To recap, I couldn't get part two of my post in before the opening game vs. the Steelers because I had to work late. Then we lost the game in OT. Then we lost another, and another, and another, then lost 59-0, and all my ambition to finish my Titans post was gone. I was so beat down that I couldn't even muster the will to post a negative rant about how crappy the team was. So basically, I felt what it was like to be a Rams/Chiefs fan over the last couple of years. But at least the throwbacks were sweet.
But it's a good thing I didn't finish, because I would've been dead wrong. I would've said something about how what I saw from Chris Johnson in the preseason worried me, because I didn't see that burst he had last year. Well, halfway through the season, he's currently leading the NFL in rushing (by 120 yards over 2nd place), and is averaging 6.7 yards per carry - I WAS DEAD WRONG.
Then I would've posted something about how we needed to keep Vince Young on the bench at all costs, because even as boring or old as Kerry Collins looks at times, he still gives us the best chance to win games and that Vince turns it over far too much and will single-handedly cost us games. Well, with Collins at QB we were 0-6. With Vince the last two weeks, we're 2-0, and Vince has zero turnovers - I WAS DEAD WRONG.
I also said something in my first post about how we'd be good this year and that our defense was awesome. Well, we're 2-6, and have the worst pass defense, and one of the worst overall defenses in the NFL (but it's not b/c of Haynesworth, dammit!) - I WAS DEAD WRONG.
I still think the Titans are better than 2-6, but none of that matters now. Even if we improbably run the table and finish 10-6, I doubt we'd make the playoffs since we started out 0-6 vs. the AFC. What matters now is figuring out if Vince will stay around in the coming years, which I highly doubt. Even if he does keep his steady, turnover-free play going, there's no way he comes back next year at something like $14 mil per year (if they pickup his option). You don't pay that kind of money to a QB who gets you 13-19, 170 yards and a TD line, even if he is wining games right now. You can find a QB to play "smart" on a run-first team, for far less money. If they can somehow let him go and pick him up for less money, then it might be an option. With all the crap he's gone through with this team though, I think that's a longshot, and he's off to a fresh start somewhere else in 2010.
What also matters is being able to watch Chris Johnson dominate. He's on pace for just under 2,000 yards this year, and if the Titans give it to him 20+ times per game from here on out (like they have the last two games), he's gonna get it. What a STUD. His speed keeps on shocking me, and apparently, it keeps on shocking the linebackers and DB's on opposing teams, because he keeps blowing right by them, even when they think they have the angle. Enjoy yet another compilation, and be awed by the speed (and go to 0:58 for one of the best runs of this season):
Anyway, that's my take on the Titans. I still think it's realistic that, given the remaining schedule and how they've played recently, they could still go 7-9 or 8-8 this year, but that's hardly cause for celebration. But given the horrendous 0-6 start, it would be an encouraging way to go into the next offseason, finishing strong.
Hey, look at that. The countdown I made about 5 months ago on my last post is still running. Sweet.
Ahhhhhh, its almost fall. My favorite time of year. The weather gets a bit nipply-er, leaves begin to change, the grass no longer needs to be mowed, and most people's favorite sports season is just around the corner. 24 hours and counting to the start of the NFL season, which means its time to start a new season of blogging.
Although Matt stole some of my thunder (and mylist dump idea) by breaking the nearly summer-long MRSLP silence, that's ok. My post will be better, and will have less "I have an iphone 3GS so I'm better than you" bragging. Though I do have an iphone 3G, so I'm better than you (but not better than Matt, who's better than all of us).
After my Nostradamus-like Titans predictions last year, I have a lot to live up to. Seriously, read that post from Week 1 last year. Jesus, I was spot on. Like I had Gray's Sports Almanac or something.
Well this year, the Titans are still getting little respect. Everyone still has the Steelers, Pats, Colts, Chargers, Ravens, and even the Texans and Dolphins over the Titans in the AFC. I guess that's the respect a 13-3 season gets ya. They were knocked out of the playoffs early after playing a mistake-filled, ugly game where Chris Johnson (our MVP last year - more on that later) dominated the 1st half but was injured for the 2nd half, the refs gifted the Ravens 20 yards and a first down on the last drive with a terrible no-call, and we still only lost by 3 points. Just thinking of that game gets me shaking with frustration. God I hate the Ravens (I called that frustration too - lucky me).
