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 Titan rookie running back Chris Johnson takes off for a gain with help from a big block by center Leroy Harris (64) on Rams linebacker Tim McGarigle. (T-G Photo by Gary Johnson) [Click to enlarge] |
That's the big question after an impressive 34-13 win over the St. Louis Rams in their preseason opener Saturday night at L.P. Field. The Titans really excelled in all phases of the game and at first glance, their rookie class looks to be successful.
Much-talked about, but yet unproven, rookie running back Chris Johnson made the Titan front office staff look like geniuses after his performance Saturday night. Tennessee's first-round draft pick rushed for 77 yards on six carries, including a 66-yarder for a touchdown in the first half.
Johnson has blazing speed: 4.24 in the 40-yard dash. That time is fastest in the NFL Scouting Combine in the last 15 years and is believed by many to be the fastest ever electronically timed 40-yard dash in the history of the combine.
News of Johnson's speed and talent is bound to be spreading around the league.
"Their (the Rams) staff was talking about him after the practice sessions," Titan coach Jeff Fisher said. "I'm sure that was their worst nightmare. That's why he's here. It's nice to have that kind of talent as a weapon on offense. I think when he gets the ball in his hands in the open field he always has a chance (to score)."
On the defensive side of the ball, rookie lineman Jason Jones got the start and made the most of his opportunity.
Jones (6-5, 275) was Tennessee's second-round draft pick and the 54th overall. He made a huge hit for a 3-yard loss against the Rams and looks to have a bright future and make the Titan defensive line even better.
"Jason (Jones) did a nice job," Fisher said. "He had a really solid week of practice. It appears that he is going to be able to help in the rotation up front at the tackle spot. It's early, but all signs indicate that there will be no dropoff when we start rotating tackles."
 JEVON KEARSE |
Offensively, the running game was unstoppable.
The Titans rushed for 340 yards against the St. Louis defense with seven different players carrying the football.
Returning starting running back LenDale White was very impressive with 33 yards on six carries, but the crowd favorite was unknown Quinton Ganther, who led all rushers with 115 yards on eight carries.
The question is still out on Vince Young and the Titan passing game, but free-agent pickup tight-end Alge Crumpler is going to help that cause.
At first glance, this season looks to be one to anticipate. The defense should be dominant and the offense adequate with a good running game.
Perhaps All-Pro linebacker Keith Bulluck said it best.
"This is our 10-year anniversary, and remember what happened in that first year."
Gary Johnson is a Times-Gazette sports writer. He can be contacted at gjohnson@t-g.com.
Note: The nature of the Internet makes it impractical for our staff to review every comment. If you feel that a comment is offensive, please 
i wonder if we will ever get an apology or explanation from mr. d parker for his bashing of the titans draft in april. he was wrong for doing that so early and now we're starting to see how wrong he was. on a lighter note, i'm probably not the only one that thinks our vols could be jinxed with this poll on the website. i hope it is taken away fairly soon. we all know it will be a major uphill battle to win the east division again with georgia and florida's returning talent. this poll probably doesn't represent most sec fans though. i would rather us lay low and shock everyone.
On the Titans....good win over a VERY bad team. This is pre-season. I'm not going to get excited just yet.
DoubleJ, you have to be my biggest fan. We at the Times-Gazette truly appreciate all the attention you give me and our website. I get comments on stories I don't write even. Now, that's someone who truly cares. Thanks again!! ;)
Oh, and I might would hold off judgement on this year's draft class past a single preseason game against the Rams.
I agree the Rams are bad... But the Titans have not had a play maker like the Johnson kid is going to be... Skip Holtz had this to say about him
"I'm exceptionally proud of Chris and excited for the opportunity he has earned," ECU Head Coach Skip Holtz said. "You always like to see players enjoy success, especially those who possess the incredible work ethic and commitment that Chris has. The contributions he has made to the East Carolina program are special and will leave a lasting impression on us all. I know I speak for the entire Pirate Nation in wishing him nothing but the very best in his professional career."
"Not to mention The 5-11, 200 pound running back finished this past season with 1423 yards on 236 carries, good for six yards per rush, and 17 touchdowns on the ground. He also caught 37 passes for 528 yards and six scores.
