Titans News

Casey appears to be recovered
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November 20
Houston Chronicle
 
"The Texans attempted to work Jacoby Jones back into his regular practice regimen Thursday, but they did so with limited success. Although the return man/wide receiver got on the field during the special-teams period to test his strained calf, he was a spectator for the rest of the afternoon. "It's sore, and he's still got some swelling in there," coach Gary Kubiak said. "I was encouraged by what I saw of the first few minutes of special teams, but it stiffened back up on him, so we just kept him out the rest of the way. Hopefully (today) he'll come back and be able to do a little more." Kubiak said Glenn Martinez would replace Jones on punt returns if the injury doesn't heal before the ..."
'Destroy all playoff hopes'
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November 20
Houston Chronicle
 
"If the Texans listen to Tennessee outside linebacker Keith Bulluck, they can forget about beating the Titans on Monday night at Reliant Stadium. And while they're at it, the Texans can forget about making the playoffs for the first time. "I know they have playoff aspirations and everything, so we're really looking forward to coming down to Houston and destroying all playoff hopes and aspirations they have," Bulluck told the Nashville media after practice Thursday. The Texans are 5-4. The Titans are 3-6 with a three-game winning streak. The Texans won the last two meetings: 13-12 at Reliant Stadium last season and 34-31 at LP Field this season. Bulluck sounded as if he didn't like the way ..."
Texans-Titans matures into serious rivalry
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November 20
Houston Chronicle
 
"It's about time the AFC South rivalry between the Texans and Titans heated up. Until now, the Titans didn't respect the Texans enough to trash talk them. Now the Titans don't like the Texans. And the Texans don't like the Titans. Both claim the other takes cheap shots. This is starting to remind me of the AFC Central. On Thursday, the Titans launched broadsides from Nashville, and it will be interesting to see if the Texans come out swinging or shrink under the pressure of their first playoff race. Because the Texans broke a seven-game losing streak in this series to win the last two 13-12 and 34-31, they have the Titans' attention. Now some Tennessee players are turning the screws from ..."
Texans to catch Titans at worst possible time
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November 20
Houston Chronicle
 
"They've seen flash, as in running back Chris Johnson, and crass, as personified by owner K.S. "Bud" Adams' wandering digits. Most surprisingly, they've had a blast from the past in the unexpected return to form of quarterback Vince Young. But the primary elements of the Tennessee Titans' three-week revival after an 0-6 start have been the fundamentals that built a 10-game win streak in 2008 and, if you believe Johnson, are in place for another 10-game streak to wrap up the 2009 season. Game 4 of the long road back is Monday night at Reliant Stadium against the Texans, who helped launch the Titans down their road to 0-6 with a 34-31 win in September at Nashville. The crash ended with a 59-0 ..."
Titans' run game hailed as double trouble
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November 19
Tennessean
 
"As NFL analyst Rich Gannon visited San Francisco 49ers defensive coaches prior to their Nov. 8 game against the Titans, it didn't take him long to figure out their chief concern. Protect the edges. Don't let Chris Johnson get to the outside. "Then," Gannon said, "on the first play from scrimmage Johnson gets the ball and runs to the outside for (14) yards.'' It's easier said than done when it comes to slowing down the lightning-quick Titans running back, but the 49ers shouldn't feel so bad. Few teams have been able to do it. Johnson has taken his game to another level since the Titans made Vince Young their starting quarterback going into the Nov. 1 game against the Jaguars. Coincidence? ..."
Young presents double threat
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November 19
Houston Chronicle
 
"Coach Gary Kubiak was asked after practice this week how he portrays a Monday night game to his players. Is the Tennessee game just another game? "It's one of 16, but we obviously know how important it is as we start these last seven," he said. "Any time you play Monday night football, it's special, but we have to stay focused." When outside linebacker Brian Cushing was a freshman at USC, he watched University of Texas quarterback Vince Young run for the winning touchdown that secured the national championship for the Longhorns. On Monday, Cushing goes against Young for the first time since that championship game at the Rose Bowl."
Cardinals-Titans game moved to 3:15 start
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November 18
Nashville City Paper
 
