Titans Think About Missed Chances

PITTSBURGH -- He stood behind a podium dressed in a collared shirt with blue jeans. Kerry Collins, the Titans quarterback, looked more like a country singer talking about an album that just isn't selling well.

Collins, instead, was talking about missed opportunities following a 13-10 overtime loss to the Steelers Thursday night.

"Yeah, it was a shame," Collins said. "We let that one get away. But on the road, against a good football team, if you make the mistakes we made, you're going to lose more ball games than you win. So it's disappointing. It's one of those things where you have to learn from it and move on."

The Titans missed two field goal tries, Collins made a bad throw toward the end zone that was intercepted by safety Troy Polamalu, they went 4-13 on third down and out-rushed the Steelers.

Still, it wasn't enough for the Titans.

The Titans have to go back home and wonder what more can they do to take the next step.

Last year, the Titans finished 13-3 but were knocked out of the playoffs by the Ravens in the AFC divisional playoffs. This year, the schedule opened with them on the road with a chance to knock off the Steelers and their Terrible Towels.

But the Titans have to think about missed chances.

In some ways they were defiant about what happened to them.

"I think we set the tone anyway," linebacker Keith Bullock said. "It's not like they drilled us or played that much better than us. It was two strong, evenly matched teams and one came out on top. It was like a 15-round old school Ali-Frazier fight. They are great fighters, but only one is going to win. That's how it is sometimes."

The Titans are encouraged by rookie wide receiver Kenny Britt (four catches for 85 yards) and what Justin Gage provided to the offense. Gage had seven catches for 78 yards with one touchdown. Collins threw to him 11 times. But Britt became the story with a nice sideline catch during the game and averaging 21.3 yards per catch.

Britt's efforts were big considering that Nate Washington, who left the Steelers to join the Titans in free agency, was a non-factor on Thursday due to health reasons.

But Collins said he could get to trust Britt.

"I liked what I saw," Collins said. "A young guy, a rookie."

Collins said Britt has the speed to get deep, push the cornerbacks and can run outside deep routes.

"He's got the ability to stretch defenses," Collins said.

There will be time for that next week, but the Titans have to feel somewhat down after a game like this. They created turnovers, especially when safety Michael Griffin stripped Hines Ward at the end of regulation near the Titans 10-yard line to end a drive.

The Titans sacked Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger four times, picked him off twice and held the running game to just 36 yards.

But you can just tell how painful this loss was when after Jeff Reed made his game-winning 33-yard field goal in overtime, Griffin slammed his helmet in anger.

"We have to move on," Bullock said. "It's a game we should have won, we squandered an opportunity but give Pittsburgh credit. We just shot ourselves in the foot."

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

9-11-2009 @ 6:58PM

Piker21 said...

The Titans had that game won but Kerry really has no go wide outs
Plus rob come on man hwhat kind of kicker misses the first field goal of the season

9-11-2009 @ 7:33PM

santafesamg said...

No Ben won that game. Its called clutch. You cant buy it ask Dallas and Washington.

9-11-2009 @ 8:07PM

anyczrich said...

since when is Dallas a "buyer"

Most of their starters have been acquired from the Draft or consists of Free Agents that no one else wanted.

The only big time money Dallas spends is when they resign their own players.. What's wrong with that?

The only big time splash Dallas made recently was TO three years ago and Roy Williams this year

9-12-2009 @ 2:09AM

Steel Wheel said...

Uh, "anyczrich" before you attempt to defend your pathetic team you might want to research your own team. The following list is your existing roster of starters that were "free agents" or "unwanted players".

