Titans Watch: 39 More Days
August 5th, 2015
Joe’s already called opening day against the Tennessee Titans on Sept. 13 in Tampa a “must-win.”
It’s not a must-win for the standings. Duh. But it is necessary for the psyche of a fanbase that’s hasn’t seen a home victory since 2013, and compares Jameis Winston to Marcus Mariota.
Mariota will quarterback the Titans against the Bucs, and Tampa Bay simply can’t lose to a garbage team with a rookie quarterback at home. Can’t happen, especially with the Bucs next two games in New Orleans and in Houston. There’s not enough room in local mental wards to handle an 0-3 start.
So in the spirit of this September Super Bowl, Joe is launching a daily Titans Watch immediately.
Joe will call your attention to a BSPN report of Mariota’s inconsistencies at practice Monday night.
Mariota was good in the red zone but rough in 7-on-7 work, which features zero pass rush. And Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt made a wacky excuse for his rookie QB, the No. 2 overall pick.
Why the trouble in 7-on-7 and then the solid play in team?
“Some of that may have been coverage generated,” coach Ken Whisenhunt said. “They’re playing off, sometime in 7-on-7, instead of taking the underneath, you want to make a play. Especially on a night like this, there is a big crowd and you press a little bit.
“When you get into a team situation and it’s first down at the 20 and you get a 6- or 7-yard gain, those are important plays in the red zone. When you’re in the 7-on-7, those feel like, ‘OK, whatever.’ So you want to try to make those [bigger] plays, it was a little bit of that, I think.”
Really, Coach? Mariota was crumbling from the “big crowd” at Titans practice. The guy just played for Oregon and how many folks actually attend a Titans practice on a Monday night.
Strange talk. Regardless, Mariota has had a good camp so far, with fans losing their minds with glee because he’s yet to throw an interception and Jameis Winston, America’s Quarterback, has thrown several.
August 5th, 2015 at 10:00 am
I’m not sweating the interceptions. They may actually be good. If you force some throws and it doesn’t work out in your favor, you can learn from that. Then in game situations, you know what you can and can’t get away with. If Mariota doesn’t throw any interceptions in practice, then he may not be pushing his limits and understanding what he can/can’t get away with when he is forced to in a game.
August 5th, 2015 at 10:13 am
I wonder if David will spy Mariota the way Brooks would be all over Vick?
August 5th, 2015 at 10:16 am
Wow!! Garbage team??? What do we have??? We will be lucky not to be 0-3. Not throwing interceptions is BAD??? haha I guess Mariota is just a BAD quarterback and won’t learn from his non-mistakes!!! Well, at least JW can learn from his!!!
August 5th, 2015 at 10:23 am
The “REAL REASON” why Mariotta hasn’t thrown a pick?? The Titan’s 4-3 D from last year is learning their new 3-4 scheme. Any team with a “transitioning” defense will see that D be hot garbage for the coming year…ESPECIALLY when going from a 4-3 to 3-4. If Mariotta was seeing our defense in his camp…Yeah.
August 5th, 2015 at 10:26 am
I’m very confident in Jameis
August 5th, 2015 at 10:36 am
This is less than nothing. Mariotta is fine. But Glennon and Brad Johnson didn’t throw a lot of picks either. Check downs and screens are high percentage throws. Koetter has a vertical system. Comparing the two is a pointless waste of time.
August 5th, 2015 at 10:43 am
A daily Titans watch, that should be good. Some Buc fans will relax in their seats, others will be on the edge of their seats. Seems appropriate since we are already getting nearly a play by play of Titans practice from some Bucs fans wanting a do over of the draft.
August 5th, 2015 at 11:01 am
Winston > Mariotta. All Day, Every Day.
