Winless Titans Turn To Young
As expected, Titans coach Jeff Fisher announced today that Vince Young will be starting in place of the ineffective Kerry Collins on Sunday against Jacksonville.
Collins isn’t the only reason why Tennessee has started 0-6, but he certainly hasn’t helped the cause. And when you go 2 for 12 for -7 yards, it should come as no surprise to see yourself knocked down a rung on the depth chart.
This isn’t to say that Young will fare any better, because past statistical results aren’t exactly encouraging.
He hasn’t exactly made a big impression in his limited mop-up time in the last two games, going 0 for 5 with an interception and registering five rushing yards on three attempts. However, he hasn’t exactly seen much of the field over the last year-plus, and a few snaps in a couple of blowouts isn’t exactly a proper barometer for where he is now. But he is a solid 18-11 as a starter, and the Ws are what matter the most, especially when you don’t have any.
It’s a little fitting that he makes his return start against the team he made his last start against, but for his and the Titans’ sake, hopefully Sunday’s start will go much better than that one (12-22, 110 yards, TD, 2 INT). That being said, refrain from picking him up until he actually starts and does well.
Saints Lose Evans For Season
One of the league’s top rush offenses has been dealt a blow, as New Orleans Saints fullback Heath Evans is done for the season with an ACL tear in his right knee.
Evans had two receiving touchdowns and a rushing touchdown this season, but his biggest value to the Saints’ offense was as a primary path-maker for a rushing offense that is third in the NFL in rushing yards per game (154.5).
To fill the void, the Saints have signed former Navy star Kyle Eckel. Eckel has seen action with New England and Philadelphia over the last couple of seasons, logging 33 carries for 90 yards and two touchdowns with the Patriots in 2007 and 24 carries for 79 yards with the Eagles last season.
Seahawks’ Tatupu Placed On IR
The hits keep on coming for the Seattle Seahawks. Three-time Pro Bowl middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu was placed on injured reserve today, ending his season because of a torn pectoral muscle. Tatupu suffered the injury in Week 6 against Arizona in a collision with teammate Deon Grant.
On the bright side, cornerback Marcus Trufant is set to be taken off of the physically-unable-to-perform list and will suit up on Sunday against Dallas. According to Seahawks coach Jim Mora, Trufant will likely take the field only in the nickel against the Cowboys, but the return of the former Pro Bowler is big for the Seahawks‘ pass defense that is tied with Carolina and Cleveland with a league-low three interceptions.
Bradshaw To Play Despite Bone Crack
New York Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw has been diagnosed with a cracked fifth metatarsal in his right foot, and though the former Marshall star has been told by doctors that the bone could break if he keeps playing, he’s not going to sit.
Bradshaw has reportedly known about the injury since spring but has played through it, and he’s played well, running for 455 yards and three touchdowns, with an average of 5.7 yards per carry. He’s also been dealing with a right ankle problem as well, so you do have to give him some credit for putting up good numbers despite not being close to 100%.
Given the doctors’ advice, Bradshaw’s risking a lot by continuing to play, but if he can continue to be effective without worsening the injury, then perhaps he can hold off on having surgery until the end of the season.
Bradshaw was held to only 32 yards on 12 carries in Sunday night’s loss to the Cardinals, but he was going up against the league’s top run defense. If you own him, just monitor the situation, but you would be wise to look at your other options with the Giants facing a solid Eagles defense this week.
Foot Sidelines Cards’ Rolle For Second Straight Day
Arizona Cardinals safety Antrel Rolle missed practice for a second consecutive day due to a sore right foot, and his status for Sunday’s game against Carolina is up in the air.
Also on the injury front for the Cardinals, wide receivers Anquan Boldin (ankle) and Steve Breaston (knee) were both limited in practice, and corner Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie continues to show no ill effects of an ankle sprain suffered in Sunday night’s win over the Giants.
