SUPER BOWL 2001
Ras, Titans fate comes down to simple execution
by Jason Snyder
editor-in-chief
Although football analysts across the nation
insist that Super Bowl XXXIV will he a
match-up between an explosive offensive
team and a hard-nosed defensive team, once
again this year's big game will come down to
execution.
In last week's NFC Championship game,
the St. Louis Rams showed how vulnerable
they can be when facing a hard-nosed defense
that pressures the quarterback and slows down
the effectiveness of Marshall Faulk. The
Rams could only muster up I 1 points, putting
the game in the hands of their defense with
only a five-point lead in the closing minutes.
All season, the Rams proved that if Kurt
Warner was given time to find his quick
receivers, the Rams couldn't he heat. But
against Tampa Bay, Warner was pressured,
taking away the long threat that St. Louis has
come to rely on. It wasn't until late in the the
fourth quarter that Warner's receivers were
able to get free and a long pass to Ricky Proehl
in the endzone put the Rams on top for good.
The Tennessee Titans don't have as strong
of a defensive unit as the Buccaneers proved
S
T
Kurt Warner
Had second most sucessful season in
NFL history, and passed for 41 touch
downs. Due to this Warner won the
league's MVP.
to have last week, but have shut down two of
the league's top quarterbacks in the Colts'
Peyton Manning and the Jaguars' Mark
Brunell in the past two weeks. Up next is the
league's Most Valuable Player, Warner, who
just had the second best season as a
quarterback in NFL history.
During the regular season, the Titans'
defense was ranked 25th against the pass and
allowed quarterbacks to complete 56% of their
passes. In the playoffs, the Titans' secondary
has only given up 47% of opposing
quarterbacks' passes and allowed 51 less
passing yards per game than in the regular
season.
Cornerback Denard Walker said, "our front
guys and I don't say this to be bragging
hut Jevon (Kearse), Jason Fisk and Josh Evans
are going to get the job done. They have shut
down some of the best running backs in the
league. We figure if that's going to happen
up front, what's going to happen in the back
half? As the back half, we have to pick it
up."
The corners of the Titans are quick and
could match up with the speedy Rams'
receivers with the help of active safeties in
Blaine Bishop and Anthony Dorsett.
HOW THEY MATCH UP...
Marshall Faulk
Second NFL playe
1000/1000 rusher)
and gained the mf
from scrimmage
history
Isaac Bruc
Bruce was the third leg of the the Rams
massive offensive attack
Offensive Line
The Rams' offensive
line, including Orlando
Pace, has the skill to
handle the Titans'
defensive line.
The last time that the Titans faced a team that
used the long pass, the Baltimore Ravens
scored 41 points, resulting in the Titans
biggest loss of the season.
"We like challenges. We feel like if we go
down, we're going to go down challenging
and fighting, and that's our whole motto," said
Bishop.
In the Titans last meeting with the Rams
earlier this season, which resulted in St. Louis'
first loss, Kearse was able to extend the Rams'
offensive line, allowing the Titans to sack
Warner six times. The Rams neutralized
Kearse with two or three blockers which freed
up Fisk and Evans to rush Warner. If the Rams
focus so much on Kearse, Faulk and the Rams'
running game could be less effective.
Faulk, however, is coming off his most
successful regular season and the most
productive season in NFL history, going for
2,429 all-purpose yards, putting him above
players like Barry Sanders, Marcus Allen, and
Eric Dickerson. On a team known for the long
ball, Faulk still leads the Rams with 87
receptions.
Faulk knows the importance of this
weekend's game, stressing throughout the
INIRRTERBIIai
RUIIIIIII6 NCH
RECEIVERS
11l THE
TREOCHES
season that his only goal is winning. "There
are a lot of things you can do throughout your
professional career, but when you get the
opportunity to compete and be the best in the
business, there's nothing better than this."
Faulk was held to only 90 yards rushing
against the Titans earlier this year, but showed
his ability to catch the ball also, going for 96
yards on six catches. If the secondary of the
Titans can slow down the passing game of the
Rams, Faulk will be the main factor.
Tennessee coach Jeff Fisher commented on
the task at hand calling this game "our biggest
defensive challenge of the year, trying to
corral the weapons they have on offense."
On offense for the Titans, they will have to
rely on the agility of quarterback Steve
McNair who is only the second black
quarterback to start in the Super Bowl. The
last time that happened, the Redskins' Doug
Williams scorched the Broncos for 35 points
in the second quarter alone. •
The Titans' offense, which is similar to the
offensive style of the Buccaneers, but with a
more versatile quarterback, is led by the power
running of Eddie George, who arguably gains
the ugliest four yards in the NFL, The four-
Steue Mellair
McNair leads underdog Titans to their
first Super Bowl in franchise history.
The Titans are one of a handful of wild
card teams to reach the Super Bowl.
Eddie George
leads the Titans' potent
attack, and was a 1000
rusher this season.
ancy Thigpen
Injuries might keep the
Titans' number one receiver
on the sidelines.
Defensive Line
Jevon Kearse helped
lead the Titans to six
sacks on Kurt Warner
this season.
yard runs of George do set up a sometimes
dangerous passing attack, where McNair hits
receivers for 20-yard passes or runs upfield
for first-down yardage.
If the Rams are able to put points on the
board with ease, the Titans aren't the type of
team that can keep up with the high-scoring
pace, winning games by short margins
throughout the playoffs. No team has scored
more than 20 points on the Titans in this year's
playoffs while the Titans have only eclipsed
25 points once, due to the good field position
they had throughout the AFC Championship
game against Jacksonville.
The game will ultimately come down to the
battle in the trenches and how each team
executes the game plans that got them to the
show. The Rams have to get back to their
"impatient" style of football, where Faulk's
big plays set up even bigger plays to the
speedy Isaac Bruce and Az-Zahir Hakim. The
Titans will rely on their defensive line and
getting pressure on Warner, not allowing
Bruce and Az-Zahir to get downfield. The
game will come down to the execution of that
game plan.
You execute, you win. Simple as that
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