Music City Miracles

Titans 34 49ers 27: Quick Recap

2009-11-09T00:48:06Z

More photos » by Marcio Sanchez - AP

Having the secondary healthy/competent makes a big difference. The Titans still had one bad breakdown in coverage today, but overall they have played a lot better the past 2 games and it makes the whole defense look better.

Vince Young was efficient once again finishing 12-19 for 172 yards including a beautiful deep ball to Justin Gage. He really looks like he has taken the time to grow in this offense and understand what the coaches expect from him. He isn't making any stupid throws like he did in the past, and today he did it against a good defense.

And what can you say about Chris Johnson? He had another huge game today with 25 carries for 135 yards and 2 touchdowns. He made the second touchdown run on his own after a stupid play call on 4th and inches.

This is what a win streak looks like. August and I will have a lot more to say about this game tonight on MCM Radio at 9 p.m. Click here to join the fun.

Wonder if mmamcneill will come back to take his medicine..

Titans @ 49ers Second Half Game Thread

2009-11-08T22:37:36Z

How many lapses in coverage can we see in one season?

Continue the discussion below.

Tennessee Titans at San Francisco 49ers Open Game Thread

2009-11-08T20:00:34Z

Tennessee Titans (1-6)

GAME #8

San Francisco 49ers

Date:	November 8, 2009	Location:	San Francisco, CA
Time:	3:15 CST	Stadium:	Candlestick Park
TV:	CBS	Weather:	62°, 0% rain chance, 7.0 mph NW
Radio:	103.3 WKDF	Line:	49ers -4
SB Nation:	Niners Nation	MSM Coverage:	San Francisco Chronicle

Who's ready for a winning streak?

GO TITANS!!!

NFL Sunday Early Games Open Thread

2009-11-08T17:36:24Z

Discuss the early games in this thread while we wait for the Titans to play. In the Nashville area we get Houston @ Indy and Washington @ Seattle. Coverage map is here.

College Football Saturday Open Thread

2009-11-07T17:57:59Z

College Football Saturday Open Thread

Here is your place to discuss whatever game it is you are watching today.

Tennessee Titans @ San Francisco 49ers : 5 Keys to Victory

2009-11-07T14:00:24Z

More photos » by Wade Payne - AP

Browse more photos »

Run the ball. We have to see if Chris Johnson can get anything against this great 49ers defense that allows only 85 yards per game on the ground. If anyone can do it, the leading rusher in the NFL can. Running the ball will also keep the pressure off Vince Young in his second start in two years. The Titans will be much better off relying on Chris Johnson and Lendale White than Vince Young and his receivers. The key is a mixture of the two backs throughout the game to get the defense thinking.
Pass with confidence. The 49ers have the NFL's fourth worst pass defense, and it will be even worse with their starting cornerback, Nate Clements out. Against a bad pass defense and a good run defense, this is the perfect opportunity for Vince Young to have a good passing performance. Vince had a stellar completion percentage against the Jaguars, but let's see if he can continue against this defense.
Prevent turnovers. Turnovers are the worst thing a team can do, because it allows the other team an opportunity to score with momentum on their side. The Titans did a good job last week of causing turnovers by the Jaguars after not being able to for the previous 6 games. If the Titans win the turnover battle, they will be in a very good position to win.
Ride the momentum. The Titans had their first win of the season on Sunday, and they are riding high. Nate Washington and Chris Johnson say that they can go 10-0, and they have won 9 straight against the NFC. It seems the team is on a high, but they need to build on it.
Keep the receivers in check. The Titans had their best pass defense of the season last week, and a good part of it was probably due to Cortland Finnegan and Vincent Fuller both being back. Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree are the two most threatening targets for Alex Smith, and the secondary needs to limit them especially. If Jason Jones gets to the quarterback fast like he did last week, it could be a very long day for Alex Smith.

Titans Release Chris Davis....Again

2009-11-07T04:30:10Z

Titans Release Chris Davis....Again

Apparently Pearman will handle the return duties. It is expected the Titans will bring up Velasco from the practice squad because of the injuries to Big Country and Mike Otto.

Tennessee Titans vs. San Francisco 49ers Preview

2009-11-07T02:53:41Z

We have talked about how the offensive line looked better last week against the Jaguars which begs the question of whether the line got better or just looked good against a weaker Jacksonville defense. They will get the chance to answer that question on Sunday. The 49ers defense leads the league in yards per carry on defense and are second in the league in yards per game allowed. Those numbers are even more impressive when you take into account that they have faced Adrian Peterson, Stephen Jackson and Michael Turner already this season.

