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 At 9-0, the Tennessee Titans sit at the top of the NFL and in the drivers seat to their first Super Bowl since the 1999 season.
The question is: how? Their starting quarterback went down in week one and has been replaced by a 35-year-old. Their running backs have battled with weight problems and drug allegations over the past couple years. Their leading receiver is a guy named Bo (Scaife, the Titans back up tight end). So how are they doing it? One word: linemen. Linemen are undoubtedly the least appreciate and, in my opinion, hold the most important positions in football. A good offensive line means a strong run game, time for plays to develop, and protection for your quarterback to make decisions. A good defensive line means stopping the run, creating negative yard plays, forcing the quarterback out of the pocket, and disrupting the plays called by the offense. The game of football starts in the trenches at the line and the Titans know that. Tennessee has built their team from the line out and now they are reaping the benefits. Let us first look at the Titans starting offensive line. At left tackle is 4th year man, Michael Roos. The starting guards are Eugene Amano and Jake Scott. At right tackle is David Stewart. The centerpiece of the offensive line is the center, pro bowler Kevin Mawae. This mammoth line is an average 6 foot 5 and 305 lbs. The Titians two horse running back system is one of the best in the nation. Better yet, the Titians o-line has allowed 5 sacks all season. 5 sacks…. Through 9 nine games. No wonder no one can stop the running attack or even rattle Creaky Collins at quarterback. Forcing interceptions is harder when a team can’t get pressure on the QB. Collins has thrown only 3 interceptions all season. But, what if a team were to rattle Creaky Collins from his safe pocket? What if a team were team to shut down that rushing attack like the Bears did this past Sunday? How does Tennessee win games? Look to the other side of the ball, to the other line, the defensive line. The Titans defensive line may be the best in the league. Its biggest power is the depth of the line. 8 players are rotated in regularly, each having an impact on the game. At defensive end, Jevon Kerse (1.5 sacks), Jacob Ford (2.0 sacks), Kyle Vander Bosch (3.0 sacks), and Dave Ball (2.5 sacks) are all collapsing the pocket and giving QB’s across the country a nightmare. The interior lineman, Tony Brown (3.5 sacks), Jason Jones (1.5 sacks), Kevin Vickerson (0.5 sacks), and Albert Haynesworth (6.0 sacks) are monsters on the inside. The Titans D hasn’t allowed a 100-yard rusher all season is allowing a stingy 91.6 rushing yards a game. 20.5 sacks have been added by the d-line. Haynesworth may be the most dominating player in the game and his making a strong case for defensive player of the year. As the expression goes: Defense wins championships. You know would I say to that? (Sorry, Mr. Corso) NOT SO FAST. Linemen win championships. The Giants beat the Pats in the trenches, with a good D-line. The Titans have great D-line and a great O-line. What was that expression again? See you guys in February. |