Sorry, you guys are stuck with me for a while

Discussion in 'Tennessee Titans and NFL Talk' started by Code, Sep 11, 2009.

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  1. Code

    Code Starter

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    Going to have to rant here for a while until my self-imposed ban at Titans Central goes away. I'm going off on a number of topics. Please, try to remember that I was once a member in good standing here.

    THE 55 MINUTE MAN

    Kerry Collins is every bit as good of a QB as you can want in this league. For the first 55 minutes of a game. But God help us when we need him to lead a go-ahead or come from behind drive in the last 5 minutes of a game.

    His last series was classic. The second down play had a wide open reciever crossing in front of Kerry's face but he dumped the ball out of bounds. On third down he forces a throw to Justin Gage that could only serve to get the guy killed. I was seeing flashbacks from last year's Ravens :57 debacle at the end of the game.

    And isn't that really the problem. If everything goes right ... Bironas makes his field goals ... Bo doesn't fumble ... Britt makes a great defensive play on a poorly underthrown pass that Palalaliu goes RIngling Bros on ... we win. But everything didn't go right and we needed KC to step up and make a big play at a big time. He didn't. He couldn't. And my fear is that he can't.

    WHY SO MUCH LENDALE

    I love our head coach. And I like Heimy. But please, there is no excuse for taking carries from CJ and giving them to LW. CJ is a threat to go the distance every play. LW is a nice between the tackles back. Particularly frustrating since our G play doesn't exactly look Pro Bowl like on running downs.

    WHY SO LITTLE PRESSURE

    On several key third downs our decision to go 3-man rush was frustrating beyond belief.

    TULLOCH, BRITT, HAYES STAND OUT

    Stephen Tulloch and his 12 tackles was as good as he has ever been. Probably better. He looks like the real deal middle linebacker we have missed since Michael Barrow left town.

    Kenny Britt played a good good game for a rookie WR. Lots of folks blame him for the INT, but the pass was woefully underthrown, should have been to his inside shoulder, not his out where 43 was, and he simply didn't play good enough defense thinking that Troy doesn't make that play. Lesson learned I hope.

    William Hayes is going to be a star. Huge motor. Great speed. Can go inside or out. He and Jason Jones are going to form a very salty pair if we can keep them healthy and under contract.

    SPECIAL TEAM PLAY

    A poor snap on the first field goal. A line breakdown on the second. Yielding almost 30 yards on average on kick off returns. And then of course the challenge of Cortland trying to fill in at Punt Returned hurting us badly in field position and forcing the offense into a defensive shell on at least three drives.
    Both units need to get fixed ... coverage and return ... over the next few weeks.

    COACHING

    I remember leaving here thinking that the Fire Fisher Now contingent would eventually go away. It never does. Lots of people forget that players, not coaches, play the game. Coaches do have tendencies, and no doubt Jeff will play it close to the vest when backed up inside his 20 yard line offensively. I never have had an issue with that. I do have an issue with not utlizing your playmakers in unusual ways. There simply has to be a better way to get CJ involved in the offensive game plan other than just hand offs and toss sweeps.

    SEASON

    That was not a game I expected to win before the season. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised to find us 1-3. But in the end, I see us doing what the Colts did last season and turning it around for an 11-5 record. How far we go in the post season is all about how Kerry performs under pressure and in the last few minutes of a game. I hope we don't need him to Win us many games like last night. But if we do, I hope he can prove me wrong and actually produce clutch points at closing time.

    BE KIND

    I'm new here (sortof).
     
    • High Five High Five x 2
  2. TBC_titan

    TBC_titan Camp Fodder

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    Sorry but the only question I can think of at the moment is;
    Why did you get banned from TC?
    :ha:
     
  3. Gunny

    Gunny Shoutbox Fuhrer

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    ffs another one of these?
     
  4. Code

    Code Starter

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    Um

    No, a Moderator doesn't get banned. I am temporarily choosing to post here. Why? Just got tired of trading personal insults over the play at the QB position. Just as much my fault as anyone elses.
     
  5. TitanJeff

    TitanJeff Kahuna Grande Staff

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    Good to see you, Code. It's been a while.