This game will also be a good test for Vince Young. He was very proficient against the Jags, but the 49ers will prove a much tougher test. It is a pretty safe bet they will stack the box early in an effort to stop Chris Johnson. VY will get his chance to throw them out of that. The 49ers are ranked 28th in the NFL in passing yards allowed. Hopefully Vince will be able to take advantage of some opportunities early in the game to loosen up the defense for CJ.

The 49ers offense goes through Frank Gore. Gore had a 364 yards on 65 carries this season. He is a big play guy (he has TDs of 79, 80 and 64 this season-61% of his yards for the season are on those 3 runs) so the Titans better tackle better this week than they did last week against Jones-Drew. San Francisco has some offensive line issues, and the Titans have been pretty good against the run. As long as they make tackles this week they should be able to at least contain Gore.

The 49ers are in a very similar QB situation to the Titans. They have turned back to their high draft pick from a few years ago that has been buried on the bench. Alex Smith replaced Shaun Hill two weeks ago against the Houston Texans. He had a great second half going 15 of 22 for 206 and 3 TDs. All 3 of those TDs went to another high draft pick that had been underachieving in tight end Vernon Davis. Davis has emerged with the resurrection of Smith catching 10 passes and 4 TDs in Smith's game and a half. Davis will present a challenge for the Titans' linebackers and safeties that are trying to cover him.

The other weapon the 49ers boast on offense is late arriving rookie wide receiver Michael Crabtree. Crabtree, the 10th pick in April's draft, has wasted no time getting involved in the offense He has 11 catches for 137 yards in his two games. Hopefully Chuck Cecil will match Cortland Finnegan up with Crabtree for most of the day.

This game will be a challenge for the Titans, but it is a game they can win if the defense continues to improve, and the offense takes care of the ball.

Chris Johnson is the FedEx Ground Player of the Week

2009-11-06T23:24:34Z

Chris Johnson is the FedEx Ground Player of the Week

The AFC Offensive Player of the Week adds this to his resume.

Tennessee Titans @ San Francisco 49ers Final Injury Report

2009-11-06T22:29:28Z

Name	Position	Injury	Practice Status	Game Status
TEN
Jevon Kearse	DE	Knee	Limited Participation in Practice	Questionable
Mike Otto	T	Knee	Did Not Participate In Practice	Out
Javon Ringer	RB	Back	Did Not Participate In Practice	Questionable
Vincent Fuller	S	Groin	Limited Participation in Practice	Questionable
Nick Harper	CB	Forearm	Limited Participation in Practice	Questionable
David Stewart	T	Hamstring	Limited Participation in Practice	Questionable
David Thornton	LB	Hip	Did Not Participate in Practice	Questionable
SF
Justin Smith	DE	Not Injury Related	Did Not Participate In Practice	Probable
Takeo Spikes	LB	Shoulder	Did Not Participate In Practice	Probable
Reggie Smith	S	Groin	Limited Participation in Practice	Probable
Nate Clements	CB	Shoulder	Out (Definitely Will Not Play)	Out
Demetric Evans	DE	Shoulder	Out (Definitely Will Not Play)	Out
Joe Staley	T	Knee	Out (Definitely Will Not Play)	Out

David Stewart and Vincent Fuller are expected to play, Nick Harper isn't.

"If Rodney Harrison wants to accuse somebody of being dirty, tell him to look at his 16 years of...

2009-11-06T20:57:48Z

"If Rodney Harrison wants to accuse somebody of being dirty, tell him to look at his 16 years of highlights. I guarantee he got fined more in one year than I have my entire career.’’

"Maybe it is a way for him to deflect attention away from himself because I think everybody who’s been in this league for a long time knows that he may be the dirtiest guy that’s ever played this game,’’ Mawae said. "I think somebody forgot to tell him that that long, wide, 3-foot white line on the sideline, we play inside those, and he spent a lot of his time playing outside of those. I don’t have a lot of respect for that guy.’’

Kevin Mawae. Boom.

Fooch at NN Takes a Look at Alex Smith vs Vince Young

2009-11-06T18:27:40Z

Fooch at NN Takes a Look at Alex Smith vs Vince Young

Titans vs. 49ers: 5 Questions with Niners Nation

2009-11-06T16:30:29Z

Talk about the change back to Alex Smith. Did his time on the bench help him become a better player?

I think the bench this season helped him become a better player. The last two seasons were riddled with shoulder injuries and a fairly dysfunctional relationship with Mike Nolan. After the season, Smith had to decide whether to leave town or renegotiate his deal with the 49ers. Smith decided to stick around claiming unfinished business. I think one could get an idea of his mental toughness, especially considering how much money he had put away in the initial contract, and the fact that he could have sat and learned for a couple years somewhere else.

