Albert Who? Lineman Ready To Forget Haynesworth
It’s been the biggest question of the year at Baptist Sports Park… What about Albert? That is, can the Titans defense possibly be as good as it has been the last two years without Albert Haynesworth?
The answer, a defninitive yes. Don’t get me wrong Number 92 was the most dominant defensive tackle in the game, but this group can flat out get after it. Jason Jones proved his rookie season he can go get the quarterback and he was right back in the Buffalo backfield last night. You had to be impressed with the “Bullrush” for the new, slimmer Kevin Vickerson who created Michael Griffin’s interception when he drove the offensive guard 7 yards straight back into quarterback Trent Edwards. 2nd round draft pick Sen’Derrick Marks even came on to record his 1st sack of the preseason in a critical drive late in the game.
I’ve never been one to believe that these three guys are better than this one, just because of the numbers, but I believe all of these guys can REALLY PLAY. A year ago Jim Washburn told me he liked his lineman better after Antwan Odom and Travis Laboy left. I had a hard time believing him, especially with so many rookies, but he was right on the money.
Now the Albert question is the elephant in the lockerroom. The players are so sick of hearing about, even thinking about it, they bring it almost before you can ask it. Albert was their teammate, their friend, “was” being the key word. It’s a foxhole mentality in the NFL. They work together, they eat together, they bleed together and most of all this group wins together.
No team ever got better by letting a great player go, but this one appears to have the pieces to move on.
Vince Speaks... Again...
One of my favorite scenes from “Anchorman” is when the guys are brown bagging it at the newsdesk and Champ gets a little out of sorts and they tell him “Maybe you should sit this play out, stopping talking for a while”. That’s exactly what I thought about when I read Vince Young’s comments in Esquire.
Young told the magazine he doesn’t know when he’ll start again, but when he does he’ll be the “next black quarterback to win the Supe Bowl” and he’s going to the Hall of Fame. OK, I like the confidence, but not the arrogance. The Hall of Fame is a place to revere and aspire to, not proclaim your place in. Too many players have worked too hard and blead for their teams for their spot in Canton. It’s like being grown up, just because you say you are, it doesn’t mean you are. Others will decide.
OK, I know we complain about players being boring and not saying anything, but this isn’t about that. His words are misguided and just make him sound disconnected and not living in reality. He’s a backup. Backups can’t say that. No way, no how. I run, but I can’t say I’m going to the olympics. Maybe a more realistic statement would be, “I will be the Titans starting quarterback again and when I am, I hope I can begin to live up to the expectations placed on me out of college.”
Vince has tremendous athletic ability, without a doubt, but that doesn’t make him a great quarterback. When he makes all the throws and makes them with consistency, when he reads defenses and knows where to go with the ball before it’s snapped and he proves to his team he’s the warrior they saw in the Rose Bowl that’s when he’ll be a quarterback and that’s when he can begin to talk about his spot in the history of sports most successful league.
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Titans Camp - What I Like
We’re only 6 days into training camp, but I thought it was time to talk about what I like about this team so far.
I like the addition of Nate Washington… A lot! When they first gave him that monster deal I had my reservations, but there’s no substitute for speed and he’s got it. He’s also a pro, he knows how to practice and how to handle expectations. He’s a big upgrade for this offense, but he’s making the defense better as well. They haven’t been able to practice against a deep threat for years, but they’re getting it every day now.
I like this defensive line. I know Albert’s gone, but this group is just impressive. KVB is healthy and relentless once again. William Hayes is just a strong dude and now that he’s on the same page as coach Jim Washburn should take a big step forward. Tony Brown is Tony Brown and as long as he doesn’t jump offsides that’s fine with me. Jason Jones is large and lightning fast. Kevin Vickerson has dropped almost 30 pounds and looks great. He played really well at times last year, but has added more quickness and explosiveness to his game. Then there’s 2nd round pick Sen’Derrick Marks, young but talented. Just give Coach Washburn time and he’ll fit right in.
I like Ryan Mouton. The Titans 3rd round pick is fast, physical and humble. I look forward to seeing him in game situations, because corner is a difficult position for rookies. So far, so good.
I like the mentality going in. This team knows it blew it last year and has a business like attitude about their jobs. They know who they are and what they are and that is a team good enough to win it all if they take care of business.