Enough pining over what could have been. It's a New Season, and while I'm optimistic at what the Titans can do this year, I'm less confident in this team than I was at the end of last year. And it has nothing to do with the loss of Albert Haynesworth.
The Titans return 10 of 11 starters from a defense that was just awesome last year. But all anyone talks about is how we'll take a big dip this year because of the loss of Haynesworth. I was torn on re-signing him. Sure, Albert was absolutely dominant the past 2 years. But where was he before that?
We drafted him in 2002, and he was mostly injured or anonymous til 2007-2008. Could it be because 2007 was a contract year, and 2008 was the last year he had the franchise tag on him, and he knew he was playing for a huge contract so he stepped his game up? Part of me says yes. Heck, a lot of me says yes. If we had re-signed him to the tune of $100 million, I think our team would be hurt more than helped, because the strength of this team's defense has always been its depth at Defensive Line, and the ability to rotate quality players in and out at all times. That depth would have seriously suffered if we had that much money tied into one player, even one as good as Albert. And did you realize that, as good as he was, he only played about 55-60% of the defensive plays for the Titans over the past 2 years? So yeah, this defense was and is more than Albert Haynesworth, and will continue to be really good without him.
So yeah, I'm not really worried about the Titans Defense this season. Great Secondary, Good Linebackers, and a really good, deep Defensive line with a nice mix of vets and up and comers that have a chance of making a big name for themselves in the next year or two (kinda like Albert did in 2007).
The thing that concerns me is the offense. I'm not expecting them to have a Saints/Pats/Eagles/Cardinals type, explosive offense. They haven't been that, and will not be that this year. They don't need that to win, and they don't have the personnel to support it. Heck, if the offense is as good as last year (maybe a bit better), then I'd be ecstatic, and I'd be sure we were in for another great season.
We definitely upgraded the pass catchers. Justin Gage came on at the end of last year and looked really, really good. I don't expect him to go over 1,000 yards or anything this year, but he's a solid WR, and should continue to be. Bo Scaife is a good TE, and can make the nice catch and long run when we need him to. Alge Crumpler is now older, and fatter, but is a great blocker and can make catches when we need him to.
The new blood comes in the form of 2 players. The first is our "big" (not really) free agent signing - Nate Washington, formerly of the Steelers. This guy was never a top receiver for them, but seemed to be there to haul in the long bomb for Big Ben whenever he threw one up. It'd be nice if he could provide somewhat of a deep threat for Kerry, who still has a big arm, but my expectations are tempered. He's missed most of the preseason with injuries, so I have no idea what to expect from this guy in our offense.
The other player is someone most have probably never heard of. We drafted a TE in the 3rd round (ahead of Chase Coffman - surely you jest!) by the name of Jared Cook.
Ok, this guy is a freak. We already have Scaife and Crumpler, so I wasn't sure why we "wasted" a pick on a rookie TE, but after seeing him play, I get it. The dude is like 6'6", 250, and runs like a gazelle. He's got great hands from what I've seen too. Big as a TE, fast as a WR. Oh my. He will be fun to watch for the next 10 years, especially in this offense, where the tight end is king. I could see him lining up as the 3rd or 4th WR in pass situations too - he's just that gifted. I just hope he can stay healthy, as he already has some injury issues that may keep him out of our first game. He has the potential to be great. I just hope he's more Antonio Gates, and less Ben Troupe (all the talent in the world, but injuries and poor hands cost him his career).
And the O-Line. I love em. Great. Maybe the best part of our team. The personnel has been pretty uniform over the past few years, and that's usually the most important thing for an Offensive Line. They played unbelievable last year. Chris Johnson and Lendale White ran for over 2,000 yards and 25 TD's combined last year. I've previously said that if Lendale White does good, then you must have a great O-Line, because Lendale White (Ohio State sucks!!) is an awful running back. Just terrible. So if he gets almost 800 yards rushing (including an 80!!! yard TD vs. the Chiefs) and 15 TD's in a time-share situation, your O-Line is great. And they are.
