Forget the Titans!

Come on. There is a reason Tennessee was 5-0 coming into town.

The mighty-mighty Titans were…well…mighty-mighty. I’m not talking about the score. I’m referring to their physical strength. We just weren’t strong enough (or probably tough enough) to beat them. Both sides of the Titans lines were using their arm strength to control the shoulders of the Chiefs. And as the song goes, ‘dem bones is connected.

This is why players must keep their feet moving. Once a player’s upper body is turned, his hips will follow. And if a player has his feet planted when this happens – game over! Thanks for playing. Better luck next time! Allowing someone else to direct where one’s body goes is in direct opposition to the goal of a lineman – defense or offense.

But there are lessons to be learned from this loss.

Offense
After reviewing the offensive plays, you can spread the blame around pretty good. However, the likely truth is the Titan defense was just too strong and fast for most of our offense. But there are still a few stand-out issues. Sorry to harp on this some more…but Adrian Jones and Damion McIntosh are still not getting it done. I thought there was improvement when Herb Taylor was in at Right Tackle. But this needs a solution. Jones needs to start battling up-close – not trying to punch and shove at an arm’s length (see “how to help the defense below). McIntosh needs to lose 10-15 pounds. The weight does him no good, if he can’t get it there.

Defense
It is absurd to think a blind man could play this game despite his physical prowess. You cannot stop…what you cannot see. What good is it for 3 men to be 6-10 yards deep in the back field, when the ball carrier has already gotten back to the line of scrimmage?

(stand on soap box now)

Just as an offensive lineman has to get up and under the shoulder pads of the defense, the defense has to keep his arms locked-out – denying the offensive linemen control. Furthermore, keeping the offensive linemen at an arm’s length, allows him to see around the o-linemen, and thus to keep site of the ball carrier. Otherwise, it’s a total eclipse of the helmet. COME ON NOW…BASIC FOOTBALL! You can’t tackle what you can’t see!!!

Did someone say tackle? Bernard Pollard had several good wraps Sunday. Unfortunately, he had even more where he just threw his shoulder towards the effort. And Pat Thomas is over pursuing and getting trapped. Both guys are committing to uncertainty. Thomas to a spot he thinks the runner is going. And Pollard to a trajectory he believes will allow his shoulders to intercept the breast of the runner.

See the ball! Pursue the Ball. Breakdown and Tackle.
See the ball! Pursue the Ball. Breakdown and Tackle.

In my opinion, this team was better than us. They were stronger, tougher, as fast, and more polished. This game was a loss. And although a 17-13 loss would have felt better, we would still be 1-5. I just hope we are learning lessons.

Changes
QB Quinn Gray (no, you shouldn't recongnize that name) may be coming to town soon. We have a punter from New Orleans, Steve Weatherford to fill in for the injured Dustin Colquit. Them' are some big shoes to fill. Conner Barth returns for a second (or should I say fourth) chance at kicking as Novac is released - those shoes, not so big!

Brett Farve
I really wish we didn't have to play #4 again. Last year's game against Green Bay started a spiral we're still stuck in. If he throws that deep post over us again, I'm going to puke....