Boom King's streak of 53 straight starts may be in jeopardy because of the groin injury he suffered playing against the Ravens.  He won't practice this week, but expects to be ready to role against the atrocious offensive line of the Chiefs.  For a defensive lineman, that game is a money maker.

 Justin Gage is also confident he'll be ready to go for the Chiefs game, but was very dodgy abut what exactly his knee injury is.

 Gary Estwick notes that what the Titans may lack in premier talent, they make up for with depth.  It's hard to overstate how important this is as we look around the league and see a lot of guys who expected to make the Pro Bowl before the season instead focusing on claiming the most comfy spot on the bench.

 There are a variety of reasons why Alge Crumpler hasn't been lighting the world on fire so far this year (7 catches in 5 games), but the Titans are very pleased with what he's brought to the table so far:

Jeff Fisher has said that the coverages the Titans have been seeing simply dictate more throws outside. With an eighth defender in the box, the middle is more crowded and the better matchups are on the perimeter with receivers.

"A lot of what we're facing offensively is a three-deep contour on defense because of our ability to run, so the first read ends up going outside to the wide receivers," Fisher said. "Kerry is making quicker decisions and getting rid of it. But it will come. It comes. (Crumpler's) numbers will come. He's a very unselfish player, he's blocking very well, he's a big part of our offense."

Two scouts I spoke with recently both said they think Crumpler can still be an effective pass catcher like he was for so long in Atlanta.

Crumpler has been a consummate team guy, not complaining one bit, very happy to be part of a healthy, winning atmosphere after the circus he endured last year in Atlanta because of big stories involving Michael Vick and Bobby Petrino.

"At some point, the cracks are going to come," Crumpler said. "I have no doubts I'm going to get my chances."

 In news that should make centers and guards across the league weep, Fisher says Big Albert is just now getting into form after skipping the off-season conditioning program.

 Jeffri Chadiha rates the Titans as the season's no. 1 surprise.  I guess someone didn't follow the MCM preseason predictions did they?  Tisk, tisk.

 It's never too soon to take a peek at future Titans.  Lots of great  conference match-ups this weekend, so make sure you try to find a wide receiver not named Crabtree (he'll be drafted before we wake-up on Draft Day, believe me) for us to salivate over all off-season.

 Since Halloween is coming up soon: How to carve a perfect Jack-O-Latern.

There's a whole lot of internet out there, so if you have a great link you'd like to submit for tomorrow's Morning Links email me at mcmaugustwest@gmail.com!  (Be sure to include your commenting handle so I can give you semi-anonymous credit.)

The Titans resigned Chris Simms and cut back-up punter Josh Miller.  More on this in the next link...

 Mike Florio is rubbing himself because he may have caught the Titans in violation of an inane NFL rule involving the cutting and re-signing of Simms... man I detest this guy a little more everyday.  I'm not too worried because I'm guessing that as Co-Chairman of the Competition Committee, Fisher knows exactly how to job the system a little here, but this is the gist:

As expected, the Tennessee Titans have re-signed quarterback Chris Simms, only two days after cutting him.  In so doing, coach Jeff Fisher basically admitted to violating the rules against having verbal agreements with players.

“Chris totally understood the move, and we assured him we’d get him back under contract and we did,” coach Jeff Fisher said.

... the league insider was a bit more specific (but far less entertaining):  “I’m not sure the league office is going to look very favorably upon that transaction and quote.  It sure looks and sounds like a pre-existing agreement to manipulate the roster.”

 We're sitting at 5-0, with 3 of 4 of our next opponents toting losing records... So who's going to step-up and call Gary Estwick irrational and dumb for saying we may go a few more weeks undefeated? Because, I remember a certain blogger around here who may, or may not be, (but in fact is) named Jimmy getting hammered for such a prediction before the season started.

 Good to hear this: LenDale's near absence from the field Sunday was not by design and we can expect to see plenty more of the big-boy moving forward.  We need him to set-up opposing D-lines for Crazy Legs' gashes later on... I don't want the little man getting tired grinding-out 3 yard gains like he had to on Sunday.

