I'm sure there are many opinions out there. IMO, most of the problems with the team right now is due to OL and DL play and not taking advantage of opportunities.
Piller is a huge disappointment. The penalties are drive-killers. The Titans don't have the potent offense to overcome such setbacks in this dink and dunk Chowball scheme. Olson hasn't impressed me for a few seasons now. I also see the direction of a lighter OL and the offensive scheme as being in conflict. The OL doesn't appear to get the push needed for a power running game or to protect an immobile QB.
The most baffling thing about not replacing Olson and Piller is that now is the time to build a solid OL while the rest of the team is rebuilding. Assuming the goal for a series of playoff runs is '08 and beyond, why not put some guys in there with upside to have ready when Young is ready? Bell should start at G and Stewart at RT in Green Bay Friday.
Defensively, the lack of talent and depth on the DL is the main reason for most of the problems I see. Besides the long TD run, Haynesworth made a dramatic improvement on the inside from last week. You remove the big run of 62 and do a better job containing Vick and the Titans first defense only gave up around 100 yards of offense in the first half. Vick only completed half his passes for less than 50 yards. The problem is Haynesworth didn't have much help and DE play was horrible once KVB left the game. Schobel was awful from the right side and only slightly better from the left. Vick was able to roll out on him anytime he wanted. Hopefully, cuts this week give the Titans some options at both DT and DE.
Not taking advantage of opportunities is a holdover problem from last year. We had a number of drops in the first game. In this one, Finnegan had a ball sail through his hands last night. Mahelona had the ball carrier stopped behind the line. Both plays, if made, stop scoring drives and change momentum. They are not making those big, momentum-changing plays.
It's not all bad. Offensively, I like what we are seeing from Troupe. Wade is the real deal and may be the best receiver on the squad. It's encouraging how White gets the tough yards. But Chow has to find a way to create some rhythm. For whatever reason, it doesn't look like anyone is comfortable with this offense unless it is the hurry-up.
Defensively, Thornton looks like the best pickup of the offseason. But Sirmon isn't the answer at MLB and Gardner doesn't look any better to me than last. Depth on the DL and CB are a concern. The Titans D needs to stay healthy because they are thin.
I hope we'll see some OL/DL help come in this week after cuts. Going into the final preseason game, I'd like to see Tulloch start with the first team defense and Fuller go instead of Thompson. Slide Bell inside and put Stewart at RT. I hope they look at a G if one is cut as well.
If the Titans can begin getting better play from the OL, DL and take better advantage of opportunities, I think this team as a chance to get back on track. If they can't, then it'll be a rough ride for the team and the fans.
Piller is a huge disappointment. The penalties are drive-killers. The Titans don't have the potent offense to overcome such setbacks in this dink and dunk Chowball scheme. Olson hasn't impressed me for a few seasons now. I also see the direction of a lighter OL and the offensive scheme as being in conflict. The OL doesn't appear to get the push needed for a power running game or to protect an immobile QB.
The most baffling thing about not replacing Olson and Piller is that now is the time to build a solid OL while the rest of the team is rebuilding. Assuming the goal for a series of playoff runs is '08 and beyond, why not put some guys in there with upside to have ready when Young is ready? Bell should start at G and Stewart at RT in Green Bay Friday.
Defensively, the lack of talent and depth on the DL is the main reason for most of the problems I see. Besides the long TD run, Haynesworth made a dramatic improvement on the inside from last week. You remove the big run of 62 and do a better job containing Vick and the Titans first defense only gave up around 100 yards of offense in the first half. Vick only completed half his passes for less than 50 yards. The problem is Haynesworth didn't have much help and DE play was horrible once KVB left the game. Schobel was awful from the right side and only slightly better from the left. Vick was able to roll out on him anytime he wanted. Hopefully, cuts this week give the Titans some options at both DT and DE.
Not taking advantage of opportunities is a holdover problem from last year. We had a number of drops in the first game. In this one, Finnegan had a ball sail through his hands last night. Mahelona had the ball carrier stopped behind the line. Both plays, if made, stop scoring drives and change momentum. They are not making those big, momentum-changing plays.
It's not all bad. Offensively, I like what we are seeing from Troupe. Wade is the real deal and may be the best receiver on the squad. It's encouraging how White gets the tough yards. But Chow has to find a way to create some rhythm. For whatever reason, it doesn't look like anyone is comfortable with this offense unless it is the hurry-up.
