NFL Preseason Betting: Tampa Bay Bucs vs. Tennessee Titans: August 15th 2009

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Tennessee Titans 8:00 ET
Current Preseason Betting Line: TEN (-3.5) 34.5

WEEK 2 and 1 STEP AHEAD
What entered as a dominant pro-Buffalo crowd at Fawcett Stadium in Canton, Ohio one week ago was quickly silenced by a Tennessee Titans team that showed flashes of last year’s 13-3 division winner. The Titans, led by veteran QB Kerry Collins, stormed out to a 21-6 halftime lead at last week’s Hall of Fame Game, leaving Bills fans to solely relish over the induction of owner, Ralph Wilson and defensive end, Bruce Smith. Collins, whose participation was of course limited, connected on seven of his ten passes, and lead the Titans to a pair of scores, one which was capped off by a 40-yard run on an A.J. Trapasso fake punt on the game’s opening drive. Speaking about his performance, Collins said, “I’m encouraged. It doesn’t take as long to get ready, but I’ll take advantage of the work I’m going to get.” Tennessee’s defense stood strong as well, as Michael Griffin picked off a Trent Edwards pass in the first quarter that lead to a second Titans touchdown, this time punched in by a slimmer, LenDale White; Tennessee forced three turnovers in the contest. Despite Buffalo having an entire extra week of camp before the preseason opener, the Titans stole the show in every regard… which now doesn’t bode well for Tampa Bay, as they begin their season at LP Field on Saturday.

NEW SEASON NEW FACES
Jon Gruden… gone. Broadcasting. Monte Kiffin… gone. Knoxville, Tennessee to coach under his son. Raheem Morris, after a split six years with the Bucs was promoted in the off season, from defensive backs coach to head coach for the first time in his career. With him comes an entirely new staff, new offense, new defense, new everything. Tampa Bay, much like the end of this country’s recession, is widely unknown. Former Denver Broncos assistant head coach/defense coordinator, Jim Bates steps in to run the Bucs’ defense; Bates brings with him an extensive 17-year NFL resume that includes being the defensive coordinator in Green Bay, Atlanta and Miami, where he also served as the Dolphins’ interim head coach in 2004. Jeff Jagodzinski was hired as the teams’ offensive coordinator, returning to the NFL as well, after spending the last two seasons as the head coach at Boston College. Without having played a single game and having new schemes, personnel and players, Tampa Bay will get 2009 underway in surprising fashion, yet nothing for Titans coach Jeff Fisher to worry about. “We have no information what so ever on Tampa Bay’s offense because it’s new and they have not played a game,” Fisher said. “We are not going to game plan against them. We are just going to line up and play.” As Tampa tries to solidify a depth chart that includes an injured wide receiver in Antonio Bryant (torn left meniscus) and five running backs, it seems as though the Bucs have plenty to worry about even before they see Chris Johnson, Kyle Vanden Bosch and Keith Bullock.

INTANGIBLES
While Jeff Fisher has appointed Vince Young as the Titans number two quarterback and Patrick Ramsey the three, fans in Nashville are as skeptical and down on VY as they were last season. Despite the former third overall pick throwing a touchdown pass in the second quarter of the Hall of Fame Game, Young threw an interception on just his second pass of the night. “It happens, man,” Young commented. “I know everybody wants me to go out and be perfect, but it’s not happening like that. You can’t just jump into it.” VY finished five of ten on the night for 39-yards; Ramsey finished eight of ten for 72-yards in the second half.

Tampa Bay selected Josh Freeman with the 17th overall selection in April’s draft. The quarterback out of Kansas State is currently listed as the team’s third string option behind starter, Luke McCown and off season pickup, Byron Leftwich. Don’t count Freeman or Leftwich out, even if they perform poorly in Nashville; nothing is set under center in Tampa, though Josh Johnson isn’t expected to make the team’s final roster.

PLAYING THE NUMBERS GAME
Tennessee has won five of the last seven meetings with the Bucs dating back to 1989 (as the Houston Oilers), however Tampa Bay has won the last two consecutive contests (one of which was a preseason game in 2005); The Titans’ last win over the Bucs came in December of 2003.

The Titans are a 3.5-point favorite for Saturday’s pre-season game at LP Field with the over/under at 34.5-points. Kickoff in Nashville is set for 8:00pm Eastern.