NFL Preseason – HOF Game Recap

Kerry Collins Re-Affirms Starter Status In Win Over Bills

It didn’t take long for the quarterback controversy in Tennessee to find some resolve. Kerry Collins opened up the season going 7-for-10 in limited time, and acquiring 82 passing yards as the rushing game of LenDale White and Chris Johnson showed how dominant they can be once again. The Titans owned the Bills in this one, dominating the game to a 21-3 as the first-half wined down.

For a moment, the Titans were so impressive that you forgot that Terrell Owens was on the field. Owens caught two passes to open the Bills offensive attack in the first, and bullied his way to 27 yards, but after that he vanished. It didn’t help that Trent Edwards went 3-for-3 on his first few throws, only to throw a drive killing interception when Lee Evans gave up on a pass. For the moment, the Bills look like your average Bills team and losing Marshawn Lynch for the first three games of the season will put the Bills in a sore position to open the season. Still, optimism is rightfully there in Buffalo. Edwards and Owens looked in sync for at least one series.

Vince Young also put the critics who say he should be the starter to rest as well. He went 5-for-10 overall throwing one touchdown pass and an interception in the second half of the game. He wasn’t terrible, but he was far from great as well. For now, the Young-Collins debate is over because Vince Young is simply not ready to be the dominant player he was in college.

The game’s highlight, however, came from a punter for the Titans named A.J. Trapasso who faked a punt-end around and ran it in for a forty yard touchdown. Yes, a kicker scored the first touchdown of the NFL season. And not just any touchdown. He ran for forty yards. Remember when Appalachian State kicked the crap out of Michigan and we all thought it was a hiccup in the cosmos, as opposed to the trend setter? I’m not one to lump too much on any strange plays in the NFL, but if our first score was an absolutely thrilling 40-yard run by a punter for a touchdown then we’re in store for a treat in 2009. Which begs the question…

…are you ready for some football?