Defensively, Thornton looks like the best pickup of the offseason. But Sirmon isn't the answer at MLB and Gardner doesn't look any better to me than last. Depth on the DL and CB are a concern. The Titans D needs to stay healthy because they are thin.
I hope we'll see some OL/DL help come in this week after cuts. Going into the final preseason game, I'd like to see Tulloch start with the first team defense and Fuller go instead of Thompson. Slide Bell inside and put Stewart at RT. I hope they look at a G if one is cut as well.
If the Titans can begin getting better play from the OL, DL and take better advantage of opportunities, I think this team as a chance to get back on track. If they can't, then it'll be a rough ride for the team and the fans.
Exactly exactly exactly and oh yeah... exactly. Our line play sucks on both sides of the ball.
I'm hoping we can get some decent talent after teams start their cuts.
I'm hoping we can get some decent talent after teams start their cuts.
I agree with most of that. I would add one name, Amano. He's looked solid since his 1st season to me, even though there's not a lot to go by. He looks strong and mobile. At this point, I see nothing to lose by starting him along with Bell and Big Country.
Haven't seen enough of Finnegan, but he broke well on that ball at least. Not making the play just fits the recent storyline of the Titans though. Same for the Mahelona play. He gets penetration a lot, and I've noticed gets doubled a lot....but gotta make that tackle.
DE, DT, which needs more help? Can I answer both? :yes: I guess DE would be more important with LaBoy injury prone, Odom hurt and not living up to 2nd round billing, and Schobel looking nothing like his cousin in Buffalo.
Oh, anyone notice Thorton getting held bigger than **** on that long Norwood TD last night? He kept trying to pull away, and you can see his jersey getting stretched. Bad missed call, and more importantly a very costly one.
Haven't seen enough of Finnegan, but he broke well on that ball at least. Not making the play just fits the recent storyline of the Titans though. Same for the Mahelona play. He gets penetration a lot, and I've noticed gets doubled a lot....but gotta make that tackle.
DE, DT, which needs more help? Can I answer both? :yes: I guess DE would be more important with LaBoy injury prone, Odom hurt and not living up to 2nd round billing, and Schobel looking nothing like his cousin in Buffalo.
Oh, anyone notice Thorton getting held bigger than **** on that long Norwood TD last night? He kept trying to pull away, and you can see his jersey getting stretched. Bad missed call, and more importantly a very costly one.
TJ, the Mahelona play makes me think, how can it be 4th and 1 and the running back get 7 yards on a run off right guard? the answer? Gang tackling, we don't have any anywhere on the field. One guy doesn't usually make the whole play, one guy gets penetration and blows up the play and then his teamates are there to finish it off. I haven't seen the Titans gang tackle in 3 years, that is coaching. We don't have an emphasis on urgency on defense, we have been brainwashed into this bend-don't break mentality, and it kills the nature of defense by limiting aggressiveness. :grrr: When we have all eleven guys flying to the ball, we create more turnovers and we make those short yardage plays, 8 yard gains end up being only 4, but apparently nobody cares.:gag:
I wholeheartedly agree, guess there's a first for everything :ha:
We need help on the interior O-line. Roos and Bell didn't look to sharp against the Falcons, but I'm confident they're on an upward slope, unlike Piller and Olson who are bound to going down. Mawae seems like a good pickup, he hasn't made any spectacular plays but then again he hasn't made any big mistakes either.
On the D-line we either need another stud DT to compliment Albert. Heck we need one anyhow, since Albert probably won't be healthy for 16 games. And as Jeff points out an every down DE opposite KVB is also required. Laboy/Odom/Schobel/Conover etc. all seem to make the good play once in a while, but are not contributing enough on every single down.
I'm afraid Sirmon has to go. I really thought he could do well at MLB with his size and smarts, but he plays way to hesitantly for my liking. A MLB should be flying to the ball knocking people on their asses, and he just isn't doing that. I actually miss Kassell a little bit, cos at least he'd knock somebody on their ***.
Our secondary is still suspect. I think Pacman will be great and Hill looks to be good enough although not great by any stretch. I have faith in Hope even if he has looked bad in man-2-man coverage a couple of times. I don't know what Thompsons problem is... no coverage skills and no tackling skills = very bad defensive back. Woolfolk is a quality backup, but no more than that. I personally haven't seen enough of Fuller to say if he's any good, hopefully he will get time at S against GB. Finnegan and Lowry are special teamers and acceptable backups. The rest needs to be stellar special teamers or be gone, imo.