-Roy Williams
-Leonard Davis
-Igor Olshansky
-Keith Brooking
-Ken Hamlin
-Marc Colombo
-Kyle Kosier
-Gerald Sensabaugh

You lost

- LB Zach Thomas (dumped by Phins, signed by the whoreboys)
- DT Tank Johnson (Oh this is pathetically obvious)
- LB Kevin Burnett (drafted by the Cryboys)
- WR Terrell Owens (signed by the whoreboys)
- SS Roy Williams (drafted by Cryboys)
- DE Chris Canty (drafted by Cryboys)
- CB Anthony Henry (free agent signing and traded for...wait for it...Jon Kitna...brilliant move)
- G Joe Berger (a free agent signing 3 years ago)
- TE Tony Curtis (drafted by Cryboys)
- QB Brad Johnson (signed for aura???)
- CB Adam Jones (classic cowboy-whorism)
- P Sam Paulescu (drafted by Cryboys)

Bottom line: Cowboys last draft expert (Jimmy Johnson) left years ago and while you might think they are solid drafters the truth of the matter is that they DON'T draft well beyond the 2nd round and Jerry ultimately tries to find "diamonds in the rough" because of his lack of faith in the very management he hires. It's called micro-managing and Jones has destroyed your franchise because of it.

The sooner you realize that your team is NOT better off with the likes of Jones the sooner you'll be able to get off that high horse and bring that colossal sized ego back down to Earth.

The only thing "big time" about Dallas is their over-inflated self worth and their ridiculous delusions of grandeur.

9-12-2009 @ 6:38PM

deitrade said...

down the Cowboys by making deragatory comments as if your Team was so clean. You won 4 Superbowls in the 70s when steriods use was not illegal and according to some of your I am sick and tired of you Pittsburgh fans who constantly putveru own 70s member use was pretty high. In fact it was so high that you already have had 18 members of your 70s Team pass away and most all the deaths had steriod use in common. Half of the deaths were heart related. One player committed suicide because he wanted the organization to come clean but he felt as if his team mates left him hanging alone. Drugs and negative behavior are throughout the NFL. Stop acting as if your team is so pure!

9-12-2009 @ 6:49PM

To all you Steeler fans who constantly attack the Cowboys. We do not have 18 members of the 70s era ( between the ages of 35 and 58) who have already passed away, with steriod use being the commom link to most of the deaths. WHAT A STEEP PRICE for Glory and bragging rights! Stop bragging as if your Organization is so pure!

9-13-2009 @ 12:27AM

psu74dl said...

thank you doctor deitrade for you evaluation.

our 70s era might have been on roids along with yours and almost every other team in the NFL

your 90s team was cocaine

which is worse?

9-13-2009 @ 6:59AM

Mr.PSU, too answer your question, in short I would say steriods is worse. I only know of one Cowboy ( verses 18 ) who passed away because of estacy(drug use). Yes, some Boys were caught using recreational drugs ( which could also cause harm or even death ) but what you do NOT know is that while doing my research on Pittsburg, they too mentioned recreational drug use. My Point, don't trash another Team without looking at yours more throughly.

9-13-2009 @ 7:53PM

First things first, I'm not the one seeking out posts about opposing teams and dogging their teams on that post so kindly piss off on that front.

Second the steroid factor was rampant throughout the NFL in the 70's and 80's. It was exclusive to the Burgh but it is most publicized by the Burgh because of our success. Pittsburgh doesn't sweep details under the rug or try to pass it off. I know my team's history pal. I read the fine print and I never EVER said my team was pure as driven snow. They make mistake but they don't try to sweep it under the rug...if they did morons like you wouldn't be making colossal sized assumptions like the Stillers were the ONLY team to use roids and their players were the only ones to have multiple player deaths according to the use.

Third, I pity the fact that you actually think an illicit ILLEGAL recreational drug like cocaine is an OK thing over steroid use in the 70's which was NOT illegal. I'm not condoning roid use because I've witnessed what it does to people but for Godsake the men that used it were chasing a dream not chasing addictive escapism.