Also, Kerry Collins was sacked a grand total of 8 times in 16 games last year. In case you hadn't noticed, Kerry Collins is 36 years old, and isn't exactly the most mobile QB in the world. So that few sacks allowed means you're doing something great. And that's the O-line.
So, I love the Defense, am ok with the receivers, love the Tight Ends and love the O-line. So why am I heading into this season with a bit of apprehension? Since I've rambled for the better part of forever now, and most people stopped reading at "Sweet", I'll go ahead and save that for part 2 of my post, which I'll type up right before the season opener tomorrow.
But here's a sneak peek at why I'm not as confident as I was last year: 2 players. One of them will not surprise you. His name is Vince Young. He's still pretty much a piece of shit. The other one will surprise you. His name is Chris Johnson. Why does CJ worry me? Didn't I say earlier that he was the MVP of this team last year? (yes I did) Check back tomorrow to find out.....
In the meantime, enjoy some highlights from the NFL's fastest and most exciting player.
First victim: Pittsburgh Steelers. You bastards were lucky to miss us last year, because we would've handed your asses to you, just like we did in Week 16.
I don't expect my fears about the Titans to garner any sympathy from my friends, who are mainly fans of the Chiefs (2-14) and Rams (2-14. Also they're gay....), but I don't care. Look, I'm the one who predicted this could be a Super Bowl team way back during Week 1, as long as we had a QB who wouldn't mess too many things up. That's exactly what we got this year from Kerry Collins. Still, the Steelers game aside, this team just hasn't looked right for the last 5-6 weeks (ever since I attended the Jets debacle, coincidentally).
Look, I'm uber happy that we got the bye and homefield - hopefully some rest for Haynesworth, Vandenbosch and our offense will do them well. Still, the AFC is pretty stacked and pretty even this year. The one team I don't really fear in the 2nd round (the Dolphins), is the only team we can't end up playing (b/c they're the #3 seed, even though the Colts and Ravens have better records - stupid NFL). So that leaves either the Colts, Ravens or Chargers as our 2nd round foe. Great.
The freaking Chargers, led by Marmalard himself, beat us twice last year, once in the playoffs. I hate that team, hate their bitch QB, and I fear their offense. They are looking kinda scary hot right now, but maybe they just need an old fashioned beat down by a physical Titans defense to set them straight and shut them up - something they didn't have to face all year in the AFC West. Fear Factor (scale of 1-10): 7
I am one of the few people, apparently, that just doesn't think the Colts are that great this year. At least not nearly as good as they have been in the past 5-6 years or so. But still, it's Peyton Manning, and that bastard can win the game for them on his own. I don't think they're as good as 12-4 indicates, but Peyton is still Peyton, and has tormented us in the division for years now (even though we beat him in the only game that mattered vs. the Colts this season). Fear Factor: 6
And the Ravens? Man, they scare me the most. As I said before, I hate playing the Ravens. We beat them earlier this year, but that was due to a late "comeback" after we were down 10-3 for much of the 2nd half. The Ravens played better that game, but steady Kerry Collins came through at the end to get us the W. Now it looks like Flacco is much more poised than he was in the earlier meeting, so that added to their sick defense is a scary proposition. Plus, Ray Lewis is a scary mofo that always acts like he wants to eat your children. Or at least help you beat a murder rap by obstructing some justice. I hate when justice is obstructed. Let's just say I'll be pulling for the Fins to knock out the Ravens this weekend :) Fear Factor: 9
This all being said, I think the Titans have the best team in the AFC this year, and I see no reason why we shouldn't win 2 and be playing in Tampa for SuperBowl XLIII in a few weeks. It's just a matter of making sure the team that shows up is the same one that beat the Steelers, Colts and Ravens this year, and not the one that laid that stinky egg vs. the Jets a few weeks back.
