Tennessee Titans Vs Arizona Cardinals: 10 Things Titans Fans Learned

The Tennessee Titans looked like one of the best teams in the league in their most recent game against the Arizona Cardinals. After a slow start, there offense was stoppable and their defense was immovable. 

There were some players who showed up tonight, and some players who sealed their fate by playing poorly. Here are 10 things we learned from the Titans' game. 

By the way, if you cut the game off at halftime, you missed some incredible plays from the younger guys trying to make the team.

1. Vince Young Is THE Guy

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SEATTLE - AUGUST 14: Quarterback Vince Young #10 of the Tennessee Titans looks on prior to the preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field on August 14, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Vince Young was 9 for 13 for 128 yards. He didn't throw any touchdowns, but he didn't throw any interceptions either.

Young led the team down the field for a touchdown and a field goal on consecutive drives before Kerry Collins took over in the second quarter.

Both Craig Stevens and Bo Scaife were on the receiving end of just a couple of the beautiful throws Young made in this game. His passes were hitting receivers in the numbers in stride and it was great to see.

Young has shown that he is the franchise quarterback, and that won't be taken away from him again.

2. A New Position Battle Between Samkon Gado & LeGarrette Blount Begins

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NASHVILLE, TN - AUGUST 23: Jared Cook #89, top, of the Tennessee Titans celebrates after a touchdown by teammate Samkon Gado #36, bottom, during a preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals at LP Field on August 23, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. Tennes

When Samkon Gado was signed earlier this week, many Titans fans had never heard of him. Anyone who watched the game now knows who he is and what he's about.

Gado was able to score two touchdowns while he was in the game, bowling over defenders in his way.

In the first game against the Seattle Seahawks, Blount did not look very good. So when Gado came in, most figured Blount's time in Nashville was done. 

Blount had a different idea. He came in and tore it up hurdling and dragging defenders everywhere. This will be a battle to watch in the coming games. 

3. Stephen Tulloch Is The Leader of The Defense

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NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 1: Stephen Tulloch #55 of the Tennessee Titans looks on during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at LP Field on November 1, 2009 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Stephen Tulloch showed that he is the new leader of the defense tonight. His emotion was powerful and you could tell the guys around him were getting pumped up.

Better yet, Tulloch backed up his emotion with his play. On multiple occasions he darted through the line to hit the running back for a loss. The Titans also decided to send Tulloch on a blitz a couple of times, and he did a great job getting to the quarterback.

4. Teams Don't Throw Towards Alterraun Verner

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PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 19: Alterraun Verner #1 of the UCLA Bruins is brought down by Brandon Banks #83 of the Kansas State Wildcats after intercepting a pass in the first half at the Rose Bowl on September 19, 2009 in Pasadena, California. UCLA defeate

Rookie Alterraun Verner has received a lot of praise this offseason without getting any interceptions. The problem is that he is staying so close to his man, no one is throwing his way.

Tonight both Matt Leinart and Derrick Anderson stayed away from Alterraun Verner, only throwing his way a couple times and missing almost every time.

If Verner keeps up this play, he could be the starter come week one. Especially if McCourty gets beat as much as he got beat today. To be fair, though, there were a lot of Cover 0 blitzes (no safety help), and McCourty didn't miss any notable tackles.

5. Marc Mariani Will Make the Team Thanks to Special Teams Play

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SEATTLE - AUGUST 14: Wide receiver Marc Mariani #83 of the Tennessee Titans rushes during the preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field on August 14, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Damian Williams got the start as the kick returner, but it was Marc Mariani who had the better play. Mariani almost broke a kick return for a touchdown, but was run down at about the 50 yard line. 

It wasn't just the return game either, Mariani played on the punt coverage team and made some great tackles.

On top of all of that, Mariani made a great play catching the ball and turning up field to get the first down. With the versatility of Mariani, you can expect him to be on the team come Week One. 

6. The Titans Finally Found a Williams Who Can Catch the Ball

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SEATTLE - AUGUST 14: Wide receiver Damian Williams #17 of the Tennessee Titans looks on prior to the preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field on August 14, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Mike, Roydell, and Paul Williams have all come through Tennessee, and none of them have amounted to what they were supposed to be. 

Damian Williams got his shot tonight, and he was everything we could hope for and more. Williams managed 40 yards on four receptions in his preseason debut.

The stats don't show the catches he had, but Williams made some very impressive catches in this game. There are still more games to play before anything is certain, but Williams could be a starter in a few years.

7. What Players Are Showing How Much They Want To Be on This Team

Lavelle Hawkins showed everyone that he wants to be on this team. Hawkins got one touch in the game, and during the play hurdled a defender and dove from six yards out to try and get the touchdown.

It shows a lot about a player when you see them playing with that much heart. The third year receiver should make the team, but if there were any doubts, this play alone shows what he is capable of.

8. Jason Jones Is the New Albert Haynesworth

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NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 21: Jason Jones #91 of the Tennessee Titans watches his teammates during their game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 21, 2008 at LP Field in Nashville, Tennessee. Jones had 3.5 sacks on the day. (Photo by Streeter Lec

Ok, so maybe the title of this slide is a little premature to assume after a couple of injury riddled seasons and a preseason game, but I'm making a prediction here.

After watching Jason Jones play, it is safe to say he is the most disruptive defensive tackle since Albert Haynesworth. If Jones can stay healthy, the Titans' defensive line may just be one of the best in the nation.

9. The Titans Will Blitz a Lot More This Year

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NASHVILLE, TN - AUGUST 23: Will Witherspoon #92 of the Tennessee Titans encourages the home crowd to make some noise during a preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals at LP Field on August 23, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Grant Halverson/

Will Witherspoon and Stephen Tulloch both got a lot of opportunities to blitz tonight and show the kind of pressure they could put on the quarterback.

It was obvious how much the blitzes disrupted the Cardinals offense. Both Matt Leinart and Derrick Anderson couldn't get into the end zone and had very little time to actually throw the ball.

The Titans were blitzing about 50 percent of the time in this game, but it is safe to assume it will be much less when the season starts. 

10. The Titans Defense Will Be Better Than It Was Last Year

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NASHVILLE, TN - AUGUST 23: Andre Roberts #12 of the Arizona Cardinals spins out of a tackle by Vincent Fuller #22 of the Tennessee Titans during the first half of a preseason game at LP Field on August 23, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Grant H

The first string defense looked amazing in this game. They started with three straight three and outs for the Cardinals. On the fourth drive they only gave up a field goal. 

The Titans showed they are ready to play this year and this game should get everyone pumped up for this season. If the Titans play the regular season like they did in the first quarter tonight, I don't know who can beat them.