10-0.  That is pretty incredbile.  This team proved again today that they can win when they don't bring their A game.  That first half was the worst half of football I have seen the Titans play in a long time, but they overcame that and rolled in the second half.  The defense, as has been their custom this seaosn, gave up some really bad plays but only gave up 14 points.

There wasn't a lot of running room again today, but bizzaro receiver world contiued with Brandon Jones and Lavelle Hawkins dropping passes and Justin Gage making big plays.  Gage finished with 147 yards and 2 touchdowns.  Welcome back 12 Gage.  Kerry Collins proved once again that he can win a ball game with 230 yards passing and 3 touchdowns.

Another week another win.  It wasn't pretty, but it counts just like the rest of them.  

Links and a full recap in the morning.

Brandon Jones

Jones has been the most pleasant surprise of the season so far. He, unlike Gage, has been catching everything that is thrown to him. He had a couple of huge catches on the final drive at Baltimore and made some plays against Green Bay. I never thought I would say this, but he has been the Titans most consistent receiver in 2008. He gets a B.

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August called it Vintage Fisherball this morning.  I couldn't have said it better myself.  We have gotten spoiled this season with the Titans blowing out most of their opponents, and I had forgotten just how stressful that type of game can be.

Did anyone think there was anyway Rob Bironas was going to miss that second kick?  I know I didn't, and neither did Craig Hentrich:

"The good thing about Rob is that his ADD is so bad he doesn't remember the last kick," joked Titans punter Craig Hentrich, who doubles as the holder on placekicks. "He's got a great temperament for a kicker. He never lets things bother him."

Someone asked yesterday in the open game thread, which was awesome again by the way, if that was the first money kick that Bironas had missed for the Titans.  Off the top of my head the only miss I can remember that would have won a game was in 2006 against Baltimore, but in fairness to Bironas, that kick was basically blocked in the backfield.  It cannot be overstated how important it is to have a kicker as money as Bironas for Fisher's style of football.  We will probably see a lot more of these games come down to a field goal in the coming weeks.

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Thanks to Mwilson for passing along this awesome read from Mike Silver on what makes this Titans team so good and so fun to watch. No response yet from TV analysts who have forgotten that football can be fun without 400 yards passing, clownish WRs or Brett Favre to drool over.

 As the Titans flooded the field with bench players late in the 4th, only 2 guys didn't make it into the game:  Chris Davis and Vince Young.  I'm awaiting a firestorm from Florio or Hoge saying this is an indictment of VY's ability to hand the ball off...

 Jeff Fisher continues to have a great attitude regarding Crazy Legs' cabana style celebration Sunday, but that's largely because it put us up by about 30 late in the 4th quarter.  However, don't go thinking we have the next celebration clown on the roster:

What happens if Johnson does something like that again?

"I’ll cut him,’’ Fisher said on Monday with a smile.

 One of Norm Chows biggest failures as the Titans' offensive coordinator was last year's red zone futility, but our boys have come a long way in fixing that problem this year:

 ESPN's Chris Sprow eats crow over not putting White/Johnson in his top RB combos list last week.

 Congratulations to Lavelle Hawkins who logged his first 2 receptions last Sunday, and to WR Paul Williams, who was active for the first game of his career thrown to for the first time in his career.

 If the Titans are going to wrestle Indy's stranglehold on the AFC South crown away this year, Monday Night is the place to put a boot to the throat.

 Pro Football Weekly becomes the latest member of the Cortland Finnegan Man Crush Club.  People wishing to sign-up for the Michael Griffin Man Crush Club should direct all inquires to gramsey712; I believe he has jackets ready to go!

 The Colts are praying they can get at least Bob Sanders, and maybe Joeseph Addai, back in to the mix next Monday night.

 A tip of the 10-gallon cap to cityjane and Trenchanttitan for this one: Whether you're one of the lucky ones headed to the banks of the Cumberland next Monday for the Code Blue, or just looking for a good deal, here's a coupon for 15% off Code Blue apparel at the Titans Pro Shop.

There's a whole lot of internet out there, so if you have a link you'd like to submit for tomorrow's Morning Links, email me at mcmaugustwest@gmail.com!  (Be sure to include your commenting handle so I can give you semi-anonymous credit.)

Somebody add another axle to the bandwagon because we're 6-0 and people from all over will be jumping aboard once we inviscerate Indy next week!!!!!!!!!!

 LenDale White became the first Titan to rush for 3 TDs in one game since Eddie George did it in 2000, and White combined with Crazy Legs to set a new franchise record for rushing with 332 yards total.

 How's this for run defense: the Titans held the Chiefs to 41 yards on 13 carries, and racked up 8 tackles for loss.  That's what happens when you set-up camp in your opponent's backfield...

 These Titans are prefect at being humble as well.

 Lavelle 'The Hawk' Hawkins had a huge impact on Sunday's game, but not with his receiving prowess:

Rookie receiver Lavelle Hawkins used his hands to help the Titans beat the Chiefs on Sunday, catching two passes for 11 yards in his first NFL start.