Before I finish let me just say some things go without being said. Ofcourse I like CJ, KB, the O-line and Kerry Collins. There’s a lot to like with this team but the others just jumped out to me.
What don’t I like? Lavelle Hawkins needs to be more consistent, players a little too concerned about twitter and nicknames and… OK, that’s it… For now.
Titans tempers flare...that's just football!
You know how it goes….get under the lights, and the tempo and intensity of practice bumps up a notch. That’s what we saw on two-a-day Tuesday (the titans first two-a-day since camp started.)
The Titans were set to give the fans a show at Baptist Sports Park, but at about 8:00, just thirty minutes after they started, the lightning came…the fans had to leave, and practice was moved to the bubble.
It turned into a physical practice and linebacker Keith Bulluck wasn’t happy with how Leroy Harris and the offensive line was playing (he thought Harris was holding, and Vanden Bosch agreed)…Bulluck was vocal, and center Kevin Mawae stood up for his line. “Of course i’m gonna pull for the offensive line guys you know, I thought Leroy was doing a great job,” Mawae said after practice.
Bulluck and Mawae yelled at each other, Bulluck saying Mawae shouldn’t talk since he wasn’t even practicing, and Mawae telling Bulluck…You hit 16 and then you can talk. (the number of years Mawae has been in the league.)
Both guys shook it off, and had smiles on their face after practice. They chocked it up to the extra intensity of practicing under the lights.
Bulluck said, “As you saw we laughed it off and you know we’re all teammates at the end of the day and we’re all just out there competing.”
Other practice notes…
Kevin Vickerson tweaked his ankle during one on one drills…he went to the side, got it retaped and seemed to be fine.
The fans did get to see VY hit Jared Cook on a long bomb before the team had to move inside. It was a phenomenal catch by Cook and not that bad of a throw by Vince.
I know you see it from me in every blog I write, but man, I can’t wait to see Nate Washington in game like action! He continues to impress me!
With that being said though….I looked back at some of our coverage of training camp last year, and in one of our reports we talked about how good Justin McCareins looked, and how he will be one to watch this season….
We all know how that one turned out 
Training Camp Day 5
The first true double session of camp today and let’s just say it didn’t sound quite as chipper this morning. It was a little quiet and a little sloppy with some dropped passes and false starts, but they all can’t be masterpieces.
They worked on crowd noise this morning by back up to the goal line and then having the rookies hoot and holler rigth behind them. It proved to be a pretty valuable excercise because the noise actually proved to be a problem in getting shifted into the proper formation.
The team also busted out their new “throw back” Houston Oiler helmets today. It’s amazing how much these guys love old school gear, because every one of them was geeked about it. Vince Young and Ryan Mouton are Houston natives and especially excited about turning back the clock to the “luv ya blue” days.
I talked with a couple of folks at length about rookie cornerback Ryan Mouton and they are very excited about the strength, speed, athleticism and aggressiveness he brings to the position. Don’t be surprised to see him make a big move in camp for one of the spots backing up Harper and Finn. He was a third round pick, but some felt he had first or second round talent. He was slowed his senior season at Hawaii by hamstring problems, but feels great now.
Another session tonight under the lights at 7:30 and Rob Bironas will make his first appearance of camp.
Priorities
OK, I get it. I get that Urban Meyer is one of the GREAT coaches in college football. I get that he brings millions and millions of dollars to the University of Florida. I get that he without a doubt earns every penny he gets paid. I don’t get how he gets a raise while a university lays of teachers.
Meyer was making a handsome $3.25-million a year, not too shabby! Today he received a new 6-year deal at $4-million a season, that’s a $750-thousand a year raise. Now consider in June Florida trimmed $42-million from its budget and layed off 9 faculty members and 49 staff employees. The two sets of numbers just do not add up.
Now, it’s not just THAT simple. Meyer is paid by the University Athletic Association and not the “school”, the UAA is a separate entity. Meyer also committed $1-million over the duration of his deal to a charitable program that helps financially disadvantaged students.
The question I have is will there be any teachers left for those students when they get there?
Urban Meyer is great for the business of Florida Football and he should not apologize for his pay, but something about the direction this thing goes just rubs me the wrong way.
Titans Camp - Day 3
First day in pads for the Titans this season and let’s just it picked up a notch. No matter how many times they tell the defense to let the backs run thru it simply is not going to happen, especially with Coach Washburn barking down their throats!
