Titan Thoughts - Week 2

Well hell, that was one of the worst games I've ever seen us play. Although we lost 19-11, the game wasn't nearly as close as the score would indicate.

Defense gets the "attaboy", they kept the game close, even though we turned the ball over seven times.

The offense (no capital "o" for you!), on the other hand, gets a major league "aw shit". The line couldn't block, therefore the runner couldn't run, and the passers couldn't pass. The play calling didn't compensate, and Vince Young was like a deer in the headlights, constantly. Kerry Collins didn't do any better when brought in, either.

It was an exciting ending, though. We needed a touchdown, a 2-point conversion, then we needed to recover an onside kick, go score another TD and another 2-point conversion to tie the game. Unfortunately, we had less than two minutes and no time outs to do it in.

Pittsburgh, knowing this, went into prevent mode. We made the first TD, and the 2 pointer. Next, we did the onside kick. And we recovered it! Did I dare to hope? You bet your ass I did, but, alas, time was not on our side. 58 minutes of crap, two minutes of good play do not a victory make.

The big deal now, of course, is Coach Fisher bringing Kerry Collins in to relieve VY late in the game.

I supported the move, even though many, many at the Music City Miracles open thread* did not.

Jimmy, in particular, did not like the idea of benching Young. He echoes what most people said:

Jeff Fisher is an idiot. At this point it has to be something personal for Fisher. He just took the chance of losing Vince Young, and in effect the entire Titans season in a game where the Titans were down by 10 points with a full quarter left to play.

I have to differ with just about everything said. Here's the way I see it:

Jeff Fisher did what he had to do. After three quarters of play, Vince completed 7 passes for 66 yards, no touchdowns, and two interceptions. He also fumbled twice. In what universe does that warrant another 15 minutes of play, especially when you have a proven veteran like Collins** on the sideline?

The "losing Vince Young" is what most people are upset with, calling back to 2008 where Vince had some growing up to do after being benched and booed by fans.

Well boo-freakin-hoo. If, after five years in the NFL, Vince breaks down because he was benched (and booed, I heard it), then he needs to go do something else with his life, he's not cut out for the NFL.

The thing is, I don't think he will. Fisher has already said Vince is still the starter. Even though all the sports reporters will be crying "quarterback controversy", there is none. Vince starts, Collins backs up.

That's how it's supposed to happen in the NFL. Vince was done. He was getting rocked, and he knew it. Collins came in and promptly did the same thing, fumbling and throwing an INT. He then came back and provided us with the most exciting two minutes*** we might see all season.Vince will be fine next Sunday.

So, next week we play the Giants, whose offense is the best we've seen so far in this young season, and whose defense is above average. They are gonna try to rattle Vince like the Steelers did, but I don't think that will happen.

I think all Titans fans are going to watch this game with interest. It's the most important game we play before our bye. Maybe of the entire season.

* Yes, I have the laptop going during Titans games, sue me.

** the people who blame Collins for our 0-6 start last year must not have watched the Defense play.

*** no cracks about the sex life, OK?