 Thanks top P. Logan for pointing out that through week 4, no team was making opponents move the ball further between touchdowns than the Titans... it's not a be-all stat, but it does show who scrappy and stingy our awesome-o defense has been so far.

 Further proving our defensive awesomeness, footballoutsiders.com says we were the second best D in the league through week 4 (though it should be noted that we had played one more game than the Raven, who are ahead of us).

 How much did Big Albert mean against the Ravens?  Exactly 2.2 yards per rushing attempt... so yeah, that alone is worth Tommy Harris money any day in my book.

 David Climer clocks-in with an unusually good column about how great teams win ugly games as well.  I'd say, over the years,the difference between mediocre and excellent Titans teams is the ability to win games where we get statistically dominated.

 Pro Football Weekly looks at how the Titans' passing game has expanded with Kerry Collins under center.

 Obviously not wanting to risk losing a QB who could win them games this year, the Chiefs have already announced they'll send Brodie Croyle into the lions den that is the Titans pass rush.

There's a whole lot of internet out there, so if you have a great link you'd like to submit for tomorrow's Morning Links email me at mcmaugustwest@gmail.com!

There's only one 5-0 team in the NFL, and they call the banks of the Cumberland their home! 

 In this quality recap by Terry McCormick, Kerry Collins sounds like a man who does not want to give up his starting spot.

"Guys will see that regardless of the circumstances, I’m going to keep playing and that to me is how you build that trust and rapport with your teammates," said Collins, who had just 33 yards passing and was picked off twice in the first half. "I’m not going to say it’s always going to be great, because for three-and-a-half quarters, it wasn’t great. Slowly, I think we’re building an identity and building something here."

 Here's a nice highlight package from NFL.com.  Does anyone know why in the world was Dave Ball in that game so much?!

 Paul Kuharsky passes along some stats on the crazy difference between the first 3.5 quarters and the final 3 drives for Kerry Collins.  It wouldn't surprise me one bit to see a few more no. 5 jerseys around LP Field for that Monday Night game against the Colts...

 Sure, Cortland Finnegan lost it a little on Sunday, but it sure wasn't because Mason (5 catches for 38 yards) was doing anything impressive on him... leave it to Big Albert to put things in to perspective for us:

"D-Mase is like that little Chihuahua that's always barking," Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth said. "I guess you had two little Chihuahuas barking with Cortland and D-Mase. We know that's how D-Mase plays and that's how Cortland plays. It's going to be a battle. They just got a little mad at each other.''

 Despite getting away with murder (Ray Ray style) all day while the refs weren't looking, Terrell Suggs and Benedict Mason were whining in full force yesterday.  MCM could not yet confirm rumors that Mason and Suggs continued to complain later that evening while enjoying a gallon of Häagen-Dazs and an Lifetime original movie.

 In news that surprises nobody, Vince isn't on the sideline because of his knee (see quote below).  Too his credit, VY spoke to the media after the game and, though he sounds frustrated, he is keeping the focus no the team rather than his situation. 

Asked if he is 100 percent healed, Young said, "I’m getting there. I don’t know about 100 percent, but I’d be out there playing."

 Sporting News' Clifton Brown says our boys aren't pretty, but have the makings of a Super Bowl team... I wonder what gave it away?  Perhaps the 5-0 start?

 I'm no Peter King fan (these days) either, but he reprinted in his column this morning what he reported/theorized on Football Night in America:

Collins will be a free-agent after the year. Vince Young, the troubled one, has three years left on his contract. Next year, Young makes $2.16 million. In 2010 and 2011, Young will make a combined $24.5 million, if the Titans choose to keep him. They can cut him after 2009 and owe him nothing. Interesting dilemma. Collins has lost 20 pounds and is now a relatively lithe 229. He's sober. He's a little more athletic than he looked playing for the Giants near the beginning of the decade. Even though he'll be 36 at the end of the year, if he continues to play this efficiently, it'll be extremely hard for the Titans to let him go.

