Tennessee Titans Daily Links: Every Dumpsterfire Has A Bright Spot Edition

Jerry Gray has plenty of blame to spread around two games into the season, but he also acknowledged that he's part of the problem. Gray reiterated that this defense is still a work in progress, and the team has sorely missed Colin McCarthy and Sen'Derrrick Marks more than they'd like to admit. Gray also defended his handling of the safety group, and insinuated that many of the breakdowns in the passing game have come from the LBs. Probably the craziest part of this story is in the sidebar, where the Tennessean ranks our year-by-year rankings in total defense: for a franchise that's been so well known for it's dedication to defense, it's pretty tragic that we've finished in the bottom half of the league in 8 of the 13 full seasons in Nashville.

Why, oh why did I ever praise Chris Johnson's comments? I should have known he'd throw all of that good will away the first time someone asked him to expand on what he said. No matter how he tries to soften the blow later in these quotes, there's no excuse for him to say either of these things to the media:

"I'm never perfect. Even when I went for 2,000 (yards), I wasn't thinking I was perfect," Johnson said Thursday. "But I wouldn't sit here and say I'm to blame."

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"I don't think I missed no big plays or anything like that. It's just a situation where we really haven't had the opportunity to stay on the field and really get into the running game."

The Titans coaches, along with the first year starter himself, are stressing patience when Jake Locker is in the pocket. The feeling is that he's so fixated on looking for the deep pass that he's missing simpler, more consistent options underneath. Of course, it would help if he weren't playing from two TDs down damned near every minute of the game.

PFF reminds us that not many QBs could thrive in this offense right now, and it's imperative that the rest of this squad step-up and help our young gunslinger:

This week alone Titans' receivers dropped five passes, and after two weeks no quarterback has had their receivers drop more than the eight Locker has suffered. Combine this with a running game that is a complete non-factor, thanks to both the offensive line and the lead back's frustration at the lack of room to run, and you have a scenario in which most young quarterbacks would find it very difficult to succeed.

Kenny Britt will no longer be limited by a snap count, though the coaches are trying to put him in positions and route combinations that protect his ailing knees. Can't say I've heard that one before...

Stopping Megatron just might be the defensive coordinator equivalent of the Stone of Sisyphus, but there's no NFL equivalent of Camus to come along and explain why me must view Sisyphus as fulfilled and happy.

Sen'Derrick Marks is continuing to practice with the team, and is now expected to play against the Lions on Sunday. Hopefully he can get right back to the stellar play he flashed during the preseason, because a bit more of a consistent push in the middle of this defensive line could be the final piece it needs to protect the spotty play we're getting in pass coverage.

It's not looking so hot for Colin McCarthy, who has yet to practice since spraining his ankle in the opener. I'm starting to fear that the Titans are fudging the significant difference between an ankle sprain (usually 2-3 weeks of recovery) and a high ankle sprain (usually 4-6+ weeks of recovery).

Kamerion Wimbley got popped for $15K for touching his hit on Philip Rivers, which resulted in a 15-yard roughing penalty at the time.

So you can either partake in some serious self-flagellation, or if you really want to punish yourself just check out our DVOA rankings.

Some headlines just write themselves:

Vince Young spent $5k per week at Cheesecake Factory...