Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Not just an opener for Brady Hoke, Michigan

The Michigan Wolverines are set to unveil team number 135 this Saturday at high noon. After a disappointing 2013 season, college football's all time leader in wins look to re-establish the "Michigan Way"...which is to dominate the line of scrimmage, run the ball at will, and play sound defense.

All three of those things were lacking last year, putting head coach Brady Hoke squarely on the hot seat this season.

The win over Ohio State, and subsequent Sugar Bowl victory, have faded to the back of the minds of staunch supporters. And they have every right to feel that way. Michigan is all about Big Ten titles, high profile bowl games, and National Championships. That standard will never change...regardless of the length of the drought.

And the irony of all of this, Michigan's opening opponent is responsible for bringing Hoke to Ann Arbor in the first place. And they can also be the reason he goes.

Appalachian State.

In the 2007 opener, 5th ranked Michigan...fresh off an 11-2 season...lost to Division II App State. The fallout was severe. Head coach Lloyd Carr resigned at the end of what turned out to be a successful season, and the Rich Rodriguez era began.

As a Michigan fan...I must digress on the Rich Rod era.

Hoke came in shortly after, and immediately restored Michigan back to respectability. But now it's time for him to push the Wolverines back into the elite realm.

Senior qb Devin Gardner can do it all if given the protection, and an upgrade at the offensive coordinator position has the Maize and Blue optimistic. Player to player, this should be a blowout. Vegas seems to agree.

This game, because of the opponent, can be a perfect opportunity for coach Hoke to not only keep Michigan's post season hopes alive...but to also exorcise the demons of  that September afternoon in 2007.

A loss...and well....we start all over again from the top.

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Monday, August 25, 2014

Titans preseason...what we know so far

Prior to the start of training camp, a reputable pro football magazine released it's annual NFL preseason power rankings. The Tennessee Titans were ranked 30th out of 32 teams.

Wow.

Although I was surprised the Titans were ranked so low, the non homer fan in me tried to look at the assessment objectively. After all, with so much turnover on the coaching staff, no one really knew what to expect.

On the field, the Titans lack "one name" players. Peyton, Megatron, Dez, ect. Their starting qb is playing on a one year deal, and they took an offensive lineman of all things with the 11th overall pick in this year's draft. Without the luxury of seeing the new look Titans on the field, 30th was a safe call.

Now that the team's game 3 dress rehearsal is complete, lets reassess that 30th power ranking.

After 3 preseason games, the three most potent offenses in the league so far are Philadelphia, New England, and New Orleans. Not exactly a shocker right?

But number four is...yep....Tennessee.

Now, before you dismiss this as a meaningless abstract preseason stat...please consider the following......

1. New head coach Ken Whisenhunt made his name in this league calling plays. He was the offensive coordinator for the Super Bowl Champion Steelers, and led the Arizona Cardinals.....the Cardinals.....to their first Super Bowl appearance.

The Cardinals....

And they did it with an explosive offense. Yes, the Cardinals had Hall of Fame qb Kurt Warner that year. But lets not forget that Warner was considered washed up in his previous stint in New York. He kinda just landed in Arizona to extend his career.

Digressing.....

In addition to all of that, coach Whiz...as the offensive coordinator in San Diego last year...finished with the 5th best offense in the league. The year before they were one of the worst in the league in that category.

2. Jake Locker looks like the qb from the first four games last year. If you recall, Tennessee was racking up wins at a playoff pace prior to Locker going down. His qb rating was over 100 at the time.

After 3 preseason games, Locker boasts a rating of 119.9, 4th in the AFC. He's checked the ball down well, and seems to have a good grasp of the new offense. His back ups, especially rookie sixth round pick Zach Mettenberger, have been just as impressive. He boasts a qb rating of 97.9, and leads the entire league in preseason passing yards, all while leading two second half comeback performances.

Second year wide receiver Justin Hunter seems to be making the leap this summer. His preseason performance assures the coaching staff that number 1 wr Kendall Wright will have a credible compliment on the outside this year. That would allow aging veteran Nate Washington to move into the slot role.

