A Titans offensive line that is one of the best in the league at pass protection should get a significant test this week against Houston. The Texans have recorded nine sacks in three games, led by defensive end J.J. Watt, who has already posted an AFC-best 5.5 sacks. Watt has registered more than one sack in each of the Texans’ three regular-season contests this year. The Titans’ offensive line, which has allowed just two sacks this year, is hoping for another performance like last Sunday’s. Tennessee attempted 42 passes, but didn’t surrender a sack. Jake Locker was only hit once during a pass attempt. “That was something that went unnoticed, untalked about,” Munchak said. “That was a good defensive line … (Locker) was not sacked, not harassed and he threw for almost 400 yards. “That’s a heck of an accomplishment for them, but protection is not just the offensive line. Protection has a lot to do with the receivers getting open, the quarterback getting the ball out, the tight ends and backs, just like the run game.” Source: Titans Insider
Well on the bright side, we don't have to worry about Mario anymore! But honestly I think we had such good pass protection because we called up some faster routes. Less double moves, more slants kinda thing because that OL looked like a bunch of lil girls out there trying to pass block during the Chargers game.
If CJ continues to struggle, look for MORE quick throws to supplement the run game. We may have thrown 42 times last week, but much of those were screens to Wright. I'm not sold on our pass blocking being so great.
This is my guess & early on you guys will probably have a little success with that..until wade shortens up his zone to take those away. & when that happens Locker will either to force it (int) or he'll have to hold onto it a little longer waiting for longer routes to develop........and that's likely where we'll get our sacks. I've been watching CJ this year...he'll be a non-factor.
watch him get 200 yards rushing on sunday... and watch for cows flying over the stadium during halftime
i've lurked on this board long enough to know that there are still at least a few on this board who think this guy is about to bust out of his slump any game now....of course, a game for him to "bust out of his slump" could simply be a game where he totals more than 25 yds rushing for the game, lol.
Once again Houston will prove that the 3-4 scheme is far superior to the 4-3 we run, and run poorly. It's not about the chess pieces, it's about how you use them. Creating confusion is how you beat an offensive line and that is exactly what the Texans will be doing to us on Sunday. Remember they went from, statistically, the 2nd worse defense in yards allowed in NFL history, to the best defense in the league the following year, how? They switched to the 3-4 and brought in a coach who really understands it. This is my long way of saying they are going to create confusion with our O-line with alignment and blitzes, they will win the battle of the trenches sadly. I just hope our coaches will see the error of their ways, but I doubt it.
I would consider 25 yards, and over 1.5 yards per carry to be a decent game for CJ. 50 yards and over 2.0 would be outstanding.
3/4 of CJ's most recent games against the Texans have been brutal. 56 carries, 214 yards (3.8 YPC), 1 TD in his last four games against them. If you take away one of those games, he's sitting at 32 carries, 84 yards (2.6 YPC), 0 TDs. Remember that 20-0 game when he had 7 carries for 5 yards? That's what I'm expecting this game.
