CJ-Titans Presents "One Yard Short" - The Titans Return to Relevance

[NewscasterNews4]

Following.

[Adam14]

Thanks guys. I don't plan on doing game by game recaps of the preseason, but a post after two games and then four games to talk about what's happening.

I did get the first game in last night against Washington and it appears I need to tweak my sliders a bit, offensively I was too strong, but defensively, it seemed pretty close.

Should have a Training Camp post up today and might get a second preseason game in the books tonight and another post.

[Adam14]

Training Camp

Three Up, ThreeDown

Up | Offensive Line – The Titans greatly improved theiroffensive line over the off-season sending big money to guard Andy Levitre infree agency and then spending the tenth overall pick on Alabama guard ChanceWarmack. This gives the Titans arguablyone of the best lines in football this year and should certainly help bothChris Johnson and Jake Locker perform better.

Up | Wide Receivers – The Titans are deep at receiverthis year, and according to sources, may enter the regular season with six ontheir roster. Rookie Justin Hunter haslooked impressive at camp while Kenny Britt is returning to form and working onkeeping his off-the-field issues in check. Former 49er tight end Delanie Walker was brought in to fill the void ofJared Cook’s departure as a better run blocking asset that can also catch aswell.

Up | Quarterback – Jake Locker has entered camp this yearwith a new offensive coordinator and is truly showing promise as the Titansquarterback of the future. Locker ismore spot on with his throws and is in constant contact with newly acquiredveteran Ryan Fitzpatrick to learn more and more.

Down | Pass Rush – Not that the Titans had much of a passrush in 2012, but they still lack a true threat to get to the quarterback. Gregg Williams’ presence could change that inthe future, but right now, it’s hard to think it’ll get much better.

Down | Secondary – Similar to that of the pass rush, theTitans secondary was awful in 2012. Although the Titans brought in Bernard Pollard and George Wilson tohelp, it’s unclear how well they will do under Williams’ new defensive scheme. Jason McCourty is a force at cornerback, butopposite him is a battle. AlterraunVerner has shown signs of promise, and is poised to take the starting role, butstill struggles.

Down | Shonn Greene – Greene was brought in to take somepressure off Chris Johnson and to become a goal line back. However, he hasn’t appeared to be the guy theTitans spent $10 million on in the spring. Greene doesn’t run hard and struggles to do just what he’s asked to do,pick up a yard when it counts.

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Position Battles

QB – Although no one in the front offense or coachingstaff will admit, there surely is a battle for the starting spot. Ryan Fitzpatrick was brought in as a freeagent and looks to be the backup. However, if Locker struggles, don’t be surprised if Fitzpatrick startsweek one against Pittsburgh.

HB3 – Chris Johnson and Shonn Greene are a lock to be thefirst and second guys on the depth chart, but two players are vying for whatshould end up being one spot at running back. Jalen Parmele and Darius Reynaud will be fighting for a rosterspot. Reynaud is the favorite going indue to his special teams’ role, but that could easily be deferred to Marc Mariani.

MLB – Moise Fokou has looked impressive thus far in campand has many believing he’ll take over the starting role in the middle fromColin McCarthy. McCarthy started lastyear and looked solid, but an injury sidelined him and has hampered him earlyin camp, causing Fokou’s stock to rise.

CB2 – McCourty has locked up the first spot, but behindhim is a race for number two. Vernershould be the starter, but don’t be surprised if he slips up and someone likeBlidi Wreh-Wilson sneaks in.

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Players to Watch

LB Akeem Ayers – Ayers has been all over the place incamp. He’s lined up at both outsidelinebacker and has even spent time at defensive end. It’s unclear where his role will be once theseason starts, but don’t be shocked if you see him line up in multiple spots ina single game.

WR Michael Preston – Preston was on the Titans practicesquad last year and suited up for four games recording five receptions for 59yards in 2012. This year, he’s deep onthe depth chart for receivers but, according to sources, has been the hardestworking receiver in camp thus far. At6’5 and 206lbs, Preston could be a great asset to the team.

