The Titans already have a game under their belt, winning the Hall of Fame Game, 21-18, while this is the opener for a Tampa Bay team with new looks everywhere. The Bucs have a new coach in Raheem Morris. They have virtually no QB experience with rookie QB Josh Freeman, Josh Johnson, Byron Leftwich and Luke McCown. Talk about a shoddy rotation! Morris also said Luke McCown is slated to play 12 to 15 snaps as the starting quarterback in Nashville, with veteran Byron Leftwich receiving approximately the same amount of playing time. Rookie Josh Freeman and second-year pro Josh Johnson will each play in the second half against the Titans. WRs Antonio Bryant (knee), Michael Clayton (hamstring) and Kelly Campbell (quad) will be sidelined Saturday, along with center Jeff Faine (groin), linebacker Angelo Crowell (hamstring), kicker Matt Bryant (hamstring) and punter Josh Bidwell (hip). Tampa Bay is 6-2 SU/ATS the last 2 years in preseason, but that was under Jon Gruden (and with better QBs). Tennessee (1-0 SU, 0-1-1 ATS) pulled out all the stops in the first half Sunday against the Bills, with a 21-6 halftime lead. Then they got sloppy in the second half behind QBs Vince Young and Alex Mortensen. Veteran QBs Kerry Collins and Patrick Ramsey looked sharp. QB Young will play about two quarters against the Buccaneers after Collins handles the first two or three series, Coach Jeff Fisher said. Patrick Ramsey, who was signed to battle Young, will also see action. Tennessee loves the power running game for outstanding coach Jeff Fisher, but they didn't impress in the opener with only 73 yards rushing (2.4 ypc). There is great depth with RBs LenDale White, Chris Johnson, Chris Henry, rookie JeVon Ringer and Rafael Little behind a good offensive line. Although Pro Bowl center Kevin Mawae, his surgically-repaired right elbow still on the mend, is still on the sideline. Fisher is 30-24 SU, 27-24-3 overall in preseason, including 16-9 SU/13-10-2 ATS the last six+ pre-seasons. The first-team Tennessee defense played great in the opener and faces a Tampa Bay team with below-average QB talent (and no established starter). I see a tough night for the TB offense, but also don't expect anything but a very conservative Titans game plan, so the Under is the play in this game.
New coaches often want to play well in their first game, especially at home. A year ago, new Atlanta Falcons coach Mike Smith impressed with a 3-1 ATS mark (2-2 SU). However, after making the playoffs and acquiring veteran tight end Tony Gonzalez, it's difficult to see the Falcons getting up to play hard for this preseason opener, especially on the road. Their QB rotation will be Matt Ryan, Chris Redman, D.J. Shockley and rookie John Parker Wilson. The Falcons, suddenly desperate for wide receivers, have signed veteran Marty Booker. WR Harry Douglas, who was projected to be one of Atlanta.5?s top three receivers, was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury, and leading receiver Roddy White just signed after holding out. If there's any motivation to look at for this game, it has to be with the Lions -- with a new coaching staff and off an embarrassing 0-16 season. New coach Jim Schwartz spent 10 years in the Tennessee Titans organization (last 8 as defensive coordinator) under a terrific coach in Jeff Fisher. The QB rotation is Daunte Culpepper, rookie Matthew Stafford and Drew Stanton. Culpepper will start, Stafford will play in 2nd quarter. All three quarterbacks -- Culpepper, Stafford and Drew Stanton -- are expected to get an equal share of playing time. WR depth is a problem: Calvin Johnson sat out of practice Monday with a cast around the sore right thumb he jammed trying to catch a pass; WR Bryant Johnson hasn't even played a snap in training camp. He still is suffering from open wounds he received from a golf cart accident in July. Dennis Northcutt has a sore thumb that continues to hamper him. There are a lot of hungry young newcomers for the home team as they rebuild. As bad as Detroit was last season, they went 4-0 SU/ATS in preseason -- and they are probably MUCH hungrier for a win now.
Dave Cokin 8/15
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