Explanation:

Each individual rush is considered on it's own, and measured by it's "success." A run is considered successful if it gets 40% of the yardage needed to move the chains on first down, 60% of the yardage needed on second down, and 100% of the yardage needed on third or fourth down. This is a much more accurate overall picture of how well a running back does in a game than just the total yardage or ypc averages because it ignores big run outliers that can skew those kinds of stats

Stats after the jump. (I removed LenDale White this week because he only had 3 unsuccessful carries.)

Continue reading this post »

This is the first time the Titans have scored 30+ points in three consecutive games since 2003 (the year Steve McNair was co-MVP).  It is amazing the transformation this team has made coming out of the bye.  We are all feeling good now, but the true test of how good this team is comes over the next three weeks.  Houston, Arizona and Indianapolis all boast extremely dangerous passing attacks.  The one thing that the Titans haven't exactly fixed yet is the big plays given up, and if they are going to win those games they are going to have to get that fixed.

We saw the first big play of the day yesterday on Buffalo's first offensive drive.  I have no idea if they had given other teams the "wildcat" look yet, but the Titans safeties apparently had no idea it was legal to throw from the formation.  Fred Jackson gave a little fake up into the line, the entire defense bit, and Lee Evans was all by himself for the 27-yard touchdown reception. 

The Titans came right back and answered that score on their next drive.  Again, it is just remarkable the transformation that Vince Young has made since the last time we saw him as "the guy" under center.  He just adds a whole new dimension that has opened up a lot of stuff for Chris Johnson.  That drive covered 80 yards and had a 19-yard reception by Nate Washington, a 17-yard reception from CJ and was capped off by CJ's 28 yard touchdown run.  It is so much fun to watch a guy that is gone pretty much every time he gets the corner.

The defense stepped up on the next drive and forced a three and out.  A nice return by Alvin Pearman set up a short field for the offense.  Pearman had a very solid game yesterday averaging 20 yards per kick return (should have been higher but one big return got negated by a hold away from the play by August's boy Donnie Nickey) and 18 yards per punt return.  The offense was able to capitalize on that field position after Vince hit Kenny Britt down the sideline for 38 yards.  Two plays later VY found Washington for a 14-yard TD pass.

Continue reading this post »

---

---

Watching a win just makes the day so much better.  We saw some of the things that haunted us earlier in the season in this game but were able to come up with the offense to make sure it did not matter.  Chris Johnson had another unbelievable day with yards rushing and another yards receiving.  I know we were all hoping for a bigger day rushing, but he needed 130 yards to stay on pace for 2,000, and he got it with 132.

Vince Young played another solid game going 17-25 for 210 yards and 1 touchdown and 1 interception.  He also had a couple of nice plays with his legs to keep drives alive.  He will face his biggest test of the year next week in Houston, but I predicted when we drafted him that he would never lose to the Texans.  He hasn't, and I don't expect that to change this year.

The defense regressed a little bit giving up some big plays, but they were able to step up and score a couple of TDs late to put the game out of reach.  How about Rod Hood?

Three in a row feels good.  The toughest stretch of the remaining season is ahead, but for now let's enjoy another win!

Join August and I for MCM Radio tonight at 9 central.  Listen live here.

GO TITANS!!

 

Explanation:

Each individual rush is considered on it's own, and measured by it's "success." A run is considered successful if it gets 40% of the yardage needed to move the chains on first down, 60% of the yardage needed on second down, and 100% of the yardage needed on third or fourth down. This is a much more accurate overall picture of how well a running back does in a game than just the total yardage or ypc averages because it ignores big run outliers that can skew those kinds of stats

Stats after the jump.

Continue reading this post »

To say I am shocked by the turn around this team has made would be an understatement.  After the debacle that was the Patriots game, I really thought 2 wins was best case scenario for this team.  I didn't think we would see them play inspired football again until 2010.  I knew a switch to Vince Young was imminent, but I really didn't think it would make a difference.  Being wrong has never felt so good.

Yesterday's win was a good one.  The 49ers are a solid team, and that west coast trip has been a nightmare for even the best Titan teams.  The best thing about these past two games has been the return to the type of football that this team was designed to play, and a lot of that has been due to the play of Vince Young.  VY has been everything Kerry Collins was supposed to be and more.  He has been efficient, 12 of 19 yesterday, has taken care of the ball, 0 interceptions and fumbles in his 2 starts, and has made plays with his legs to help the team.  Just look at yesterday's 7-yard touchdown run.  That dimension gives teams one more thing to guard against in the red zone.

And, of course, there is Chris Johnson.  This guy is having a special season and has a legitimate shot at 2,000 rushing yards.  T-Rac's Posse doesn't think it will happen, and while I will give him that it is a long shot, the Titans have three games left against team with rush defenses ranked 27^th or worse. 

You can make the argument that he single-handedly won the game yesterday when he scored on that option play on 4^th and inches.  Pretty funny that Peter King gives Mike Heimerdinger coach of the week because if CJ doesn't get in there the Titans probably lose the game and all the talk here would be about Dinger's terrible play calling (and it was a TERRIBLE call).

Continue reading this post »

Having the secondary healthy/competent makes a big difference.  The Titans still had one bad breakdown in coverage today, but overall they have played a lot better the past 2 games and it makes the whole defense look better.

Vince Young was efficient once again finishing 12-19 for 172 yards including a beautiful deep ball to Justin Gage.  He really looks like he has taken the time to grow in this offense and understand what the coaches expect from him.  He isn't making any stupid throws like he did in the past, and today he did it against a good defense.

And what can you say about Chris Johnson?  He had another huge game today with 25 carries for 135 yards and 2 touchdowns.  He made the second touchdown run on his own after a stupid play call on 4th and inches.

This is what a win streak looks like.  August and I will have a lot more to say about this game tonight on MCM Radio at 9 p.m.  Click here to join the fun.

Wonder if mmamcneill will come back to take his medicine..

Explanation:

Each individual rush is considered on it's own, and measured by it's "success." A run is considered successful if it gets 40% of the yardage needed to move the chains on first down, 60% of the yardage needed on second down, and 100% of the yardage needed on third or fourth down. This is a much more accurate overall picture of how well a running back does in a game than just the total yardage or ypc averages because it ignores big run outliers that can skew those kinds of stats

Stats after the jump.

Continue reading this post »

No one has been harder on Vince Young over the past year and a half than I have.  I have hammered him time and time again, but it is now time for me to give him his due.  He played a very good game yesterday.  The Titans will take 15-18 for 125 with 1 touchdown and no interceptions from VY every week because it means a couple of things:

1. The running game is working well
2. Vince didn't put them in any tough spots with turnovers

He looked yesterday like a guy who had taken his time off to study the offense and learn everything he could.  By my count, he only made two bad throws and only one of those was a bad decision.  Again, the Titans will take that every week. 

All of those things are good, but the biggest difference VY makes was seen on two plays in particular yesterday.  The first came in the second quarter with the Titans facing a 3rd and 3 from the Jacksonville 10 yard line.  Vince dropped back to pass, saw nothing was open and scrambled for 4 yards to keep the drive alive.  Two plays later the threw a perfect fade to Nate Washington for a touchdown.

The other play came in the 3rd quarter with the Titans facing a 3rd and 6.  Vince was able to move around in the pocket to keep the play alive and find Kenny Britt for a 7 yard gain and the first down.  Chris Johnson went 52 yards for a touchdown on the next play.  Both of those drives are probably dead with Kerry Collins under center. 

Now the key for Vince is stringing performances like this one together over the final 10 games of the season.  Here's to hoping he can.