The Tailgate: Preseason Game Three, Tennessee Titans

Welcome back to The Tailgate, where every week during Bills season we discuss the upcoming matchup, plus I get to tell you interesting things like what I’ll be eating and how many beers I may consume. Thrilling, is it not? I’ve included some reminders as to what my discussion topics are for the game, but those will only be around for preseason.

Prep Time (Wherein I discuss the opposition from a 30,000 foot level): The Bills sure have been playing some teams with interesting off-the-field issues lately. Last week, the Vick-less Falcons rolled into town, and this week the Titans come in without Pacman Jones. The absence of Jones is definitely going to have a big effect on the Titans defensive backfield (more on that later). Tennessee somehow managed to finish 8-8 last season, and expectations are high, especially now that QB Vince Young has some playing time under his belt. The Titans went 6-1 to finish the year last season, but have since lost both their starting wideouts, their running back, and Pacman. I expect that no matter how great Vince Young plays this year, the Titans will struggle to make 8-8 again.

Load the Cooler (wherein we discuss the opponents offense vs. our defense – the cooler reference is made in deference to Mr. James Dalton, who informed his compatriots in Roadhouse that while they are the bouncers, “I am The Cooler.”): Vince Young. He is where it begins and ends for the Titans on offense. They let wide receivers Drew Bennett and Bobby Wade go during the offseason, with apparently little regard for how to replace them. The Titans have 11 receivers in camp, with Brandon Jones (last year’s third-wideout) and Roydell Williams being listed at the top of the depth chart before camp. The Titans also signed Eric Moulds, and it is expected he will take one of those starting spots. In addition to new receivers, the Titans also have to find a new starter at running back. With free agent starter Travis Henry gone to Denver, the Titans are looking at a backfield of LenDale White, Chris Brown, and Chris Henry. White has been banged-up in camp (ankle, knee, fat) and just practiced yesterday for the first time in a couple weeks. Chris brown seems capable, if pedestrian, and rookie Henry just doesn’t seem ready after two preseason games. The Titans are really hoping White can step up and grab the job. For the Bills, John DiGiorgio will be getting the start at MLB, and I hope he enjoys it, because barring injury I think we can pencil in Posluszny for the next decade or so. The only real mystery left is if Jason Webster can hold off Kiwaukee Thomas and Ashton Youboty at right corner.

Meat on the Fire (Wherein we discuss our offense versus the opponents defense and we hope we see some BURNS (do it in Kelso’s voice from “That 70’s Show. It’s funnier that way). The battle at corner has been the big topic of discussion at Titans camp. Tennessee signed Nck Harper from Indianapolis during the offseason, and drafted Michael Griffin with their top pick. But with Reynaldo Hill out with an injury, Cortland Finnegan, a 5′-10″ second-year corner from Samford has been getting the reps, and has been impressing. It looks like Tennessee has a solid front seven but a very shaky secondary. For the Bills, JP Losman has to step up and play a good game. He failed to impress last week, and didn’t have much time on the field against the Saints. The line, especially the left side, and Marshawn Lynch made some good plays early in the first quarter, and they need to build off that. Melvin Fowler is expected to miss the game, so the interior of the offensive line will be juggled around. It is expected that Duke Preston will start at center and Jason Whittle will start at right guard. Brad Butler may miss the game as well.

Dude, You Look Great! Let’s do Some Shots! (Wherein I mention ex-Bills and Buffalo connections with which to impress your friends). Obviously, Rico Moulds will pay a visit. In addition, former Bills corner Eric King landed with Tennessee after being cut by the Bills in September of 2006, as did DT Lauvale Sape. And you may be curious to know that Titans WR Roydell Williams caught passes from JP Losman for two years at Tulane.

The Tailgate (wherein we discuss where I am watching the game and what’s on the menu). Jerome won’t be at the game, so Mark and Ii will be living it up in the Jim Kelly Club, which means our three seats are available for the asking. Honest, just ask. In addition, it looks like frequent commenter twoeightnine may be joining us, which means I have to buy him a lot of drinks for all the work he did on BfloBlog during the Sabres playoffs. A small price to pay.

Got the Tickets, Bro? (wherein we discuss last minute injuries, roster changes, etc.) We’ll know more as the day goes on, but we know that receiver Sam Aiken is out for sure. It appears that Melvin Fowler, Brad Butler, Aaron Merz and Josh Scobey will miss the game as well. Coach Dick Jauron was “optimistic” that we would see Angelo Crowell.