The New York Jets have the Tennessee Titans’ attention. Jeff Fisher, in his 13th season as Titans head coach, sent a clear message earlier this week when he spoke with New York reporters during a conference call.
"They are the best 3-11 team I've ever seen,” Fisher said of the Jets.
The Titans, meanwhile, sit at 8-6, needing to win out and get some help in order to earn a wild-card entry into the postseason. They host the Jets today, with kickoff scheduled for 4:15 PM EST at LP Field in Nashville.
When told of Fisher’s statement, veteran Jets guard Brandon Moore thought it might have more than one meaning.
““He might be also speaking to his team, trying to get them not to look past us,” Moore said. “But that’s a huge compliment and it means a lot coming from a coach like him. He’s been in this league a long time, but we’ve been saying that, too, that we’re a lot better than our record shows. We have to just push together. You are as good as your record is, so we are a 3-11 team.”
The Jets’ 2007 season will end at home next weekend against the Chiefs. If the Titans lose today on their home field, they’ll definitely end their season in Indianapolis on Dec. 30.
“They have something to play for. They are 8-6, so they have a chance to move on,” said S Kerry Rhodes. “I’m sure they are going to try to talk us up as much as they can to their team and not let them have a letdown.”
Once sitting pretty at 6-2, the Titans have dropped four of their past six. The Jets are a dangerous foe because they scared the unbeaten Patriots last Sunday and their defense is hitting its stride.
“You have to be jacked up every week for every game,” said rookie CB Darrelle Revis. “Last week we missed a couple of plays, but as a team we played great. You have to let that go and focus on the Titans this week.”
While the Jets used a masterful defensive game plan, featuring a lot of standing up at the line of scrimmage and multiple looks with just one or two down linemen, to confuse Tom Brady, they’ll approach this game much differently.
The Titans’ aren’t as pass-happy as the Pats. Vince Young, in his second season, has completed 62 percent of his passes but his INTs (16) almost double his TD passes (9). They have the NFL’s fourth-best rushing offense, averaging 134.6 yards per contest.
“They are going to try to pound the ball on us,” Rhodes said. “They are a great running team. They’re very talented with that and we’ve had struggles with it. I’m sure, coming in, they’ll look at that and think it’s a plus for them.”
When the Titans do pass, the Jets' game plan is simple: Keep Young in the pocket. It’s no secret what last year’s NFL Rookie of the Year can do with his feet (375 rush yards, three TDs) and he doesn’t mind letting it fly on the run.
“He is mobile, he can get out of the pocket and make throws down the field,” Rhodes said. “He has one of the strongest arms in the league if you haven’t seen him. He can roll out and just flick his wrist and throw the ball 60 yards down the field. He’s a strong-armed guy, so once he gets out and breaks contain, you have to stay back in coverage deep.”
Fans could see a daily double this afternoon. LenDale White, the Titans’ leading rusher, needs 40 yards to reach 1,000 for the first time in his career. Thomas Jones will top 1,000 for the third time and first with the Green & White if he gains 37 yards against the Titans’ seventh-ranked rush defense.
The Jets moved the ball last weekend against the Pats, but they scored only three offensive points and were hurt by an 0-for-4 touchdown performance in the red zone. QB Kellen Clemens (rib) was limited in practice all week and Chad Pennington, who relieved Clemens last week in New England, could return to the starting lineup in his home state.
“I’m excited about possibly having the opportunity to play,” said the Knoxville native.
The Jets actually played three quarterbacks in New England, introducing an option package with Brad Smith at QB and Jones and Washington in the backfield.
“It's three guys that are very good with the football in their hands,” said Jets head coach Eric Mangini. “You have multiple ways to attack, whether you want to go inside with that element of it or attack the perimeter with the other element of it.”
If the Jets can find a way to finish offensively, they might have Fisher saying they’re the best 4-11 team he’s ever seen.
