During the first installment of this week’s question and answer exchange, Total Titans answered the questions posed by Eagles Eye in preparation for Sunday’s Tennessee Titans/Philadelphia Eagles interconference matchup.
In this installment, we have the second and final part of the Q&A, with Thomas Jackson of Eagles Eye answering the inquiries provided by the faithful readers of Total Titans.
Up next…part II of the Q&A exchange.
Total Titans
What’s the latest on the statuses of Michael Vick and DeSean Jackson for this Sunday’s Titans/Eagles clash?
Eagles Eye
Vick is still extremely sore in the upper rib cage, and is likely to sit this one out as the 3rd Backup QB…but the Eagles are putting it out there that Vick engaged in “limited practice” this week and could be available for an option role…but I think that’s pure gamesmanship on Andy Reid’s part.
DeSean Jackson is definitely OUT for this one, and possibly the next two weeks as well.
Total Titans
What will it take for the Titans to contain emerging Eagles’ RB LeSean McCoy?
Eagles Eye
Well, the good news for Titans fans is McCoy is pretty banged up with a cracked rib…but he insists he’ll start at RB in this game. So if he can go, the key to stopping McCoy is to fill the A-gaps in the line and don’t buy into McCoy’s first move. He loves to cut back and bust through a vacated gap in the interior line. Without LT Jason Peters (great run blocker) in the game, this is not as easy for McCoy to do right now…but he can still make a defender look silly with an “ankle-breaker” move or cut-back.
Also, your outside LB’s need to be wary of getting lost in space when McCoy gets the ball on a bubble screen or a check-down. Finally, what makes McCoy so good this year over last season is he lifted weights for the first time in his life over the offseason. Now he’ll put a shoulder on you and break a tackle, rather than dance sideways to avoid the hit. The Titan secondary will need to gang-tackle McCoy if he breaks into their level.
Total Titans
Two former Eagles: LB Will Witherspoon and DE Jason Babin, have been pleasant additions to the Tennessee Titans’ defense. Any regrets letting them go?
Eagles Eye
I’m happy as heck for the success Witherspoon and Babin are having with the Titans, but there is no regret at letting them go…Both players are classic examples of the “the Scheme” being just right for a particular player’s talents.
‘Spoon is a perfect fit in the Titans’ defensive scheme, as is Babin… But both would be lost in the shuffle in Phlly, where Andy Reid’s defensive scheme requires a different linebacker profile and a smaller, faster defensive end technique.
Total Titans
Kevin Kolb or Michael Vick: Who gives the Eagles the best chance to win and compete for the NFC East title in 2010? Any regrets trading Donovan McNabb?
Eagles Eye
Tough question, because the real answer may be: We need Both!
Thinking back to the days of Lamonica and Blanda, it’s kinda what we have going in Philly right now. One guy gets hurt, the other guy comes in and does great for two or three games…then that guy gets hurt, and on it goes—next man up! But when both are 100% healthy, given the different experience levels, I would start Vick if I had to win that one last big game to win the NFC East title. Nice to know Kolb, who seems to be improving in seeing the defense downfield, is there if you need him.
As for McNabb?— I miss his presence on the field as a calming influence when the game is close, I miss his ability to pull out an ugly win when all else seems to be falling down around him…but truth be told, the time was right to move him…just in terms of trade value and return on investment. One of the draft picks Philly got for McNabb is now their starting free safety—Nate Allen.
Total Titans
Prediction Time: Who will win Sunday’s Titans/Eagles battle?
Eagles Eye
Assuming Jeff Fisher does everything I think he’s gonna do, and Andy Reid counters as I think he will,this game will boil down to the Titans D-Line and pass-rush pressure finally wearing down the Eagles’ somewhat depleted O-Line.
Kolb throws a 4th-quarter pick under pressure to Cortland Finnigan, and Titans win 17-13… don’t worry, Eagles will learn well, go into their bye and come out a better team for it.
On behalf of Total Titans, I’d like to extend a big thank you in the direction of Thomas Jackson of Eagles Eye for participating in this week’s question/answer exchange.
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