Tennessee Titans: Preseason Game 1 Atlanta Falcons
By Les Bailey
The Tennessee Titans travel down to the Georgia Dome to kick off the 2015 Preseason schedule on Friday night against the Atlanta Falcons. The Titans and fans have had a very long training camp and players are ready to hit someone on a different team.
More at Titan Sized: Mariota’s classmates get sobering reminder.
You can see the 7:00 PM kickoff on the NFL Channel, or online at NFL.com. If you are like me, and are a Sirius subscriber, you can listen to the game on channel 88 if you are a Titans fan, or channel 93 for the Falcons side of the broadcast.
Unfortunately, if you are hoping to see a throwing contest between rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota and Matt Ryan, you will be disappointed. Mariota and the main starters will probably get only a couple of series before they move to the sidelines.
If you want to see how Zach Mettenberger is coming along, this game is for you. Expect Mett to get the lion’s share of the snaps in Atlanta, with some left over for Charlie Whitehurst and maybe a few snaps for Alex Tanney.
The early series should give us a look at the Falcon’s number one draft pick, pass-rusher Vic Beasley out of Clemson, and a little peek at how second-year left tackle, Taylor Lewan can handle the rookie rusher if he’s healthy enough to take some snaps.
Can he protect our new franchise quarterback?
For the most part however, the Titans will want to see all of the rookies who have yet to see the NFL at full speed. In addition to the newly-drafted players, they will want to see a lot of the undrafted free agents in action on an NFL field.
This preseason game also give the coaching staff a chance to workout game-time activities from the side-lines, coaches and staff need preseason games as well.
We should get a first-hand look at the progress the Falcons have made with new head-coach, Dan Quinn. The “Dirty Birds” have always been somewhat sound on the offensive side of the ball, but are looking for a lot of improvement on defense.
The Titans will get a good look at the running game, sort out the pecking order in the receiving game, and get a good look at hopefuls on the defense.
The injuries on the the Titans sidelines is growing but there are not a lot of serious problems. Blidi Wreh-Wilson will probably not see action Friday and is week-t0-week with an ankle injury.
Delannie Walker practiced on Wednesday but was in pain with his hand and will probably not play on Friday night.
Nose tackle Sammie Watkins was moved off the PUP list, but has not seen any action in training camp. He has been working on the sideline, but will not see any action Friday night.
Out for the season:
- Defensive back, Cody Prewitt has a foot problem.
- Tight end Dorin Dickerson Achilles injury.
- Defensive back Brandon Harris knee surgury.
The depth chart at titansonline.com is a must to have as you are watching this game.
The player on offense to keep an eye on is Dorial Green-Beckham. The second-round pick hasn’t played since the 2013 season, and I expect coach Whisenhunt will throw the 6’5″ receiver to the wolves with Zack Mettenberger hurling the rock.
On defense keep an eye on Marqueston Huff. Huff has turned some heads in camp, and is listed as a backup cornerback as well as a backup safety. Cody Riggs is another defensive player to watch.