witherspoon is a better player right now.
Music City Miracles blogger and official Jon Bovi tour manager. Follow me @AugustWest_MCM.
how is mawae using 32 extra games as an example of how awful the expanded schedule woudl be to his body
when he wanted to come back for another couple seasons, aka 32 games
mawae 16yr veteran, no?
I think he meant the 18 game season, had it been in effect during his career, would have been 32 extra games on his body
and im saying he wanted to come back to play this summer
and said he wanted to play a couple more years. with a 16 game season, 2 more years would be 32 extra games. so he cant say its a travesty that hed have to play an extra 32 games when he wants to play an extra 32 games
way to throw for a ton of yards against a prevent defense eli manning.
all he has to do is throw it up to boss, nicks, manningham, or smith and someone’s going to come down with it…
orton is going to be completely shut down and their running game is just pathetic. i can’t wait to see the look on the so called experts faces when they notice that the titans D is actually pretty good this year, contrary to popular belief.
finally, how dumb do we look for cutting legarette blount right now? tampa wants to get him more involved in the offense and since we all know cadillac’s going to get hurt, he may even start a few games.
"double rainbow...what does it MEAN?"
hey hey August
I for one had faith in our defense and expected them to be good. I actually expect more from the front 4 going forward
Blount vs Nickey
Blount 27yds and 1 TD
Nickey 1 tackle
Keeping a vet over a potential good RB on a run-dominant team?
Because the Titans are not a run-dominant team
The Titans are a specificrunningback-dominant team
Official MCM Hater!
"If anyone asks you, you fixed my television. Now go!"
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