Know Thy Enemy: Arizona Cardinals vs. Tennessee Titans
By Scott Allen
Aug 23, 2012; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans kicker Will Batson (3) is forced to kick three consecutive field goals as a result of penalties on the Titans offense during the second half against the Arizona Cardinals at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
I had a chance to interview Joshua Huffman, the editor of Fansided’s Tennessee Titans fan site Titan Sized ahead of this weekend’s game pitting the Arizona Cardinals against the Titans.
RZ: Rumors are the Titans are going to release Chris Johnson after the season. If so, where do you think he lands next season?
A combination of whoever pays him the most money and which team gives him the best chance for postseason football. Johnson hasn’t experienced playoff football since his 2008-09 rookie season.
RZ: Speaking of next season, who will the Titans QB be next season? Will Locker be back or will they go after another guy in the draft in May?
TS: Depends. Is Mike Munchak the head coach? If the Titans stay true to their commitment through 2014, then Locker is quarterback. If another head coach comes in, he may want his own guy. That may come in the form of a rookie or Jay Cutler. Many locals like Cutler because of his ties with Vanderbilt and he has a great arm.
RZ: Three of the last four Titans losses have been close. A mirage or is this team close to breaking out and becoming an AFC power again?
TS: They’re nowhere near an AFC powerhouse. The matchup against the Denver Broncos proved that. With that said, maybe they win the AFC’s No. 6 seed if Jake Locker stays healthy. It’s just a matter of closing out a lot of these close losses and playing well into the second half.
RZ: How would you grade the Titans season given the injuries but also given the fact they lost to Jacksonville and Houston?
TS: The Titans started off well (3-1). Then they lost seven of their last nine games (2-7). That leaves them at 5-8. Before the season began, Mike Munchak promised fans that we wouldn’t be disappointed. Now we’re hearing excuses as to why he can turn it around in 2014. They’ve severely underachieved so I wouldn’t give them anything better than a D. No reason they didn’t win the AFC South this season.
RZ: Who is the one guy on offense Cards fans should keep their eye on? Defense?
TS: Offense: Whoever Patrick Peterson isn’t covering. Justin Hunter is an up-and-coming wide receiver who’s shown an ability to make big plays in the passing game. Kendall Wright leads the team with receptions and reminds me of younger Greg Jennings
RZ: What is your prediction for the game?
TS: This is the last game on Tennessee’s schedule where the players and coaches could make a big impression. Of course, I’ve seen this team have too many games where they let victory get snatched from the jaws of defeat. Cardinals win.
Joshua Huffman is the editor of the Tennessee Titans fan blog Titan Sized and a project manager at Pro Football Spot.