What I learned from the TEN-SEA preseason game (1 Viewer)

[NajehHejan]

Had to pass the time on a road trip. Listened to the full game.

Yeah it's preseason, blah, blah, blah, but here are my observations/musings anyhow - maybe they will help others in some way.

-Seattle struggled to pass protect the first series, but then did better the rest of the half/game. I don't think it was a matter of TEN's first unit D only playing one series, as I didn't hear the commentators mention substitutions early on, which they were good about doing. The announcers kept calling the O line a mish mash and a work in progress. They did better pass protecting - they didn't open many holes in the run game. Rotoworld slammed JJ as being ineffective and lauded Forsett to an extent, but in reality, they both had some decent plays but were pretty much bottled up. The RB's will need to create for the most part so I do like Forsett's chances better

-A lot of Hasslebeck's incompletions were batted down at the line - I counted at least 3. Not sure if that's common for him? He had tunnel vision for Branch and then for Housh and then he called it a night. Unless something drastic happens, IMO, these guys will be the 1 and 2 respectively. Tate was the 3rd WR in 3 receiver sets. The 4th WR to enter the game was Big Mike Williams, and he and Whitehurst hooked up on a nice 51 yd TD. They also had a miscommunication that led to an INT. The 5th WR to enter the game was Ben O. Deon Butler was the 6th WR - I found it strange given all the praise heaped on him by Caroll. Rotoworld assumes Branch will be passed by Butler - we shall see, but they could be way off base. Commentators said that Branch was approached by Carroll who said "we need you to step up and be the guy", and Branch has not let them down, he has had a terrific camp. Many have been burnt by Branch in the past but he could be severly undervalued as a late round flier.

-Camp reports were that Whitehurst looked lost and that JP Losman would likely be the 2. Charlie was accurate and poised under pressure and may have proved many wrong. He led them to both TD's and got them up and down the field. Team moved the ball well with him. Losman did nothing.

 

[FUBAR]

good stuff, but what about the Titans? Does the homer feed not give any input on the other team?

 

[Heep]

Pretty much the entire titans first string D didnt play last night. It was the second string from the start which is why you probably didn't hear too many substitutions. Only guy that started and left after the first series was Michael Griffin. Finnegan, Hope, D. Morgan, T. Brown, W. Witherspoon, and D. Thornton all sat out.

 

[chihawk]

Pretty much the entire titans first string D didnt play last night. It was the second string from the start which is why you probably didn't hear too many substitutions. Only guy that started and left after the first series was Michael Griffin. Finnegan, Hope, D. Morgan, T. Brown, W. Witherspoon, and D. Thornton all sat out.

I'm pretty sure Witherspoon started and played.

 

[todd2006]

Had to pass the time on a road trip. Listened to the full game. Yeah it's preseason, blah, blah, blah, but here are my observations/musings anyhow - maybe they will help others in some way.-Seattle struggled to pass protect the first series, but then did better the rest of the half/game. I don't think it was a matter of TEN's first unit D only playing one series, as I didn't hear the commentators mention substitutions early on, which they were good about doing. The announcers kept calling the O line a mish mash and a work in progress. They did better pass protecting - they didn't open many holes in the run game. Rotoworld slammed JJ as being ineffective and lauded Forsett to an extent, but in reality, they both had some decent plays but were pretty much bottled up. The RB's will need to create for the most part so I do like Forsett's chances better-A lot of Hasslebeck's incompletions were batted down at the line - I counted at least 3. Not sure if that's common for him? He had tunnel vision for Branch and then for Housh and then he called it a night. Unless something drastic happens, IMO, these guys will be the 1 and 2 respectively. Tate was the 3rd WR in 3 receiver sets. The 4th WR to enter the game was Big Mike Williams, and he and Whitehurst hooked up on a nice 51 yd TD. They also had a miscommunication that led to an INT. The 5th WR to enter the game was Ben O. Deon Butler was the 6th WR - I found it strange given all the praise heaped on him by Caroll. Rotoworld assumes Branch will be passed by Butler - we shall see, but they could be way off base. Commentators said that Branch was approached by Carroll who said "we need you to step up and be the guy", and Branch has not let them down, he has had a terrific camp. Many have been burnt by Branch in the past but he could be severly undervalued as a late round flier.-Camp reports were that Whitehurst looked lost and that JP Losman would likely be the 2. Charlie was accurate and poised under pressure and may have proved many wrong. He led them to both TD's and got them up and down the field. Team moved the ball well with him. Losman did nothing.

good to know about Deon Butler. He's on my dynasty team and I'm waiting for some good news so I can trade him. I don't think he's going to pan out.

