Titans defense back to full strength...not so much on the o-line

The good news is that it looks like defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch and defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth will be  practicing this week leading up to the divisional playoff game between the Tennessee Titans and the Baltimore Ravens.

The bad news is that center Kevin Mawae is still battling an elbow injury that will likely keep him out of practice this week.  This is bad because Mawae has played in the NFL for like 23 years or something and when it comes time for the playoffs, you want a veteran snapping the ball.  But instead this guy Leroy Harris will be the starting center. He's a big boy, weighing in at 302 lbs.

Moving on, The City Paper in Nashville pointed out that there are only three players on the Titans roster that were actually around for that playoff game in 2001 that everyone, including me, is talking about. Keith Bulluck (a rookie at the time), Jevon Kearse and punter Craig Hentrich (also in his second decade in the NFL) are the only players still on the Titans roster. 

This take a little wind out of my sails as well as squashes any hype that may have been building up to this 'rivalry' between teams that apparently have never met before. Jeff Fisher says,

 “These are two completely different teams. Obviously, both teams have a lot to lose. This is sudden death. Both teams are hoping to go out and play as best as they possibly can to win and move on.”

I guess he sees the difference between these teams.  Or maybe not. Or maybe I'm reading it wrong...

“Both these teams are pretty much built the same way as those teams were back in 2000,” Fisher said.

Whatever.  This is still going to be a good game even if Steve McNair and Eddie George and Frank Wycheck aren't playing.  And if Steve McNair wants to root for Baltimore, I know someone who can provide him with some good travel options while visiting Nashville.