"The Tennessee Titans home game Nov. 29 against the Arizona Cardinals has been moved to a 3:15 CST start at the request of the FOX Network. The game will be one of two late games for the network on that Sunday, with the other being the Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings. The game was originally scheduled for noon and features marquee players such as Titans running back Chris Johnson, who leads the NFL in rushing, as well as the defending NFC champion Cardinals, who feature the pass attack led by Kurt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald."
Texans look to contain Young
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November 18
Houston Chronicle
 
"The Texans admit they are ill-qualified to speak about Vince Young's troubled interlude. When Young fell so far from grace with the Titans and their fans in Nashville last season, finding himself on the far end of Jeff Fisher's bench adjacent to the dog house, all that meant to them was he'd be out of sight and out of mind for a while. But VY's strange exile is over now. He returns to Houston on Monday night re-born as Tennessee's starting quarterback and riding a three-game winning streak. As it happens, 3-0 is also the same run he's on against his hometown NFL team, which he last faced nearly two years ago. Time flies. The Vince Young who devolved into a head case in 2008 is a guy with ..."
Ryans yet to forget the roars for Young
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November 18
Houston Chronicle
 
"It was a sound DeMeco Ryans never wants to hear again, a sound that still haunts him four years later. Ryans, the Texans' outstanding middle linebacker, is having a Pro Bowl-type season. It's 30 minutes after practice on Tuesday, and he's sitting at his locker in Reliant Stadium, rubbing lotion on his shoulders after a shower. Ryans is asked to relive a day that will live in Texans infamy — Dec. 10, 2006. In the 13th game of his rookie season, Ryans had a game-high 14 tackles in a 26-20 overtime loss to the Tennessee Titans. What made the game so memorable to Ryans, the Texans and fans in the Houston area is that it marked the first time Titans quarterback Vince Young played against his ..."
Players say better focus brings wins
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November 17
Tennessean
 
"Titans left tackle Michael Roos experienced last year's 10-game winning streak and this year's six-game losing streak. Thanks to Sunday's 41-17 win over the Bills, the Titans have won three in a row, offering their fans hope for another extended positive run. Roos, however, said the extreme streaks showed the importance of focusing only on the game of the week. "Now that we've gotten back to winning a few games I think it's kind of humbled guys," Roos said Monday. "All you can do really is look at the next game, get ready for them and when it's over, get ready for the next one." Up next for the Titans (3-6) are the Texans (5-4) on Monday night in Houston. The Texans edged the Titans 34-31 ..."
Bud Adams' gesture draws $250,000 fine, apology
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November 17
Tennessean
 
"Bud Adams stuck out his middle fingers on Sunday. The NFL's response on Monday was anything but a slap on the wrist. The league fined the Titans owner $250,000 for obscene gestures he made during Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills at LP Field. Despite an apology from the 86-year-old Adams, the NFL punished him for "conduct detrimental to the league.'' "I've said before we're held to a higher standard in the NFL,'' Commissioner Roger Goodell told reporters in Charlotte, N.C., on Monday when asked about the Adams incident before the fine was announced. "That includes yours truly. It includes our owners. It includes front-office people. It includes the players. Those are things we'll ..."
Johnson express steamrolls over Bills
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November 17
Buffalo News
 
"Tennessee running back Chris Johnson had the spoils of victory proudly draped around his neck outside the Titans' locker room after Sunday's game. It was a Terrell Owens throwback jersey, which the Buffalo Bills receiver agreed Saturday to give Johnson if the Titans beat the Bills. "I actually didn't see him after the game, but he sent it over here, so a shout-out to T.O.," Johnson said after the Titans' 41-17 victory over the Bills. "Thanks for that." Apparently it was great motivation, because Johnson was even more spectacular than usual in spelling the Bills' doom. The second-year speedster rushed for 132 yards, caught 100 yards in passes and scored two touchdowns. He became the first ..."
Adams fined $250,000 for obscene gesture
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November 17
Buffalo News
 
