SB Nation User Blog: Titanfan

Big Win at a Big Price - Photos from the Titans - Miami Dolphins game

Titanfan — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 03:05:27 -0000

It was a must win game and a huge win to stay in the wild card hunt. But losing Keith Bulluck for the rest of the season was a big price to pay for it. The loss of Bulluck was evident as Miami mounted their comeback and erased an 18 point second half lead after Keith went down. It felt like the air went out of the defense and seemed like no one knew what they were suppose to do. Bulluck is a big hole to fill because he is usually the one filling the holes and making up for everyone else. Without him and David Thornton in it could mean the season may finish the way it started, with a decimated defense due to injury. Those are big shoes to fill.

More photos after the jump.

I know I've gotten spoiled when Chris Johnson gets 104 yards rushing and it feels like he had an off day. But Miami made some good adjustments in the second half and contained him pretty well.

Jacob Ford got a sack here. Actually he whiffed on this and got up and chased Chad Henne down for his sack. Awesome play.

Bulluck can give that menacing stare across the line as good as any backer in the league.

Tony Brown hit Ricky Williams and forced a fumble. He can play with attitude. Maybe that attitude is, "Albert hell, I'm just damn good."

Not what I wanted to see.

Let's spot that ball right there.

Shoe string tackle.

Chris Hope put an end to that drive with this interception in the end zone.

This concludes my game photos for the season. The final home game on Christmas will find me eating turkey and watching the game on TV with family. There is still some hope of making to the playoffs, but regardless of what happens it's been another exciting and enjoyable season of football. I've enjoyed sharing my football photos with you and I hope you've enjoyed them too. I wish everyone a Merry Christmas!

Nice To Be On The Other End Of A Blow Out - Photos From The Titans - St. Louis Rams Game

Titanfan — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 18:03:45 -0000

When the Patriots clobbered the Titans by 59 points it didn't look like there was anyone out there that the Titans could beat. So even though the Rams were coming in with a 1-11 record I still had my apprehensions about this game. I'm glad that it didn't take long for those fears to be put to rest. It's been a roller coaster of a season with lots of highs and lows and after the Colts provided the low of not winning out this game provided lots of high marks. They are still in the playoff picture and that's a pretty remarkable feat to be able to say in December after the September and October they had. They just keep coming on.

More pics after the jump.

The first offensive play for the Titans was this 31 yard completion to Kenny Britt.

66 yards later Chris Johnson took this five yard pass for a touchdown.

Vince Young pulled up after gaining 44 yards on this run with a strained hamstring muscle. He was on his way to having a big day until that happened.

Insert Kerry Collins and the Titans keep moving.

Chris Johnson almost gave me a Heisman pose here. Stick that arm out and it'd be perfect.

Keith Bulluck and the Titans Defense held the second leading rusher in the NFL to 47 yards. Bulluck had 2 interceptions and 10 tackles in the game.

A huge Defensive performance by the Titans. Cortland Finnegan high stepping after the first of his two interceptions.

Steven Jackson is a huge individual.

The high point for St. Louis was this fake punt for 51 yards.

Alge Crumpler scored his first TD in Nashville since joining the team last year. He's had a tradition of seeking out a youngster in the stands and giving them the ball after scoring. So that was the first time Alge had been able to do that in Nashville. I headed for home shortly after this and just as I got out the gate Vinny Fuller intercepted a pass and ran it right towards my seat for a 45 yard TD. That probably would have made for my best photo of the day. (still kicking myself)

Miami comes in here Sunday in a make or break game for either team to maintain playoff hopes. It don't get any better than playoff atmosphere. I'm looking forward to it.

ConVINCEd - Photos from the Titans - Arizona Cardinals game

Titanfan — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 15:34:13 -0000

I do believe Vince Young silenced most of his critics on Sunday. Even Merril Hoge is backpedaling, as August noted in his morning links. First off, I know it's Wednesday and really time to turn towards the Colts game but I got busy and didn't get these put together yesterday. So here are my photos from the game after the jump.

Chris Johnson strapping his helmut on and warming up for the game.

Jevon Kearse is still a favorite in that stadium. It was good to see him suited up for the game.

The first offensive play of the game was a 30 yard pass to Nate Washington. Showed a sign of things to come.

The first drive of the game Vince Young and the Titans moved right down field and showed a good mix of run and pass.

The Titans showed the deep threat right off by sending Nate Washington down field but Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie broke up the play. Rob Bironas kicked a field goal after this try to go up 3-0.

Whenever a crease in the line develops everyone anticipates that Chris Johnson is going to break off a big run.

Kenny Britt had a catch here for 24 yards on the second drive that the Titans got a field goal on. Britt had a great day and a tough lesson learned. Tuck the ball away, no matter what!

Chris Johnson ran for 85 yards and a touchdown on this play. Like I said, whenever a crease opens up...

On the ensuing kickoff LaRod Stephens-Howling returns it 99 yards for a TD.

Rookie Tight End Jared Cook took this pass reception and got down to the nine yard line to setup the game winning touchdown.

Not a very good photo and I normally wouldn't post this but it's the best I got from the final touchdown play.

What's there to say that hasn't already been said. It was a great game and a special time in the career of Vince Young. Every game now is like a playoff game and that sure felt like it at that game. The Titans have the smallest margin for error and every play counts. It's a good roll they're on and I hope they keep it going at Indy.

