Here in Nashville, the local sports talk radio shows are still talking about Tennessee’s loss to Georgia St. Which I don’t mind being a Vandy fan. I guess the titans aren’t playing this week, or they’re worried about something. Lets start with their offensive line. Like I said in my last blog starting left tackle Dennis Kelly wasn’t at practice Tuesday. Practiced on Wednesday and told reporters he was still working on his plan to face Myles Garrett. I wonder if it’s a dental plan or a medical plan? Or dinner plans after the game to make him feel better after Garrett’s attack plan overwhelms him.
Also on Wednesday starting RT Jake Conklin didn’t practice because his knee was bothering him. He did practice Thursday though. However starting RG Kevin Pamphile didn’t and still didn’t on Friday. His replacement is Jamil Douglas. who’s also the back up center. Like I’ve said in the past, this offensive line is a mess. The titans are going to have to run the ball to keep the Browns defensive line off of Mariota. Heard a guy on the radio Thursday say the titans haven’t seen film of Beckham with the Browns, then added Derrick Henry hasn’t played all preseason so the Browns don’t have tape on Henry. What? The last time the Browns played the titans was here in Nashville in 2017 and the titans won 12-9. The soon to be 0-16 Browns held Henry to 13 yards on 13 carries. Nope never seen him.
The other big news here in Nashville was the titans putting their kicker on IR. They signed journeyman kicker Cairo Santos. Might be a problem in a close games, but I don’t think this game will be close. Sure the titans defense is good and their secondary is very good. They mostly play a 3-4 defense with their linebackers generating most of the pass rush. Yes defensive lineman Jurrell Casey is a stud and the interior of the browns offensive line will have their hands full. If I were the Browns I’d go Cameron Wake’s direction a lot. He’s good, but because of his age, not as good as he used to be. I’d send Njoku his way all game long. And if it’s successful, then the titans will be forced to send a safty to help, which opens up both the passing game and the running game.
Like I said their starting secondary is really good. Lets see what happens when the Browns go four wide and spread things out. If the Browns win the coin toss, you know they’ll take the ball first and hopefully go up tempo. I have a feeling if the titans win the coin toss, they’ll defer. Their defense is their strength so that makes sense. Besides a new kicker, their punter Brett Kern is a Pro Bowler, lets hope he punts all day long.
On the Browns side, the local media are still talking about whatever Baker Mayfield says and of course blowing whatever out of proportion. He said his wide receivers should be “licking their chops” with the one on one match ups on Sunday. Well yeah, they should, what’s your point? Still no talk of Nick Chubb. This amazes me. He only played down the road at Georgia, remember? Played both Vandy and Tennessee once a year, REMEMBER? As for the Browns defense, they still only talk about the defensive line. No linebackers, no secondary. I guess they’re chopped liver.
So that’s it from Nashville. I’m pumped for Sunday. My wife and I will get to the bar, Dawghouse Saloon, early. The Middle Tennessee Browns Backers always start the season with a tailgate party at 10:00 am central, then pack the bar we call “Dawgpound South.” I love watching the Browns with 250 like minded individuals. Go Browns and DAWGCHECK.