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Ten Things to Watch For in the Titans Second Preseason Game

  • If you are like me, you don't really like to watch preseason games after the starters come out unless there is something you are looking for. Here are ten things I'll be watching for in the game vs. the Arizona Cardinals.

    1) Vince Young vs Matt Leinart Round 2
    2) Damian Williams coming back from an injury
    3) The new runningback Samkon Gado
    4) Alterraun Verner vs Jason McCourty for the cornerback spot
    5) Ryan Mouton's 2nd Chance
    6) Kenny Britt stepping up
    7) Kick Returning from Damian Williams and Marc Mariani
    8) Stephen Tulloch stepping up as a leader
    9) Defensive Line play without the two starting defensive ends
    10) Marc Mariani's ability as a wide receiver

    Blaize Pennington

  • One thing I can say for sure, as for #8 on your list. You don't have to worry about Tulloch stepping up as a leader. That's already happening everyday out on the practice field and in the locker room.

    I would throw one more into the mix. With NO timetable set for a David Thornton return and McRath serving a 4 game suspension, whose going to fill those voids?
    I want to watch 3rd rd draft pick Rennie Curran and veteran Will Witherspoon.

    TitanInsider: "Any closer and you'd be in the huddle."

    DarrenMcFarland

  • From what I hear, Thornton says he will be back week 1... but the doctors say week 1 is a little bit of a stretch it will be week 2 before he's full health.

    I'd like to see Curran do good, but his size bothers me. I didn't think it would until I saw him play and how small he actually is. I hope he proves me wrong, but it will take a lot of work out of him to get the start on week 1.

    The favorite to start is probably Collin Allred. He's not amazing but he filled in for Keith Bulluck a couple of times last season and didn't give up any huge plays. Allred was the guy with the backup mic in his helmet just in case Bulluck went down.

    As for Tulloch, I'm glad to hear he's a locker room leader. If that translates to the field that will be great, but we need a leader that shows up EVERY week. So thats why it made my list.

    But thanks Darren for adding another thing for me to watch to my list. It will make the second half that much more enjoyable.

    Blaize Pennington

  • Unfortunately for Allred, he did give up a TD against the Chargers when he left his assignment to tackle Rivers before he crossed the line of scrimmage. That's not to say he can't be successful filling in for four games but he does have that mental error on his record.

    Curran like many other rookies will be a mystery until he's put some plays on tape and has had some experience. But if college is any indication, Curran plays much bigger than his height and he used his leverage well in arguably the toughest conference in college football. The team will probably need him to play in space at the WLB position where he'll be matched up with running backs and tight ends more often than offensive lineman.

    Curran is a true football player though and he's quick / decisive on the field. He very well could be the future starter when Witherspoon moves on.

    Cyrus

  • 3) The new runningback Samkon Gado

    On Saturday, Fisher acted as if Gado wouldn't see much playing time tonight. But we'll see what happens. I'd like to see if he has anything to offer as well. I still think Blount is a guy they would like to claim that No. 3 RB job. Whether he steps up enough to do so, I'm not sure yet.

    TitanInsider: Any closer and you'd be in the huddle.

    TerryMc13

  • thanks for the insight guys...and im LOVING this site so far!

    jerseyjef

  • I don't know how anyone could hold that against Allred. I'm pretty sure all of us thought Rivers had run past the line of scrimmage. I'm actually still confused by that rule because the ball obviously crossed the line of scrimmage and came back, but his foot didn't...

    Curran was great in the SEC, and I'd love to see him be just as successful in the NFL, its just going to be very hard for him. I was watching him in the last game and he did have a great tackle on special teams, but besides that he didn't show up a lot on the field. Maybe tonight will be different keep an eye out for #53.

    Blaize Pennington

  • Sorry for the double post, my mouse is really messed up and double clicks for no reason...

    This post has been edited 2 times, most recently by Blaize Pennington on 8/23/2010 at 10:43 AM

    Blaize Pennington

  • Oh I don't expect Blount to play a whole lot as he doesn't know the system yet. But with Stafon gone, I'd assume he'd get a couple of plays even if its in the 4th quarter. Then again maybe they'll give those extra carries to Alvin Pearman.

    By the way do you think Pearman will make the team. It seems like he's been pulled from kick return duties and been given very little running back duties.

    Blaize Pennington

  • Pearman's chances are very remote. His only avenue was on returns, and that's gone unless Williams and/or Mariani are injured or ineffective. Pearman's a good guy, but we found out exactly what they thought about him last year when they didn't even bother to have him active when he was the only return man. Instead, they let Kevin Kaesviharn fair catch every punt and just surrendered field position on every drive.

    TitanInsider: Any closer and you'd be in the huddle.

    TerryMc13

  • TerryMc13 said...

    Pearman's chances are very remote. His only avenue was on returns, and that's gone unless Williams and/or Mariani are injured or ineffective. Pearman's a good guy, but we found out exactly what they thought about him last year when they didn't even bother to have him active when he was the only return man. Instead, they let Kevin Kaesviharn fair catch every punt and just surrendered field position on every drive.

    That is what I thought. Pearman will make another team in the NFL and he would have made ours had we not signed Stafon and Blount. Thanks for the input. On a side note, when I saw Marc Mariani's ability to kick return a big smile went across my face. When is the last time we had a kick returner like that, much less depth at kick returner.

    Blaize Pennington

  • Agreed. Mariani has been a pleasant surprise thus far. We'll see if he can keep it up throughout the preseason. Still think they want Williams to be the primary returner, though.

    TitanInsider: Any closer and you'd be in the huddle.

    TerryMc13

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