And speaking of aging veterans....well what do you know...a Shonn Greene sighting. That man is running the ball like Tennessee took a running back high in this year's draft.

No wait...they did.

Rookie second round pick Bishop Sankey has shown some flashes, as well as an encouraging nose for the end zone. But his fumbles are a concern. I'd also like to see his production against consistent first team defense caliber talent.

The X factor in all of this is flex back Dexter McCluster. Find another sentence with that many "x's" in it.

Ok...digressing.....

What intrigues me about McCluster is just how conspicuous the Titans were in not showing anything with him. He did a swing pass here, a draw play there, but nothing that his talent...and free agent salary...would warrant. That leads me to believe that coach Whiz has some special things in place for McCluster that he doesn't want on film until it's too late.

All in all, very impressed with that side of the ball.

On defense? Well...what was that preseason ranking again?

This unit has been down right terrible, especially the first unit. Every opposing team took their opening drive right down the field and scored....with no resistance. And before you point out that Tennessee played Green Bay and New Orleans the first two games, Aaron Rogers and Drew Brees did not play.

That's even scarier.

Not pressuring the qb, not getting turnovers, not getting off the field on third downs, missing open field tackles, the list goes on and on. Team IQ was one of the things we were looking for this preseason, and the eye in the sky don't lie. It looks like the defense is having a hard time grasping defensive coordinator Ray Horton's new 3-4 scheme.

Horton better do something...anything...and quick. Until then, if you own a Chiefs player in fantasy football not named Dwayne Bowe, start him week 1.

Tennessee is not there yet by any means, but signs are pointing up. At worse, we can officially say the Titans are not the third worst looking team in the league so far. In fact, I'd like to see that preseason power ranking updated at the conclusion of this week's games.

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Saturday, August 9, 2014

Titans: What fans should watch for in tonight's game

Well Titans fans, the wait is over. Football is back....tonight! For the casual, and dare I say...cynical fan base, I completely understand your rationale in saying...

"Wake me up when the regular season starts."

After all, from what we've seen in the preseason so far, there will be little to no star power on the field for either team tonight. If you're ten minutes late you will miss Packers qb Aaron Rogers all together, if he even suits up. And that goes for the rest of the Green Bay stars.

But the Titans are in a unique situation this season. New head coach Ken Whisenhunt is completely overhauling the playbook on both sides of the ball....and with only 4 games to get it fully installed, expect to see starters play a little more than most teams. He also made a shrewd move in not publicly releasing an official depth chart so far in training camp.

But he will tonight...on the field.

With so much curiosity and intrigue, the Titans have enough story lines to keep you watching up until at least the 4th quarter. We'll highlight some of the bigger ones.

Team IQ:

The Titans have done the same thing for so long that we really don't know if this is a "smart" team. We'll get our first look at just how well they are picking up the new offense and defense. Casual fans should look for two things in that regard.

1. Cohesiveness on offense: Is the qb getting pummeled because the offensive line / running backs are missing their blocking assignments?  Is the qb throwing the ball up the field when the receiver cut toward the sideline? Can the Titans get into an offensive rhythm? If you see a ton of punts, then the answer is no.

2. Blown assignments on defense: You can usually tell that happened when the opposing player is running free (with no Titans defenders around him) in the passing game. That is also the case when a rb runs for several yards before being contacted by a Titans defender.

The Titans were quietly the 11th best pass defense in the league last year...while playing the likes of Peyton Manning, Andrew Luck (twice), Rivers, Roethlisberger, Kaepernick, and Wilson. New defensive coordinator Ray Horton is top five in the league at his position. A very encouraging combination. Of course there will be some errors tonight (we have to reasonably allot for a learning curve), but the fewer the better.

By the way, you heard it here first, cornerback Jason McCourty will make the Bro Bowl this year.

But I digress.

Whitehurst vs Mettenberger:

When Jake Locker is your starting qb, then you must start at the back up qb position. The last two years, backup qbs played a ton of games for the Titans. If that's the case this year, then one of these two will be leading our offense. Whitehurst...aka..."Clipboard Jesus" was one of the first free agents brought on by coach Whiz. He hasn't played a meaningful NFL down since the last time I have, but at least he knows the new offense already.

