Titans vs Chargers preseason notes

The preseason is finally here Tennessee Titans fans, and with it comes the first takeaways from the first preseason game.

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I am going to try not to over-exaggerate anything or overreact, but this is now 100% of the game film I have seen so it will be weighted heavily. Do I expect the Titans to show everything? No. Do I expect them to execute well? Yes.

Let’s see just what we learned from tonight’s game against the San Diego Chargers.

Injuries

The #2 CB spot is still unsettled after Perrish Cox (who was supposed to start) sat today with an injury. This is something that needs to get fixed before the season, and this has me a little concerned.

The other injuries were expected.

Derrick Henry is the (return) man!

I wrote about this a few months ago and really wanted to see it. He is huge and hard to bring down at full speed. The look was there, but it is a long way to the regular season.

Dual backs

Speaking of Henry, he was out their blocking (or rather as a decoy) on the first play of the preseason for the Titans. He is going to be on the field more than people think in that role.

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Sharpe is…sharp…sorry

Sharpe looked good early catching a big 31-yard catch down field even if he got popped after. On the next series he snatched a ball from a defender to prevent an interception.

He ended up leaving the field and got evaluated for a concussion.

Terrible defense early

The first team defense looked so eager to potentially sack Phil Rivers that they really struggled to maintain their blocks in the running game early. However, when it came time to actually get a pass rush on the quarterback they only managed a few hits with no sacks.

Avery Williamson who has been hyped this offseason looked bad on near back to back plays losing his assignment (the running back) in the passing game. That can’t happen on this team with a blitzing defense that relies on coverage behind the blitz.

It didn’t stop there, the Titans continued to miss easy tackles on the second series with their third string running back. This absolutely cannot happen.

They almost allowed a 1st and 20 to be converted, despite getting a flag on 3rd down that pushed the Chargers back to 3rd and 7. Even for a preseason game that is sloppy.

Chance Warmack can’t pull

I don’t know why they keep letting him, but he can’t. A pull with Warmack has never worked. Not a big note, but it is important.

Nifty Mariota

Mariota was very good all day (ended his night 5-5, 45 yards), but one of his highlights was a designed play-action scramble to the right side where he had a run-pass option. When he got to the edge he forced the defender to come up and he dumped it over his head to Rishard Matthews for a 9-yard catch that set up this next play…

DeMarco Murray is good at football

Murray had a 71-yard run for a touchdown where he followed a down block from Taylor Lewan on a misdirection to the left side and he just took a great angle and ran through arm-tackles for a huge gain.

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Andre Johnson quietly makes an impact

Johnson was available on a roll out from Mariota early and then had a long catch for 10+ yards on a play action from Matt Cassel.

Derrick Henry is pretty good yall.

Derrick Henry’s night started as a blocker, then turned into lead back with a huge string of back to back runs culminating in a drive where he ran for 56 yards on 7 carries and a touchdown in one drive. He ended the night with 10 carries for 74 yards and a TD.

Rishard Matthews

Matthews also had a nice day, including a 24-yard catch one the fourth drive of the game. He was constantly where he was supposed to be and it looked like he is ready to be a starting WR on the outside.

B.W. Webb

I don’t know the coverages, but I know that the Chargers were picking on Webb. They located him presnap several times and just threw it there immediately, which was hard to watch.

On the other hand

Da’Norris Searcy and Antwon Blake both had some very nice pops on wide receivers all of the field. Meanwhile, Kevin Byard made an excellent adjustment on the defensive side right at the end of the second half signaling that he was going to take the tight end in the seam which lead to a punt.

Not only did he do that, but he of course had a beautiful interception where he undercut the Chargers player and easily snatched up a Mettenberger pass.

I shouldn’t have left him out, but Stafford also had some very nice plays too. Looked solid in coverage and like a player who should get some real playing time this year.

Brian Schwenke

I am not a huge Schwenke fan at center, but he was the first sub on the offensive line tonight. He played with the rest of the 1s at left guard.

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