Oh, and by the way, Steelers fans - you deserved this, you Terrible Towel-waving, obnoxious bastards:
If you really need something like this to fire you up next time we play, then I'm much less worried about your loser of a team than I was before. Stomp that towel, Len-fatty!!!
What to say about today's win. I'm still shocked. We looked so bad in the 1st half, both offensively and defensively. We had our 4th string corner and backup-backup D-linemen in there due to injures, but still, the Titans just flipped a switch in the 2nd half (just like last week vs. the Bears) and turned a 14-3 deficit into a 17-14 lead in like 3 minutes. Kerry Collins got it done through the air for the 2nd straight week, and Jeff City/Mizzou product Justin Gage (who's been plagued w/ a case of the dropsies this year) came up big with 2 long TD catches.
10 and freakin 0 - Undefeated!!! This line is getting old, but I can't believe it. I hope the Titans can treat me to a win next week vs. the 7-3 Jets, since I'll be in the stands cheering em on. Hopefully I can break my streak of never seeing the Titans win at games I've been to in Tennessee. 0-for-4 so far. At least the law of averages is in my favor...
Not the best game the Titans have played this year, but all that counts is that they got the W. The Bears decided to put 8-9 guys in the box the entire game, and completely shut down the run in the 1st half. No biggie - we'll completely change our offensive philosophy in the 2nd half, and let our 37 year old QB and our motley crew of average WR's take over the game. In the end, we rush for like 20 yards total, but Collins passes for almost 300 yards en route to victory.
This is surreal. I still can't believe the Titans are doing this. As I said earlier this year, I always thought the Titans were a great team, completely capable of realistically reaching the Super Bowl, but this season so far is unbelievable. No doubt that getting to 9-0 takes some lucky breaks, but really, the Titans this year just always seem to make the big plays when they need to, have really minimized the mistakes, and have created their own "luck." I really don't give a crap about 16-0, and I don't think that is really even a possibility. In fact, I'd rather have 'em lose before the end of the year, but hopefully after they've already wrapped up the #1 seed :)
Next up, @ Jacksonville. Always a tough game. I don't care if the Jags are having a "down" year, they always play the Titans tough. Similar to my thoughts about playing the Ravens and Colts earlier this year (and hopefully a similar result). After that, home to the Jets, then on Thanksgiving vs. the Lions. I'd take a 2-1 stretch through those three games, but hopefully the loss doesn't come to the Lions. That would suck. Not only b/c the Lions suck, but b/c it would ruin the Lions chance at a perfect 0-16 season. I'm cheering for that harder than I am for 16-0.
The one potential loss I see coming is vs. the Jets at home in 2 weeks. Not so much because I'm all that impressed with or scared of the Jets (I'm not), but mainly because I'll be attending that game. And if past history is any sign of future results, the Titans will lose because I'm in attendance. This will be the 5th consecutive year Ami and I have made the trip up to Nashville for a game, and so far, I'm 0 for 4:
Loss to the Bears in '04 - lost by a freakin safety in OT. Pathetic; Loss to the Raiders in '05 - Kerry QB'ed the Raiders in that game; Loss to the Ravens in '06 - exciting game in VY's first year, but still a loss; Loss to the Jags in '07 - unmemorable game - I think I was hammered by the 3rd quarter. Could explain the lack of memory...
Loss to the Jets in '08? God I hope not. If that happens, I'm never going to a game again. At least not a home game. The Titans seem to have no problem winning games I go to in KC the last 2 years :)
Enough negativity. With Pittsburgh's loss, the Titans are now up 3 games on the entire AFC with 7 games to go. That's awesome. Even if they just win the games vs. the sucky teams left on their schedule (Browns, Lions, Texans), then they'll be in great shape for a playoff run.
