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49ers opponent Q&A: Tennessee Titans Examiner Jonathan Mohan
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The 49ers have to find a way to stop Chris Johnson.
(AP Photo/John Russell)
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As the 49ers prepare to face the Titans this Sunday, I checked in with Tennessee Titans Examiner Jonathan Mohan.
We exchanged a handful of questions with each other about our teams.
Here's what I asked:
The Titans finally got their first win of the year against Jacksonville this past Sunday. After weeks of struggling to find some kind of consistency, what would you say was the problem that prevented the Titans from playing at a level that people expected them to perform at?
There wasn’t exactly one problem that plagued the Titans during their winless start to the 09’ season; it was a combination of issues. First and foremost were the key off-season losses of DT Albert Haynesworth on the line and CB Chris Carr in the return game. While Big Al required a constant double team, the rest of the Titans D line were left to one-on-one match-ups, forcing opposing teams to pass quickly, often forcing mistakes.
With less of a pass rush this year, quarterbacks have been able to relax in the pocket and dissect the Titans Pro-Bowl secondary. The Titans have allowed a 300-yard passer in five of seven games this season and have only six team interceptions on the year, while two came last week against Jacksonville. Also without Haynesworth, as the season progresses teams are able to increase their rushing offense as the Tennessee defensive line wears down a bit. A rotation of starters along with injuries, have made for a very inconsistent defense in 09’.
Last season Chris Carr gave the Titans tremendous field position every time they stepped on the field. This year Tennessee has been struggling to even catch the kicks, much less find a consistent return man. Just this week Tennessee re-signed former Titan and Florida State wide receiver Chris Davis, with hopes to generate some sort of spark in the return game.
The defensive struggles have had a significant effect on the offense by forcing Kerry Collins to go out and win every week rather than manage each game. If Collins is throwing the ball 35 times per game, then Tennessee is not playing their style of football.
Here is an article I wrote in September pointing out a few reasons why the Titans will have a tough time this year. I knew in the off season that it was going to be a battle this year, although I, like the rest of the nation never expected it would turn out this bad.
Vince Young is back under center after sitting on the bench as Kerry Collins led the team to a division title last year, but an 0-6 start this year. What does Young bring to the team that Collins doesn’t?
Vince Young this year alone brings a fresh attitude to a miserable first half of the season that is long lost, and that’s the most important attribute in my opinion. Right now the Tennessee Titans players and fans are in need of a change, and from the past year in his life, so is Vince Young. By just one phone call, the marriage made by Bud Adams of Tennessee and VY is back on in Nashville.
In general, Young brings the sense of mobility in the pocket with his unique ability to scramble, making plays and forcing defenses to miss tackles with his feet.
Although Collins is the more accurate passer, Young forces the opposing team to respect his legs as well as Chris Johnson and LenDale White. By keeping the defense off-balanced, Tennessee will be able to exploit mismatches and force mistakes, as they did on Sunday against Jacksonville.
The most explosive player on the Titans offense is running back Chris Johnson. With amazing breakaway speed and a 228-yard rushing performance against the Jaguars, can the 49ers rush defense (ranked 2nd in the league) stop the explosive back?
Not to use a worn out Sports Center phrase, but you cannot stop Chris Johnson, you can only hope to contain him. No matter how you line up against the guy, he still will gain at the minimum 50-60 yards. He has only been held under 75 yards twice this season while his lowest rushing total of the year came against the Colts in Week Five as they held him to just 34 yards. In Johnson’s defense, it was a 31-9 Colts blowout victory and he had only nine rushing attempts the entire game.
To contain the explosive back, yes, you must stack the box but also spread the field. Once opponents bunch up, leaving open holes in the defensive scheme, Johnson finds a seam; it’s off to the races. Minus CJ in the short passing and screen game, unfortunately no Titans receivers have proved to be valid one-on-one threats this season. Until the 49ers secondary gets beat deep, I wouldn’t expect to see any double teams, which will lead to Johnson continually being smothered. Since it’s a collision of the number two rushing offense verses the number two rushing defense, the game will no doubt be a smash mouth, defensive struggle. The key will be can Johnson keep from committing any turnovers? So far this season he has only one fumble on the year.
The Titans rank near last in some major defensive categories. With the 49ers trying to find some kind of offensive rhythm, do you think the 49ers offense can take advantage of the Titans’ recent struggles?
Vernon Davis is going to be the most important key element to the 49ers success on Sunday as he proposes the largest threat to the Titans secondary. Cortland Finnegan will most likely shadow Isaac Bruce, who is an old friend of the Titans, all afternoon. Although he will be played tough, Bruce will still get his opportunities to make the big plays.
I agree with you on Michael Crabtree getting his first official NFL touchdown against the Titans. The rookie wide out is too explosive and will be looking to exploit the weak Tennessee pass defense, which ranks dead last in the league at 282 yards per game.
With MJD trampling Tennessee for 177 yards and two touchdowns on only eight carries, Gore and Coffee should get a chance to move the ball effectively. After the recent performances by Laurence Maroney and Maurice Jones-Drew, the Titans rushing defense has slipped to 18th overall. I would expect the 49ers to be able to move the ball effectively, but they must avoid mistakes in order to control the tempo of the contest. If they can manage the clock with the ground game, forcing Tennessee to call more pass plays, then Alex Smith and company should come away with a win.
Who wins this game and who is the game MVP?
I’m dangling my credibility out on a limb when I say this, knowing that the Niners are the favorite, but I think VY and his legs, reminiscent of his rookie season, will be the deciding factor. While still managing the team with a fun, fresh attitude, focusing solely on the rushing attack, Young will make the proper plays and put the Titans in a prime position for the victory.
The Titans are tied for first in the league in sacks allowed per game at 0.7, so Young should have the time to make the correct throws and choose the right time occasions to run. My final prediction will be the Tennessee Titans over the San Francisco 49ers by a score of 24-21 on a late field goal from the foot of Rob Bironas.
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Check out the questions Jonathan asked me at the Tennessee Titans Examiner page.
Follow me on Twitter for updates. Check me out here @SLam49ersRelated Articles:
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