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49ers 2009 opponent breakdown: Tennessee Titans (Week 9)
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Will Vince Young ever get his chance to start for
the Titans ever again?
(AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
The 49ers return home after two games on the road against tough AFC South opponents to host the AFC South champion Titans. The Titans finished 13-3 last year due mostly to a solid running game and great pressure from Albert Haynesworth.
With the departure of Haynesworth, the Titans still provide a very strong secondary. Let's take a look at what the 49ers have in store for Week 9.
2008 Record: 13-3 (1st AFC South)
Last meeting: 11/27/05 @ Tennessee (Titans win 33-22)
2009 schedule: Week 9 @ San Francisco
Top 3 best players: QB Kerry Collins, LB Keith Bulluck, DE Kyle Vanden Bosch
Notable draft picks: WR Kenny Britt, TE Jared Cook, RB Javon Ringer
Notable new acquisitions: WR Nate Washington, WR Mark Jones, DT Jovan Haye, CB DeMarcus Faggins
Notable losses: CB Chris Carr, DT Albert Haynesworth, WR Brandon Jones, CB Eric Kin
Putting together the top three best players for the Titans was hard since the team is loaded with talent. I wanted to add in running back Chris Johnson into the mix but I am curious to see how he would do in his sophomore year.
But if we're talking about the Titans offense, we need to start at quarterback. Kerry Collins "managed" the offense last year, but with the talent he has, he can still lead this very explosive offense. His track record as a starting quarterback isn't very impressive, but his ability to lead good teams to the playoffs (Panthers, Giants) speaks for itself. But of course, Collins also has had some forgettable years (Saints, Raiders) so he can be a mixed bag.
But with the talent around him in Tennessee, Collins should help produce another winning season for the Titans. Vince Young is on the bench waiting for his time to shine. After losing the starting job last year, Young hasn't been given much of a chance to shine. He has complained about his role and says that a fresh start elsewhere might be the best situation for him.
Young is a great athlete and maybe his role with the Titans is over. I will assume that Collins remains as the team starter for this game. If Collins is under center, we can expect a nice dosage of Chris Johnson and LenDale White.
Aside from their little quarrel through Twitter about who's better, these two combined may be the best running back duo in the league. The two totaled 24 touchdowns last year and 2,001 rushing yards. Known as "Smash and Dash", White is the hard hitting, up the middle back used in many goal line plays. Johnson on the other hand is the speed demon that can break it outside.
The 49ers now have two big backs to worry about in the game. Most times containing one back for the 49ers wouldn't seem too tough. But is the defense focused enough to try to contain two backs? It was difficult on a lot of teams last year.
The passing game features two solid tight ends in Bo Scaife and Alge Crumpler. The deep passing game will have to grow now with Justin Gage, newcomer Nate Washington, rookie Kenny Britt and Lavelle Hawkins. Without a "star receiver", the Titans are looking for one of these players to step up into the role. Both Gage and Washington have had success in the NFL as receivers, but I expect Britt to make an impact as a rookie. The 49ers should be able to hold down the deep threat by the Titans, but they have to prevent the receivers from breaking tackles and making small gains into big ones.
On defense, I wanted to add Cortland Finnegan to the list of top three best players also. Finnegan had five interceptions at cornerback. It seemed like he was in every highlight reel for all the Titans' wins last year. The secondary for the Titans are all ballhawks. The recovery speed is tremendous and the Titans made 20 interceptions last year (sixth best in the league).
The 49ers should watch for the pressure at the line of scrimmage. Even with Albert Haynesworth's departure and shuffle at tackle to replace him, DE Kyle Vanden Bosch should be back to form after suffering a groin injury last year. Along with Vanden Bosch and Jevon Kearse, the 49ers tight ends and tackles will have a lot on their plate.
Pressure to the 49ers offensive line means that the running game must find a way to get the 49ers down the field. The 49ers two-running back system will have to shoulder a lot against the Titans defense.
If this game comes down to the wire, the field goal kicking department for the Titans isn't bad either. Rob Bironas (Joe Nedney's replacement in Tennessee) has one of the strongest legs in the league. The 49ers' Joe Nedney has one of the most accurate foots I've seen in a while. It will be interesting to see how these two kickers do if the game is close.
The talent level of the Titans does overmatch the 49ers. The 49ers can hope to contain the Titans running game, but it could be too much for them to handle. The Titans should win this game, but the 49ers can definitely keep it close.
Trying out Twitter for 49ers updates. Check me out here @SLam49ers
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