Fisher not bothering to prep Titans for noisy RCA Dome
“There are league observers there that are not going to allow that. There are rules and regulations and it is noise and it is legitimate,” Fisher said Wednesday.
He credited the Colts’ fans with understanding how much they can be part of the game, especially when Indianapolis is on defense with Dwight Freeney rushing.
“The tackles can’t hear. We’ve really never made a big deal about the noise here. We’re not going to pump noise in here. We’re going to work it and focus and concentrate and try to get our tackles help and go on,” Fisher said.
He pointed out the Titans won in a noisy environment in the 1999 playoffs.
But this game will be a first for some key players like right tackle Michael Roos, a rookie whose mission is protecting Steve McNair without jumping offsides against Colts end Robert Mathis, who is tied for the NFL lead with 11 sacks.
“We know it’s going to be noisy, but we prepare for it just like any other road game,” Roos said. “We just try to focus. If we’re doing a silent count, focus on that, and if not, try to pick out Steve’s voice in all the other craziness.”
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OFFENSIVE JONES:@ Next time Adam “Pacman” Jones reaches an end zone, he promises he will look around for yellow flags before he runs to the goal post for his celebratory slide.
“Oh yeah, the next time I’m going to wait at least 5 to 10 seconds,” he said with a smile.
Jones has had two touchdowns wiped out by penalties including a punt return against Oakland and a reverse last week against San Francisco. But he didn’t see the flag until after he had finished sliding down the goal post.
He just might have more opportunities against the Colts (11-0) on Sunday, especially on offense after two plays last week.
“We got something in mind. We got a couple of things,” Jones said.
And he’s happy whenever he gets on the field in offense.
“I played offense both sides in college, so I’ve got a great head coach who believes in me. You never know what’s up next. But I enjoy it a lot,” Jones said.
Jones is finding his name in some very exclusive company when it comes to the franchise’s rookie records for punt and kickoff returns.
Billy “White Shoes” Johnson has the rookie marks in both categories, and he averaged 27.1 yards per kickoff return and 10.3 yards on punt returns in 1974. Jones currently ranks fourth in the NFL averaging 26.4 on kickoffs, and he’s also fourth in the league and leads all rookies on punt returns with an average of 9.9 yards.
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FELLOW EX-VOLS:@ For those interested Vol fans, yes, the topic of the Tennessee Volunteers does come up whenever Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth and Colts quarterback Peyton Manning get together.
“We do talk about it,” Haynesworth said. “‘What’s going on? What’s going on the Hill? The guys playing good, or they need to make a decision.’ I’m sure there’ll be something said about what’s going on up at the hill.”
They will have lots to talk about after the Vols finished with their worst season since 1988 at 5-6, missing a bowl and rehiring David Cutcliffe as offensive coordinator.
But Haynesworth said Manning doesn’t bother him when he comes to the line of scrimmage and starts changing plays, flapping his hands to signal new plays.
“I guess I’m used to it. Since I got here, he’s been doing all the crazy stuff. It doesn’t bother me a bit,” Haynesworth said.
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DEFENSIVE SCORES:@ Scoring on defense hasn’t been that much of a help for the Titans this season. They are 1-2 in games when they score a defensive touchdown, and worse, they are 1-4 when allowing a defensive touchdown.
The one victory in that category came last week in a 33-22 win over San Francisco despite allowing a 61-yard interception return for a TD.
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JONES OUT@ Tennessee rookie receiver Brandon Jones will miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL in his right knee, coach Jeff Fisher said Wednesday.
Fisher had been optimistic Monday that Jones might not miss more than a week or so after falling to the ground last weekend against San Francisco.
“After a series of tests, it has been determined that he has torn his ACL,” Fisher said. “He will need reconstructive surgery. He’ll have it in the next week to 10 days.”
Losing Jones hurts the Titans (3-8) because the third-round pick out of Oklahoma had worked his way into the starting lineup opposite Drew Bennett, starting eight games this season. He currently is ranked fourth on the team in catches with 23 for 299 yards.
Steve McNair sat out practice Wednesday to rest his back, which had him listed as questionable, along with running back Chris Brown (left ankle). Defensive end Travis LaBoy also sat out with a hyperextended left elbow.
Fisher said McNair and Brown should practice Thursday.
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EXTRA POINTS:@ Steve McNair has at least one touchdown either passing or running in each of his six games against the Colts. … Linebacker Keith Bulluck’s two interceptions came in the last three games. … Tight end Erron Kinney ranks fourth in the NFL among tight ends with a career-high 53 catches.