We need help on the interior O-line. Roos and Bell didn't look to sharp against the Falcons, but I'm confident they're on an upward slope, unlike Piller and Olson who are bound to going down. Mawae seems like a good pickup, he hasn't made any spectacular plays but then again he hasn't made any big mistakes either.
On the D-line we either need another stud DT to compliment Albert. Heck we need one anyhow, since Albert probably won't be healthy for 16 games. And as Jeff points out an every down DE opposite KVB is also required. Laboy/Odom/Schobel/Conover etc. all seem to make the good play once in a while, but are not contributing enough on every single down.
I'm afraid Sirmon has to go. I really thought he could do well at MLB with his size and smarts, but he plays way to hesitantly for my liking. A MLB should be flying to the ball knocking people on their asses, and he just isn't doing that. I actually miss Kassell a little bit, cos at least he'd knock somebody on their ***.
Our secondary is still suspect. I think Pacman will be great and Hill looks to be good enough although not great by any stretch. I have faith in Hope even if he has looked bad in man-2-man coverage a couple of times. I don't know what Thompsons problem is... no coverage skills and no tackling skills = very bad defensive back. Woolfolk is a quality backup, but no more than that. I personally haven't seen enough of Fuller to say if he's any good, hopefully he will get time at S against GB. Finnegan and Lowry are special teamers and acceptable backups. The rest needs to be stellar special teamers or be gone, imo.
There actually could have been a gang tackle on that play, wasn't for lack of effort, at least on LaBoy's part. Thorton was getting blocked, LaBoy was coming from behind to make the tackle, Thorton gets blocked into LaBoy and pushes him away from Norwood. 3 guys were there that could have made the play, they just didn't.
I noticed that too, annoying, some you get, some you don'tBobo said:
Vigsted said:
If we're gonna have a slow footed Mike, at least have one who takes on blocks better. That would be Kassell.
Since it's too late for that, Tulloch looks like the better option. Not that it'll happen :irked:
A lot used to be talked about about how much "QB'ing" Sirmon did. Well it's not enough, and I think I'd put it to a long time vet like Bulluck or even make Tulloch learn the calls (since he is supposed to be a cerebral player).
"Miller the drive killer" always had a good ring to it.
"Pillar" works too.
:bump:
"Pillar" works too.
:bump:
When players are playing bad we never bench them. That is my #1 concern.
Atleast veterens, Fisher never benches them. And that is what needs to happen to Pillar and Sirmon.
Atleast veterens, Fisher never benches them. And that is what needs to happen to Pillar and Sirmon.
Fisher needs to get the Shanahan mentallity. He who does not make plays, does not start. Shanahan started an UDFA RB Mike Bell over Tatum in the game against us. Look what happened. Mike was apparently looking better in practice and the previous game than Tatum was. Do that Fisher. Let's see, Tulloch looked better in the previous preseason game, so I will start him this next preseason game. Bell looked better than Pillar in this.... you get the picture. Several of our starters would be different if he would just do that. Ahmard is the real deal at FB, so he gets the start and Flemming gets sent to the FA or traded. We have 3 of our top 5 WRs out due to injuries right now... I don't know how you evaluate that. Maybe Reese and Fisher don't know how to rebuild a super bowl team... Maybe that's the problem. :hmm:
Someone mentioned predetermined crapiness as a possibility. This could be our only evidence based theory at this point.
I wouldn't say our talent level is really that bad on D. Last year I certainly would have said talent was a huge concern and probably the main reason we stunk. This year, with the FA additions and more experience I think we have plenty of talent to get the job done. Haynesworth, KVB, Starks, and even Laboy are all, at the very least, descent. Not saying we should be dominating teams with our D but we should be, at the very minimum, competitive and we aren't. Pac looks good (when he's not in jail), Thorton looks good and so does Hope. We should be better than last year. How could we not?
Our D really doesn't concern me as much as our Offense. If we can't score we aren't going to win no matter how well our defense plays. To me, it's time to look at Fisher and Floyd. I hate to say it but where else do you turn. Lots of people hate Schwartz on here.... Maybe your right and maybe your wrong but firing him isn't going to help keep our D off the field and it's not going to put points on the board. Offensively, I do think we lack talented players or at least big time play makers. We don't have that "go to" guy anymore like we did when we had Mac9 and Eddie, not to mention several other key guys that we could rely on. As much as the saying "step up" is over used, we do need one of our guys to do so.
