Bleacher Report - Articles by Kyle Allen

A Rivalry Reborn: Five Reasons Titans' Fans Despise the Ravens

Kyle Allen — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 16:36:42 -0500

The Baltimore Ravens have tormented the Tennessee Titans since the team arrived in Nashville nearly ten years ago. Just the sight of Ray Lewis doing a dance as he appears out of the visiting locker room sends chills up most Titans' fans spines. However, there are five major reasons, aside from Ray Lewis, why the fans of the men in two tone blue simply don't like those pesky birds.

Reason #1: The First Home Defeat

After the Titans go 9-0 at home throughout the 1999 regular and post season (the inaugural season), the Titans win the first four home games of the 2000 season, moving the teams home record to an astounding 13-0.

Then the Ravens came to town, a team team the Titans had beaten 14-6 in Baltimore a few weeks before. The Ravens, led by quarterback Trent Dilfer, mounted a late fourth quarter comeback to hand Steve McNair and the hometown fans their first ever loss at the new Adelphia Coliseum. However, the Titans would bounce back rather nicely, winning five out of their next six games and finishing 13-3, to set up a rematch at home in the Divisional Round against Ray Lewis and Company.

Reason #2: The Rematch Gone Bad

Titans' fans got their wish. They wanted a rematch against the Ravens, and a rematch is exactly what they got. However, the outcome was more of the same for the boys from the Mid-South. The Ravens rolled into Nashville on January 7, 2000 and handed the Titans a demoralizing 24-10 loss that propelled Baltimore to the AFC Championship and later to a Super Bowl victory over Kerry Collins and the New York Giants.

Reason #3: Continued Domination

Over the next two years, the Ravens would beat the Titans all three meetings, including another win at Adelphia Coliseum in 2001, sending the Titans to a 7-9 season and no playoff berth.

Reason #4: Taking Away Players

After a 5-11 season in 2004, the Titans were forced to dismantle most of their major salary problems, which meant the release of key players. Two of the most vital members of the Titans teams since their arrival to Nashville were Samari Rolle and Derrick Mason. Both players were released and both signed with the rival Ravens.

Mason, in his return to Nashville in 2005 against the Titans, received 68,000 boos from the hometown faithful after he spiked a ball into the railing following a touchdown late in the game. Titans Head Coach Jeff Fisher said it was simply out of his frustration of the Ravens loss to the Titans. Mason's frustration with the Titans has stemmed over into this year, after he and Cortland Finnegan jawed back and forth during the teams meeting earlier this year.

In 2006, the face of the franchise Steve "Air" McNair was traded away to the Ravens to make room for Vince Young. McNair not only led the Ravens to the playoffs, but he also came back to the Music City and beat the Titans in an emotional return during the regular season.

Reason #5 Something Personal This Time

Kerry Collins looks for another shot at winning the big one. The last time Collins was in the Super Bowl, the Ravens' defense intercepted him four times, and beat the Giants 34-7 on football's biggest stage. This year, the Titans starting quarterback has resurrected his career in Nashville and has Tennessee fans thinking Super Bowl once again. Collins will look for his revenge this Saturday as the Titans host the Ravens at LP Field.

No matter what the case, the Titans and Ravens matchup has long been a brutal meeting of two hard-hitting teams. This Saturday's date in Nashville will more than likely live up to that hype, as the Ravens look to spoil the Music City party once again.

'Young' Or Old? Is Vince Still The Long-Term Man in Nashville?

Kyle Allen — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 18:53:50 -0500

Coming into this season, there were no doubts around Tennessee that Vince Young's sophomore jinx was over, and the Rose Bowl phenom that so many watched three years ago would be in rare form for the 2008 campaign. However, after 68,000 boos and a hurt knee in week one, the third overall pick might be searching for a job in the off season.

Since the injury to Young, 35 year-old Kerry Collins has stepped in and done exactly what veteran quarterbacks in this league get payed to do: manage the game, use experience in their favor, and win games.