Go buy a clue

9-13-2009 @ 10:22PM

Keep OMITTING your STEALERS drug use history when you make comments when bashing the Cowboys. You Pittsburgh fans NEVER would bring it up, so I did it for you! Learn to READ, I never said the Steelers were the ONLY Team to use, they just have the most deaths. Huge price for BRAGGING RIGHTS remember?? The Cowboys have never had a death linked to steriods. I admitted Cowboy drug use and stated it was harmful and could cause death. I don't dog post as you call it. I counter with facts and stats when I read moronic comments attacking my Team. I am here to stay, have a good day.

9-13-2009 @ 11:11PM

You're funny. It's hilarious how the original post was a comment on cowboys and their idiotic management moves and here comes another cowboy apologist ignoring the actual topic and going off on some tangent pertaining to the 70's. The best thing about those 70's Super Bowl victories over the cryboys is that you can never take it away. We pwnd your asses and all you can do is spew your steroid crap 30 years later. Good luck with that.

Is there some kind of point you're making with this steroid thing? When you're reading these "factual" articles does it ever dawn on you that every team had access to the juice? Do you ever dial a clue and think that perhaps the players that have died you hear about are those that were on the team of the 70's? It's easy to expose dirt on the team that had the most success back then...but that wouldn't enter your logic would it? The FACTS are that roids were and are still apart of the professional athletic world. They were a part of my football team in HS in the 80's as much as they were a part of the NFL. Just because you've read about more Steelers dieing from it than any other club doesn't prove that your beloved dallas team didn't have just as many guys on it.

And you have a pleasant evening too sweetheart

9-14-2009 @ 12:28AM

SteelWheel, I am still here but to put it short and SWEET, my friend, you are so full of it! I am here to debate but some one like you makes it hard, ..Because you read only what you wish to read, then comment. You seem to like to rag on the Cowboys and accuse them of using steriods just as strongly but you offer no names or prove. Logic says that if as many Cowboys used steriods as the Steelers did in the 70s then there would be at least one death. You hint that you do research, name one Cowboy of the 70s who has passed away when steriods were rampant? You hate the Cowboys and the fans. I do not hate the Steelers. I hate Steeler fans like you who shoot off their mouth simply out of hate.

9-14-2009 @ 4:32AM

SteelWheel, to continue bickering back and forth with you will only make it seem as if I do not respect other Steeler fans opinions. It's fans like you who I do not respect. This debate is over, time to move forward, Enuff said.

9-14-2009 @ 10:07AM

Chris said...

Amen Steel Wheel! Thats about the size of it all.

As soon as Jerry Jones leaves then and only then will the "Cowpokes" begin to evolve as a franchise.

He gravitates toward the outcast free agent player who, in most cases, wouldn't make it on other NFL rosters.

Dallas' recruitment and draft capabilities suck and the antics that have went on over the last 15 years on that team are what make that obvious.

9-14-2009 @ 11:02AM

brownpride57 said...

you cowpady fans are a bunch of crybabies,and its true you can cry about how this and how that but you cant cry away the loss' the cowpaddies have againt the best team of all time,so still that in your whinning cowpaddy and smoke it hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

9-14-2009 @ 1:19PM

This is a Cowboy topic and how Sad it attracts deragatory comments from the so called best team fans. Cowpaddies, cryboys,cowgirls, very original. Who taught you these names, your daddy or elementary teacher ( born and bred to hate). Make your comments or opinions without sounding childish.....look in the mirror.

9-17-2009 @ 1:15PM

The past is the past people- coke, roids and you name it where among the things these guys did in the 70's and 80's, every team in the league had offenders.

Lyle Alzado comes to mind as well as a few others.

The only reason the Steeler and or the Cowboys are brought out in the light is due to their success. I believe I have read that these nuts where using very crude, for the time, growth hormones and GOD knows what else.

But at that time it was not illegal to use steriods at all, they weren't even tested.

Let it go, it was a great time for football and it is what it is, history.

9-17-2009 @ 1:16PM

BTW - Go Steelers!