Yet his best work was done without a football in his grasp — shielding running backs Chris Johnson and LenDale White with downfield blocking that helped spark a franchise single-game rushing record.

 Even more reasons I can't wait for next Monday night:

In addition to "Code Blue" for the Colts-Titans game — 68,000 light blue T-shirts will be handed out to fans as they enter LP Field — Hank Williams Jr. is slated to sing the national anthem and former Titans quarterback Steve McNair will serve as honorary captain.

 Something tells me Goodell will level a big fine against Crazy Legs for his  bongo filled celebration Sunday, but who cares.  It was sweet to see the guys have a little fun in a rout.

 If you're going to constantly whine about officiating, at least be correct in your basic facts... the refs nailed that FG call.

 Peter King comes through with a Keith Bulluck quote that sums up why these guys just keep winning:

1. I think I like the Titans' level-headedness. I asked Keith Bulluck if he thought the Titans, the only unbeaten team left in football, should be considered the league's best team, and he responded the way he should have -- that this isn't college football, and polls are not involved. "Too early to think about that anyway,'' he said. "We just have to go out every week and play with this kind of intensity. What we talked about before this game was, 'We can't let [the Chiefs] stay in it and think they can play with us. Get on 'em early.' '' I'd say a 34-10 win, with 334 pulverizing rushing yards, did the trick.

Mercury Morris, running back for the perfect 1972 Dolphins, wants the Titans to go undefeated.  The only way to do that, however, is for the Titans to win the game that's in front of them so lets just keep the focus there for now.

 The Titans wanted to add a play-maker who could have an immediate impact on the field in last year's draft, and there wasn't a player drafted after Crazy Legs (3rd in the AFC in rushing coming off of the bye week) who has fit the bill better.

 Kerry Collins understands better than most why the league has put such an emphasis on protecting QBs, but don't ask big Albert for any sympathy:

"Quarterbacks wear pads just like we do," Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth said. "Yeah, (officials) definitely protect those guys way too much. We've got guys diving at our knees and doing all kinds of dirty stuff to us."

 Gary Estwick reports that Lavelle Hawkins and/or Paul Williams could see more time this week since Gage and McCareins have missed the last 2 practices.  I know I'm not alone in wanting to see the Hawk finally leave the ground this Sunday!

 Boom King returned to practice yesterday, but only participated in the first half due to Fisher's orders.  There was no comment on his availability Sunday.

 This week's Yahoo! team report follows up on that with less encouraging news for Tony Brown:

• DT Tony Brown’s chances might not be as strong. Brown has not practiced all week because of an ankle injury, and rookie second-round pick Jason Jones indicated Wednesday that he could be in line to start this Sunday.

 Larry Johnson being inactive against the Titans is starting to become a trend.

 Paul Kuharsky pulls some stats to show that the Titans' are among the bottom in the league when it comes to big plays on offense.  There's also some good discussion on which has a greater psychological effect on a defense: long grinding drives or quick strikes.

 Former Titans LB coach Gunter Cunningham, now the defensive coordinator for the Chiefs, is pumping Ingle Martin for information on our offense.  That should be devastating if our practice squad starts. 

 LenDale White won't reach his 303 carry total form last year, but you can expect to see him more as the winter sets in and conditions get nastier throughout the league.

 The Tennessee Titans Cheerleaders are being featured on maxim.com.  Well played ladies!

There's a whole lot of internet out there, so if you have a great link you'd like to submit for tomorrow's Morning Links email me at mcmaugustwest@gmail.com!  (Be sure to include your commenting handle so I can give you semi-anonymous credit.)

Astute commenter thelogic snagged this article in the sidebar: The Hawk is learning how to fly, but needs to cut down on the simple mistakes.

 gramsey712 sends along this awesome read on the fire that drives Cortland Finnegan to infuriate anyone who lines up against him (which may be his best weapon):

While in high school, Finnegan would go play pickup basketball at the nearby naval station with Sue Simpson, one of his guardians. At one point, one of the fellow competitors told Simpson that they had enough of Finnegan.

"He said if Cortland didn’t calm down, they were going to wring his neck," Simpson said with a laugh. "Here’s this 17-year-old driving all these 30-year-olds crazy in a pickup game. I told him he couldn’t go back there for six months, and he was OK after that."

 Big props to Joykat for pointing us towards this Teresa M. Walker article about the Titans not being satisfied by being 5-0 or holding our competition to the fewest points allowed through 5 games in the league.

 If you want inane but ultimately interesting facts, there's no better place to turn than the Elias Sports bureau:

Kerry Collins threw an 11-yard TD pass to Alge Crumpler on the first play after the 2-minute warning to give the Titans a 13-10 victory at Baltimore. Collins threw game-winning TD passes in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter in consecutive games for the Giants in December 2001, but this was only his second game-winner inside the 2-minute warning since then.

 We may have brought in Alge Crumpler to replace him as the top dog, but Bo Scaife is the 2nd best receiving TE in the league, according to Football Outsiders.

