TITANS TOP BUCS IN NFL PRESEASON ACTION

Despite the early struggles of starting QB Kerry Collins, who threw two interceptions, the Tennessee Titans managed to prevail over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday by a 27-20 score.  The victory ran Tennessee’s record to 2-0 in the NFL preseason, while the Bucs dropped their first exhibition contest. The Titans rallied behind the play of backup QB Vince Young, who threw for 131 yards and the game winning touchdown.

The Titans covered as -4’ point home favorites, rewarding NFL bettors who had opted to ‘lay the chalk’ with Tennessee.  The 47 combined points easily went OVER the posted total of 34’.  29 of the 47 points were scored after the halftime break.

Titans coach Jeff Fisher wasn’t happy with his team’s performance, particularly their offensive rhythm, despite winning the game:

"We just really didn't get in synch like we would've like to."
 
Conversely, Tampa Bay’s new head coach Rahim Morris was fairly upbeat after his NFL coaching debut despite the loss:

"Not a bad start though, not a bad start.”

Tennessee QB Collins’ post game comments didn’t shed much light on the offense’s struggles:

"We had too many turnovers, and that can't happen. We know we have a lot to improve on."

Young, meanwhile, related how he had taken the advice of the Titans’ offensive coordinator and ‘used his legs’ to keep a play alive and avoid a sack.  He did this on his touchdown pass:

"And that's basically what I did. I saw the free safety relax and he was in the Cover Two, and Kenny adjusted his route and did what he was supposed to do. I just got the ball to him.”

Luke McCown started for Tampa Bay, though wasn’t able to do much on offense either.  He was tightlipped about his performance in postgame interviews:

"We have some things to clean up. We will look at the tapes and get better at it on Monday"

The Bucs’ other QBs, Byron Leftwich and Josh Freeman didn’t do much better, though Leftwich did throw a touchdown pass.  After the game head coach Morris indicated that Leftwich will start Tampa Bay’s next NFL preseason game, with McCown coming on in relief.

Tampa Bay will make the short trip to Jacksonville next Saturday to face the Jaguars, who will be playing their first NFL preseason contest of the year on Monday night.  They’ll then host Florida’s other NFL team, the Miami Dolphins, the following week.  The Titans will head to Dallas for a game against the Cowboys next Friday night.  The Titans will open the NFL regular season against the Superbowl Champion Steelers at Pittsburgh on Thursday, September 10th.  Tampa Bay will begin the 2009 campaign at home, welcoming the Dallas Cowboys to Raymond James Stadium on Sunday, September 13.