Tennessee Titans: The Silver Lining Week 17
By Josh Gunnels
Dec 30, 2012; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans outside linebacker Akeem Ayers (56) is congratulated by teammate Tennessee defensive end Kamerion Wimbley (95) for sacking Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Chad Henne (7) (not pictured)during the second half at LP Field. Titans won 38-20. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
The Tennessee Titans have made it a long difficult year for the Silver Lining post, stringing together horrible games with dismal performances. Good things come to those who wait however, and the Titans went out in a winning if not awkward fashion yesterday. The offense looked great on the opening drive and sputtered from there. The Titans defense and special teams scored 28 unanswered points without Locker and company stepping on the field to go up 35-14 on the Jags in the 3rd quarter.
So what good came out of this game?
*Special Teams/Alan Lowry/D. Reynaud
One of the lone bright spots on this team this year has been the special teams unit. Fan favorite Marc Mariani went down in the preseason with a horrible broken leg, which would have historically spelled disaster for the Titans. Remember the year Jeff Fisher thought we didn’t need a kick returner? Reynaud has stepped in for Mariani and played well all year. Lowry is probably the only coach I care if the Titans keep or not. The special teams units played admirably this year and won this final game for the Titans.
*The Titans Won
Much like the Monday Night game, the Titans found a way to win, even if it was a little unorthodox. We definitely didn’t impose our offensive will on the Jags, and the defense was sporadic at best. Why Jacksonville even tried to throw the ball at all is beyond me with the way they were running all over the Titans D. But instead of hanging heads and having one eye on their vacation homes, the Titans rallied and played hard. They finished the game strong and with an air of confidence.
*Draft Pick
Many fans were rooting for a Titans loss for a shot at a better draft pick in this upcoming off season. The Titans annoyed these fans by winning the game as if they didn’t know what was at stake! Everyone should calm down because the Titans stunk enough during the other 15 games to still be picking 10th overall in the draft. The best they could have done with a loss is 6th or 7th. We won’t know until the draft and really for another three years down the road, but I’m not worried about some massive drop in talent between these 3 draft slots. The Titans managed to get a win, a little confidence, and still have a nice nice pick for the first and subsequent rounds.
*Zach Brown
The “soft hitting” surprise second round pick from last year continues to improve and make the front office look like they know what they are doing. By far the most improved player for the Titans, Brown was all over the ball yesterday and had two pick sixes to boot. His progression has been a wonderful thing to watch and is a true silver lining on a sporadic at best defense.
That’s it for the Silver Lining this year, maybe next year won’t be so hard!
Did you see any good in the Titans finale?
you can find me on twitter @gunnelsj