Earl Campbell would probably crack the starting lineup right now
Jul 1, 2007 Amobi Okoye is 20, Desperate times call for desperate MEshawns, Jeff Fisher's Mustache, Pacman Jones' gunrack, Preview, Super Mario, Teams that aren't the Texans, Vinsanity
Win #4–Week 7 v. Tennessee; Win #7–Week 13 @ Tennessee. The one place where I differ from many (most? all?) other Texans bloggers is in my feelings toward Vince Young. Oh, sure, I acknowledge that he is very good and has a knack for coming up big in big games. I just don’t think he’s Jesus in Cleats (and I also suspect that he is more than a tad overrated). And, because he’s not the missing piece of a holy foursome, even Vince needs a little help to win football games.
Unfortunately for Vince, Jeff Fisher did not get that memo. Gone from Nashville are Drew Bennett, Bobby Wade, and Travis Henry. In their places are Brandon Jones, David Givens, and cut-then-begged-to-come-back Chris Henry. Fisher and Co also scrambled post-draft and tried to sign everyone from Keyshawn Johnson to Steve the Beer Guy. Clearly, this is not an offense that is going to blow anyone out.
The Titans’ O-line–surprisingly good at run blocking last year–is solid, but asking Michael Roos to block a healthy Mario Williams is a recipe for problems. (To say nothing of the potential Okoye v. Benji Olson matchup, which has possible hilarity written all over it.) On the flip side, Kyle Vanden Bosch is going to have all sorts of problems with Eric Winston. Advantage: Texans.
On the defensive side of the pigskin, the Titans lost Pacman Jones. Say what you will about the dude’s off-field stupidity, but, on the field, Jones was a game changer in coverage and in special teams. He almost single-handedly beat Jacksonville last year. In his place, the Titans hope Nick Harper–a man who is MUCH better in nickel coverage–can shut down Andre Johnson. Ain’t. Gonna. Happen. Keith Bulluck and David Thornton are both high quality OLBs, but MLB Stephen Tulloch is the opposite of that. Besides, if you are relying on your two outside ‘backers in run defense, you are giving up lots of four and five yard carries. Not good. Advantage: Texans.
In the end, this game comes down to the same thing last year’s meetings did–Vince Young against the Titans defense. However, unlike last year, unless Bo Sciafe becomes Antonio Gates, Vince is going to face a whole lot of 8- and 9-man fronts. Even Jesus would have some trouble running against that. So, pencil us in for wins in both contests this year, pencil me in winning a certain bet with Tman, and pencil in the Vince saga as back to even.