"The National Football League has fined Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams $250,000 for making an obscene gesture at Buffalo fans while celebrating Tennessee's victory over the Bills. Commissioner Roger Goodell notified Adams of the fine Monday, and league spokesman Greg Aiello said it is for conduct detrimental to the league. Adams was seen making the gesture while in his luxury suite and again on the field. The 86-year-old Adams issued an apology a couple of hours later, saying he got caught up in the excitement of the moment. "I do realize that those types of things shouldn't happen," Adams said in the statement. "I need to specifically apologize to the Bills, their fans, our fans and the ..."
Titans owner Bud Adams apologizes for flipping off Buffalo Bills
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November 16
Tennessean
 
"Titans owner Bud Adams issued an apology today for his obscene hand gestures during Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills at LP Field. The 86-year-old Adams displayed his middle fingers toward the Bills sideline at least twice during the game. The NFL is investigating the matter. "I need to apologize for my actions yesterday near the end of the game," Adams said in a statement released by the Titans. "I got caught up in the excitement of a great day, but I do realize that those types of things shouldn't happen. I need to specifically apologize to the Bills, their fans, our fans and the NFL. I obviously have a great deal of respect for (Bills founder, owner and president) Ralph Wilson and ..."
Adams displays obscene gestures at end of Titans-Bills game
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November 16
Nashville City Paper
 
"Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams flipped an obscene gesture toward fans from his luxury suite near the conclusion of Sunday's 41-17 victory over the Buffalo Bills. Another report also indicated that the 86-year-old Titans owner made the same hand gesture from down on the field as well at the end of the game. "We are looking into it," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said of the matter. A YouTube video capturing Adams displaying the gestures from the owner's box appears on that Web site. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell was on hand for the game and spent time with Adams in his luxury suite, which is located near midfield on the east side of the stadium, for a portion of the game, but was not present ..."
Young helps Titans with arm, legs and blocking
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November 16
Nashville City Paper
 
"Young Quarterback Vince Young has made some plays with his arm and with his legs for the Tennessee Titans. But in Sunday's 41-17 victory over the Buffalo Bills, Young added another trick to his repertoire. Young tossed a pass to running back Chris Johnson on a play that was heading to the left, but was quickly bottled up by the Bills defense. Johnson then began to counter back across the field, as Buffalo defensive back Reggie Corner approached him with what looked like a clear shot to tackle Johnson for a loss. However, Young, watching the play after having thrown the football, sprinted toward Corner and leveled him with a devastating block good enough to have made Hines Ward proud. "The ..."
'Versatile' Johnson, Titans roll to third straight victory
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November 16
Nashville City Paper
 
"Running back Chris Johnson carried an American flag onto the playing field then carried Terrell Owens jersey home with him after starring in the Tennessee Titans' 41-17 trouncing of the Buffalo Bills Sunday at LP Field. Johnson carried the flag onto the field to commemorate Veteran's Day, and then wound up with Owens' No. 81 jersey after the game after an exchange of Tweets between the two with Owens saying to Johnson, "if u beat us, i'll give it 2 u but i'm lettin u now, u may wanna go ahead"
Titans' wins buy Vince Young respect
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November 16
Tennessean
 
"Quarterback Vince Young's return to the starting lineup not only has resulted in two wins for the Titans, but it also has given him a second chance to build a working relationship with offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger. So far, the results are encouraging. Entering today's game against the Buffalo Bills (3-5) at LP Field, Young has completed 73 percent of his passes for 297 yards and one touchdown. His one interception came late in the blowout loss to the Patriots, and he's been sacked just once. The Titans (2-6) are 2-0 since he replaced Kerry Collins as the starter. "I don't want to speak too fast right now, but from two games, I really feel like we've been really comfortable with ..."
Titans bash Bills, 41-17
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November 16
Tennessean
 
"With every carry, Chris Johnson makes a case for himself as the best running back in the NFL. With every start, Vince Young makes a better argument for those who think he should have been playing much sooner this season. And with every game, the Titans keep proving that maybe all is not lost with the 2009 season. The Titans made it three in a row on Sunday by running away from the Bills, 41-17. Johnson continued to run away from defenders - he piled up 232 all-purpose yards while rushing for more than 100 yards for the fourth straight game - but he got plenty of help from Young. "Defenses, they have to choose," Johnson said. "Do you want to stop 10 (Young)? Or do you want to stop (28)? ..."
Confidence keeps Titans climbing
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November 16
Tennessean
 