But I'm not looking ahead. I'm just enjoying this season every week for what it is - a freaking amazing experience. Being an NFL fan sucks a lot of the time, so when a special season comes along like this, you've gotta savor every moment. The last one I remember like this was back in '99. God I loved that team (screw you, Kurt Warner). Before that it was the Oilers in '94. That was a great team (screw you, Joe Montana). Luckily for this season, it doesn't look like there are any Missouri teams to get in the way and ruin my fun :)
Oh man, what a game in KC. I was there to witness the destruction of the Chiefs (and their QB's) at Arrowhead, and it was sweet. All I've got to say about that game is....Chris Johnson
The dude is just plain fast, and a pretty darn good RB too. Speed + RB moves = damn near unstoppable. People in the NFL need to start taking wider angles at that guy once he breaks past the first level, b/c he's just making folks look silly. But, it was the Chiefs. Even Lenfatty White took his 6.2 40 and broke an 80 yard-TD run vs. the Chiefs this week. Still, CJ is the real deal, and I like having LenDale for those short yardage situations.
Next up, a huge game vs. the Colts on Monday Night. If the Titans wanna take that next step, they've gotta take down the team that has dominated our division for the last 5 years. We've beat 'em several times over the past few years, and if we do it again, its gonna be b/c of the running game, again. CJ and (gulp) LenDale White are gonna have to tear up that fairly weak Indy run D for us to stay undefeated. While the Colts seem to be down this year, I've got too many memories of them tearing us to shreds in recent years (much like the Ravens matchup a few weeks back) for me to get too confident. I can't wait. I love that we're showcased on Monday Night, but I hate waiting that long for the game.
With the Giants loss tonight, the Titans are the last undefeated team in the NFL. Even as a Titans fan, this is unbelievable!!!
I'll be at Arrowhead cheering my Titans on to victory this weekend - hopefully I'll be a better influence than I was on the MU Tigers football team last Saturday. I know I said Kerry Collins would be the savior and the Super Bowl MVP this year, but now, I'm starting to kinda believe it. Let's Go Titans!!!
....and like I said weeks ago, the Titans are good - REALLY good. 4-0, Undeafeated good. And damn does it feel good.
Next up, at Baltimore next week. These teams have a nasty history, and both have smashmouth defenses. Should be a physical slugfest, and could be an ugly game. I think the Titans have the edge on offense though, but I'm not predicting anything, b/c I hate playing the Ravens. I'll just savor 4-0 for now, and sweat next week's game out like I always do.
The best NFL team people refuse to believe is any good...the Titans
Despite an 8-8 record in 2006, and a 10-6 record last year w/ a playoff appearance, for whatever reason, people refuse to recognize the Titans as a team that is any good. I would bet that in any preseason publication or article anyone read, any radio or TV preseason prognostication, they picked the Titans to finish 3rd or last in their division (behind the Texans, a team we haven't lost to in 4 years!). Where is the love?
I open my ESPN the Magazine last week, and see that no less than 2 of their "experts" picked the Jacksonville Jaguars to go to the Super Bowl (they also picked the Titans to finish last in the division, but I digress). So, the Titans go out today and pretty much shut down the Jags, a game we could've won by 3 TD's if Vince hadn't played like dogshit. After the game I'm flipping around the tube, CBS, Fox, NBC, ESPN post-game shows, looking for any love given to the Titans for smacking down the "mighty" Jaguars, and I get nothing. I get more news about our shitty QB's injury than I do analysis of a game where the Titans defense let the Jaguars do absolutely nothing on offense, and where the Jaguars only scored a TD when Vince gifted an INT to them, giving them the ball inside the 20.
If the Jaguars are supposed to be so good, doesn't the fact that we beat their asses today mean that the Titans are pretty damn good too? Also, the Titans have played extremely tough against the perrenial Super Bowl favorite Colts the last 2 years, and we beat them in each of the last two years. The Titans can play with and beat the Big Boys, no question. If we can beat "Super Bowl" teams in that way, why aren't we considered a Super Bowl contender too? But outside of me, have you ever heard the words "super bowl" and the "Titans" uttered in the same sentence this year? Hell no.
Perhaps its the lack of "flash" on the team. The Titans don't put up great offensive numbers, and don't really have that one star player on offense that people wanna see. Well, maybe Vince Young was, his 1st year, when he actually used his athletic ability to help us win and didn't try to become a "pocket passer." But apparently for VY, based on watching all 16 games last year and week 1 today, those days are long gone. Damn shame.
