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Raiders-Titans Preview

Sep 10, 2010 - 8:30 PM By NOEY KUPCHAN STATS Writer

The Tennessee Titans started 0-6 in 2009 but hope their late-season momentum will carry over into this year.

After Vince Young replaced veteran Kerry Collins at quarterback, Tennessee pulled off a five-game winning streak and closed the season taking eight of 10.

The upstart tandem of Young and reigning rushing champion Chris Johnson look to get the Titans off to a much better start this season, beginning with a home game against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday.

"We have to start fast. You can't start slow in this league and think you're going to pick it up at the end of the season," fullback Ahmard Hall said. "Championship teams, they finish. They finish strong. You have to start fast and be right neck and neck with those guys."

If Tennessee wants to contend in the AFC this season, they will likely need a repeat performance out of Johnson and for Young to continue his growth.

Young wasn't asked to do much last year while Johnson was the focal point of the offense, accumulating 2,509 total yards from scrimmage to break Marshall Faulk's all-time record. The NFL's Offensive Player of the Year rushed for 14 touchdowns and 2,006 yards, 99 short of Eric Dickerson's league record.

Johnson's goal this season is to rush for 2,500 yards.

"It gives me something to look forward to," he told the Titans' official website. "People might be like, 'Oh you run for 2,000 yards so he's content or whatever like that.' I haven't broken the record, so I still have something on my shoulder and something to work hard for."

Jeff Fisher, entering his 16th full season as coach, limited his star running back to 19 carries in three preseason games to keep his legs fresh.

"(The goal is to) get him in the best shape he's been in before the opener in his career," Fisher said.

Young returns as the starter after being under center for Tennessee's last-ditched playoff push. He had a 96.1 rating in eight wins as he completed 63.2 percent of his passes with eight touchdowns and three interceptions - the same total he had in two losses while posting a 56.1 rating.

Though the Titans clearly hope Young develops as a passer, his mobility is what can make him dangerous. He averaged 5.1 yards per carry in 2009 and finished second on the team with 281 rushing yards.

Young and Johnson now face an Oakland team that was fourth-to-last in run defense last season, allowing 155.5 yards per game.

Tom Cable is beginning his second full season as Raiders coach, and stopping Johnson will be high on his list of priorities.

"He's probably the best there is in this league," Cable said. "He has tremendous guys blocking for him ... he'll be a heck of a test."

The Raiders are hoping an effort to improve their defense during the offseason will pay off. They signed former Pro Bowl defensive tackle John Henderson to a one-year deal and traded for starting outside linebackers Kamerion Wimbley and Quentin Groves.

Oakland used their first four draft picks on defensive players, including eighth overall selection Rolando McClain.

The former Alabama middle linebacker has been impressive throughout training camp and is finally starting to grasp his role.

"It's happening and it's been fun to see," Cable said about McClain. "I think he understands now what's needed of him and what we're asking him to do. I look forward to him playing on Sunday."

McClain is looking forward to making his debut against Chris Johnson.

"Every back in the NFL is great or they wouldn't be here, but this guy, he's extraordinary to say the least," McClain said. "We're going to have our hands full but we're up to the job. We've just got to do our best containing the guy and try to stop some of those long runs."

Quarterback Jason Campbell, acquired from Washington via an offseason trade, was injured during the Raiders' third preseason game but will likely be able to play. If Campbell can't go, backup Bruce Gradkowski would start.

Oakland hopes Campbell can revive a passing attack which floundered under former No. 1 overall pick JaMarcus Russell, who was cut in the offseason. Campbell set career highs with 3,618 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2009.

Running back Michael Bush also was hurt during the preseason and underwent surgery Aug. 30 to repair a broken left thumb. He is listed as questionable for Week 1, leaving former first-round pick Darren McFadden to possibly carry the workload.

These teams' last meeting came in Tennessee and the Raiders lost for the fourth time in five trips there, 13-9 on Oct. 28, 2007.

The Raiders are looking to snap an NFL record of seven consecutive seasons with 11-plus losses, posting a 29-83 record while allowing a league-high 146 rushing touchdowns.