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Mike Keith: No Panic Button
October 8, 2009
The last two Sundays, I have been asked to appear on NFL Network’s NFL Gameday Morning.
I guess T-Rac was booked.
Anyway, both Sundays they have opened my segment with the following question: “For the Tennessee Titans, is it time to push the panic button?”
Listen, no one is happy with 0-4. There is not much cheer around Baptist Sports Park. Everyone is very disappointed with this start.
Panic, however, isn’t what the Titans do.
The reality is that Jeff Fisher NEVER panics. Never. That’s why, even at 0-4, no one in the Tennessee camp is panicking.
Hard for lots of people to believe --- especially outside of the region --- but it is true. That lack of panic is the reason that the 0-4 Tennessee Titans have a shot to beat the 4-0 Indianapolis Colts. Because if Tennessee were in a full retreat right now, they would have no shot against the Colts.
The biggest problem for the Titans is that they can play very well on Sunday and still lose. Indy is just that good, just that scary.
Peyton Manning is playing the best football of his career at age 33. In each of the four games this season, Manning has thrown for over 300 yards. His passer rating so far in 2009 is 114.5.
Think of it this way: David Garrard played great at quarterback for Jacksonville on Sunday. That was one game. From a statistical standpoint, Manning has played virtually that well every single week so far in ’09.
I went looking for the Peyton Manning “Achilles Heel” statistic and I found it: the Colts are 0-11 in games where Manning throws three or more interceptions. The last time that he did that was November 11, 2007, when Manning threw six picks at San Diego.
If one remembers, however, that was a weird night for the Colts’ offense and those interceptions weren’t all Manning’s fault. Plus, he still led them back in the fourth quarter. Had Adam Vinatieri converted a late 29 yard field goal, Indy would have won in spite of Manning’s interceptions.
So before that November 11, 2007 game at San Diego, when was the last time (regular season) that Peyton Manning had thrown three interceptions in a game? It happened on December 8, 2002 in Nashville, as the Colts fell to the Titans, 27-17.
Good omen, maybe, but a better illustration of what Manning has become: he’s thrown three or more picks just ONCE in the last seven seasons.
He’s really good. And he has a lot of helpers.
The Colts may miss Marvin Harrison, but not much. Reggie Wayne is on pace for over 100 catches and more than 1500 receiving yards. Dallas Clark is, too, and his play is even more devastating since Clark is a tight end. Joseph Addai and rookie Donald Brown give the Colts two effective running backs. The Indy offensive line has allowed just two sacks in four games.
Since Indianapolis has spent much of this season playing from in front, their defense has been able to pin its ears back and cut loose. Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis have a combined 10 sacks and four forced fumbles.
Right now, after the first four games of 2009, the Indianapolis Colts look like a machine.
Still, they are beatable, as is every NFL team. Tennessee has a win over Indianapolis in each of the last three season, so the Titans players and coaches know what must be done. In many ways, however, Tennessee’s goals for this weekend should have little to do with the opponent. The Titans must be worried most about the Titans in the following areas…
The turnovers must stop. Tennessee had 17 in 2008; they are on pace for 44 in 2009. You can’t beat Indy if you are turning the ball over. Realistically, it’s hard to beat anyone making three turnovers per game.
You can’t miss assignments on defense. The Colts will move the ball, but you cannot give up huge chunks of yardage. You have to make them earn it by being in the right spot, making the tackle, etc. Forcing teams to go the long, hard way is the hallmark of Titans defense.
Win special teams. You have to make your kicks. Down punts inside the 20 when you get a chance. Don’t make mistakes with your returns. Cover kicks and punts well. Tennessee has done the little things well in special teams in recent years, although not so far in 2009. They have to return to past special teams’ form.
Sounds simple and it really is. There is no secret why the Titans are going badly; it’s just a matter of doing something about it. If they don’t make those three things happen, the Titans know full-well what Sunday night’s result will be.
The Titans’ toughest foe so far in 2009 has been the Titans. If Tennessee takes care of its own issues, they’ll have a real shot, no matter the opponent.
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(10/9/2009 9:04:17 AM) Well said Keith. By the way they need to wear the light blue jersey Sunday. |
| - Chris Davis |
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