August 5th, 2015 at 11:12 am
A Mariota watch!?! Joe has finally come to his senses!! Albeit about 6 months to late, but I still love it! Hahaha
August 5th, 2015 at 11:13 am
Winston = BUST
August 5th, 2015 at 11:20 am
I don’t think that there is anything wrong with comparing or watching the two players (JW and MM) as their NFL careers unfold since they will always be linked throughout their careers, just as Gerald McCoy and Ndamukong Suh will always be compared. I am totally “IN” with JW and believe that he will turn into the better prospect long term, just as GM. I would dare say that many of us thought that Vinny Tesaverde was going to be a saviour here as well until his interceptions (color blindness) derailed him and he was sent packing. I agree that I am not concerned at this stage with JW and his INT’s in camp as it is all about the learning process.
August 5th, 2015 at 11:23 am
Jody= BUST
August 5th, 2015 at 11:26 am
I have a strong feeling that the defenses Lovie and Leslie is throwing at Jameis will be the same defenses Mariota will see during game 1. Dirk Koetter is getting Jameis prepared for his offense, it’s a complex wide open offense it’s vertical. But the slot receiver has to have the speed to take the Linebacker and Safety upfield to create room for the TE. But i’m glad that Jameis are making these mistakes now so early in camp, because he will have time to correct them. He’s probably in the film room with the QB coach and Dirk Koetter at this moment. I watch a lot of Falcons games while Koetter was the OC and every game at least 8-10 different receivers caught passes. He will use all of his weapon unlike what we seen last season with the Bucs with VJAX and Mike Evans getting the most of the looks.
August 5th, 2015 at 11:29 am
I dropped by the Titans website just outta curiosity, I’ll just say this. Mariota is a ROCKSTAR up there, watch the behind the scenes video of his autograph session. The fan base couldn’t be happier with him. A few even told him they would be in Tampa cheering him on. For the love of god we better not lose to them week one, or this fan base will self distruct. Including myself.
August 5th, 2015 at 11:33 am
87= that was funny!!
August 5th, 2015 at 11:41 am
Agreed Jody = Bust Go Jameis !
August 5th, 2015 at 12:00 pm
Mariota didn’t throw picks in college and he isn’t throwing picks now. Winston threw picks in college and he is throwing them now. You are who you are. If he doesn’t get this problem corrected, then he will be an awful NFL QB.
August 5th, 2015 at 12:15 pm
Bucs will increase tkt sales with Wiston as qb coming from Florida but…. M.M. had much better stats and in time will be the better qb. M.M. is a much better athlete and more accurate.
August 5th, 2015 at 12:27 pm
Jody=eat a fat d@$!. Sucka sam=why don’t you take your a$$ to tenn. And any other idiotic a$$whole who believes throwing to checkdowns all practice makes you better well just be sure an tune yo a$$ in week one.
August 5th, 2015 at 12:29 pm
bffl let me guess,you probably a lizard right???
August 5th, 2015 at 12:33 pm
Winstons a Buc. Mariota’s not. All I care about is Winston playing to his best. If he does, we’ll be ok. I don’t care about mariota’s stats until we play the Titans in a super bowl. What happens this September, has little to do in the long run. This is going to be a rebuilding year, like it or not. I agree with the Joes, 6 wins is a good improvement this year. Any more is gravy. Mmmm gravy.
August 5th, 2015 at 12:50 pm
This Mariota watch is going to be good, I can tell already.
August 5th, 2015 at 12:54 pm
Marcus Mariota…you’re my hero.
August 5th, 2015 at 12:58 pm
Ken Whis runs a very complex offense. Almost every young quarterback he went with struggled mightily with it. How is mariota, coming from a spread exclusive system, supposed to run an offense week one in that system? I would be shocked to see him be more than a game manager those first few games. And his athleticism wont be enough. Not on a team that void of talent. Sure we have holes on our team here in Tampa, but compared to Tennessee we’re the freaking ’07 Patriots! We should definitely win. We have a more “pro ready” quarterback in a less demanding system and overall we have more talent! Lebeau going to wish he retired by October! He dosent have guys like Hampton, Harrison pr Polamalu! Not even close! Plus I would say the Bucs have a better shot than Tennessee in their respective division. The Colts are elite. The Texans are just physically dominant and the Jags arent the most talented team ever, but they can beat you up! Their defense hits hard! Seems alot harder than the aging Saints, the way ward Falcons and the underachirving Panthers! So forget Mariota! And forget BSPN, the Bucs will be much closer to being “legit” than the Titans when tje season concludes. And if we cant beat those guys week one, then dont be surprised if we go 0-16, because there isnt a worse team we face all year, except maybe the Redskins, but at least they got an o line and Desean! Tennessee is squat!
