Titans know others’ expectations low when they face Colts
“We haven’t earned any reason for them to talk about us,” left guard Zach Piller said. “We’re 3-8. We see what we are, and that’s fine. We’re just going to go out there, fight and give it our all, and we’ll see at the end what happens. That’s all we can do.”
Piller pointed out that the Pittsburgh Steelers are known as one of the most physical teams in the NFL. The 11-0 Colts manhandled the Steelers in a 26-7 victory on Monday night. Piller said that is proof of how the Colts prepared and took pride in that game.
“We’re going to go into it with an ‘Us against the world mentality’ and what do we have to lose, right? We’re going to go out there and give it everything we’ve got,” Piller said.
Receiver Drew Bennett said nobody is expecting the Titans to win, and they do have the challenge of trying to play as well on offense in Indianapolis as they did in beating San Francisco 33-22 last week.
Center Justin Hartwig said pressure will be on the offensive line against the Colts’ defensive pressure. The Colts rush upfield so quickly that running lanes are created if the Titans can create enough time for Chris Brown and Travis Henry to find them.
That mean a perfect game?
“You don’t have to be perfect, but you’ve got to be darn near perfect,” Hartwig said.
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MCNAIR AND MANNING:@ Steve McNair said he absolutely enjoys watching Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning at work. The men shared the 2003 MVP award, and McNair said Manning brings a lot with his game.
“To see him at work is very nice, to see him do the things on the field he does with the talent he has around him,” McNair said.
McNair hasn’t had a winning record since that 2003 season, while Manning and his Colts have been almost perfect over the past two seasons, including an undefeated 11-0 in 2005.
The quarterbacks got to spend some time together at the Pro Bowl in February 2004, and McNair said he got to know Manning better both on and off the field.
“I have a great deal of respect for him,” McNair said.
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INJURY UPDATE:@ Steve McNair took part early in practice before being shut down Thursday, but coach Jeff Fisher said the quarterback is doing fine.
Defensive end Travis LaBoy watched practice without a sleeve on his left elbow, which he hyperextended last week.
“I think Travis made significant strides today with the swelling,” Fisher said. “Earlier in the week, I didn’t think there was much of a chance. I do think he has got a good chance of playing.”
That will be a big boost for the Titans defense because Laboy is second on the team with 4 1/2 sacks and has been a good bookend for Kyle Vanden Bosch while splitting time with Antwan Odom.
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DEJA VU FOR BENNETT?@ Receiver Drew Bennett knows he probably won’t have as good a game in Indianapolis as he did last December. He sure wouldn’t mind a repeat, however.
“Absolutely, I’d take three touchdowns and 120 yards again anytime,” he said Thursday. “Obviously, their secondary is much, much improved from the last time we played them. It doesn’t mean we can’t attack downfield. I wouldn’t expect three catches for three touchdowns or anything like that.”
Bennett will need another incredible December to come close to the career-best 80 catches for 1,247 yards he had last season with 11 TDs. He currently has 37 catches for 514 yards and a touchdown.
“I think we’ll take a different approach this year,” Bennett said.
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QUOTABLE:@ Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth on 11-0 Indianapolis: “They want their perfect season, we want respect. We want to try to ruin everybody’s season you know? We’re not going to go to the playoffs. We want to finish out 8-8 if we can.”