I figure the Titans will try to re-sign Collins, bring him to camp next year and let the best man win the job. 

There's a whole lot of internet out there, so if you have a great link you'd like to submit for tomorrow's Morning Links email me at mcmaugustwest@gmail.com!

Titans G.M. Mike Reinfeldt and Coach Jeff Fisher talked to Paul Kuharsky about trading for a wide receiver before the week 6 deadline... not much of a chance it sounds like.

 In Keith Bulluck's mind, the Titans are still underdogs. Yup; undefeated underdogs cruising near the top of everyone's Power Rankings.

 Peter Morelli, the NFL ref who upheld the dubious spot that gave us a first down on the goal line last Sunday against the Vikings, explains why he didn't overturn it on review.

 After Vince Young's first full practice yesterday, Jim Wyatt says the injured QB will probably be our no. 2 on Sunday.  Jeff Fisher, however, says they'll make that call on Sunday.

 Michaeltastic got it up yesterday, but something tells me Crazy Legs and Albert could be getting a lot of these this year... unless Finnegan steals to many votes from Big Albert.

 Can Anyone Block Albert Haynesworth?  Answer: It's possible, but Superman couldn't block him for very long.

 ESPN's Keith Kidd ranks Crazy Legs at the 4th best rookie so far.  How awesome is it that said ranking seems insultingly low?  Pretty awesome.

 Calling Finnegan the anti-Pacman is true in so many ways, especially in that Cortland is actually a good DB and not a glorified return man.  Also, there's the decent human being thing...

 Most unfortunate double entendre of the week comes from Dr. Z:

I don't think the Titans can put together the kind of quick-strike offense a team needs to contain the Baltimore defense once it gets aroused.

eww gross.

 Ranking the AFC South at 4th right now is probably legit considering the Colts (surprising most) and Texans (not so much) are off to very disappointing starts. Maybe Beans was right... 

 In a sign that's never good for an NFL player, Vince Young has dropped from an 88 to an 83 in the latest roster update for Madden 09.

 A view of the Titans from the outside... they're dead-on about our O-line being "almost impenetrable" over the first 4 games.  The big hogs have only allowed 2 sacks and are a big reason Crazy Legs is the toast of the league.

 The National Football Post, a very good upstart NFL coverage website, pegs the Titans defense and Crazy Legs for their All-First Quarter Team.

 In need of a good laugh?  Check out Kissing Suzy Kolber's brutal-yet-deserved torching of Mary Hoge.

There's a whole lot of internet out there, so if you have a great link you'd like to submit for tomorrow's Morning Links email me at mcmaugustwest@gmail.com!

The Tennessean breaks down 5 things the Titans must do to beat the Ravens and remain undefeated.  Oddly enough, score more points than the opponent by the end of the game is not one of them.

 Now here's a true Titan: Vincent Fuller spent many tough years behind enemy lines so that he could be drafted by us and give recon about how Baltimore goes about their business. You see, to defeat your enemy, you must first understand them... yeah... that's the ticket:

"It's Baltimore,'' Titans safety Vincent Fuller said. "I remember being a kid in Baltimore watching the Titans-Ravens games and seeing how much animosity seemed to be on the field. Coach Fisher has already reminded us of that, what it's going to be like.''

 What's your favorite/worst memory from the Titans-Ravens rivalry?  Terry McCormick has the highlights either jog your memory or pull the scab off that wound.

 The staff of the AFC South Blog Paul Kuharsky revamps a new weekly segment called "Unsung Hero and goat".  This week's unsung heroes are Cortland Finnegan and Nick Harper, while the first goat is rookie TE Craig Stevens for not staying in bounds in the end zone on that simple catch.

 The Freak won't have to face the Fuzz until January 6th... guess the judge doesn't like our playoff chances.