August 5th, 2015 at 1:03 pm
I look forward to the RS opener.
Let’s hope their pro debut game lives up to the hype.
August 5th, 2015 at 1:09 pm
Nole
you sure enjoy playing the race card and calling names… Are you are old enough to use the keyboard without mommies permission??? It would be be hilarious if you could actually make a valid point without acting like a 2 year old.
Let me remind you that you were the dumbarse that tried to give Lovie credit for Urlacer when he had 3 pro-bowls prior to lovie every setting foot in Chicago. actually all 3 of lovies big stars in Chicago were there and successful prior to his arrival.
speaking of lizards why don’t you take drdneast to the truck stop and show him your route, I am sure the truckers will enjoy the two of you on your knees plus it would save you money on knee pads having help.
I’ve been quietly reading your attacks people without facts for months now and finally had enough today. learn how to communicate and use your words or stay on your knees at the truck stop loser. I look forward to your ignorant response.
August 5th, 2015 at 2:45 pm
Wow, Winston fans sure are thin skinned.
August 5th, 2015 at 3:54 pm
Who cares about throwing picks, Jameis Winston was 26-1 in college with a NCAA Championship, he had 1 loss in High School with multiple championships. At Lakeland High we haven’t had a losing season in 37 years, Coach Castle use to preach this to us all of the time( the only important stat is the WIN). The Bucs will rise again and Jameis , cannon arm and high football IQ will get us there. GO BUCS
August 5th, 2015 at 4:13 pm
Calling the Bucs Titans game a “must win” is asinine. If the fan base can’t see that it’s one game in a long process then they lack perspective and common sense.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this site, but every time he reads Joe call this a “must win” it makes a dent in his credibility.
Would it suck to lose?—yes, but is it a “must win?” Nope–no—not in any way.
August 5th, 2015 at 5:07 pm
If we don’t invoke our ‘Oldschool Mike Vick defensive gameplan’ against Mariota, Lovie and Frazier should instantly be fired…
August 5th, 2015 at 5:19 pm
Yeah but a loss in the home opener will stink big time and that’s enough for me to agree it is a must win. Not life or death must win, but to win that game would be huge feat right off the start.
August 5th, 2015 at 5:42 pm
I see the Titans game as a psychological “must win.” Of course we can lose that game and still have a good season, but if we lose that game, everything becomes a huge uphill battle from day one.
But that’s more on Lovie, and has nothing to do with Winston or Mariota. Lovie was brought in to restore respectability to a moribund franchise, and proceeded to lose every single game played in our own stadium.
If draft position is any indicator, we are the worst team in football. The Titans are the second-worst. If we can’t beat the second-worst team on our own home turf in the season opener, that takes all the wind out of our sails right away.
If we can’t beat them, who can we be expected to beat? Maybe the Jags in week five? If we lose the opener, a 1-15 season would not be such a far-fetched projection.
Lovie needs to let Koetter attack the Titans’ defense with reckless abandon, and he needs to pull out all the stops on defense. Don’t hide anything, don’t save anything for later, no excuses about finding our way and getting better as the season goes on.
Win.
August 5th, 2015 at 5:43 pm
Bucs37:
“Stinking big time” and “must win” are completely different things.
I completely agree it would SUCK, especially since as a Nole I would’ve seen Winston lose 2 games in a row to Mariota.