Mettenberger, rookie qb out of LSU, was the first qb drafted by Whiz as the Titans coach. Both have a strong arm, and both will be given plenty of opportunities to knock each other off as starting qb in waiting this year....I mean...back up to Locker.

The new rb rotation:

For the last several years the Titans rb rotation was...CJ left...CJ right...CJ up the middle....then sprinkle in a VY or Locker qb scramble. This season will be the first running back by committee approach since Tennessee's smash and dash (White, CJ) combo in 2008.

Enter free agent rb Dexter McCluster and rookie rb Bishop Sankey. Both bring different things to the table, and both are said to be great receivers out of the backfield. Returning rb Shonn Greene is finally healthy and has received good feedback since returning. His style is more suited for short yardage and goal line situations.

But keep a close eye on returning bruiser Jackie Battle. He tore up opposing defenses in last year's preseason, and has been lighting up opposing Titans defenders all camp. He'll have the benefit of getting a ton of reps against third and fourth string competition, and can potentially make life miserable for Greene...who plays the exact same style...but with a much heftier salary.

Receiver Depth:

Do the Titans have any? They are certainly set with starters Kendall Wright, Nate Washington, and Justin Hunter.

After that? Hmm.....

In order for coach Whiz's passing game to be truly successful, he will need some role players to step up. And since we have no clue who's where on the depth chart behind the above listed three, we'll have to wait until the second half...another reason to keep watching.

"Welcome back football" ~ TitanNation

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Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Locker's gain, Titans pain?

The Tennessee Titans new era kicks off Saturday night when the Green Bay Packers pay a visit to the Music City. Fans will be eager to get a glimpse of all the new faces, but there is a returning face that every Titans eyeball will be glued to...at least for the first 15 offensive plays or so.

Jake Locker.

Heading into the final year of his contract, starting qb Jake Locker states that he is healthy and ready to go. As with most teams, the Titans go as Locker goes. When he was playing error free football to start the season, Tennessee flourished. But injuries once again derailed Locker's season, and Tennessee's along with it.

But what happens if..in his final year...Locker pulls it all together, stays healthy for a full season, and leads his team to a playoff birth?

Well...two things would happen.

1. You'd have a rejuvenated fan base.
2. You'd have a very uneasy front office.

Since being drafted 8th in the 2011 draft, Locker has only played in 23 games. And those 23 performances were...well....pretty average. But what happens if coach Whisenhunt can work his magic on Locker? What if it was just as simple as coaching...and Locker has a break out year in 2014?

What do you do with him then?

Locker's body of work does not warrant a lucrative long term extension, at least not to date. He can't even stay on the field. And it's not a recurring injury either, it's always something different...and serious. But let's be honest, making the playoffs for the first time since 2008 could cloud some things. Especially if Locker becomes coach Whiz's guy.

From a front office perspective, it would be much less of a headache if Locker fails. He plays out his contract, he's gone at the end of the season, and you can find you a new one in the draft or free agency.

A comeback player of the year type of campaign would be a nightmare.

The media (me included) would jump all over Locker's contract status, and the weekly "has he done enough to earn an extension" debates would dominate Titans headquarters. Players will be asked, the coach, the GM, and so on.

A complete soap opera.

And the Andy Dalton contract did Tennessee no favors either. The market has been set for second tier qb's with no playoff success. Tennessee and Locker's agent will duke it out, and franchising him at the average top 5 qb salaries would be a strenuous option as well.

From a front office perspective, I would give serious pause to another long term deal with a player that has that kind of injury history...regardless of the outcome this year. Then again, making the playoffs could cloud some things, especially if it's because of Locker's play.

The coach wants to win..and if he's winning...we's gonna want his qb that got him there.

In other words....a potential headache could be looming for the organization.

But if the end result is a playoff birth this year, I'm sure that all parties involved will be willing to cross that bridge when they come to it.

