Posse Review: Titans vs. Jets Week 3

Kerry Collins has left much to be desired in late game situations. Like completing a pass.

Another gut punch loss. The game started out to where I thought to myself, “There isn’t a chance for us to win this game.” However, the Titans proved me wrong, to my extreme happiness. Then they went ahead and lost anyways. I, after the game, declared the season dead. I don’t see much evidence to the contrary in regards to how our schedule is lining up. So lets review this game.

Permanent Problems

• Special Teams: In two of the first three games, you can make a case that special teams cost us the game. With all the other problems the Titans have had with turnovers, worst pass defense in the league, inability to run the 2 minute offense, etc., etc., the Titans could still be 2-1 if their special teams were competent. Heck, if they were good, they might be 3-0. However, I would be willing to settle for competent and 2-1. That is ridiculous. And Jeff Fisher is ENTIRELY to blame. More on that later.
• Lack of Offensive Identity: Another week in which the Titans spend a good part of the game looking confused on offense. Some flashes of brilliance (AGAIN), but then just complete confusion, offsides at inopportune times and sacks at inopportune times. It’s frustrating to watch, especially when I have seen evidence that this offense could be elite.
• Pass Defense: While it played better against the Jets than the previous two games, the defense looked its best when they got pressure. Cecil dialed up some blitzes at perfect times. However, the few times there wasn’t enough pressure, Sanchez picked up some big yardage passing and confirmed that this unit will be the Achilles’ heel all year.

My Doghouse

• Byron Mouton: Rule #1 in punt returning is don’t catch the ball over your head. Only bad things can happen. If you end up in a situation where the ball is over your head, LET IT GO.
• Jeff Fisher: 2 out of 3 weeks you’ve been here. The lack of response to the woes in the return game is infuriating. THAT CAN’T HAPPEN! I know that special teams has its own coach, but I feel that when the special teams sucks, the head coach should take the brunt of the blame. Most of special teams is all about coaching, and this year it has been truly awful. Going into this season, due to 21 of 22 starters returning, the only real question marks this team had were special teams, wide receiver, and pass rush. The pass rush has been spotty at best, the wide receivers are a huge improvement (however not great, though nobody expected great), and the special teams has cost us 2 games. Plus what the hell was up with that shirt? It looked like a shirt for an Abercrombie model.
• Kerry Collins: I am still debating how much of yesterday was his fault. Obviously a lot of it was, but exactly how much?  I’m not sure. I do know this. He isn’t stepping up when the Titans need him to and his decision making has been really inconsistent. More on him in a later post.
• Mike Heimerdinger: Truly just awful scheming at times. I feel he has not incorporated the new weapons at receiver along with an already great running game very well. He also seemed inept at playcalling with the all out blitz in mind. When the blitz came, there was never a safety valve or a hot route ready to go, which led to Collins throwing some extremely ugly passes late in the game. Inexcusable.

A Few Good Things

• LenDale White: He has looked really good in limited action. That touchdown run was awesome.
• Pass Rush: Cecil really schemed well and the pass rush also stepped it up. The defense was put in a couple of impossible situations which led to 24 points given up, but outside of the opening drive they handled the Jets offense when the Jets didn’t start in the Red Zone.
• Chuck Cecil: He adjusted. Credit given.

Statistically speaking, the season is all but over. The Titans would have to go 10-3 and that still would likely leave them on the outside. 11-2 is what they will need to do to guarantee making the playoffs. Not good. On top of that, if it is between 9-7 and 4-12, I’d take the 4-12 and the higher draft pick. That’s just me.

Tags: Byron Mouton, Chris Johnson, Chuck Cecil, Jeff Fisher, Kerry Collins, lendale white, Mark Sanchez, Mike Heimerdinger, Nate Washington, New York Jets, NFL Week 3, Posse Review, Tennessee Titans