On behalf of the MCM faithful, I'd like to finally welcome Justin Gage to the 2009 season. He had two monster catches this week (including a deep, over-the-shoulder bomb, which he usually struggles with), and finally looked like the guy we saw late last year who looked to be on the verge of becoming a serviceable no. 1 receiver. Jim Wyatt is perplexed as to why the drops disappeared as soon as Kerry disappeared. It's funny how it works like that, because in 2007/early 2008 VY had several games marred by terrible drops, and those completely went away once Kerry took over.
Football fans know that Chris Johnson is making a convincing argument that he's the best back in the league right now, but he's also making a nice push to be the best fantasy option in the 2010 Draft.
In the latest MMQB column, Peter King finally remembered that the NFL extends beyond the NFC East, and that the Titans are still solvent. Here's the best mention:
Coach of the Week
Mike Heimerdinger, offensive coordinator, Tennessee.
No one had much faith in Vince Young to jump-start his career when Jeff Fisher officially benched Kerry Collins 11 days ago. The job to remake Young fell to Heimerdinger, and he did the smart thing. He had Young throw mostly safe passes in his first two games, safe enough that he's completed 73 percent of his throws, with some help from the acrobatic Justin Gage along the way. As long as Young plays turnover-free, the Titans have a chance each week. Heimerdinger's teaching and planning the past two weeks have been vital in making the Titans competitive again.
Follow us through the jump for more victorious Titans links!!!
Too bad this article on the improved play of the defense is marred by an awful headline.... remember that crappy movie from 11 years ago?
A tip of the hat to Jim who pointed us towards this article by Ray Rotto, chronicling just how far the 49ers have fallen and the Titans have risen over the past three weeks... here's another bay area article, and to answer the man's headline: yes.
With his start at right tackle on Sunday, in which he played quite well, LeRoy Harris has reached the rare feat of showing that he can play pretty much any position on the line and play it well. His future is as a center, but that kind of versatility can always help out a coaching staff.
Here's the audio Frank Wycheck of Titans Radio's locker room interview with Gerald McRath about his first start. McRath showed some inexperience in pass coverage, but he also showed his speed and instincts while flying around the field and constantly getting to the ball... almost like a young Keith Bulluck. I'm definitely digging what he's going to bring to the table over the next several years.
Cortland Finnegan is a phenomenally talented athlete, and even he refuses to race Chris Johnson.
Missed this ESPN Insider link earlier last week: Adam Schefter answers several questions on the Titans and the changing atmosphere around the city and the franchise.
PFW has a great list of bad habits QBs develop that NFL defenses tend to feast on if adjustments aren't made.