The numbers just don’t lie for Titans

By DUANE SHERRILL / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

Rich Gardner of the Titans wraps up Tampa Bay’s Derek Watson during Friday night’s game at the Coliseum. The Titans were penalized for over 100 yards in their 20-17 loss. (Duane Sherrill photo)

NASHVILLE — More than the final score, the numbers 11-for-114 and 3-of-18 were statistics the Titan coaching staff will be eyeing as the Tennessee squad prepares for the Atlanta Falcons this week.

“Anytime you have that many penalties, you’re going to have problems,” said head coach Jeff Fisher following the Titans’ 20-17 overtime loss to the Buccaneers at the Coliseum Friday night. “We’ve always worked on the keeping the penalties to a minimum. Seems like every time I looked out on the field, I was seeing yellow.”

Fisher was referring to 114 yards in penalties generated by the Titans, penalties which, in essence, were the difference in the game, leading indirectly to 13 Buc points. The last key penalty, a 33-yard pass interference call against Antoine Harris, helped set up the game-winning Matt Bryant field goal with just 12 minutes left in overtime. It was another pass interference call which helped set up the Bucs’ first touchdown in the first quarter.

Along with penalties, the Titans failed to covert on third down, going 3-for-18 on third-down situations, failing on 12 straight opportunities late in the game. The failure was despite the presence of veteran back-up quarterback Billy Volek, who saw extended playing timem along with second-year running back Jarrett Payton, fresh off his tour with NFL Europe, where he was a member of the champion Amsterdam Admirals. Travis Henry left the game early with a mild turf toe while Chris Brown was scratched due to a tight hamstring.

The lack of conversions, partly due to bad situations set up by penalties, was especially frustrating to the Titans — who had hoped to better themselves on third down after converting only about a third of their opportunities last season.

“Anytime you see 3-for-18, that’s going to be a real problem for any offense,” said new offensive coordinator Norm Chow, who admitted he was not pleased with much of what he saw.

However, the rank and file Titan players were not ready to panic.

“This is the first full contact we’ve really had since January,” said linebacker Keith Bullock, who returned an interception for touchdown in the first half.

Bullock pointed out the Titans generally will train or scrimmage with another team prior to preseason games, giving them more contact opportunities. However, the preseason scrimmages have not been held this year, perhaps partially due to the ravaging by injuries last year which left the Titans 5-11.