DT Jurrell Casey – Casey appears to be the heart and soulof the 2013 Titans’ defensive line. He’scome into training camp this year ready to start at defensive tackle and hasimpressed coaches early.

[Adam14]

Hey guys, just wanted to give you an update. I've been feeling a bit under the weather the last few days and haven't got much done on Madden. I am through 3 preseason games and should be finishing up the last one today. Expect an update then.

[NewscasterNews4]

Get well soon then.

[Gronk4M13]

Quote: Originally Posted by CJ-Titans

Hey guys, just wanted to give you an update. I've been feeling a bit under the weather the last few days and haven't got much done on Madden. I am through 3 preseason games and should be finishing up the last one today. Expect an update then.

Sorry to hear that man, hope you feel better.

[Adam14]

The preseason has officially come to a close and everyone around the league is preparing for Thursday night's contest when the defending champion Ravens travel to Denver to take on Peyton Manning's Broncos.

Around the league, a number of interesting notes from throughout the preseason.

Joseph Suspended, Released from Giants
Linval Joseph has been suspended three games by the NFL for failing a drug test. Joseph, 24, was a second round selection by the New York Giants in the 2010 NFL Draft. Following the news of the suspension, the Giants announced the release of Joseph. "We are disappointed with the news of Linvan's suspension and feel it's in the best interest of the team to let him go," said a spokesman for the Giants organization. Joseph was claimed off waivers by the Tennessee Titans, but will sit out the first three weeks.

Injuries Galore
Matt Forte will be sidelined nearly a month with a groin injury. Chargers young defensive end Kendall Reyes will miss the entire season after he fractured his right knee cap in week three. Colts veteran Robert Mathis will also miss nearly a month after an ankle injury. The Eagles will be without four starters (LeSean McCoy, 2 weeks; Trent Cole, 2 weeks; Evan Mathis, 4 weeks, & Demeco Ryans, 4 weeks) for at least two weeks. Niners recent acquisition, Nnamdi Asomugha will be sidelined a month after dislocating his ankle. The Jets took a hit after learning Muhammad Wilkerson's leg injury was a pectoral tear and he's expected to miss at least four months of time.

Cassel to Start in Minnesota
Matt Cassel won the starting role over last year's starter Christian Ponder for the Minnesota Vikings following a solid preseason.

[Adam14]

Tennessee Titans Depth Chart - 2013
Regular Offense
	STARTER	2ND	3RD	4TH
WR	Kenny Britt	Kendal Wright	Michael Preston
TE	Delanie Walker	Taylor Thompson	Brandon Barden
LT	Michael Roos	Barry Richardson
LG	Andy Levitre	Chris Spencer
C	Brian Schwenke	Fernando Velasco
RG	Chance Warmack	Robert Turner
RT	David Stewart	Byron Stingily
WR	Nate Washington	Justin Hunter	Marc Mariani
QB	Jake Locker	Ryan Fitzpatrick	Rusty Smith
FB	Craigh Stevens
HB	Chris Johnson	Shonn Greene	Darius Reynaud
Base 4-3 Defense
	STARTER	2ND	3RD	4TH
LDE	Derrick Morgan	Lavar Edwards
LDT	Jurrell Casey	Mike Martin	Karl Kluge
RDT	Linval Joseph	Sammie Hill
RDE	Akeem Ayers	Scott Solomon
WLB	Zach Brown	Tim Shaw
MLB	Moise Fokou	Colin McCarthy
SLB	Kamerion Wimbley	Zaviar Gooden
CB	Jason McCourty	Blidi Wreh-Wilson	Coty Sensabaugh
SS	Bernard Pollard	George Wilson
FS	Michael Griffin	Robert Johnson
CB	Alterraun Verner	Khalid Wooten	Tommie Campbell
Special Teams
	STARTER	2ND	3RD	4TH
K	Rob Bironas
P	Brett Kern
PR	Marc Mariani	Darius Reynaud
KR	Marc Mariani	Darius Reynaud