"The Titans are streaking again. This time it's three wins in a row, which sure beats that 0-6 streak. While the Titans were allowing costly mistakes, key injuries to starters and bad decisions to put them in a deep hole, now they are playing as a confident team, one that is turning the season around one game at a time. You can sense the confidence on the practice field, in the locker room, and on game day. Any athlete finds it difficult to play when he is unsure of himself. A lack of confidence can spread through a team. Losing games causes individuals and teams to lose confidence. Kenny Britt, a rookie in the starting lineup for the 41-17 beating of the Bills on Sunday, said coaches ..."
Commissioner sits first with Bud Adams, then fans
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November 16
Tennessean
 
"NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell visited Titans owner Bud Adams on Sunday, but he also spent a little time in the stands with a fan that invited him to her section via a Twitter message. Goodell ate breakfast with the 86-year-old Adams and watched a lot of the Titans-Bills game from the owner's suite at LP Field. "Bud has a special place in the history of the NFL,'' Goodell said during a brief interview with The Tennessean. "We met this morning for almost two hours talking about everything from the Titans to league business. He is very active and he believes so much in this community and also this football team and the importance of that relationship.'' Adams is one of only four current NFL ..."
Vince Young: Back from the dead?
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November 16
Buffalo News
 
"Vince Young will transform the quarterback position in pro football. Vince Young is a softie who never will make it as an NFL quarterback. Strange as it may seem, four years into Young's NFL career, it's still not certain which of those two statements is closer to the truth. Young continues his bid to resurrect his career today when he leads the Tennessee Titans against the Buffalo Bills at LP Field. After spending 14 months as the backup to Kerry Collins, Young was returned to the starting lineup three weeks ago. The Titans were 0-6 and had nothing to lose. Young has won two straight games. But he needs to beat the Bills today and keep playing well if he is going to fulfill the ..."
Juggled O-line drops the ball
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November 16
Buffalo News
 
"The Buffalo Bills' offensive line continued its knack for committing false start penalties. The line has now been flagged a whopping 22 times after adding five more during Sunday's 41-17 loss to the Tennessee Titans. Bills coach Dick Jauron blamed the youth up front for the mistakes, but can inexperience be used as an excuse nine games into the season? "That's inexcusable at any point of the season," rookie right guard Eric Wood said. "It's not acceptable even at the little league level. Those things just can't happen." The penalties were just a part of the problem for the offensive line, which had to be juggled again because of an injury. Rookie starting left guard Andy Levitre played the ..."
Bills' Owens shows frustration
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November 16
Buffalo News
 
"Wide receiver Terrell Owens caught a 46-yard pass and then took a bow, much to the displeasure of the Tennessee Titans fans. Those fans got the last laugh and they let Owens know it by serenading him with mock chants of "T.O., T.O." as balls thrown in his direction sailed well beyond his reach. His body language said everything you need to know about the outcome Sunday. Despite a couple of big plays, Owens was again unable to be a difference maker for the Bills' offense in a 41-17 loss to the Tennessee Titans. He finished with three catches for a season-high 85 yards, but was shut out after the Bills' third play from scrimmage in the second half. This has been perhaps the most frustrating ..."
Johnson express steamrolls over Bills
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November 16
Buffalo News
 
