http://www.nflgridirongab.com/2012/06/22/titans-rb-chris-johnson-wants-to-play-at-a-heavier-weight-in-2012/
Jake Locker suffered a separated left shoulder in their 34-13 demolishing loss to New England, and the Titans signal-caller did not exactly enjoy himself in the home opener.
The NFL season was supposedly going to be a springboard season towards greatness, but life doesn’t always go as planned. Chris Johnson was an abomination running the ball, and some of the blame certainly belongs to a Tennessee offensive line and a New England defensive line that made its mark.
Toting the rock 11 times for 4 yards is tough a pill to swallow heading into this tough Week 2 matchup for the Titans and bringing star receiver Kenny Britt back for 15-25 plays does not necessarily bring this team to a whole new level.
Britt has to shake off the rust from his one-game suspension from an offseason DUI, but Nate Washington, Jared Cook and Kendall Wright (Damian Williams too) are all solid talents.
The only issue is this team fell behind so quickly that the Patriots knew exactly what was coming nearly every series. It is so vital to start a game off on the right foot or at least to have the poise to bounce back immediately.
Going up against the Patriots is about as tough as it gets, and the Chargers defense is nowhere as dominant so expect improved numbers from everybody.
The passing game may not necessarily go bonkers, (Locker threw for 229) but CJ2K should improved upon his pedestrian numbers.
Averaging less than a yard per carry is abysmal, but he was involved in the passing game which should keep the Titans team in the game for four quarters against a solid Bolts squad.
San Diego took it to an Oakland team that looked absolutely lost for three quarters on offense, and by the time they figured it out it was way too late in the game for a real turnaround.
Philip Rivers found Malcolm Floyd and Antonio Gates early and often, and most expect more of the same in Week 2. The broken clavicle of Ryan Mathews has rapidly healed as he is expected to play and perhaps next week against the Atlanta Falcons.
While he won’t help the team much this weekend, Ronnie Brown and Casper Brinkley provided very little punch while running the ball. The offensive line still has major weak links and running it 20 times for 32 yards would be the definition of one-dimensional.
Rivers could be a sitting duck in the pocket, but he should be bailed out by Gates (questionable, knee, expected play) and Floyd. That in itself should be barely enough in a game that may come down to a kicking contest between Nate Kaeding and Rob Bironas.
Give me the former Hawkeye and the Bolts at home!
Power Rankings: SD (10) TEN (23)
Network: CBS (716)
Time: 4:25 p.m. Eastern
Experts Pick: Chargers by 6
Danny V’s Pick: Chargers 20, Titans 17