 

[Ketamine Dreams]

I heard Whitehurst looked pretty solid. Any further analysis of him by anyone?

 

[lyon812]

I heard Whitehurst looked pretty solid. Any further analysis of him by anyone?

A nice breakdown of his TD drive:http://www.fieldgulls.com/2010/8/15/162438...sts-first-drive

 

[Cookiemonster]

I heard Whitehurst looked pretty solid. Any further analysis of him by anyone?

Quick decisions. NFL arm. Color me impressed. I don't think he'll supplant Hass this year, or maybe even next, but he can play QB in the NFL.

 

[Bri]

Titans (and many teams-I don't like it but many teams do it) employ a non attacking DL front that just stays home in their lanes to obstruct things. Calling them ineffective and then pointing out how they batted down a few and the runners didn't do well... I think you missed that they may not have even had getting to the QB as their goal on the play. See Fish did this against the Colts years ago and the Titans play the Colts so very well (usually) that...ugh it's just getting more and more popular and is so unexciting. I would so rather they try and smush Peyton with a huge hit than this disciplined stuff.

I thought Hass stunk and was rusty.

Whitehurst looked like everything the Hawks could possibly want N more-especially how the entire team seemed pumped when he was in. He wasn't perfect by any stretch but I thought Whitehurst showed very well for a first game.

(Someone asked for Titans)

Young was sharp on one drive and on the next he fumbled then to be sure the other team got it, he threw an INT. Jekyl N Hyde.

Chris Simms drives were terrible. He still lacks his dad's ability to be a field general and to minimize mistakes. I flat out don't think anyone should be a QB on an NFL roster if they can't lead.

Rusty Smith was meh and closed the game with an INT but the rook was playing in his first action.

Bulluck didn't seem missed which was a concern of mine.

Waiting for Paul Williams experiment to be over soon.

Marc Mariani looks like a future fan favorite type not necessarily a quality player.

Mouton still stinks and allowed that Mike Williams TD but did make up for it with an INT. I don't get "starter" from watching him at all. McCourty seemed to allow catches but short ones, unsure if that was the plan on D. Do the 3-4 yard ones matter if they punt?

I liked Alterraun Verner. He got the Titans the ball at the 28 with an INT. I like him, he's got it, just put him in opposite Finnegan already. Titans still need more CBs as I believe if they signed a decent one McCourty and Mouton would be fighting each other for a job. Last year's "let's just throw opposite Finnegan" was too darn easy for opposing Os. They had better be all over this this summer. It's painful to watch a veteran QB do this to the D. Anyhow, Verner is not making anyone think of Deion but I would enjoy watching him battle. IF HE CAN, then the safeties and LBs can do the little things to help him out. Last year, it felt like "oh just put a LB or S on the WR. They're going to be there in 3 seconds anyway." I mean it was bad.

Mike Williams only had one catch. He's not at the point (he was in college) where he can snag a poorly thrown ball with his hands and athleticism. I flat out didn't think he could outrun anyone for 51 yards previously in his career. He did look as advertised and very much like a "we'll see" type player.

Chris Johnson was like 5 carries for 7 yards so that one TD is still kinda yuck.

Hard nosed Blount showed Fisher exactly what he was looking for scoring on his third time from the one. He surely wanted toughness and determination near the GL and he got it. Now Blount better learn how to get in on the first try.

Ringer had a nice 46? yard run but without it the Titans runners left something to be desired.

Simply put, it was like last year. Johnson is awesome enough to overcome the rest of the offense being relatively ineffective. No one else is. They had better get an offense going, it just can't be all Johnson and he would flat out destroy NFL defenses if they had a passing game that concerned them.

Gage had a nice catch to setup the first TD. I think his only one.

 

[Hipple Long Ware & Peete]

Rotoworld slammed JJ as being ineffective and lauded Forsett to an extent, but in reality, they both had some decent plays but were pretty much bottled up. The RB's will need to create for the most part so I do like Forsett's chances better

I would say from watching the TEN-SEA game, in reality, JJ looks plodding and predestrian in comparison to JForce.

 

[cr8f]

good stuff, but what about the Titans? Does the homer feed not give any input on the other team?

The Cowboys TV crew certainly didn't mention the other team. Branch did look good in this game but wonder for how long. Deon Butler did too with Whitehurst in.

 

[Sabertooth]

good stuff, but what about the Titans? Does the homer feed not give any input on the other team?

Chris Johnson is pretty good. Kenny Britt is a question mark. Nate Washington is going to get hurt but can run fast. Vince Young is a poor man's Steve McNair.