Collins has led the Titans to a 12-1 record, an AFC South Championship, and a chance to wrap up home field advantage in the next two weeks. However, one would argue that Collins' numbers have not at all been impressive.

Going in to week 15, the 14-year vet has thrown for just over 2,200 yards, with 11 touchdowns and six interceptions. Despite the less than astounding numbers, it's been the composure and presence of Kerry Collins that has lead this team to such a successful year.

During weeks 10 and 11 (games against Chicago and Jacksonville) Collins and the offense were forced to go out of their comfort zone and rely on the passing game to win. The Jaguars and Bears both decided upon loading up the box up front and completely shutting down the Titans run game.

Collins however responded with 289 yards passing against Chicago and 230 yards against Jacksonville. Titans fans have become very confident in the once 'Wild Child' out of Penn State, giving him standing ovations during introductions and never once uttering a boo when an interception or a bad read is made.

The fans appreciate good, fundamental football. The Titans will always be a run first team that will never score a lot points, and will rely on solid defense and an offense that holds on to the ball and doesn't make mistakes.

Vince Young however, made mistakes. The NFL is a league in which the run first quarterbacks simply can't survive. The great Warren Moon and Steve McNair both complemented their running ability with a good passing attack. Young can be a good quarterback. He has the size, the strength, and even the arm to make it work.

However, with a side arm motion that isn't efficient, a mental state that once made him contemplate suicide, and an attitude that led him to refuse to cheer on his teammates during a week one victory, just gives the Titans more reason to consider parting ways with the Texas standout.

Kerry will turn 36 on December 30th. People have said that maybe he can become like Brett Favre and play into the 40's. However i just don't see that happening. Collins doesn't have the body that can take that type of punishment for much longer. Maybe two more seasons would be a logical decision.

So if the Titans resign Collins, then that leaves a hefty option of paying either Vince Young, or in-season acquisition Chris Simms. Simms has already indicated that he would like to remain in Tennessee. However his only knock would be that he hasn't stepped under center for the Titans yet, and was an unproven quarterback at Tampa.

Look for Tennessee to possibly draft a quarterback, in a draft that may feature some interesting choices. I'm not saying that Vince Young's days in two-tone blue are over. But just be aware Titans fans that VY might be, bye bye.

AFC South: NFL's Toughest Division Up for Grabs in 2008

Kyle Allen — Sun, 04 May 2008 09:40:54 -0400

In 2007 three of the four teams in the AFC South made the playoffs, while all four teams concluded the season with winning records. The only other division in the NFL where all teams were at or above .500 was the NFC East.

The Indianapolis Colts won the division with a 13-3 record, while the Jaguars (11-5) and the Titans (10-6) won the two wild card berths in the AFC. The Houston Texans, though finishing in the cellar once again, still managed the franchise's first winning season by going 8-8.

In 2008, though the Colts are still outright favorites, the Jags, Titans, and yes, even the Texans have a chance to make a run for the divisional crown. Here is a preview of why each franchise has the ability to be a serious contender in the upcoming season.

Indianapolis Colts

Though the Colts were non-players in free agency, they still managed to re-sign Dallas Clark and had a very productive draft.

In my opinion, possibly the biggest pick for the Colts could be Michigan running back Mike Hart. Hart has the chance to be a great compliment to Joseph Addai, much like Addai was to Dominic Rhodes in his rookie season.

As long as Indy has No. 18 in the backfield, the Colts will always be the favorite in the AFC South.

Manning returns with all his weapons, including Marvin Harrison who should return to All-Pro form following an injury prone 2007 season.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jags put together quite an impressive offseason, especially during free agency. Jacksonville added depth to their receiving core by bringing in Jerry Porter and Troy Williamson.

Porter will add an experienced and proven weapon that should mix well in Jack Del Rio's scheme. Troy Williamson, though rather quiet in 2007, has compiled over 1,000 receiving yards in his three years in the NFL.

