The 3rd preseason game is the most important for most teams because it is the game where they play their starters into the 3rd quarter.  That is not how the Titans will handle this game.  Titans' Coach Jeff Fisher said on Thursday that the starters will play only the first half this week, and then next week against the Packers they will play into the 3rd quarter.  Here are some things to watch for in tonight's game:

Offense

• The Titans have done a little more game planning this week than they normally do in the preseason in order to give the offense, particularly the passing offense, some much needed confidence.  Look for them to come out with a set number of scripted plays on their first drive like they would in a regular season game.  Dinger is very good with the opening drive, so don't be surprised to see a TD to open the game.
• We are still waiting for a receiver to step up and prove he can make plays.  Lavelle Hawkins did it last week, but he is out this week with an ankle injury.  Can Brandon Jones or Justin McCariens prove something on the field?  I would say at this point McCareins, Justin Gage and The Hawk are the only locks to be on this roster opening day.  Everyone else is playing for their lives.
• I am always excited to see what Chris Johnson is going to do.  He is supposed to return kicks in the first half.  I would love to see him break one.

Defense

• The defense has looked pretty solid in both of the games thus far.  I look for them to get all over Falcons' rookie quarterback Matt Ryan. 
• Stephen Tulloch will get another start with Keith Bulluck out.  It was fun to watch him fly all over the field last week.  He is going to prove to be a very valuable part of this defense because he is backing up all 3 linebacker spots.
• Jason Jones, William Hayes, Antonio Johnson, and Jacob Ford were all impressive in camp.  It is time for them to make some plays in live action.

The Falcons are not expected to be very good this year.  The Titans' starters need to look sharp in this game to continue buliding momentum towards the regular season.

Be sure and stop in tonight for the open thread that will be up at 5:00 p.m. central.

The City Paper Confidential. 

TOPIC OF CONVERSATION: What else, but the fight between center Kevin Mawae and defensive tackle Tony Brown. The Titans were in a blitz period and Brown became entangled with Mawae, who was pass protecting in the pocket. After a bit of jousting, Brown shoved Mawae, and the melee was on with a host of players involved, including Enoka Lucas pinning Jacob Ford to the ground.

You don't hear about Mawae getting fired up too often.  These things happen as camp goes along.  The article also mentions that Keith Bulluck and Lavelle Hawkins sat out practice and are unlikely to play Friday night.  LenDale White also sat out which allowed Chris Johnson to get all of the first team reps.

The Tennessean camp report mentions that the receivers dropped a lot of passes today.  Awesome.

Defensive end Jevon Kearse busted through the offensive line and stopped running back Chris Johnson in the backfield.

There hasn't been any mention of him making plays in camp in the last couple of weeks, so that is really good to hear.

City Paper Camp Confidential.  Not a lot of meat on the bone there.

Jevon Kearse, after missing two days of practice to rest and mend, was back on the field and running with the first team defense at left end Wednesday. Kearse is expected to play Friday against Oakland, but his backup Jacob Ford is in question with leg tightness after missing a second straight day.

Titans Radio reports that Chris Henry, Roydell Williams, Jacob Ford and Nick Harper were all held out of practice on Wednesday.  The same article also features this:

In the passing game however, quarterbacks Vince Young and Kerry Collins looked very sharp. Young connected with five different receivers during the last portion of team drills, going 8-8 passing. Collins continued the good quarterback play going 4-6.

VY seems to be continuing to make strides in Dinger's offense.

Chris Johnson's goal for the season is to win Offensive Rookie of the Year.

“My main goal is to win rookie of the year,’’ Johnson said Wednesday. “I want to come in and do the same thing Adrian Peterson came in and did last year. I think that is possible.’’

Sounds good to me.

Estwick says that Henry leads the battle for the 3rd running back spot.  I am not really sure what leads him to that conclusion other than the obvious that Henry was a 2nd round pick last season.

(On the afternoon practice's cooler weather)

We had good weather from the standpoint of getting acclimated to the opener. It's nice to get a break and it should stay like this through the weekend. But we'll get another shot [at the heat] I'm sure, having been here a number of years.

(On the number of defensive ends who did not practice)

We rested Kyle [Vanden Bosch], he'll be fine. Jevon [Kearse] is on the mend, he'll be fine. Jacob [Ford] just got sore after the special teams practice this morning and we didn't want to push him. None of them have been ruled out for the ballgame this week.

(On Keith Bulluck's intensity while watching practice)

Well that's why he's as productive on the field week in and week out because he knows what to do. We were doing some things today that we hadn't done in a week or so and he was obviously paying attention. He can learn a lot of different ways. We just needed to back down a little with him but he'll be back on the field tomorrow.

(On Chris Johnson adjusting to lining up at wide receiver)

He's done it before. He's broken the backfield throughout his college career so he's used to doing those things. He's used to being a lead blocker and pass-protecting so it's nothing new to him. From this standpoint it's just when to do it and how to do it and how it fits in our system. But he's very familiar with it now.

(On how common it is in the NFL to see running backs lining up as receivers)

You'll see it out of a number of different opponents. If you're going to break a backfield, you're trying to displace a defender, and then take advantage of the displacement. We'll break the backfield many times to try to get the ball to [Chris Johnson].

(On Stephen Tulloch playing outside linebacker)

You know Stephen played outside linebacker throughout the offseason and through the OTAs. He's done a great job. He could step in right now and play and there'd be no drop off.