But it still doesn’t make it a “must win”—look at the record of successful QB’s in their first rookie game, and I can guarantee you that their future success was never predicated off of the result of their first game.
That’s just STUPID. Once again, anyone who says that this game is a “must win” either lacks perspective or is only concerned with clicks or ratings. Anyone who says differently, commentator, blogist, fan, or other is severely undermining their credibility.
Suck yes. Sting yes. A “must win?” NOT IN ANY WAY.
August 5th, 2015 at 5:56 pm
Game 1 is irrelevant because the Bucs are GOING to WIN!
August 5th, 2015 at 6:04 pm
7 on 7 is almost underwear football. Wait until some blitzes are added to the mix.
August 5th, 2015 at 6:12 pm
In fact, just winning is not enough. We need to bury these corkslickers. We need to hang a 40-burger on these flaming thumbtacks.
If we win the coin toss, we need to elect to receive the ball. No B.S. strategy about the statistical advantage of deferring. We need to make a statement.
We have a young QB who is itching to play at the NFL level. We have a legit OC who might lead us to a 400-point season for the first time in 40 years. We need to get our offense on the field immediately.
We need a home win. If it’s a new day in Tampa Bay, let’s play that way. Step on their neck early and often, choke ’em out and make ’em beg for water.
GO BUCS
August 5th, 2015 at 8:14 pm
Game one is a game that we need , we need to motivate the fans. If we win and give the fans some hope for the future, it could change the atmosphere here. This game could make our entire season, if we win good things will follow. It reminds me of the 1979 season, we had went 0-14 in 1976, 2-14 in 1977 and 5-11 in 1978. But during training camp our DC Tom Bass kept bragging about our 3-4 defense, and John McKay was bragging about how good Ricky Bell and Jerry Eckwood look in the backfield. And Doug Williams was healthy after being hurt in game 6 as a rookie.We beat Detriot that first game and won 5 straight, had a slump, but still finish 10-6, won the division. We beat Ron Jaworski and the Eagles that first playoff game then lost in the NFC Final 9-0 to the Rams, Doug had a touchdown to Larry Mucker call back in that game. Ricky Bell ran for close to 1300 yards, Jerry Ecwood ran for close to 700 yards. And our defense finish 1st that year, gave up less than 15 points a game. That first game of the season can make a team entire season, it’s very important, especially at home.
August 5th, 2015 at 8:19 pm
@During training camp in 1979 and Doug was hurt in game 6 during 1978 season his rookie season.
August 5th, 2015 at 8:47 pm
LakelandBuc- You can watch that ’79 Eagles Vs Bucs game on Youtube. The Bucs should have won their 1st Superbowl that year. They were a better than the Rams and Steelers. 2 fumbles in the redzone did us in on that rainy night against the Rams.
August 5th, 2015 at 9:39 pm
tmaxxipad you spoke loud but ain’t really say nothing homie. I’ll keep an out for your next lame post with hope that it will have more substance than that weak chit you some around 1:09pm.
August 5th, 2015 at 10:03 pm
Jeez, don’t say must win because people get upset and all.
August 5th, 2015 at 10:48 pm
It isn’t a must win, but if that makes you feel better sure. This tidbit out of Titan’s camp about Mariota, “In four days of training camp workouts, he’s already making reads and throws that are far beyond his years. He is far, far, far, far ahead of where Vince Young and Jake Locker were in their formative days with the organization.”
So for those saying he is being spoon fed and taking it slow, I haven’t seen that anywhere. I think a lot of you are still stuck on this whole idea that spread QBs don’t fair well in the NFL. Either way, I hope we win, but don’t get all butt hurt if we lose. Must win? Nah, not even close, especially since 4-6 wins is what we are looking at.
August 5th, 2015 at 10:57 pm
Yep Sky….that’s what I keep saying 4-6 wins tops. I still HAVE to see pre-season first before I actually try and make a guess though.
August 6th, 2015 at 4:47 am
MUST WIN