    Like the late TD at Baltimore last year? ;) I will agree that Collins isn't the kind of guy in the mold of a P. Manning, Brees, Brady or Big Ben but there are few of those kinds of QBs in the league.

    To me, Collins was the best offensive performance on the field Thursday night. He was under pressure much of the game. He made some excellent passes with players in his face. I have no doubt that the Scaife injury changed much of the Titans' gameplan because he was the check down and kept Harrison from the LOS.

    When the Titans were deep in their own end, I questioned putting CJ in instead of White who was more effective running inside. In that situation, everyone knows Fisher is going to run so why not get 3-4 yards per carry there? White is the short-yardage RB for a reason. Once the Titans get the ball out to the 10-15, then bring back CJ.

    Another reason was CJ was getting crushed while picking up the blitz. The Steelers D dictated the Titans offense much of the second half, IMO. That's where I blame coaching for not having some answers like hitting CJ in the flat or running more quick slants to nullify that rush.

    I hope Cecil throws that part of the playbook out. We may as well had 11 in coverage for the effectiveness of that formation.

    Agreed and the Titans better be working on an extension soon.

    It was a bad pass but Britt has to break that up.

    The guy made huge strides since last season. But I want to see him duplicate that against a better OL before getting too excited.

    The more I reflect on special teams, the more frustrated I become. Besides the one Bironas FG, the Titans did little right in any other phase of special teams. I pray it was a fluke.

    In another thread, I talk about getting CJ in the flat to slow down the Steelers blitz. It may be over-simplifying the issue but I don't understand not spread him out wide for those quick passes like they did for Britt that one play. Does anyone think Gay makes the same play on CJ? All I can imagine is that they are not confident in CJ's hands. Otherwise, why not do everything in your power to get your best weapon the football in space?
     
  6. Code

    Code Starter

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    Thanks for responding Jeff. This is going to be a hard transition. Anyone who ever knew me is gone. Or didn't much care in the first place.

    Seems to me that the defining question in Titan fandom right now is the position on Collins.

    Its interesting that people who dislike Fisher's coaching style do not blame Kerry for his ability to successfully finish a game. And yet, Jeff needs a McNair lke QB to be successful ... limit mistakes, play best when the game is on the line.

    I'm a Fisher guy. Which leaves me very skeptical of Collins. I acknowledge that he is largely solid for the first 55 minutes of most games ... provided that the defense can't pressure him. But I hate him as our QB under pressure.

    Most dont blame him for the loss in the playoffs last year or even the first week. I do. It mgiht be irrational, but if you hav :57 left with one timeout, or 2:34 and 3 time outs, a NFL playoff calibre QB has simply got to find a way to produce points.

    To me, his is our hidden achilles heel. Good enough most of the time, but not at the time you need him the most.

    I largely agree with your other comments, and am truly appreciative you took the time to respond.
     
  7. Titanium

    Titanium TITANFN Staff

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    Good to see you Code! Self imposed ban? No way ;)

    Always enjoy your insight, and you're not new here, you're an old fart like me :beer2:
     
  8. 46JIM

    46JIM 46BLITZ

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    hay, code nice to see u..
     
  9. TitanJeff

    TitanJeff Kahuna Grande Staff

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    Collins is Collins. He's rarely going to take the team on his shoulders like McNair did and find a way to win late in the game. He doesn't have the skill set to escape the rush or be a threat to scramble down the field when receivers are covered.

    But for Fisher's offense, Collins is a good fit. He makes good decisions. He takes care of the football. He is a consistent factor Fisher wants at QB.

    What I miss is a RB like Eddie in his prime. He could take over a game when everyone on the defense and the stands knew he was about to get the ball. The Titans don't have that type of RB on the roster either.

    I don't blame Thursday's loss on the offense or defense. Both had their moments and problems as did the Steelers. I blame the loss on special teams. You can't play well in only two of three phases of a football game and expect to beat a quality opponent.
     
  10. TBC_titan

    TBC_titan Camp Fodder

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    True. You also can't play just play well the first 50-55 minutes of a game, half-:grrr::grrr::grrr: it the last 5-10 minutes and expect to beat a quality opponent.
     
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