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Sunday, August 3, 2014

Paul George injury puts these NFL teams on notice

By now we've all seen it...the gruesome leg injury suffered by Indiana Pacers star Paul George. An all NBA caliber talent is now lost for the foreseeable future...for the upcoming season for sure. This unfortunate injury, coupled with the departure of Lance Stephenson (their 2nd best player), effectively turned the Pacers into lottery participants next season.

This time a year ago, Indiana and their fan base were optimistic about their future. They were a game away from dethroning King James and his Miami Heat in the previous Eastern Conference Finals, and Paul George's brilliant play made him the toast of the town.

This year the Pacers showed that they were ill equipped to handle the pressure of being the hunted, failing to beat Miami again this year...even with home court advantage. Bickering, finger pointing, and locker room foolishness (since I don't do smut, you can Google Roy Hibbert / Paul George for the details) led to an epic collapse to end the season.

But still...fans in Indiana remained optimistic. After all, LeBron's decision dismantled the Big 3, putting every Eastern Conference challenger back in play.

Then came the injury...and just like that....SLAM!!!

Championship windows are a fragile thing. They can't be bribed with contract extensions or draft picks, and they don't have to give you a warning before it shuts. You simply have to climb through it when you know it's open. Some could argue that Indiana took theirs for granted.

A tough lesson learned.

With the NFL preseason officially kicking off tonight, these four playoff teams from a year ago should pay close attention to the Pacers' story.

Carolina Panthers:

Last season the Carolina Panthers reached the playoffs for the first time in the Cam Newton Era, aided by a strong running game, top 10 defense, and a matured Newton. Posting a 12-4 record, Carolina fell...at home..to the 49ers in last year's playoffs.

This year Carolina will have their work cut out for them to post a similar record this year. The Panthers benefited from the Falcons and Bucs bottoming out last season, leading to a 5-1 division record. But Atlanta figures to be back at full strength, and Tampa Bay is quietly acquiring play makers for new head coach Lovie Smith. Carolina is young and talented, but they need to strike now...before the division catches back up to them.

Cincinnati Bengals:

A lethal young qb - wr combination in Andy Dalton and A.J. Green, and a stingy top 5 defense, led to a quiet 11-5 record and playoff appearance for last year's Bengals. And heading into this season, that window appears to be crystal clear for a Cincinnati team that's young and full of talent.

That's what the Pacers thought too, but I digress.

Pittsburgh and Baltimore, the resident bullies of the block, are starting to look old and punch drunk from all of their physical encounters over the years. They both will have to overhaul their rosters soon. Cleveland is making all the right moves, but are still a year away. Now is the time for Cincinnati. Head coach Marvin Lewis has to win a playoff game this year.

Kansas City Chiefs:

Last year the Chiefs came out of nowhere, posting an 11-5 record after going 2-14 the year before. After losing to the Colts in last year's wild...wild card round shootout, Chiefs fans were pleasantly surprised and certainly optimistic heading into this season.

Kansas City won their first nine games last year, but struggled heading down the stretch. This year a similar start seems unlikely, with the Chiefs facing the Broncos, Patriots, and 49ers their first five weeks. They struggled in their own division last year (2-4), and this year they draw the NFC West...and their brutal teams. We're about to find out if a window even exists for the upstart Chiefs.

Philadelphia Eagles:

Last year the Eagles stormed to the finish line with a 7-1 run, and with that, a division title. They were also a missed field goal kick away from advancing in last years playoffs. It took a while to gel, but once it did, the Eagles offense exploded...finishing as the top rushing offense in the league. The Chip Kelley experiment was a huge success.

This year Philly will be the hunted.

That should be the only road block for the Eagles, how they handle being the hunted. Philly is not only afforded the luxury of playing in the weakest division in their own conference, they also draw the AFC's weakest division...the AFC South.

They should have the inside track for home field advantage with Seattle, San Francisco, Green Bay, Chicago, New Orleans, and Carolina all having to duke it out with each other.

There is a golden opportunity laid out for these teams. Whenever they feel a lack of urgency, they should think about  Paul George...and the Pacers.

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