Titans-Raiders

My thoughts about the Titans/Raiders.

The Titans and Raiders get a national audience tonight at 9 eastern on Fox. If you are looking for offense, look elsewhere. These were two of the most predictable, least productive offenses in 2007. The Titans ranked 22nd in total offense, the Raiders 23rd. The Titans were 27th in passing offense, the Raiders a dismal 31st. Both ranked in the top ten in rushing offense, the Titans 5th while the Raiders were right behind them in 6th. Translation, expect to see lots of LenWhale White, Chris Johnson, Chris Henry. If there is scoring it will come when Kerry Collins is in at QB, he's a much better passer, he can actually hit a WR or TE in stride more than 25% of the time, than VY and has a better command of Mike Heimerdinger's offense than VY. He's not the threat as a runner but, QBs who run around alot just end up getting hurt. The Titans D should show up again, they always have under Field Goal Fisher unless he just has absolutely no talent, even then they play hard. They should be able to get to JaMarcus Russell and stop the Raiders passing game. If the Raiders get the run going with Justin Fargas, Darren McFadden and Michael Bush they could do some things, especially against the Titans second team defense.

The Titans beat the Raiders last season in week 8 by an impressive 13-9 score. That was the game when I realized that Sunday Ticket was worth it, just for the option of watching a team that could score more than 14 in just one game. I would expect more of the same tonight.

Titans report from Terry McCormick of the City Paper:

Expect to see Vince Young a little bit more Friday night against Oakland than in the preseason opener last week against St. Louis.But you still might want to arrive early if you want to see the Tennessee Titans’ starting quarterback doing more than wearing a baseball cap and cheering on his teammates.Young played just two series against the Rams last Saturday, completing 3 of 6 passes for 17 yards before retiring to the sidelines and watching the Titans run game dominate for 340 yards against St. Louis.This week, Young will play four or five series in the game, but still might be a spectator before halftime.“We’re going to maybe add a few more plays onto what we did last week, but that doesn’t mean he’ll play all the first half,” Fisher said. “I’m guessing four or five series maybe; it could be less, depending on the length [of the drives]. We’ll just kind of play it by ear. It’ll be determined by the number of plays.”As for Young, he just wants to build toward the regular season opener Sept. 7 against Jacksonville.“I just want to continue to get better each week and take it from there. Jacksonville will be there in a little while. It’s going to come fast,” Young said.Young will get one of his primary receivers back, as Justin McCareins returns after missing last week with a left hamstring injury. It will mark the first game action together for those two.“It definitely will help to get out there with him and be in the huddle with all the guys and be under pressure a little bit. I’m looking forward to it,” said McCareins, who returned to Tennessee as a free agent after four years with the New York Jets.Defensively, Fisher wants to see how the Titans respond against a strong running team in the Raiders that added No. 1 pick Darren McFadden to a backfield that already included Justin Fargas.“We’re going to be challenged much more so this week in the run game than we were last week,” Fisher said.

TITANS UPDATE:

Quarterback Vince Young and the first-team offense are expected to play deep into the second quarter. Backup QBs Kerry Collins and Ingle Martin are also expected to play. … Rookie Chris Johnson is expected to start in place of LenDale White, but if he doesn't start he'll get in the game early. Johnson will also return kickoffs. … Eric King will start at cornerback for Nick Harper (concussion), Daniel Loper will start at right tackle in place of David Stewart (knee) and Stephen Tulloch is expected to start at outside linebacker in place of David Thornton (shoulder). … Receiver Justin McCareins will get his first preseason action after missing last week's game with a groin injury.

RAIDERS UPDATE
Quarterback JaMarcus Russell will start and play until halftime. … Running back Justin Fargas will be very limited as the Raiders give first-round pick Darren McFadden and Michael Bush significant action. … A pair of former Titans will handle the kicking duties — punter Glenn Pakulak and kicker Aaron Elling. Punter Shane Lechler (quad) and kicker Sebastian Janikowski are out. … Cornerback DeAngelo Hall (hand) might not play, which would leave Stanford Routt starting in his place. … Johnnie Lee Higgins will return punts and kickoffs.