Sitting to start this season might have ended up being the best thing for him. He was on yet another offensive coordinator, but after Hill won the job, Smith was able to sit back and learn the playbook without the pressure of being shoved into the starting position right away. He came in two weeks ago in the loss at Houston and put together some of his best football as a pro in one half. He struggled at times last week against Indianapolis, but showed some of the signs of continuing to step forward. It's been a long, strange trip, and it will be interesting to see how this plays out over the course of the season. He's got the talent, and maybe it's all finally coming together for him.

What do you see as Mike Singletary's strengths and weaknesses as a coach?

His strengths are actually rather varied. He's a great motivator, having worked as a motivational speaker before starting his coaching career. He seems to know what buttons to press with his players, with Vernon Davis being the perfect example. Davis has always been a cocky, and sometimes immature, player and Mike Nolan seemed to let him get away with it. Singletary sent him to the locker room his first game as head coach and Vernon Davis has behaved himself ever since. More importantly, Davis has become a team leader (named co-captain) and his on-field performance is matching his bragging.

When Singletary took over, and again at the beginning of this season, he seemed to be stating that he had a plan and the team was going to follow that plan. Many might view him as a bit stubborn because of that. In reality, he's shown an ability to be highly flexible without being too reactionary. He gave Shaun Hill plenty of time to make plays, and finally pulled the plug. He initially was going to slowly work Michael Crabtree into the lineup, but after a bye week filled with great practices, he named him a starter. Both moves have worked out fairly well. Singletary has a fairly good sense of timing in that manner.

The biggest weakness is in his game management. And it's not that he's always bad, but rather he shows a lot of inconsistency. The team has had issues with timeouts and play-calling issues. A lot of times blame could fall to the players or assistant coaches, but the buck does stop with the head coach, so Singletary takes the blame. Other than that, 49ers fans still love Mike Singletary. He's slowly building himself into a great coach, but as with any new coach, it takes time to fully understand the way things operate.

The 49ers defense has been very good against the run so far. Do you think they will be able to shut down Chris Johnson? What scheme will they use?

The 49ers are a swarming style of defense. They are consistently attacking and this aggression has allowed them to contain some great running backs. The big plus for them has been that most of their defensive players are solid open field tacklers. Of course, losing Nate Clements for the next two months hurts them as I strongly believe he's one of the best (if not the best) at tackling running backs in the open field.

However, the team still retains guys like Patrick Willis, Michael Lewis, Aubrayo Franklin, and many others. If they can continue their attacking ways, I think they certainly have the potential to stop Chris Johnson. Johnson has proven to be human at times this season. If I had to make a prediction, I could see Johnson finishing with 80 or so yards but on 20-25 carries so not a huge ypc.

I keep reading about how weak your offensive line is. Is this true? Where is the biggest weakness in the line?

The offensive line has had a whole bunch of problems due to a combination of poor play and injuries. The team's week 1 right tackle was demoted a couple weeks ago and actually moved to right guard to split time with the existing right guard. The player who replaced the RT subsequently injured his shoulder and was lost for the season, so the former RT had to move back last week. Then, LT Joe Staley, a staple on the line in just his second season was lost this week for 6 weeks with a shoulder injury. Barry Sims played well against the Colts and Dwight Freeney, but we'll see if he can show any kind of consistency this week. The right side has been the primary weakness, but given the two tackle injuries and subsequent shuffling, it's kind of hard to tell what exactly the biggest weakness is at this point.

Write the headline in Monday morning's Tennessean.

I'm not all that creative so we'll go something simple like, "Chris Johnson runs into 49ers wall." Earlier this week I posted about how the game would come down to the battle of Chris Johnson versus the 49ers rush defense. I'm thinking (hoping?) for a 49ers win and I think it will come down to the 49ers taking care of business against Chris Johnson.

A big thanks to Fooch for doing this. As always, head over there for his questions with my answers.

Tennessee Titans Comcast Red Zone Report

2009-11-06T16:00:34Z

This post is sponsored by Comcast and their NFL Red Zone channel, a new NFL Network channel. Want to see every touchdown from every NFL game as it happens as well as live look-ins to all of Sunday's games in key situations? Then you need Comcast's NFL RedZone.

The Titans offense is 10-13 (77%) with 7 touchdowns and 3 field goals. They got in the red zone twice against the Jags and came away with one touchdown and one field goal.

