Did bye week come at right time for Locker?

The Titans believe the bye week will pay dividends when it comes to the health of two of their most important players – quarterback Jake Locker and middle linebacker Colin McCarthy.

Locker led the Titans to victory two Sundays ago when playing for the first time since Sept. 30. He looked rusty at times in the early going of that win over Miami, but Titans coach Mike Munchak still thinks a week’s rest will benefit Locker.

“It’s good that he played and got the soreness out and then had a week off,” Munchak said. “I guarantee he wanted to play again (right away). He’s a young player that just wants to get out there and keep playing.

“But I think in the long run it does help him with his shoulder and soreness, and he had other parts of his body sore other than the shoulder. I think his shoulder really wasn’t that bad. It was more legs and upper body, just playing in an NFL game for the first time in six weeks.”

McCarthy has been bothered by a high-ankle sprain since the season opener, but he got in a full practice on Monday following the bye week.

“I think the Miami game, he probably played his best since coming back from being hurt,” Munchak said. “(The ankle) is something he’ll have to deal with until next year. But I think as far as (getting to) the level of being more like himself, I think he’s feeling closer than he used to be.”

Posted In: Team News

Source: Titans Insider

We'll need him to dominate if were going to do anything. This D will likely give up 28 a game.

If he can just make some plays and extend drives like he did vs Miami and the run game works, we'll have a chance to win at least 5. It's a long shot but if everything goes right on offense we'll be tough to stop.

It's not unrealistic. We haven't seen this offense with a comfortable Jake Locker yet. Only flashes.

I think the bye week came at a cr*p time. We finally got hot, and I think the record for teams coming out of the bye week hasn't been too good...

I mean this was the first win the Titans gave me without possible heart attacks at the closing moments (no joke, the other 3 wins I was going crazy for the most part towards the end of the games...)

Also, I woulda liked the bye week to come before Jake got better (help him come back earlier) - that one game, if he as able to turn a L into a W, would really help our playoff push. @ 5-5 absorbing 1 loss to go 10-6 would improve chances drastically; especially if that win came against lets say the Colts (we would still be able to sweep the series for tie-breaker purposes, stronger division/conference record, etc....)

Nah, all in all, it was pretty bad timing....

They held the Steelers in check.

The issue I have with the D is the inconsistency. They've had some good games but just not enough of them. Everything can change though. Say what you want, but, the Dolphins were still an NFL team.

Steelers are the 19th scoring offense. They had injuries all over the offensive line, and had ZERO run game (which ill give us some credit for that). Big Ben still tossed it for 363 yards. Dont consider that holding in check..

I'll take nopthing away from the 'Fins game. Tannehill has been very impressive, although he's a rookie, but still good. Reggie Bush was non-existent. Hartline, whos the 10th best receiver (stat-wise) right now.. was also non-existent and we forced turnovers.

I also thought we held the Colts in check for 3 quarters.

We need the Tennessee Titans D that played vs the 'Fins every game. Wimbley & Ayers need to get pressure on the QB. Griffin needs his man card back. McCarthy hopefully is 100%, or close to it. Casey/Martin/Marks need to all 3 step up, can't give up 5 yards consistently up the middle.

Steelers are the 19th scoring offense. They had injuries all over the offensive line, and had ZERO run game (which ill give us some credit for that). Big Ben still tossed it for 363 yards. Dont consider that holding in check..

I'll take nopthing away from the 'Fins game. Tannehill has been very impressive, although he's a rookie, but still good. Reggie Bush was non-existent. Hartline, whos the 10th best receiver (stat-wise) right now.. was also non-existent and we forced turnovers.

I also thought we held the Colts in check for 3 quarters.

We need the Tennessee Titans D that played vs the 'Fins every game. Wimbley & Ayers need to get pressure on the QB. Griffin needs his man card back. McCarthy hopefully is 100%, or close to it. Casey/Martin/Marks need to all 3 step up, can't give up 5 yards consistently up the middle.

I initially didn't like the timing of our bye (week-11 is too late), but it could be the perfect time if we're going to make any noise this year.

There aren't many "well rested" teams going into the 4th month of the season, this could be a blessing in disguise.