 Mike Florio takes needless rumor mongering to a new low with assists from Albert Haynesworth, Mindy McCready and TMZ.

 The excellent Teresa M. Walker from the Associated Press gives the Titans daps for keeping a veteran back-up rather than a project QB, and throws in an angle the rest of the word has missed:

[on reacting after Kerry took over] And the rest of the Titans? Call it the Pacman effect. They became experts at focusing on football and ignoring soap opera while playing with cornerback Adam Jones before his trade to Dallas in April. So having help from SWAT officers and crisis negotiators to check on the quarterback's emotional well-being is nothing.

 An Indianapolis media outlet shows the Titans some love... nothing mind blowing here, just nice to see others 'kiss the ring'.

4-0!  4-0!  4-0!  4-0!  4-0!  4-0!  4-0!  4-0!  4-0!  4-0!  4-0!  4-0!   We're 4-0!

 Congratulations are in order for Jeff Fisher, who is now tied with 49ers and Panthers coach George Seifert for career wins with 124.  The big difference between the two is that Fisher didn't inherit a 14 win team and sleep walk to the Super Bowl.

 Paul Kuharsky reports that Chris 'Crazy Legs' Johnson continues to impress to the point Titans officials are trying to reign in the love-fest... good luck with that.  PK also notes that Vince wasn't exactly attentive and involved on the sidelines for most of the game.

 Give some love to the Titans D for bottling up the best RB in the league... any team in the NFL would take holding Peterson to 18 rushes for 80 yards with glee.

 Gus Frerotte says Boom King's hit was dirty.  Somebody get him a biddy, please.

 We're also going to need a biddy for Mike Florio and some Vikings fans.

 The unstoppable Big Albert Haynesworth got 2 sacks Sunday to give him 5 sack in 4 games.  However, even he was hilariously not too impressed with his last one:

"He was kind of just running around not really knowing much," Haynesworth said. "It was just kind of a free sack that he gave me. I thanked him while I was on him, because that was just kind of a gift. That’s probably one of the longest sacks, and he just gave it to me, but, hey, I’ll take it."

 Was Vince Young holding us back?  It becomes harder and harder to say no each week.

 Looks like former Titans GM Floyd Reese actually wants the Lions job.  It'd be interesting to see them hire someone who has at least built a winner before.

 I'm a little late in relaying it to you guys, but my man Pinoy Titan sent along a great read on super-beastly CB  Cortland Finnegan from nfl.com.

From 1999 through 2003, the Titans went 56-21 with only 2 seasons that ended without a post-season win. From 2004 through 2007 they went 27-37.  It's a tale of two radically different teams, a schizophrenic roller coaster for Titans fans.

Miracles

In September of 1999 the Tennessee Titans were wrapped in newness: new name, new uniforms, new stadium, new fans and a new chapter in franchise history.  They filled every seat in Adelphia Coliseum, and treated those grateful followers to an undefeated season at home and a 13-3 record overall.  

Then came the Music City Miracle.  Then came the epic win over Jacksonville.  Then came the most exciting Super Bowl in NFL history (that's science people).  There was the record smashing rise of the Freak, and the retirement of Bruce Matthews.  The Titans were the toast of Nashville and the envy of most serious NFL followers for their consistency.

Tricks

By 2004 the Titans were getting old.  The injuries were piling-up, and so was the salary cap number.  Back-loaded contracts and veterans in decline were sprinkled all over the roster.  After a rough 2004 season the core of the team was blown-up, and Steve McNair's departure after the 2005 season ended the only real 'era' Nashville had seen in professional sports.  From 2005 through 2007 the team we see today was assembled, though they struggled to learn how to win again. 

Also, there was this one guy who came in for a year or two.  He was great at returning kicks, putting strippers through school and keeping cops all over the country busy.

Last year the franchise we'd known was reborn.  After years of being undermanned (causing Fisher to call more trick plays, onside-kicks and fake punts than I've ever seen from any other NFL coach) the talent on the field graduated from learning how to play to learning how to win.  Vince Young electrified, the running game pounded and the Haynesworth led defense terrified.  The Titans defied the naysayers by making the playoffs a year before most though we would be ready.