Johnson's average of 228 all-purpose yards per game ranked number one in the nation, and his 408 all-purpose yard MVP effort in ECU's 41-38 win over Boise St. in the 2007 Hawaii bowl set the Division I bowl record." (Ryan Craig WRAL.com)
Pre-season is just that the pre-seaon, but he run off that 66 yard TD vs the #1 Rams D, so I am ready to drink the kool-aid... This kid is for real and Titan fans have a lot to look forward to this upcoming season.. I hope !!!!
Parker,
Not one to stir the pot... but I think Double J is speaking to a blog on "who will the titans take in the draft". Where several people ( my self included) gave opinion based suggestions to the Titans front office and gave out our grades on the draft...
I enjoy reading your view and insights when you post them. Keep up the good work and thanks for all you and the staff do to make the T-G a great paper.
well said mtsufan. very well said. i couldn't have said it much better myself. let me make myself crystal clear. obviously, we can't know exactly how these draft picks will play out until a year or two down the road, and that was exactly my point. mr. parker absolutely blasted the titans front office on his blog responses to his own blog (http://www.t-g.com/blogs/dannyparker/entry/17950/) back in april. that was outragious and ridiculous. he didn't even wait a day until he started his criticism and that shows his true bias against the titans. it was out of line. how could he know how these picks would play out and why so harsh so quick? well, if saturday is a very brief and early indication, we will be just fine thank you and johnson, jones, and company will prove him oh so wrong. i can't stand it when people bash teams for unsubstanciated reasons. sure, the rams are bad and we're just getting it started, but i'm pretty confident in saying these guys are solid picks and this team is going to turn some heads. all that said, my prediction is 11-5 which will probably only be good enough for a wild card. our defense will keep us in every single game and it's up to the offense to produce in the red zone. looking forward to a great year.
DoubleJ, don't look at it like I am personally attacking the Titans as if they passed me over for the starting quarterback job or something. You should be glad you have an unbiased reporter instead of one that feeds you a pile of fluff about how Chris Johnson is the next Barry Sanders and Jason Jones is a young Jevon Kearse. Is it really that impressive to you to see the Titans take a blocking tight end with their third pick? Did they really have that luxury? Can he really help them more than a Mario Manningham, Steve Johnson or Keenan Burton?? I guess we'll find out soon enough.
On a personal note, I truly want to see the Titans succeed. Who wants to cover a loser whose starting quarterback throws like six TDs a year? Nobody. And if Johnson is the real deal, I can't wait to see him explode in person on a regular basis. But, keep in mind there's much much more to being an NFL RB than a great 40 time. Stay tuned and keep your fingers crossed.
I agree with Parker. We have heard year end and year out about the Titans drafting unknowns and then trying to sell us on their "upside". The Titans refused to go out and try to land a top notch receiver.
I admit, there are alot of things to be excited about, but there are still alot of concers on offence. The Titans always talk about their running game, but let a top 5 ranked defense put 8 men in the box and the running game turns into a 3rd and long with no passing game or posession receiver. VY is a great athlete, but is just a middle of the pact QB at this point in his young career. He will get better as will all the young guys. I'm just not sure that this year will be much of an improvement over last years record.
(Sorry about the dig on VY. I still wanted Jay Cutler)
mr. parker, nice back-handed compliment of the titans. you said, Who wants to cover a loser whose starting quarterback throws like six TDs a year?
well, just in, vince was not very good last year but the titans won 10 games (certainly not a loser by a long shot) and went to the playoffs. you're only half right. two years ago in his rookie season, he was outstanding. give the guy a chance. he'll be fine. my fingers don't have to be crossed. this team won 10 games last year and will be better almost across the board this season. you act like it was a horrific year last year or something. crazy. it's kind of dumb to be so critical so early this year anyway. we have a pretty darn good football team to look forward to following for the forseeable future. and by the way i do enjoy the website and i'm glad you enjoy the attention. i am your biggest fan.
Parker,
All this football talk has me wondering... will there be a High School Football Preview online this year?
MTSU,
We will once again have preview stories on each of the high school football teams. We will also once again be doing weekly previews of the respective Friday night games during the weeks as well. Then, of course, the Sunday paper will have multiple action photos and long game stories on how each of our three teams do. Thanks for asking.
Parker,
Thanks for the lead... I really enjoy reading those previews... I am looking forward to seeing them.