With the departure of Marcus Stroud, the Jaguars filled the needs at defensive end by selecting Derrick Harvey from Florida and Quentin Groves from Auburn in the first two rounds of the draft.

With the tandem of Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew, compiled with a resurgent passing game under David Garrard, Jacksonville definitely has what it takes to end the Colt's reign in 2008.

Tennessee Titans

With the Titans needing to add weapons for Vince Young, Tennessee brought in Algie Crumpler from Atlanta, as well as Justin McCarreins from the Jets. McCarreins will reunite with former offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger.

With Heimerdinger now at the helm of the offense, expect more fireworks to shoot off at LP Field in 2008. Heimerdinger led Steve McNair to a career season in 2003, the year he shared co-MVP honors with Peyton Manning.

However, the Titans had a very controversial draft, especially since they didn't select a receiver until round four.

Chris Johnson, their first-round selection out of Eastern Carolina could provide an instant spark with his 4.2 speed at running back and kick returner.

With Albert Haynesworth and that stifling defense, expect Tennessee to hang around in every game and improve upon a 10-6 season a year ago.

Houston Texans

After officially entering the Matt Schaub era in Houston last season, the Texans spent the offseason adding depth to a defense that ranked near the bottom a year ago.

They signed both Chaun Thompson and Kevin Bentley, two linebackers, as well as cornerback Jaques Reeves who had a stellar season last year with Dallas. They also brought in Nick Ferguson, who had 55 tackles with Denver in 2007.

If the defense can become consistent enough, the Texans will become a force to be reckoned with in the AFC.

With running-back Chris Brown coming over from Tennessee, the running game will get a big boost and should improve upon the 1500-plus yards they rushed for in 2007. Andre Johnson gives any defense fits and should have another phenomenal year under Gary Kubiak's system.

Expect the Texans to be no fluke in 2008.

Whatever the case, it should be exciting to see who will emerge on top of this highly contested division as the 2008 season nears.

NFL Draft: Why the Titans Will Reunite Longhorns Once Again

Kyle Allen — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 08:33:08 -0400

In 2005, Vince Young connected with Limas Sweed in the corner of the end zone for the go-ahead, and eventual game-winning, touchdown against Ohio State. That win eventually propelled Texas to a National Championship victory over USC, and sent Vince Young, as the third-overall pick in the 2006 draft, to Tennessee.

Fast forward to the 2008 NFL Draft. Following a 10-6 season and a berth in the playoffs, the Titans sit comfortably with the twenty-fourth pick in the draft. That pick, in my opinion, will be used to improve a receiving core that allowed Vince Young only nine passing-touchdowns a year ago. That the was lowest number of touchdown passes for any playoff team in NFL history.

The pick of Limas Sweed, honestly just makes the most sense. When Bo Scaife was drafted along with Vince Young, the rookie quarterback and tight end immediately carried over their college chemistry into a dynamic duo in the NFL. Not to mention that Ahmard Hall and Michael Griffin, also from the National Championship team, have made vast contributions to the Titans organization.

Sweed fits the mould of a big receiver at 6'5" 219 pounds, and can be the big-play guy they've been missing since the departure of Derrick Mason. After acquiring Algie Crumpler and Justin McCareins in the offseason, as well as hiring new offensive mastermind Mike Heimerdinger, the Titans could finally have the pieces to allow Vince Young to improve upon his dismal numbers in 2007.

By selecting a receiver in round one, the Titans can then address the issues on the defensive line. After losing Antwan Odom, Travis LaBoy, and Randy Starks to free agency, the Titans are in dire need of help, especially if the gamble of bringing in a battered Jevon Kearse isn't the answer.

Limas Sweed would be the fifth Longhorn to be reunited on the Titans roster since the 2006 National Championship game. It seems as if the Titans front office is doing their part in making Vince Young still believe he's playing in Austin.