As we get ready for the week two matchup of the Titans and Bengals, Jimmy Morris from SB Nation's Tennessee Titans blog Music CIty Miracles was kind enough to offer some insights on Nashville's finest for this week's Behind Enemy Lines feature.Sportz Assassin: I have to start out by asking this: What's up with the whole Vince Young situation?
Jimmy Morris: The whole thing was blown out of proportion. Jeff Fisher obviously had some questions about VY's mental state or he wouldn't have called the police because he knew what type of firestorm that would create, but I don't think VY was in any type of danger.
Now obviously he needs to work through some mental things while his knee is healing because an NFL QB needs to be the leader of his team, and leaders don't act like VY did on the sideline Sunday.
Sportz: Do you think Tennessee is better right now with Kerry Collins as your QB ... or is this still VY's team?
Jimmy: I have been a firm believer since the Titans drafted VY that this team should live and die with him.
Part of the reason that I believed that was because he had that "it" quality coming out of college and in his rookies season that raised the level of play of everyone around him. Something has changed over the the last year and a half because he doesn't have that same swagger. All of that to say that as long as VY is in the frame of mind that he is right now Collins is the better option to lead this team.Jimmy Morris: The whole thing was blown out of proportion. Jeff Fisher obviously had some questions about VY's mental state or he wouldn't have called the police because he knew what type of firestorm that would create, but I don't think VY was in any type of danger.
Now obviously he needs to work through some mental things while his knee is healing because an NFL QB needs to be the leader of his team, and leaders don't act like VY did on the sideline Sunday.
Sportz: Do you think Tennessee is better right now with Kerry Collins as your QB ... or is this still VY's team?
Jimmy: I have been a firm believer since the Titans drafted VY that this team should live and die with him.
The Titans defense is so good that the quarterback doesn't have to win games. They just need him to take care of the ball to keep opposing offense from having easy scoring opportunities. Collins has shown that he can do that in limited action. We will see how he plays now that it is his team for the next month or so.
Sportz: Part of that is that great defensive line you have. After a week playing the physical Jags ... you get a much softer cat in the Bengals. How much damage will your great defensive front do against a Cincy line that can't run block and can't protect Carson Palmer?
Jimmy: This is probably the best defensive front the Titans have had in the 10 years they have been in Nashville, and they have had some pretty good ones. Albert Haynesworth is the best defensive tackle in football. Kyle Vanden Bosch is one of the scrappiest players in football and has a motor that never stops. Tony Brown, the other defensive tackle, had 2 sacks on Sunday and is solid against single blocking. Jevon Kearse, who still has some gas in the tank, benefits from having so much talent around him.
If the Bengals line is as bad as you say it is, they could put up double-digit sacks against Palmer.
Sportz: Oh, it is!!! Just ask Carson Palmer's nose. I feel silly asking this, but what's the biggest advantage the Titans have over the Bengals on Sunday?
Jimmy: Albert Haynesworth missed the game between these two teams last season, and it was a completely different defense without him. With Fat Albert clogging up the middle, this is a hit you in the mouth type of defense. That is not the game the Bengals want to play. The Titans defensive line should be able to pretty much eliminate the Bengals run game, and they flat out get after the QB in obvious passing situations.
Then there is the Titans offensive line against the Bengals defense. That is another huge advantage for the Titans. Look for the Titans to come out early and run right at the Bengals with Chris Johnson and LenDale White. I predict both backs go over 100 yards on the afternoon.
Sportz: What advantage do the Bengals (if any) have on the Titans?Jimmy: I really don't see one as far as the match-ups are concerned. The Bengals obviously have a better passing game than the Titans, but the Titans secondary won't be over-matched.
Sportz: Last year, Tennessee came in here and were completely spanked 35-6 ... highlighted by Chad OchoCinco's "TV Camera Celebration". Word is that the Titans defense is still a bit bent. How do you see this game playing out?
Jimmy: The Titans defense has not forgotten that game. They will come in with a point to prove. I see the Titans winning this one in pretty convincing fashion, 28-10.
Sportz: Judging by what I've seen in the preseason and against the Ravens last week ... I think you are being too kind. The Bengals' explosive offense has been shut down due to injuries to skill guys and a total lack of execution from the offensive line. Going against the stacked Titans front doesn't bode well for the orange and black.
Thanks again to Jimmy Morris of the Music City Miracles blog for his insight into the Titans plans to keep their AFC South lead this Sunday.