 Perhaps the funniest blog title on the web: What Would Kerry Collins Do? Because Kerry Collins is the new Jesus.

 And finally, in a sign the Titans still aren't getting the respect they're due, I couldn't find a single person who picked us to win this weekend.

Another week, another slobber-knocking football game.  This one should be a low-scoring affair.  The "experts" are pretty split on this one:

Hoge loves us.

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This is always an interesting game.  As I mentioned the other day, the Titans are 10-2 in this serie, but that hardly tesls the story.  Most of the games have come down to the wire.  Who can forget the 2006 game when Vince Young won the game with a 39 yard touchdown run in overtime, or the game in Houston last season when Rob Bironas kicked an NFL record 8 field goals?  The Titans come out on top most of the time, but it is never easy.

Another thing that makes me nervous is that all of the "experts" picked the Titans.

I don't expect this game to be any different from the ones in years past.  The Texans are coming off a crazy couple of weeks that included them being displaced because of Hurricane Ike and having their game against the Ravens cancelled.  It will be interesting to see how the Texans come out for this game.  The best thing the Titans can do is jump on them early to deflate any momentum they have.

The Texans have decided to build with defense.  They spent the #1 pick in the 2006 draft on DE Mario Williams, the #33 pick on LB Demeco Ryans, and the #10 pick in the 2007 draft on DT Amobi Okoye.  Last season they finished 24th in total defense and 22nd in scoring defense so it hasn't come together just yet, but they are young and improving.

Last season the Titans ran the ball well against the Texans gaining 155 yards and 153 yards in the two meetings respectively, and they didn't even have Chris Johnson.  I know this isn't exactly groundbreaking stuff here, but the Titans will try and establish the run in this game.  Last week the carries were split 50/50 between Crazy Legs and The Round Mound.  I would expect it to be the same in this game.  Use CJ early to losen up the defense, pound them in the middle of the game with TRM, and then watch CJ break a big run when they are worn down.

Kerry Collins only start of last season was in the Bironas game, and he went 25 of 42 for 280 yards.  I don't see Collins throwing the ball 42 times in this game, but he will continue to play efficient football like he did last week. 

Justin Gage is going to be a game time decision so Brandon Jones will probably start in his place, but we should get our first regular season look at Lavelle Hawkins.

The Titans defense will get after Matt Schaub just like they did last season when they knocked him out of both matchups.  They may want to re-think that game plan though because if they knock Schaub out of the game Sage Rosenfels, the Titan killer, will come in.  

The biggest challenge for the defense will be to contain Andre Johnson.  Johnson is simply one of the best receivers in the NFL, and just about the only weapon the Texans have on offense.  I cannot wait to see Cortland Finnegan matchup against Johnson a little bit.  We won't get to see much one-on-one because that is not the Titans style, but there will be a few battles.

I am also interested to see Steve Slaton.  He had a really good career at West Virginia, and carried the ball 13 times for 43 yards in the Texans opener.  He will probably end up as their feature back if he can stay healthy, which he had trouble doing in college.  The Texans also have Ahman Green, but I am sure he is hurt.

This game will probably come down to the wire, but I see the Titans being able to have a lot of success on the ground and coming out with a win.

This addition of What 2 Watch 4 is all about the offense.  The defense has played well this preseason, even when missing some key parts, and will probably only see a series or two against the Packers first team.

There is never a must anything preseason game, but if there were, this would be it for the Titans' offense.  Since the Packers will likely only play their #1 defense for the first quarter, it is very important that the Titans get in the end zone tonight.  I don't care how vanilla the offense is that they are running, there is absolutely no excuse for not moving the ball up and down the field against another teams #2's.

This game is also important for the overall confidence of the offense.  Mark Howard and Paul Kuharsky were saying that the body language of the offense has not been good in practice the last couple of weeks.  Confidence is one of the most importance aspects of sports.  A confident team can often play well above their ability level (i.e. the Colorado Rockies last season).  If it takes making plays against some subs for the offense to get their confidence back, so be it.

Vince Young needs to have a successful night.  His numbers would not have been terrible last week if not for the drops.  He did make one really bad throw, but I think we will all be ok if he only makes one really bad throw a game (assuming that not all 16 of those end up as INTs). 

We are still sitting here waiting for a receiver to step up.  At this point I am not sure that is going to happen.  There was some noise earlier in the week that Roydell Williams could be playing for his job this week.  It would be nice to see him step up and make some plays tonight.  Lavelle Hawkins probably won't play, which is disappointing because I would love to see him get the chance to develop some chemistry with VY.  I think at this point the only receivers who are safe are Justin Gage, Justin McCareins, Lavelle Hawkins, and probably Brandon Jones.  Keep an eye on Roydell, Paul Williams, Chris Davis and Biren Ealy tonight.  They all need to do something tonight to earn a spot.

The offensive line needs to have a good game tonight as well.  The Titans haven't had any problem moving the ball on the ground, but they have had some issues with the pass rush.  It would be nice to see them have the dominating performance that they are capable of.