Right now we look under coached. We are weak on D when we shouldn't be and we've got one stinking touch down in three stinking games with our first string offense. I don't care how you cut it that's terrible. It's time for Fisher and Floyd to start taking some of the blame. Losing games wouldn't bother me so much if I saw improvement from time to time or year to year. To me, we look as flat as we did last year and that sucks.
Our D really doesn't concern me as much as our Offense. If we can't score we aren't going to win no matter how well our defense plays. To me, it's time to look at Fisher and Floyd. I hate to say it but where else do you turn. Lots of people hate Schwartz on here.... Maybe your right and maybe your wrong but firing him isn't going to help keep our D off the field and it's not going to put points on the board. Offensively, I do think we lack talented players or at least big time play makers. We don't have that "go to" guy anymore like we did when we had Mac9 and Eddie, not to mention several other key guys that we could rely on. As much as the saying "step up" is over used, we do need one of our guys to do so.
Right now we look under coached. We are weak on D when we shouldn't be and we've got one stinking touch down in three stinking games with our first string offense. I don't care how you cut it that's terrible. It's time for Fisher and Floyd to start taking some of the blame. Losing games wouldn't bother me so much if I saw improvement from time to time or year to year. To me, we look as flat as we did last year and that sucks.
In full agreement with Titan Jeff. Both lines are the root of our problems. Pillar & Olsen have been so bad I'd have no problems with cutting both of them & going with youth & inexperience.
Sukrillux said:
Yes, its a very good point.
Job security on teamsports can lead to some player to relax, not feeling the preassure of competition. And suppousedly one of training camps goal was to develope through position battles.
I hate when teams say that getting into training camp their #1 is... whoever, when they should say:"spots will be won during training camp, whoevers head gets cut, even if it is the queen of england herself"
rcarie said:
But keeping him isn't going solve the problem either. I would rather they go ahead and replace him and atleast by the end of the season we can see a D that actually hits someone. We may still give up 40 points per game but atlease someone will get their "block knocked off." I think Chow needs to show some improvement this season, he doesn't get a pass but he get the rest of the season to figure it out. If the offense improves, which I believe it will, then Chow may not be a bust. I believe in Chow because he stresses the fundamentals. Something that is lacking on the defensive side. I said earlier that Fisher as headcoach produced a trip to the superbowl so he has proven that he is a good headcoach. At the time he had difference DCs and OCs so who knows. If Fisher doesn't want to shake up his staff then he needs to go, because this isn't working.
I am not starting a another fire Schwartz thread. Traditionally, I save that for week 2 or 3 of the regular season. But really, do you remember in the superbowl when Blaine Bishop got hurt. First, Blaine wasn't a superstar but he did hit. But when he left the game after he hurt his neck and defense stood strong. Well, until Walker slipped and gave up that touchdown. My point is that Williams did what other good coaches do. Take a back up with athletic ability and teach him what you need him to do. Just like NE did in the superbowl with against the Eagles. Take a WR and make him a corner. He hasn't played all season but yet he gets the job done. I haven't seen that with our D for what 3 years.
just my two cents
Actually I have to reneg on my previous stance a little bit. While the defence did look like crap on TV, there are actually stats to indicate that they did good.
What obscure stats am I talking about? The drive chart for the first half:
5 plays, 10 yards, punt
10 plays, 39 yards, FG
3 plays, 80 yards, TD
3 plays, 1 yard, punt
3 plays, 5 yards, punt
9 plays, 33 yards, TD
3 plays, 2 yards, punt
If we didn't give up the 62 yard TD run our 1st string defence actually looks good, from a numbers standpoint. And had the offence not failed on the 4th down conversion the score too would probably have been different.
What obscure stats am I talking about? The drive chart for the first half:
5 plays, 10 yards, punt
10 plays, 39 yards, FG
3 plays, 80 yards, TD
3 plays, 1 yard, punt
3 plays, 5 yards, punt
9 plays, 33 yards, TD
3 plays, 2 yards, punt
If we didn't give up the 62 yard TD run our 1st string defence actually looks good, from a numbers standpoint. And had the offence not failed on the 4th down conversion the score too would probably have been different.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
