Titans Update

Yes, this blog gets very Notre Dame heavy during the fall. Work gets busy, and with the Irish dominating my thoughts, its easy for my 2 posts per week to be on Notre Dame football. Neglected only on my blog (and not by me), the Titans impressive start has not been missed. The Tennessee Titans are 5-0 for the first time in franchise history, dating back to when the team was the Houston Oilers. How has this good team from 2007 become a good to great team in 2008? Simple.

• Even better defense   >>  Is that possible? While the Titans are still in the top 5 in the league in defensive scoring, yards allowed, rushing yards, passing yards, and turnovers (same as last year), this year the Titans are getting even more pressure on the QB while maintaining the other aspects of the defense. The Titans 3 sacks per game average is better than the 2.5 sacks per game from last year, and it has not been at the expense of extra defenders via the blitz. I have not seen an update, but through week 4 the Titans were also the 2nd least blitzing defense in the league. Getting to the opponent's quarterback using only the front 4 gives your defense so many more options in defending the pass. Defensive tackles Albert Haynesworth and Tony Brown (from the University of Memphis!, pictured), have commanded extra attention, as have Kyle Vandenbosch and Jevon Kearse at defensive end. Vandenbosch and Haynesworth certainly steal the headlines, but Brown and Kearse are good enough to make teams pay for leaving them alone.
• Chris Johnson   >>   The Titans finished top 5 in rushing last year, but currently sit just outside the top 10 with 120ypg. Lendale runs between the tackles just as before, but now the Titans have a home run threat that forces the defense to pay attention to, in Chris Johnson. Screen passes, swing passes, outside tosses, misdirection tosses, end arounds  -  these are all now major parts of the Titans offense. These plays have been effective at times, ineffective at others, but one thing is for certain  - Chris Johnson gives the Titans quick strike capability unlike they have had in years, and he forces the defense's hand a bit more to the quarterback. No surprise our QB play has improved this year . . .
• Better QB play  >>  Kerry Collins has provided just good enough QB play to keep defenses honest, pickup timely first downs, and protect the football. While the Titans are ranked 16th in the league in interceptions with 5, 2 of those came from Vince Young in the first game. Collins has played 17 quarters of football on only thrown 3 nterceptions, which is plenty good enough to win. I will comment more about Vince Young (my boy) vs Kerry Collins, the injury, the mental illness, etc, when the time is right. But know this - Vince Young will play meaningful snaps at Quarterback for the Titans this season, and the 25 year old's career is far from over.
• Fantastic Offensive Line  >>  The young, very underrated offensive line has only given up 2 sacks all season, tops in the NFL. And that's all with a statue of a quarterback in Kerry Collins, not known for being mobile. 26 year olds Michael Roos and David Stewart have been awesome Tackle signings, both guys signed this past offseason at the end of their rookie deals, locking up the line for years to come. In addition, the Titans have veteran center Kevin Mawae, as well as guard free agent signing from last year, Jake Scott (formerly of the Colts). These guys are steady, and a top 5 unit in the league.

Of course there is the one thing that has been the same with the Tennessee Titans for the past 14 years  -  Jeff Fisher. Coaching has been steady, and the team has been built the way he has wanted - starting from the front back, with top emphasis on the defensive and offensive lines. Defense and running the ball come next, with the passing game and wideouts a lower priority. Fisher believes that if you defend the run, rush the football, and protect the football, passing will come naturally as a by product. He truly is old school, looking to out physical the opponent and will them into doing what he wants  -  trying to pass the ball against us. What a pleasure to have this west coast USC softie turned tough guy as our football coach.

 

With the Chiefs on the road, the Colts at home, and then the Packers at home in the next three weeks, the Titans should certainly win 1 and likely 2 of those 3 games. I don't see any team in the league, in the entire NFL, that I would pick the Titans to lose soundly to. Hopefully they can stay healthy, stay hungry, and stay to the course of Jeff Fisher's gameplan.