"Tennessee running back Chris Johnson had the spoils of victory proudly draped around his neck outside the Titans' locker room after Sunday's game. It was a Terrell Owens throwback jersey, which the Buffalo Bills receiver agreed Saturday to give Johnson if the Titans beat the Bills. "I actually didn't see him after the game, but he sent it over here, so a shout-out to T.O.," Johnson said after the Titans' 41-17 victory over the Bills. "Thanks for that." Apparently it was great motivation, because Johnson was even more spectacular than usual in spelling the Bills' doom. The second-year speedster rushed for 132 yards, caught 100 yards in passes and scored two touchdowns. He became the first ..."
Titans, Bengals stepping up; Cowboys, Broncos take step back
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November 16
Chicago Tribune
 columnist Sam Farmer
"Do not adjust your picture. But you might want to adjust your Super Bowl picks. The Cowboys, who had won four in a row, were nearly shut out Sunday ... by a Packers team that lost to the winless Buccaneers a week earlier. The Broncos, who looked indestructible as they rolled to a 6-0 start ... now seem to be imploding just like they did at the end of last season. The Titans lost their first six games and appeared to be playing for the No. 1 draft pick in 2010 ... then reversed their field with three consecutive wins behind Vince Young, version 2.0. And the Bengals, fresh off a 4-11-1 season ... have successfully swept the Super Bowl champion Steelers for the first time since 1998. Ignore ..."
Titans deactivate Kearse again
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November 15
Tennessean
 
"Titans defensive end Jevon Kearse is inactive again for Sunday's game against the Bills, along with defensive tackle Kevin Vickerson. Kearse has now been deactivated for the past five games because of injury or lackluster performance. Cornerbacks Nick Harper and Jason McCourty, along with running back Javon Ringer, linebacker Stanford Keglar and offensive lineman Troy Kropog are also inactive."
Harper on Titans' inactive list
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November 15
Nashville City Paper
 
"Cornerback Nick Harper, who had been cleared for contact and said earlier in the week that he would be a game-time decision, is on the Tennessee Titans inactive list today against the Buffalo Bills. Defensive linemen Kevin Vickerson and Jevon Kearse are among inactives as well as injured receiver Justin Gage, cornerback Jason McCourty, tackle Troy Kropog and running back Javon Ringer."
Titans' wins buy Vince Young respect
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November 15
Tennessean
 
"Quarterback Vince Young's return to the starting lineup not only has resulted in two wins for the Titans, but it also has given him a second chance to build a working relationship with offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger. So far, the results are encouraging. Entering today's game against the Buffalo Bills (3-5) at LP Field, Young has completed 73 percent of his passes for 297 yards and one touchdown. His one interception came late in the blowout loss to the Patriots, and he's been sacked just once. The Titans (2-6) are 2-0 since he replaced Kerry Collins as the starter. "I don't want to speak too fast right now, but from two games, I really feel like we've been really comfortable with ..."
VY: Back from the dead?
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November 15
Buffalo News
 
"Vince Young will transform the quarterback position in pro football. Vince Young is a softie who never will make it as an NFL quarterback. Strange as it may seem, four years into Young's NFL career, it's still not certain which of those two statements is closer to the truth. Young continues his bid to resurrect his career today when he leads the Tennessee Titans against the Buffalo Bills at LP Field. After spending 14 months as the backup to Kerry Collins, Young was returned to the starting lineup three weeks ago. The Titans were 0-6 and had nothing to lose. Young has won two straight games. But he needs to beat the Bills today and keep playing well if he is going to fulfill the ..."
Tackle Stewart returns to Titans practice
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November 14
Nashville City Paper
 
"Tennessee Titans tackle David Stewart practiced fully for the first time since suffering a hamstring injury last week, and will be questionable for Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills. Stewart missed last Sunday's game in San Francisco, and Leroy Harris, normally a center and guard, sliding out to Stewart's right tackle spot. Asked if he would play this week against Buffalo, Stewart said, "I guess so. We'll see." Stewart said the hardest part is trying not to push things too much. "You just don't overdo it and get back in there. I'm good now," Stewart said. Titans coach Jeff Fisher said he was glad to see Stewart back on the practice field. "He participated in practice today for the ..."
Titans run game will test Bills
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November 14
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
 
"Perhaps it's wishful thinking by defensive tackle Marcus Stroud, but it's also probably the only way the Bills can hope to have success slowing down Tennessee's potent running game Sunday.

"Hopefully they will take us for granted a little bit," said Stroud. "That will give us the opportunity to go out there and play ball like we know how to play." Of course, with a 2-6 record and staring at the reality that they probably have to win all eight of their remaining games to have a chance at a playoff berth, the Titans don't have the luxury of taking anyone for granted. Not even the Bills and their league-worst run defense that is yielding an unsightly 173.6 yards per ..."