But for Christ's sake, this team is good - really good! Seriously. I'd venture to say that the Titans Defense is as good as any team in the league. Vikings, Bears, Chargers - I'd put them up against those defenses any day. And the fact that they so often have to clean up the mess our pathetic QB so often leaves behind (i.e. INT's thrown deep in our own teritory, inoppurtune fumbles, countless 3 and outs, etc) and still manages to shut people down, shows just how good they are. And their Offensive Line just pushes people around all day long. If you can make Lendale White look good (1100 yards, 7TD's last year), then you know you've got something special. The only real glaring weaknesses in this squad is our QB and our WR. I'll grant you that those are two fairly major positions in football, but a great defense and a great offensive line will always give you a chance to win in the NFL.
And oh yeah, maybe we've found our "flashy" offensive star this year in the draft in the form of Running Back Chris Johnson, our 1st round pick our of East Carolina (of the shocking Va Tech and West Virginia wins this year). This dude could be a star. Like this year. Like now. He runs a 4.24 40 yard dash, but he's not just a sprinter, he looks like a good NFL RB. I have a feeling he'll compile a nice NFL highlight reel in no time, but for now, this is what 4.24 looked like when he played at ECU. This guy can play in the NFL. He played great today, showing bursts that looked Peterson-esque at times, en route to over 120 total yards and a TD (over 6 yards per carry too).
If Vince Young can rediscover what made him a good, winning QB in the first place, this team could be very dangerous this year. And if he doesn't, ah well. Kerry Collins, even if he is old, runs this offense better than VY right now anyway. This team, unlike most NFL teams, does not live or die w/ the QB - their Defense and Running game is what makes them good. If Vince can rediscover that magic, that'd be great, but if not, the Titans are still a playoff team. With some solid QB play (either VY or Kerry Collins), they are a Super Bowl team.
I could also title this post "Ed Wade Can Go Straight to Hell, part 2," but I figured I'd go with a more positive note.
I'm so tired of watching the Astros constantly lose and underachieve. Ed "dickface" Wade made all these moves in the offseason trading away our young talent for a bunch of guys that were supposed to help us win now. Tejada. Valverde. Bourn. Matsui. A completely revamped bullpen. Problem is, almost everybody on the team (with the exception of Berkman, Lee and maybe Tejada) has greatly UNDERachieved and been a huge disappointment. So, dickface's gamble didn't pay off this year - no biggie. It's not as if dickface mortgaged our next 2-3 years of young talent to assemble this piece of shit team. Oh wait, that's EXACTLY what he did.
I'll keep watching and cheering for my 'Stros, cause they're my team, and I like torturing myself, but I just know that this team is gonna be really bad for the next several years. Damn shame.
So, like I said, who's ready for some football?
Mizzou and Illinois kick off the season in just over a month, and the NFL season is only about 6 weeks away. I can't wait!!
My NFL team, the Titans, are like the exact opposite of the Astros. The Titans management and coaching is awesome (see: Jeff Fisher); the Astros managment sucks (see, e.g. my last 2 blog posts). The Titans roster is filled with mainly with a bunch of no name young guys; the Astros are filled with a bunch of older guys (remember, we traded all of our young talent away!). The Astros are a bunch of horrendous underachievers; whereas nobody expected anything out of the Titans the last two seasons, and they pulled off 9-7 and 10-6 records with a bunch of OVERachievers. The Titans are strong and play as a team; the Astros players like to fight with their GM.
Vince Young. Albert Haynesworth. Kyle Vandenbosch. Alge Crumpler. Titans v. Chiefs Week 7. Chase Daniel. Jeremy Maclin. Chase Coffman. Mizzou vs. Kansas @ Arrowhead. Faurot Field. Tailgating. AHHHHHHHHH......I can't wait for football season to start!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cat Tarot Cards
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[image: Cat tarot cards]
Cat tarot cards
The Gatti deck is an Italian Tarot of 22 cards, each featuring a cat
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All Right, Time to Clean up My Blog
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As I have stated, I would like to keep my blog going. So I will be
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