A Titan's Opinion: Q & A With Total Titans Blogger Andrew Strickert

Earlier this week I was contacted by Tennessee Titan fan blogger Andrew Strickert from the website Total Titans.  Andrew wanted to exchange some questions for this weekends huge match-up between the Miami Dolphins and the Tennessee Titans.  So of course I obliged.  You can read my answers to his questions by clicking his site link above…right after you read his answers to mine, below.

Thanks Andrew for the opportunity to exchange the thoughts on this game.

PP: The Titans have been on a huge roll of late with last weeks game  more of a hiccup than a sign of things to come.  However, it seems that the change came when Vince Young returned, how much is the success of the Titans playoff hopes resting on the legs of Young? Considering his knee and hamstring issues?

"Andrew: You’re right, the Titans didn’t start winning this year until Vince replaced Kerry Collins as the starting QB. I’m a little skeptical whether Vince might play this week and if he does, he’ll certainly be hampered and won’t be doing much running. We may be hoping that Collins can replicate his success of a year ago."

PP: No one seems faster than Chris Johnson this year.  To say breakout would be a slight.  What has been the biggest change to the Titans offense that has allowed him to break out like he has?

"Andrew: Well, the main thing the Titans are doing differently is giving CJ more touches. Other than that, you have to give most of the credit to CJ. He’s made the progress you expect a player to make from his rookie year to his second season."

PP: Both the Dolphins and the Titans have some issues at WR.  While the Titans have drafted Kenny Britt, has he become that go to guy for the Titans QB or is he still a product in development?

"Andrew: Britt has certainly been targeted more often in the last several weeks but he’s still very much a work in process. He has been a starter since Justin Gage was injured a month ago and has responded well, but he’s not the go-to guy yet. To tell the truth, the Titans don’t really have a go-to guy but Britt should be that guy next year. His future looks bright."

PP: The Titans have taken a bit of a dip defensively both in pass coverage and run stopping.  What do the Titans need to do to stop a Dolphins rushing attack that is in the top 1/4 of the league?

"Andrew: You’ll probably see the Titans crowd the line with eight in the box. What I’ve been afraid of this year is the safeties cheating up too often. Too many times this year they’ve been burned by play action fakes."

PP: The Phins haven’t run the Wild Cat formation in two consecutive games yet they still have it in their offense.  How much do you believe the Titans will spend preparing for that offensive scheme and with a healthy Young, is that something the Dolphins should be prepared to face from Tennessee?

"Andrew: The Titans will probably spend a little more time than usual preparing for it, but I doubt if it will be too much more than they normally do. Tennessee has seen it several times and gave up a TD to Buffalo when one of the safeties bit again. The Titans haven’t used a single-wing at all, so I don’t anticipate it even if Young is healthy. If Young turns out to be healthier than expected though, you might see him on a pitch option to CJ,"

PP: What do the Dolphins fans not know about the Titans?

"Andrew: The Titans are terrible on special teams this year. They’ve got a good kicker and good punter but the coverage units suck. So far, they’ve dodged a lot of bullets but I’m more concerned this week than I normally am. Bess and Ginn both have a good chance to take one back all the way. The best they can do on punt returns is to fair catch. Sometimes they just let the ball drop and roll dead inside the five-yard line. We’re not sure yet if that works better than muffing punts or not."