Treats

So what's the point of all of this?  We're back!  The Titans are a team others hate to play again!  Our defense is stocked with Pro Bowl-caliber talent, the offensive line is dominant and the thunder and lighting duo of White and Johnson can grind teams into submission before snapping off huge plays.  The roster is stocked with too many hard-nosed players to list hear.  They play with ferocity and intensity every weekend.  When things go wrong they circle the wagons and stay focused on winning.  Nobody pops-off to the media.  Nobody tries to steal the spotlight.  Even our uniforms finally look awesome.  

If it weren't for VY's headline-ready issues I doubt many people would notice that we're 3-0... and even that didn't distract this team!

We Titans fans endured a seriously ugly team for a few years there, but I'm here to tell you this Titans team is built right, and they aren't going anywhere but up.  Sure they're flawed in some spots, but I couldn't think of a group of guys or a coaching staff -- even my former personal nemesis Jim Schwartz -- who are more rewarding to root for than these Titans.

So, am I alone in feeling like 3-0 is just the beginning?

Albert Haynesworth, he of the offseason GM, puts his coach cap on this time and comes up with this solution to the Titans QB situation:

"I would run a two-quarterback system with Vince and Kerry,'' defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth said. "You look at some of the college teams that have done it and they've done all right. …

"Vince still is young, he is (25). And we have Kerry, who has seen a lot of stuff and he can get the ball in there. You get down to crunch time where you need to throw the ball you put Kerry in. Utilize both of them. You have money in both, why not use them both

 Big Albert is in a trash talking mood when it comes to the Texans, but Sage Rosenfels says that the Texans offensive line is "excited to protect Matt (Schaub)". Yeah, good luck keeping whomever is back there upright after Albert and the Boom King get hot about being hit at the knees a few times.

 Paul Kuharsky says Ahman Green may not be ready Sunday, but Big Albert is ready for those cut blocks that are the hallmark of an Alex Gibbs offensive line:

This will be just the second game for the Texans' cut-block heavy run scheme, which could prove cause for fireworks.

Asked about the concept in the preseason, Albert Haynesworth was wary.

"They always talk about us being dirty, maybe they need to look at that, trying to hurt people and stuff, he said. "If they aren't man enough to stay up, shoot, they shouldn't be in the league then. The coach either."

I love how just once or twice a year Fisher seems to let a few guys talk trash, but only against teams in the division.

 Keith Bulluck, who hasn't seen much special teams action as a Titan, won AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his blocked punt and touchdown recovery last Sunday.

 Kerry Collins hasn't talked to Vince Young very much since taking over his spot... I'm trying to convince myself that isn't as weird as it seems.

 Ben Troupe was cut by the Buccaneers on Tuesday... how does so much talent and potential go to waste like that?  Oh yeah, by consistently running the wrong routes and not being a good blocker.

 Our VY link of the day is a feature story by Sports Illustrated's Jim Trotter.  It's a very good read about whether Vince can handle the criticism that comes with the job of NFL quarterback.  And while it's generally full of the advice we've heard over and over again, it starts out with a bit I'd never heard before:

SEVERAL DAYS before the Titans' playoff opener against the Chargers last January, quarterback Vince Young sat in front of his dressing stall and calmly spoke about San Diego's marvelous offensive talent, most notably running back LaDainian Tomlinson, tight end Antonio Gates and wide receiver Chris Chambers. When asked what he could do with those players in his huddle, Young shook his head.

"I can't even elaborate on something like that," he said. "I hope guys like you can put that out for me. All I get is criticism, criticism, criticism. I can't even watch SportsCenter. I can't even watch NFL Network to check on all the people I'm cool with around the league. I can't go there without hearing some crap all the time: Vince Young did this wrong, Vince Young did that wrong."