The Titans defense has allowed the opposing team to go 23-26 (88%) in the red zone with 14 touchdowns and 9 field goals. Jacksonville did not get inside the red zone last Sunday with both of their touchdowns coming on long runs by Maurice Jones-Drew.

Tennessee Titans Morning Links: It's Just The Tale Of A Heart Attack Edition

2009-11-06T14:59:48Z

More photos » by Wade Payne - AP

Jeff Fisher has a lot to do to earn that smirk...

Browse more photos »

The Titans are preparing for the always dangerous workhorse Frank Gore this Sunday. If they had trouble tackling MJD on a few plays, they'll need to focus twice as hard on the much stronger Gore. Wyatt also discuss the new questions surrounding the return game as no one knows if Chris Davis or Alvin Pearman will be returning kicks and/or punts.

Maybe after all those snaps the defense just Need(s) Some Air... by the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club!

The Sporting News breaks-down Vince Young on the cover, then pairs off the keys for the game as we prepare for San Francisco. the third one id no breakdowns in the secondary, and given how bad our breakdowns have been (more like meltdowns), I'd bump that puppy right up to number one.

Follow us through the jump for links on disappointments, injuries and a match made in football heaven...

The Titans are using a large defensive line rotation as expected, but the results from some guys just haven't been there. Off-season pick-up Jovan Haye has really been a letdown so far. He's been great against the run, but that isn't what we need right now, so he and his 4-year $16 million deal were inactive Sunday while second round pick Sen'Derrick Marks got his first meaningful playing time.

PFW takes a more in-depth look at Haye's struggles.

The match between the Titans and Rod Hood is going about as well as can be expected so far for a mid-season signing of a street free agent at a starting position on defense. Hood sounds absolutely euphoric about getting this shot and the early returns.

David Stewart injured his hammy at practice, but the injury doesn't appear to be much of a concern at this point. It's a little easier for an O-lineman to play through that than a WR or CB. the only thing that gets dicey about that is our only experienced depth there, OT Mike Otto, hasn't practiced in about two weeks. I've never seen then swing LeRoy Harris out there, so I'm guessing that would make Troy Kropog, who was active for his first game last week, the next in line should Stewart be a scratch on Sunday.

Paul Kuharsky takes a look at the strength of schedule for AFC South teams through the first half and second half of the year. We had the 3rd hardest schedule in the NFL through week 8, and like the other top 4 teams in that count we have a crap record to show for it.

Vince Young still has many tests yet to come this season, says David Climer.

The match-up between MLB Stephen Tulloch and Frank Gore on Sunday is a key one for the Titans, and it's a quite interesting one since the two men have been competing against each other since the earliest days of pee wee football. Think they haven't seen each other since? Wrong: they played at rival high schools, then both played in the ACC (though Gore's years at Miami were marred by two ACL injuries that limited his playing time).

Here, Stephen Tulloch blogs about the first win, and gives some heads-up about the charity work he'll be doing with Backfield in Motion to help feed the needy on Thanksgiving Day.

Every time you read a great Titans-related story on the web and don't share it with the MCM community through the fanposts, fanshots or by emailing me at mcmaugustwest@gmail.com a Ravens (or Steelers) fan smiles. Is that what you want?!!!!?!?!

Tennessee Titans @ San Francisco 49ers Thursday Injury Report

2009-11-06T00:22:59Z

Name	Position	Injury	Practice Status	Game Status
TEN
Jevon Kearse	DE	Knee	Did Not Participate In Practice	--
Mike Otto	T	Knee	Did Not Participate In Practice	--
Javon Ringer	RB	Back	Did Not Participate In Practice	--
Vincent Fuller	S	Groin	Limited Participation in Practice	--
Nick Harper	CB	Forearm	Limited Participation in Practice	--
David Stewart	T	Hamstring	Limited Participation in Practice	--
David Thornton	LB	Hip	Limited Participation in Practice	--
SF
Justin Smith	DE	Not Injury Related	Did Not Participate In Practice	--
Takeo Spikes	LB	Shoulder	Did Not Participate In Practice	--
Reggie Smith	S	Groin	Full Participation in Practice	--
Nate Clements	CB	Shoulder	Out (Definitely Will Not Play)	--
Demetric Evans	DE	Shoulder	Out (Definitely Will Not Play)	--
Joe Staley	T	Knee	Out (Definitely Will Not Play)	--

David Stewart is a new addition and Vincent Fuller was readded.

Harrison went on to say the Titans, as a team, are the dirtiest in the league. Harrison still...

