Titans Training Camp Week One Review: QB, RB & FB
Jeff Fuqua
Aug 1, 2008
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| Photo by Tricia Lackey |
Each year, I try to recap the first week of Titans training camp and give some early impressions of the players. Having said that, I feel it is important to get my disclaimer out of the way first which is "It is only the first week of training camp. What we are seeing now often does change. Take the following opinions as just that."
Now, a breakdown by position group. We'll start with the QB, RB and FB.
Quarterback
Vince Young: He continues to have his ups and downs passing the football, especially the intermediate to deeper routes. He seems to hesitate too often and checks down to the TE and RB. Maybe he's still learning Offensive Coordinator Mike Heimerdinger's offense or has been instructed to check down instead of force the football when in doubt. Either way, we need to remember Young is entering his third season and he's going to have his inconsistencies. He does appear to be working through his progressions well. And I feel his mechanics have improved to the point he's much more accurate with the shorter routes and is leading receivers better. He is especially sharp when he's rolling out.
Oh, and he's running well.
Kerry Collins: The guy still has a lot of zip on his passes and is still accurate. He tends to take the ball downfield more than Young. He looks to be in great shape and I think he's a good example for Young to watch work from the pocket. His job is secure.
Ingle Martin: As expected, he's done an adequate job as the #3. He moves well. I believe he's looked better than the depth the Titans have had at camp in year's past and has the potential to one day replace Collins as the #2. He's even handled some of the kicking duties. There may be some doubts as to whether he can be cut without being picked up elsewhere before the Titans get him on their practice squad.
Running Back
LenDale White: It's a shame that the first thing asked about White is how he looks physically but it goes with the territory. He looks to be in better shape than this time last year but it's nothing to write home about. It doesn't appear he's anywhere close to the condition he could be in. Does that really matter? Maybe not.
White is running well and will be the Titans #1 RB entering the season. He's showing the quick feet and the knack for finding holes. Since White's game includes pounding the rock, we won't know much until some of the preseason games. It'll be interesting to see whether the drafting of a RB in the first-round generates a little more intensity in White this year.
Chris Henry: He's still the physical specimen he was last year. He MAY be a little more decisive hitting the hole but I've also seen him dance around some as well. Running backs coach Earnest Byner will continue to work with him but I haven't seen anything yet to indicate he's turned on a light switch in Henry yet. At this point, Henry isn't working with the returners which leads me to believe he'll be the #3 RB and will be inactive on gameday unless something happens to White or rookie Chris Johnson.
Chris Johnson: The Titans first-round pick (#24) is simply exciting to watch anytime he touches the football. It's not that he is a razzle-dazzle runner with a lot of shifty moves but he makes running fast look effortless. He changes gears when he needs to get past a defender with an angle on him but I don't think we've seen him go wide open yet. I've also seen him lower his head and go inside as he did in the goal line drills last Tuesday.
Johnson has also had his mistakes. He's dropped some passes and had a fumble or two. But every indication is that he's going to be something special and I can't wait to see him against the Rams next weekend.
One thing to note here is the impact Johnson has without the football. So far, Offensive Coordinator Mike Heimerdinger has moved him in motion from behind the QB and split him out wide. I've noticed defenders sometimes cheating over a step to cover Johnson which means they were a step late when the ball went elsewhere. In another instance, I watched Bulluck move over to cover him when in motion which left a hole for Crumpler to catch a pass across the middle. If he can be effective with the ball, he'll be effective as a decoy.
Quinton Ganther: He's had his moments but usually against the backup defense. But that also means he has backups blocking for him. I can't say he's stood out much so far which probably means he's a long shot unless he makes an impact on special teams. The problem for Ganther is the Titans have seen him since '06 and know his upside is limited. He needs some big games during the preseason.
Omar Cuff: He's been very shifty and explosive at times while showing good hands. He appears to me to be the typical third-down receiving RB and may play his way onto the practice squad if he shows well in the preseason games.
Fullback
Ahmard Hall: He's the same ol' "Sarge" who doesn't get to show off his better talents in training camp due to limited contact. But Dinger has used him so far with passes out to the flat and a few carries. Hall shows surprising speed in the open field.
Casey Cramer: Listed as a FB, Cramer is mainly known for his special teams play. I think that will have to be his ticket again if he is to make the final roster this season.
Jeremy Cain: Mainly in camp for his long snapping abilities, I can't say I've noticed his work at FB. Maybe we'll get to see him in one of the preseason games but I would think Ken Amato will remain the long snapper for the '08 season.
Please let us know your impressions after the first week by selecting the "discuss" button.
Tomorrow:
WR, TE & OL
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| NEXT GAME |
TBA
|
| LAST GAME |
| Titans |
17 |
| Seahawks |
13 |
| Passing |
V. Young:
17/28, 171 yards,
1 INT, LG 29,
RT 63.2 |
| Rushing |
C. Johnson:
36/134, 3.7 AVG, 2 TDs, LG 12 |
| Receptions |
N. Washington:
6/83, 13.8 AVG,
LG 29 |
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2009
TEAM STATS
|
|
Total Offense
|
12th
|
|
Total: 351.4
|
| Passing: 189.4 |
| Rushing: 162.0 |
| Scoring Avg.: 22.1 |
| Total Defense |
28th |
| Total: 365.6 |
| Passing: 258.7 |
| Rushing: 106.9 |
| Scoring Avg.: 25.1 |
2009
STAT LEADERS
|
|
Passing
|
| V. Young |
|
Attempts: 259
|
| Completions: 152 |
| Yards: 1879 |
| Touchdowns: 10 |
| Interceptions: 7 |
| Passer Rating: 82.8 |
| Rushing |
| C. Johnson |
| Carries: 358 |
| Yards: 2006 |
| Average: 5.6 |
| Touchdowns: 14 |
| Receiving |
| K. Britt |
| Receptions: 42 |
| Yards: 701 |
| Average: 16.7 |
| Touchdowns: 3 |
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