With the Titans down for the count in 2010, Clay Travis runs his 'Jeff Fisher Must Go' piece. Look for more columns and posts along this theme over the next few months than you can count. It's pretty much beyond arguing that Fisher is gone after the end of the year, which in all honesty has me feeling a little sentimental at the moment. I've been feeling it ever since the NFL Network reported before the game that Fisher's theme for the week was to play 'like the old Titans teams'. Instantly, I remembered how much I miss Steve McNair.
Linkless thoughts from last night:
• We didn't play well enough to win either game, but the games against the Texans and Colts this year have featured the worst officiating performances I've seen in years. Simply inexcusable to miss that many crucial calls. You'd think the NFL passed a rule automatically giving the Colts 6 shots every time they got within the 10 yard line.
• What'd I say all last week? If your defense can hold a team to 17-20 points a game you should win most of the time. They didn't, so we didn't.
• That may be the second truly terrible snap of Ken Amato's long tenure with the Titans. He's a great long-snapper who is just playing for a snake-bit team.
• Never, ever believe anything Jeff Fisher says related to Jared Cook's playing time. Ever. I'm sorry Randy. I really am. By all indications you're trying hard enough, we just have no intention of throwing to you for reasons that defy logic. I do appreciate that you've been on your best behavior publicly, but this has to be as bad as any stretch in Oakland was for you.
The Titans once again proved to be the ultimate slump buster for everyone else in the NFL. Can't pound he ball on the ground, throw efficiently, convert third downs or stop turning the ball over? Wait till you play us, you'll get it fixed then.
Jump!
Kenny Britt came back and instantly revitalized the offense. Despite his brutal fumble and bad 3rd down drop (during which he was getting completely mugged, but whatever), Britt played better than any other receiver we've had all year, even if his number's weren't spectacular. Britt also sported a towel with the number 10 on it for the first half. Meh.
After beginning the game with the penalties, 3-out and mistakes we've come to expect over the past month and a half, the offense started rolling and reeled off 28 points on the way to making a game out of this one. Chris Johnson looked especially inspired as he totaled more than 170 yards in total offense against a Colts team that has almost always shut him down. The offensive line was surprisingly solid for most of the game as well.
Just for the record, punting on 4th and 1 in that situation, at least vaguely close to mid-field, is almost always a terrible idea. If you don't have a play for that situation, then you should probably just punt it every 3rd down just to be safe.
The NFC West may have us by just a hair at the moment, but there's certainly an easy argument to back up Lopez's assertion that the AFC South is the worst division in football.
The Titans' final touchdown may have been the sweetest, because at least it screwed over everyone who put money on the damned Colts.
Jim Irsay had a little fun at Bud's expense via Twitter:
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