Scott returns from injury, shifts from safety to linebacker
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November 14
Buffalo News
 
"Safety Bryan Scott has been spending most of his time in practice at outside linebacker the past two weeks. It looks like he'll get a chance to play the position in a game. With Keith Ellison questionable with a quadriceps injury, Scott is expected to start at linebacker for the Buffalo Bills against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. The Bills could have gone with one of their two rookie backups — Ashlee Palmer or Nic Harris — or Jon Corto, but they decided Scott was the better option. "We're kind of banged up, so wherever I can help out I'm willing to do that," Scott said. "Shoot, to be honest, I'm just excited to suit back up and get back out there with my teammates. It's been a long ..."
Bills will be keeping fast company on Sunday
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November 14
Buffalo News
 
"The issue: Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson. The question: Can the Buffalo Bills stop him? "Easier said than done," said Bills coach Dick Jauron, whose team visits the Titans on Sunday. "We're working hard on trying to figure out what we can do to try to slow him down because it doesn't seem like that many people have success doing that." Johnson is the NFL's leading rusher with 959 yards, 122 more than Cedric Benson of Cincinnati. The second-year pro is just 269 yards shy of last season's rookie total and is on pace to challenge the single-season franchise record of 1,934 yards set by Hall of Famer Earl Campbell in 1980. Johnson also has a shot to become the sixth running back ..."
Titans' Gage has fractures in back
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November 12
Nashville City Paper
 
"Wide receiver Justin Gage will likely be out at least this week because of multiple fractures of the transverse process bones in his back. Gage suffered the injury while landing after making a leaping 33-yard reception on the decisive drive against the San Francisco 49ers in Sunday's 34-27 victory. "Justin Gage has multiple fractures of the transverse process bones. It's just a matter of healing. He is unlikely to play this week," Titans coach Jeff Fisher said. "He is getting better. Things have to settle down. He is obviously very uncomfortable." The injury is similar to one suffered by former Titans linebacker Peter Sirmon in 2003. Sirmon wound up missing two games when he had the ..."
Titans receiver Justin Gage has broken bones in back
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November 12
Tennessean
 
"Titans receiver Justin Gage said his crash-landing after a leaping grab against the 49ers was worth the pain. Now he knows the price — he fractured multiple small bones in his back when he landed. Gage won't play in this Sunday's game against the Bills as a result of the injury, and is expected to miss a few weeks. It's a blow to the offense. Gage recorded seven catches for 138 yards in back-to-back wins over the Jaguars and 49ers, including a four-catch, 97-yard game against the 49ers. Gage suffered his back injury when he landed hard after his 33-yard catch which set up the go-ahead score in Tennessee's 34-27 win. "It is just a matter of healing now,'' Coach Jeff Fisher said. "He is ..."
Back injury has Gage's status uncertain
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November 12
Nashville City Paper
 
"Justin Gage made this leaping catch Sunday, but did not return after falling hard to the ground. After leaping high into the air to make a 33-yard reception in Sunday's win over the San Francisco 49ers, Tennessee Titans receiver Justin Gage's status for this week is up in the air. Gage fell hard to the turf at Candlestick Park and was walking gingerly as he watched Wednesday's practice. "Once the adrenaline wore off and the atmosphere died down a little bit. It stiffened up. My body started hurting and I felt the pain," Gage said. Gage indicated that his entire left side was sore, but was encouraged that he has not lost any movement or feeling in his extremities throughout the process ..."
Titans' William Hayes makes strides
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November 12
Tennessean
 
"William Hayes thought back to Sunday at Candlestick Park, the site of his best NFL game to date. The second-year defensive end collected eight tackles, 1½ sacks and a forced fumble during Tennessee's 34-27 win against San Francisco, all setting or tying his single-game highs. It was also the most sacks in a game by a Titan this season. He wanted more, however. He expected more. "I had some bad plays too," Hayes said. "I missed a lot of plays." As Hayes and the Titans (2-6) prepare to face the Bills (3-5) on Sunday at LP Field, the former project from Winston-Salem State is preparing for another chance to showcase the vast improvements he has made since Tennessee drafted him in the fourth ..."
Titans' star Johnson thrives with extra carries
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November 10
Nashville City Paper
 