Kenny Britt is signed and in camp, but NOT practicing. Britt was placed on the P-U-P (Phsyically Unable to Perform) list because his injured hamstring simply hasn’t healed all the way. Coach Fisher’s disappointed, but not frustrated. Britt remains confident his “mental” reps will keep him in the game, but the longer he sits the harder it will become for him to make an impact on this offense this season. Coach Fisher would not offer any type of timeline on his return, but it did sound as if it would be sooner rather than later.
Highlights from day 3 include 2 interceptions for Tanard Davis, both off of Vince Young. The Titans are looking for backups at corner so he’s making the most of an early opportunity to get noticed. He says so far they have, but they’ve told him he needs to remain consistent.
Nate Washington continues to impress at camp hooking with Vince Young for a couple of TD’s in 1 on 1 drills. One came on a dandy throw by V-Y when he went behind the defender.
I spent some time watching 1 on 1 drills between the two lines and every time I watch I am more and more amazed by the strength of William Hayes. The 2nd year end has a great push up the field. Kevin Vickerson also looked strong at defensive tackle. He’s lost a bunch of weight, at least 15-20 pounds and was explosive off the ball and gave some of the youngsters up front fits.
On the injury front Jacob Ford Injured his hamstring and will have an MRI tomorrow. Tony Brown missed some time while icing his knee, but it doesn’t appear serious.
LenDale White chats....and you know that's always good stuff!
Yep…You can always count on Lendale to give us something to talk about after just two days of training camp!
White talked to a host of media after practice on Saturday, about everything you can imagine!
He of course talked about his weight…(and by the way he looks phenomenal!) White checked in to camp at 228 pounds…a pound less than he was during the OTA’s. He said it’s the first time he’s come into camp healthy and in shape, “I can feel it in my body, I can tell a big difference.”
He also said he won quite a few bets with family members, teammates and others when he came in at 228. “I made some people upset cause they thought I was gonna be fat coming back.”
Even Titans owner Bud Adams commented on White’s weight loss…he apparently told LenDale that he looks like a brand new person. White says the weight loss didn’t come from some strict diet…but from the fact that he gave up drinking alcohol (namely Patron Tequila, and yes he told us all about his love for the stuff).
White said he could care less about a new contract, that all he wants to do is his part to bring this Tennessee Titans team a superbowl this year, which is why he got himself in shape. But amidst the dozens of White quotes that are worth talking about, my favorite of the day is still this…
“This is a beast, this is a new Lendale White. I feel bad for a lot of people….they woke something up.”
With 30 fewer pounds to carry into the endzone…the term Beast could fit LenDale just right this season.
Britt is signed....Day Two Wrap of Training Camp!
After two days of missing camp, first round draft pick Kenny Britt is signed! We’ll see him in action tomorrow!
In the meantime, Lavelle Hawkins and Jared Cook stole the show this afternoon during a rainy practice. Lavelle hauled in one long ball from Patrick Ramsey with a dramatic diving catch. The crowd erupted on that play, and it seems there were more to come from Hawk. I thought he was impressive today…he said afterwards when I asked him about his day, “I did okay, I guess. I still made some mistakes out there.” He did say that things have slowed down for him this year. It will be interesting to see him in action with a year under his belt.
Same for Chris Davis…Davis made a nice snag on a ball thrown out of bounds. (yes you read that right, Chris Davis)
As for Cook, he’s a man of few words. I wrote yesterday that he looked like a beast…today he really looked like a beast. Cook hauled in balls left and right, but he did tell us after practice that he’s just trying to pick everything up. Fisher said they’re moving him around a bit to create different match-ups. “We’re going to continue to load him up with the offense and create some match-ups. That’s one thing he can do is usually come down with the ball in one-on-one situations.” Yes, yes he can. We’ll see if his head stops spinning enough for him to take it all in in time.
Other big plays today:
Alge Crumpler looked real good, he caught a ball from Vince Young (that was thrown perfectly by the way) off of his fingertips, and then stayed inbounds for the touchdown.
Vinny Fuller picked off Patrick Ramsey on a long ball intended for Paul Williams.
Nate Washington continues to look good…it’s hard to tell in just two days of training camp with no pads, but like I said before, I really can not wait to see Washington and Cook in true game action!