If that was Young's frame of mind as he was leading his team into the playoffs, it's easy to understand his erratic, if not bizarre behavior after being booed at home two Sundays ago in a season-opening win over Jacksonville.

The Texans will come into LP field with a heavy heart and a worried mind Sunday.  This is one of the times when sports will one day help rally Houston together, but with no power or potable water and dwindling relief supplies, now is really the time for these guys to be focusing on taking care of their own.  My heart goes out to them for having to leave to play a game.

 Hall of Fame Titan/Oiler Bruce Matthews, who famously never missed a game due to injury, tore a tendon in his quadriceps while cleaning up from the damage and devastation caused by Hurricane Ike.

 Gary Estwick reminds us that though our WRs stink, there isn't much else out there.

 Whether you say it's Collins, Dinger or both, the Titans are a much better team in the red-zone this year.  It's also nice to know that as Alge gets more in rhythm with the passing game we could become even better in this area.

 Because defense wins championships, but rarely beauty pageants, ESPN guys put us at no. 9 in their composite Power Rankings.

 Paul Kuharsky devotes an entire mailbag column to Vince Young and the coverage surrounding the situation.  I'm hoping people will read the following exchange and realize that the reports that Vince was 'suicidal' were not as clean or airtight as most media clowns would like them to have us believe:

Unknown from New Rochelle writes: Regarding the Vince Young situation, I am just wondering how something as confidential as a conversation between a therapist and a patient became public information. Surely, somone has breached something and this, in my mind, is shameful...!

Paul Kuharsky: Police reports are public information and according to the report, which we know had at least two factual errors in it, Jeff Fisher relayed information to police that someone had relayed to him.

 In the video on the right side of the page, Terry Bradshaw gives Vince Young the best advice I've heard over the past week and a half.  Few QBs were hammered and insulted like Terry was and yet went on to win Super Bowls, so I take his comments on this  with more weight than just about anyone else around the game.

 SI scribe Bucky Brooks picks Crazy Legs as the current leader for rookie of the year.  He also gives props to Cortland Finnegan (I'm so happy we got him signed to that extension before he stepped it up even further this year), Albert Haynesworth and Jeff Fisher.

If you have anything you'd like to pass along for the next day's links, email me at mcmaugustwest@gmail.com

If you need something to help you get fired up for this game click here.  That game happened in the mist of a bad 3 game swing for the Titans when Albert Haynesworth was sidelined with a hamstring injury.  There is a chance that Fat Albert won't play tomorrow, but this defense is better than that one.

Last year Carson Palmer had the game of his life going 32 of 38 for 283 yards with 3 touchdowns and 1 interception.  Palmer had pretty much all day to throw and was only sacked one time.  Tomorrow the formula to winning is pretty simple; Get pressure on Palmer.  If he is able to sit back there and go through his progressions all day, he will pick apart the Titans' defense.  If he is being chased around all day, he will make some mistakes.

It would be awesome to see Cortland Finnegan continue the success that he had last week.  Finnegan is one of the best cornerbacks in the league, and this is the perfect opportunity for him to prove that against a really good passing offense.

Since this worked last week, here are the four letter "expert" picks:

Mortensen has made his pick, and he picked the Bengals.  I can't believe he abandoned the Titans after being the only one to pick them last week.

Of course the Titans game plan will be to run the ball about 30 times.  I think Chris Johnson will have a huge day against a Bengals defense that is not very good.  CJ will wear the defense down, and then LenDale White will come in and roll over them.

 And then there is the first start of the mini-Kerry Collins era.  Collins will get the ball out quickly, and should get it where it is supposed to go.  The passing game will look a lot different.  It is yet to be seen whether it is good or bad different.

Obviously I hope he plays well.  I am still of the belief that if both Collins and Vince Young are 100% healthy (mentally and physically) that VY is the better option.  Collins gets the chance tomorrow to prove me wrong.  

This is a game the Titans need to win.  They will be the better team on both sides of the ball so there is no reason they shouldn't come back to Nashville 2-0.