"Last year, the Tennessee Titans were careful not to overload Chris Johnson. The 2008 first-round pick had 251 carries on the season in rushing for 1,228 yards and even sat out the meaningless regular-season finale in Indianapolis. But as Johnson has reached the halfway point of his second season, he is leading the NFL in rushing with 959 yards, more than 100 yards better than runner-up Cedric Benson's 837. And wisely the Titans are beginning to warm up to the idea of having Johnson carry more of the load. In the 0-6 start, Johnson topped just 20 carries once in that span and averaged just under 16 rushes per game. In the Titans' two-game winning streak since the bye, Johnson carried the ..."
Titans' Chris Johnson distances himself
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November 10
Tennessean
 
"Chris Johnson isn't just running away from defenders these days. He's creating some distance between himself and the NFL's other top running backs - at a pace the league hasn't seen in quite some time. The Titans running back is averaging 6.7 yards per carry, the highest average for a rushing yards leader through nine weeks since 1970, according to the league. Johnson has 959 yards - well ahead of Cincinnati's Cedric Benson (837), St. Louis' Steven Jackson (784) and Minnesota's Adrian Peterson (784) - after rushing for 135 in last Sunday's 34-27 win over the 49ers. "He makes plays,'' quarterback Vince Young said. "If you want to get the ball in somebody's hands you give it to C.J." Going ..."
Vanden Bosch aiming for another ring?
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November 9
Nashville City Paper
 
"When Kyle Vanden Bosch was growing up in Iowa, he had two primary sporting interests. One he turned into a career, becoming a Pro Bowl defensive end for the Tennessee Titans. The other… Well, through Vanden Bosch's success on the football field and through his charitable foundation, the veteran NFL defensive end has been able to dabble now in the other childhood interest - professional wrestling. Vanden Bosch gets to host, in conjunction with TNA Wrestling, his second annual KVB Bash on tonight at the Wildhorse Saloon. Recently, the 6-4, 278-pound lineman recalled fondly watching wrestling as a youngster and is looking forward to again being part of the bash that will benefit the Boys and ..."
Harris fills in well at tackle for Titans
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November 9
Nashville City Paper
 
"As an offensive lineman, Leroy Harris' efforts on Sunday might have gone unnoticed by the casual fan. But they didn't fly under the radar in the Tennessee Titans locker room after a 34-27 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. That's because Harris, a center and guard by trade, stepped into the lineup Sunday, not in one of his normal interior roles, but outside at right tackle for David Stewart, who was inactive because of a hamstring injury. It was the first time Harris had played the position, and the Titans offensive line didn't miss a beat, helping Chris Johnson rush for 135 yards, allowing just one sack of Vince Young and not being assessed any penalties on Sunday. "I've never been ..."
Titans make it two in a row
Comment
November 9
Tennessean
 
"Running back Chris Johnson looked dead in the water, and for a while on Sunday, so did the Titans. Trailing and faced with a fourth down from the San Francisco 2-yard line midway through the fourth quarter, quarterback Vince Young turned around and pitched the football to Johnson on the outside. The problem: linebacker Parys Haralson was there, waiting for him. "I just had to make a play,'' Johnson said with a smile. "Like Kobe Bryant or LeBron, I wanted to make a play.'' The lightning-quick Johnson did that. He sidestepped Haralson and eased his way into the corner of the end zone to give the Titans a lead they wouldn't relinquish in a 34-27 win over the 49ers at Candlestick Park. Along ..."
Has two straight come too late for Titans?
Comment
November 9
Tennessean
 
"Johnson looked dead in the water, and for a while on Sunday, so did the Titans. Trailing and faced with a fourth down from the San Francisco 2-yard line midway through the fourth quarter, quarterback Vince Young turned around and pitched the football to Johnson on the outside. The problem: linebacker Parys Haralson was there, waiting for him. "I just had to make a play,'' Johnson said with a smile. "Like Kobe Bryant or LeBron, I wanted to make a play.'' The lightning-quick Johnson did that. He sidestepped the former Vol Haralson and eased his way into the corner of the end zone to give the Titans a lead they wouldn't relinquish in a 34-27 win over the 49ers at Candlestick Park. Along the ..."
Everything's changing with Young
Comment
November 9
Tennessean
 
