Jimmy over at Music City Miracles, SB Nation's Tennessee Titans blog, asked me to exchange 5 questions about the Titans and our New England Patriots. My questions and his answers are listed below. Go to Music City Miracles to see his questions and my answers.
Honestly, Vince Young. He refuses to lose and is such a great leader that the whole team has fed off of the energy that he brings to the game. He has intangibles that you just cannot understand until you watch him play on a weekly basis.
2. Tennessee is near the bottom of the league in passing yards, rushing yards and scoring. What can they do to stop a diverse offense like New England's?
They are a lot better than the stats indicate. A lot of those bad numbers are from early in the year and that team has really come together. They will stack up against the offense a lot better this week than they would have in the first half of the season.
3. Clearly, Tennessee's offensive strength is the rushing game. What makes them so effective? Can they make ground against the Patriots line and linebackers?
The offensive line has become about the most dependable unit on this team. They are moving teams off the ball really well now. This team will be effective running if VY can open the Pats defense up with some good throws early. I would imagine the Patriots will load up the box. The only way to get the ground game going will be for VY to get the ball down the field early in the game.
4. Does Tennessee tend to stick to a particular game plan, or is it possible Jeff Fisher and staff will try to come up with something creative to attack New England's weaknesses, like the defensive secondary?
Fisher always has some wrinkle but in pretty much every game he looks to establish the run early. I don't think this week will be any exception. Look for the first couple of drives to be run heavy and if that doesn't work they will go to the air. Fisher is definitely a run first coach.
5. There are myriad indications New England won't play its starters for the full game, possibly not much at all. How does the potential that the Patriots are looking ahead to the playoffs play in Tennessee? Is it "disrespect"-type bulletin board material?
I don't think the Titans are taking any disrespect from it at all for 2 reasons:
- 1. The Titans are so focused on getting themselves in the playoffs they aren't really looking for any other motivation.
- 2. I think the Titans understand that this league is all about having your team healthy for the playoffs and if the roles were reversed they would be doing the exact same things.