2009-11-05T17:57:41Z

Harrison went on to say the Titans, as a team, are the dirtiest in the league. Harrison still isn't happy about with the Titans because of a play on New Year's Eve in 2006 when receiver Bobby Wade took out Harrison's knees, injuring him for New England's playoff run. Harrison says the Titans sideline was laughing, and even coach Jeff Fisher had a smile on his face.

You know what they say about payback.

Vince Young was the only QB to get a vote for dirtiest player in the NFL... what?

2009-11-05T15:57:30Z

Vince Young was the only QB to get a vote for dirtiest player in the NFL... what?

I have absolutely no idea why that happened... was the voter a USC defender or something? How does a QB even get labeled as dirty?

(note: This link is in the morning links and TNTitans had it in the fanshots, but I thought this one deserved to be called out on its own)

Tennessee Titans Morning Links: CJ's Awesomeness Average Continues To Grow Edition

2009-11-05T15:04:12Z

More photos » by Wade Payne - AP

If CJ's going to get 2,000 yards he's going to need a lot of barf bags, never mind the cars for his O-line.

Browse more photos »

Sunday's match-up will feature a coaching duel steeped in Chicago Bears tradition as former teammates Jeff Fisher and Mike Singletary square-off. Here, Coach Fisher shares some of his thoughts about his former teammate and current opponent.

Sunday's game will also feature two highly drafted QBs who are attempting to prove to their respective teams that they have the chops to thrive in the league. Both Vince Young and Alex Smith have lost their jobs and taken a beating in the press at times, and have thrown the exact same number of TDs (23) and INTs (33).

It's been nearly 40 years since any week 8 rushing leader averaged better than Chris Johnson's 6.92 yards per carry, and that rattling you hear is the 49ers run defense after watching the film reel. However, the 49ers currently rank 2nd in the NFL at stopping the run (84.9 yards per game), and they handled studly running back Steven Jackson earlier in the year.

Our recent history west of the Rockies is a bit gory: after a string of 8 straight losses out there, we're sitting at 1-9 in the last 10 games.

Follow us through the jumps for a pile of better than usual links...

Chris Johnson's absurd production so far this season continues to turn heads.

Chris Davis is humbled by his DUI experience, and wants nothing more than to make the most out of this second chance he's been given.

Kevin Mawae talks about being voted as one of the league's dirtiest players (the complete list included Cortland Finnegan as well), and notes that he can't remember the last personal foul he got... which seems odd for a notoriously dirty player.

The Sporting News went deep to come-up with a the All-Time greatest defense of Titans/Oilers players. make sure you take some time to read this primer of the Oilers days as only punter Craig Hentrich makes the list from the Titans era.

PFW's latest edition of Audibles has an interesting note about our upcoming opponent, who are mired in a 3 game losing streak:

• "Mike Singletary's bravado will only carry the 49ers so far. At some point, you have to be able to coach and teach and get past all the bravado. You can't turn chicken (feathers) into chicken salad with a bunch of fist pumps. At some point, it becomes negative because everyone has heard it enough. He called a timeout in the first half just to rally the guys (vs. Atlanta in Week Five) — to get them all around him and give an 'Iron Mike' speech — and it wound up costing them seven points. The ball was not fumbled on the kickoff (before the first half ended), but they did not have a timeout to challenge the call. It's another pants-down thing. You have to be better than that in the NFL."

A tip of the hat to gramsey for pointing it out, and a much heartier congratulations to Steve McNair Jr., who has chosen to matriculate down the football field at Southern Miss. Interestingly enough, Steve's father usually hosted his summer QB clinics on the campus of Southern Miss, so the campus locale is pretty familiar to the young WR recruit.

Tennessee Titans @ San Francisco 49ers Wednesday Injury Report

2009-11-05T02:01:04Z

Name	Position	Injury	Practice Status	Game Status
TEN
Mike Otto	T	Knee	Did Not Participate In Practice	--
Javon Ringer	RB	Back	Did Not Participate In Practice	--
David Thornton	LB	Hip	Did Not Participate In Practice	--
Nick Harper	CB	Forearm	Limited Participation in Practice	--
Jevon Kearse	DE	Knee	Limited Participation in Practice	--
SF
Justin Smith	DE	Not Injury Related	Did Not Participate In Practice	--
Takeo Spikes	LB	Shoulder	Did Not Participate In Practice	--
Reggie Smith	S	Groin	Limited Participation in Practice	--
Nate Clements	CB	Shoulder	Out (Definitely Will Not Play)	--
Demetric Evans	DE	Shoulder	Out (Definitely Will Not Play)	--
Joe Staley	T	Knee	Out (Definitely Will Not Play)	--