Don't Flip Me Off - Photos from the Titans - Buffalo Bills Game

Titanfan — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:50:51 -0000

I know everyone has seen the video of Titans Owner Bud Adams "waving" to the Bills from the owner's box. How can a Titans fan not like having an owner like that? Sure, he shouldn't have done it but he showed he's as down to earth as the rest of us and not just some highfalutin stuffed shirt sitting way above us looking down. It was all in fun. Way to go Bud!

More pics after the jump

Fred Jackson passed to Lee Evans from the wildcat formation. Who'd a thunk! A pass from the wildcat. I wish someone would have thought there was at least a small chance that it could happen.

Kenny Britt made a great attempt at catching this. I thought he might make it at one point.

But he went up and got this one. I almost had the shot at his highest leap but my focus went to the backstop. I hate it when that happens.

The Defensive line is putting good preasure on the quarterback. I hope they keep it up in Houston.

Who needs the wildcat when we have the option featuring Vince Young and Chris Johnson.

It felt like all the action was down at the other end of the field that game. That TD catch by Nate Washington was going away from me. It sure was a nice catch.

Did you notice the Keith Bulluck jersey in the owner's box? Looks like he has some fans in high places. Maybe that will play well into his contract negotiation.

Kyle Vanden Bosch 's motor is always running.

I always have trouble finding good shots of Bulluck. I finally figured out it's because he's always in the thick of things.

They just can't get a grip on him. I hope he does big things on Monday Night.

Terrell Owens wanted out of there so bad. He almost left the field before the game clock expired.

Three in a row feels good. It doesn't wash away the 0-6 start but it's good to see that we're closer to last years Titans team than last years Lions team. Big test in Houston on the big Monday Night Football stage and I hope they keep it up. It seems everyone we face this year is coming off a bye week.

One In The Win Column - Photos from the Titans Jaguars Game

Titanfan — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:27:20 -0000

Long wait but the Titans finally won a game. A lot of things to be happy about and a few concerns still are evident. One thing for sure is I'm glad the rest of the home games are at noon on Sunday. I know the players and the team like prime time and under the lights, but I'll take noon starts over anything else. That's when football is meant to be played. There's a Christmas game late start but I don't think I'll be there for that one.

So here's Power to the Noon Starts:

More pics after the jump.

LenDale White looking happy to be there:

Kyle Vanden Bosch had his red contacts in so I knew to expect big things from him:

Even though the Titans didn't recover this fumble it was good to see David Thornton and the "D" were creating opportunities:

I mentioned concerns and this is one/many of them. Poor tackling. But that Maurice Jones-Drew is hard to bring down:

Those red contacts paid off. KVB gets his first sack:

Damn...there he goes again:

Funny who his lead blocker is on these long runs.

This was awesome to see. I wish I could have photographed the catch. This is when Vince Young stepped back and avoided the rush and found Kenny Britt along the sidelines. VY threw that ball with authority:

Another positive about the game was seeing Michael Griffin back to being a ball hawk:

I think about this moment Jones-Drew was wanting a piece of Finnegan more than blocking him:

History in the making. Chris Johnson turned in the best rushing performance by an Oiler/Titan in franchise history:

That was so good it was worth another look. He was out of gas by this time:

Let the dancing begin:

Have the Titans returned to '08 form? Is this the team we expected to open the season? I sure hope so. The defense put in a pretty good performance and Chris Johnson was awesome. Vince Young was impressive and hopefully will only get better from here. Next up is away at San Francisco. I'm hoping they come back on a win streak.

Photos from the Titans vs. Colts Game

Titanfan — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 21:31:04 -0000

[ED. NOTE]- Mike, aka TitanFan, has agreed to come on board here as the Official Photographer of MCM. He will be posting his photos from each home game on the site. Take some time to welcome him aboard and thank him for the great pics. You can check out more of his work here. -Jimmy

As some of you know, I attend the Titans home games and shoot some photos from my seat in the North End Zone just for kicks and memories. I was hoping the photos from this year were going to be a documentation of the Titans run to the Super Bowl, but I start every season hoping that. I get encouragement every now and then that some of my photos aren't too bad so I thought I'd share some here.

Chris Johnson making a move early on in the game

Keith Bulluck returning an interception and Dallas Clark getting his hands in where they don't belong. Should've added a few more yards on for that.

Kerry Collins showing he can run. Not far, but he can run.

Manning congratulating his rookie receiver for making his second touchdown catch

Might not be Suzy Kolber but we got Andrea Kramer to town for some sideline reporting, who is pretty good in her own right.

Mark Jones returning a kick while dragging a Colt along for the ride.

Nick Harper injured his arm on this play

Peyton Manning moved into third place on the NFL career touchdown list with the first of his 3 touchdowns he threw during the game.

Like I said, I take the photos for my own enjoyment and like any amateur I'd jump at the chance to be on the field with the pros. I'm not suggesting that I'm at that level but I have gotten better in the last couple of years since I started doing this. It brings another aspect to the game that keeps me into it. Nothing like capturing that catch at the precise moment it comes over the shoulder and lands on the fingertips. Sports photography can be as awe inspiring as capturing that setting sun on some majestic mountain. A great shot is a treasure to have.

Chris Johnson getting work in during training camp

Titanfan — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:07:25 -0000

Chris Johnson getting work in during training camp

Crackin' heads

Titanfan — Mon, 05 May 2008 20:55:27 -0000

Crackin' heads