(On if he worries about overloading Chris Johnson with return duties)

The kick-return responsibilities aren't necessarily going to be an overload. It's right, left or middle and run as fast as you can. He enjoys doing it so were going to give him an opportunity this weekend.

(On Chris Johnson learning the offense)

He's not having any difficulties with the amount of things that were involving him in. He's a quick learner and he's very sharp.

(On what they saw out of Chris Johnson as a returner in college)

Well he catches the ball well. He hits it and he makes people miss. He's got the potential if he hits a crease. Typically the cover guys are in their lanes and there aren't levels of them, so if he can get a crease he's got a chance.

(On Justin McCareins returning to practice)

Justin's fine. He's back and he made some plays for us today.

(On Stephen Tulloch's versatility at linebacker)

This is really the first year we've moved him outside and he bounces inside and outside now without any trouble. He's having a great camp, he really is. He's a good football player.

Titans Radio recap of the afternoon practice. 

Quarterback Vince Young had many great plays, attacking downfield many times throughout the day. The first play from scrimmage in team drills resulted in a touchdown pass from Young to wide receiver Paul Williams. The play went for over 60 yards.

The one thing that VY has done successfully in this camp is throw the ball downfield.  If he can do that when it counts it will really open things up in the run game.  That is the key to success for this team.

Terry McCormick's camp confidential.

DEFENSIVE PLAY OF THE DAY: Titans defensive end Jacob Ford continued to flash in training camp, getting into the St. Louis backfield to stop the running back for losses on two consecutive plays.

I am excited to see what Ford will be able to do when against a live offense this preseason.  It sounds like he could be one of the breakout players this season.

Jim Wyatt is reporting that tight end Dwayne Blakely is likely out for a couple of weeks because of a groin injury.  Blakely was probably a long shot to make the roster even if he stayed healthy, but this pretty much seals the deal on him. 

Jim Wyatt blogs about the Titans Thursday afternoon defensive performance.

Gary Estwick has a nice story about one of the newest Titans, Jake Scott, and how he is adapting to his new surroundings.

Terry McCormick's camp confidental. Not only is Crumpler making plays on the field, he is helping Vince Young get his head out of his butt when he isn't playing well.  Everyone knows that I am a big VY supporter, but I am sick of his pouting.  We were all touting his leadership coming out of college and in his rookie season.  Last year he was sulking on the sideline every time something went wrong.  He has got to get past that if he is going to be successful in this league.  /rant

The Titans Radio recap has more praise for Crumpler mentioning he had 3 TD catches during team drills.

Another reason to get excited about Chris Johnson.

A nice piece on Stephen Tulloch.  I would love to see Tulloch in there as the middle linebacker, but he won't get that shot until he proves that he will be in the right spot 95% of the time.  The coaches are going to go with Fowler, even though Tulloch has more talent, because he knows his assignments and plays them on every play.

The Tennessean practice report from that includes more high praise for Jacob Ford.

Titans' Radio has a good story on Jacob Ford and his battle back from the achillies tendon injury that sidelined him for the entire 2007 season.  You can never have too many guys in the defensive line rotation.

The TR site also has a good recap of Saturday's practice.  It sounds like they used Saturday's practice to simulate a lot of real game situations.

Jim Wyatt has an evaluation of the QB play through the first week. 

Wyatt also has a notes column that leads off with details about Kerry Collins losing 10 pounds in the offseason.

Jim Wyatt has a good article on the Titans' new running backs coach Ernest Byner.  I heard Byner on the radio yesterday, and he is going to be a great asset to this coaching staff.  He had no problem talking about "The Fumble" saying that going through that experience had helped him become who he is today.

Jeff Fisher isn't so sure about Albert Haynesworth's six pack:

"It's in a cooler in the back of his car,'' Fisher said.

John Glennon, the beat-writer for the Nashville Predators, thinks the Titans should open the wallet for Haynesworth.  He makes some pretty good points.

Terry McCormick has a good article about Jacob Ford's battle to make this roster.  He can contribute if he can keep that weight on.  He has the potential to be a very good situational rusher.

Jim Wyatt has today's practice report up on his blog.  Some observations:

Defensive end Jacob Ford, who tore his Achilles last year in training camp, has made a nice surge of late. On Wednesday, he worked his way into the backfield on several occasions. Ford said he’s feeling stronger, and more comfortable.

            Second-round draft pick Jason Jones got work with the first team at defensive tackle, in place of Antonio Johnson. Both players are getting an extra long look because of Albert Haynesworth’s absence.

            Defensive tackle Tony Brown batted down two balls, while defensive ends Kyle Vanden Bosch and Jevon Kearse busted it in the heat, chasing the ball downfield time and again. Kearse also busted through on one play to stop rookie running back Chris Johnson in the backfield.

            Rookie defensive end William Hayes got recognized for both good and bad from defensive line coach Jim Washburn. He was praised for one play, then Washburn rode him for not running to the ball on another.

This defensive line is going to be really exciting to watch.  I think they are going to spend a lot of time in the backfield this season.

Receiver Brandon Jones continues to be inconsistent. He made some nice catches, but failed to haul in a few catch-able balls. Defensive back Chris Carr should get some credit for breaking one up, however.

I don't think he will end up making the team.  Heimerdinger doesn't care for inconsistent play.

Receiver Lavelle Hawkins continues to provide reasons why he could be an instant playmaker. He’s shifty when he gets his hands on the ball, and makes guys miss.

Hawkins looks on pace to secure the slot receiver spot.