Today, the 3-10 Titans get to play the New England Patriots in Foxboro. For Patriots' fans this would normally be a ho-hum game late in the season where there isn't a whole lot to see. Today will be a little different as the team is now putting the ball in the hands of some unfamiliar faces.
Regardless of those new faces, which I'll tell you about in a minute, the Patriots should coast to a victory today. Although the defense will be minus some key players, Dominique Easley (IR) and Devin McCourty (ankle), they should dominate this game. This season the Titans are averaging 19.5 points per game while the Patriots' defense is relinquishing 19.5 points per game. With the Patriots having played against offenses much more potent than the Titans and the Titans having played some impotent defenses, if Matt Patricia's defense gives up more than 14 points, I'd be shocked.
On special teams, I'm hoping we can get back to perfection. Last week was pretty good other than another muffed return. Watching that play a couple of times, it seemed to me that the ball was a little bouncy. I'll just call it a "special K" ball and leave it at that. Although returns are typically fun to watch, I think we should avoid trying to actually return anything from here on out. At this point I really don't see anything good coming out of it as there is always some phantom block in the back call against us. Besides, there is just too much risk for injury. When kicking I'd also like Gostkowski and Allen give Slater some needed R&R by not giving the opponents any opportunity to return the ball. Unfortunately with today's cold weather, that may be asking a little to much of Gostkowski.
On special teams, I'm hoping we can get back to perfection. Last week was pretty good other than another muffed return. Watching that play a couple of times, it seemed to me that the ball was a little bouncy. I'll just call it a "special K" ball and leave it at that. Although returns are typically fun to watch, I think we should avoid trying to actually return anything from here on out. At this point I really don't see anything good coming out of it as there is always some phantom block in the back call against us. Besides, there is just too much risk for injury. When kicking I'd also like Gostkowski and Allen give Slater some needed R&R by not giving the opponents any opportunity to return the ball. Unfortunately with today's cold weather, that may be asking a little to much of Gostkowski.
The offensive unit just needs to protect the ball and all will be good at Gillette today. Two new faces to the gameday roster who you may want to know a little bit about are WR Leonard Hankerson and RB Joey Iosefa.
Hankerson played his college ball in Miami. He played 4 years for the Redskins and 8 games this season with the Falcons before going down with hamstring issues. In 39 games he has 107 receptions for 1,408 yards and 9 touchdowns. Known as a deep threat, he has 73 1st downs to go with his zero fumbles.
Joey Iosefa is my kind of player. He was born in Pago Pago, American Samoa and played his college ball for Hawaii. A fullback who likes contact, Iosefa is well rounded on the football field. In his 4 seasons at Hawaii, he rushed for 2,218 yards on 512 carries. He also scored 21 touchdowns via the rush. Can he catch? Yes, he can. Joey had 60 receptions for 438 yards and 3 touchdowns. While that should be good enough to the salivary glands going, I'll just drop in the fact that he also threw 2 touchdown passes. While he may not get to throw the ball today, he will likely get to throw some defenders down as he's a good blocker.
Hankerson played his college ball in Miami. He played 4 years for the Redskins and 8 games this season with the Falcons before going down with hamstring issues. In 39 games he has 107 receptions for 1,408 yards and 9 touchdowns. Known as a deep threat, he has 73 1st downs to go with his zero fumbles.
Joey Iosefa is my kind of player. He was born in Pago Pago, American Samoa and played his college ball for Hawaii. A fullback who likes contact, Iosefa is well rounded on the football field. In his 4 seasons at Hawaii, he rushed for 2,218 yards on 512 carries. He also scored 21 touchdowns via the rush. Can he catch? Yes, he can. Joey had 60 receptions for 438 yards and 3 touchdowns. While that should be good enough to the salivary glands going, I'll just drop in the fact that he also threw 2 touchdown passes. While he may not get to throw the ball today, he will likely get to throw some defenders down as he's a good blocker.
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