Leading up to the Titans matchup, Music City Miracles blogger Jimmy and I decided to do the "5 Questions with..." thing. After the jump, find out from a true fan if the issue really IS Kerry Collins.
1. The Titans were on fire last year. How did they move from that to an 0-5 2009 start?
It is impossible to pinpoint any one thing. They are playing worse in all 3 phases of the game right now than they did last season. Now they have a lot of injuries on defense, especially in the secondary, so they just can't stop anyone through the air.
2. CB Rod Hood was just signed to the Titans' roster. Do you see him starting or is he there for depth?
I think he has a realistic chance to start. The Titans started the season with Cortland Finnegan and Nick Harper as their corners and Vincent Fuller as their nickel back. Finnegan has been out with a hamstring for a couple of weeks, and I bet he doesn't play Sunday. Harper broke his forearm Sunday against the Colts so he is out 4-6 weeks, and Fuller also broke his forearm a couple of weeks ago and is out at least until after the bye (which is next week).
Before signing Hood they had 3 corners on the roster. Two rookies, Ryan Mouton and Jason McCourty who were drafted in the 3rd and 6th round respectively, and Cary Williams who was a 7th round pick a few years back and was cut in the preseason.
You can see how Hood has a legit shot..
3. Coach Fisher says the problem isn't Kerry Collins and he's not ready to make a QB switch just yet. Do you agree?
Kerry Collins isn't THE problem, but he has certainly been a problem. Last year he was so good for this team because he took care of the football and actually won a couple of games with his arm. This year he is consistently off target and has been a turnover machine.
That being said, I don't think Vince Young would do any better, but it is time to give him a shot. This team isn't going anywhere this season, and they need to know what they have in Vince because his 2010 cap number is huge. They are going to have to decide if they are going to cut him or restructure his deal.
4. Chris Johnson has been having a heck of a season, but the Pats' D has been fairly successful stopping the run, coming in at 11th in the league. What are your predictions for Chris' day in Foxborough, MA?
Making predictions about CJ is tough because he can be bottled up for 90% of the game, but he can have 2 or 3 plays that he breaks to make his numbers look really good. I think he will have a good game because the Titans should give him a lot of chances. Hopefully he will get back to running north and south instead of all the side to side that he did last week against the Colts.
5. What's your prediction for the game and why?
I think the Patriots win pretty easily for the simple fact that the Titans will not be able to stop them through the air. That will force the Titans to start putting the ball in the air and nothing good can come from that. I know there have been some concerns about the passing attack up there, but even a hobbled Tom Brady and Wes Welker and an older Randy Moss should put up some good numbers against the Titans secondary.
A big shoutout to Jimmy from Music City Miracles for his answers and all the interaction leading up to this Sunday's matchup.