"Let me first say this about Titans quarterback Vince Young: The guy has been great in his first two starts, better than I - and I'm sure even his coaches - expected. He's been accurate, he's made good decisions, and he's playing with confidence. As a result, the Titans have won two in a row and are playing with plenty of confidence as a team. But I also must ask this: Where there heck was the Justin Gage who showed up here on Sunday during the first six weeks of the season? And some of the other suddenly sure-handed receivers for that matter? Gage made two tremendous catches against the 49ers, including one when he went up high to make a grab while being hit. It's been back-to-back solid ..."
Rookie NFL receivers grab for attention
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November 9
Tennessean
 
"Over the years, picking a receiver in the first round of the NFL Draft has required two things from general managers and coaches - guts and patience. The bust factor has been high. The number of receivers who've been impact players has been low. But it seems as if that's changing. "The receiver position always has been the second-worst position to pick as far as percentage of failure is concerned, behind quarterbacks," said Gil Brandt, vice president of player personnel for the Cowboys from 1960-89. "It takes most of them awhile to develop. And some never do. But it definitely appears the trend is changing, especially with how well guys are doing early. Look at some of these guys now. It's ..."
Justin Gage goes deep for Titans
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November 9
Tennessean
 
"During a three-week stretch, wide receiver Justin Gage all but disappeared from the Titans offense. Whether it was Gage's fault for dropping too many passes or quarterback Kerry Collins' fault for not finding him, something was wrong. Gage caught one pass against Jacksonville on Oct. 4, one pass against Indianapolis on Oct. 11 and none in the shutout loss to New England on Oct. 18. But a change in quarterback seems to have produced a new Gage, one who was on display again in Sunday's 34-27 win over San Francisco. Gage led the Titans with four catches for 97 yards and made two critical long catches for a team that's been missing a deep threat for most of the season. "I don't know if I would ..."
Davis close to personal best
Comment
November 9
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Vernon Davis' season of excellence continues apace. Although he did not have a touchdown catch Sunday for the first time in three games, the tight end did achieve career highs in receptions and yards. Davis latched onto 10 of Alex Smith's passes for 102 yards in becoming the team's first tight end to record 10 or more receptions in game since 2004, when Eric Johnson did it twice. With half a season to go, Davis needs 33 receiving yards to surpass his season-best total of 509 yards from 2007. The way he's going, he'll achieve that Thursday night against Chicago. "It all starts in practice," Davis said. "You practice how you play. Just get it corrected and don't look back. We need to keep ..."
Are the Titans a better team than the 49ers?
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November 9
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"It's no disgrace to lose to a better football team. But it's hard to swallow when that (slightly) better team came into the game 1-6, in semi-turmoil with its owner overriding the coach by publicly dictating quarterback changes, and the game is in your house. That's bad. On Sunday, the 49ers came from ahead to lose 34-27 to the Tennessee Titans. San Francisco has lost four straight games and five of six. It was a game the 49ers absolutely had to win, and they didn't. As playoff battle cries go, "We almost beat the Titans!" doesn't get 'er done. "We have to finish games," 49ers coach Mike Singletary said. "It's as simple as that." So the 49ers need to go to finishing school? In Finland, ..."
49ers falter again
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November 9
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"After his team stirred up a bubbling cauldron of bile in the head coach's mouth by committing four turnovers that the grateful Tennessee Titans converted into 24 points, Singletary was asked about the 49ers' prospects for the rest of the season, trailing as they do Arizona by two games in the NFC West. Coming minutes after San Francisco's 34-27 loss to the Titans on Sunday at Candlestick Park, Singletary was a study in barely controlled civility. "I don't care about the Cardinals! I care nothing about the Cardinals!" he said, his eyes shooting laser beams of contempt at his inquisitor. "I care nothing about anything else that's happening in the NFL. The only thing I care about is this team ..."