Justin Bannan’s most recent memory of the Titans’ LP Field was a happy one.
Two seasons ago, Bannan celebrated a road playoff win as his former squad, the Baltimore Ravens, used a last-minute Matt Stover field goal to advance to the AFC Championship game.
But most visitors have not been so fortunate.
The Titans have won nearly 65 percent of their 90 regular season home games since opening the stadium in 1999. Every game — preseason, regular season and playoff — has been sold out since the Titans moved in, creating one of the league’s top home field advantages.
“It’s a tough place to play,” Bannan said. “Obviously, we have to gear up for a 60-minute game, and I know we are. If we’re going to take it, it’s going to come down to the end.”
It’s also an atmosphere not many Broncos are familiar with. The team has played just once at LP Field — a Christmas night loss to the Titans in 2004. Only Champ Bailey and D.J. Williams remain from the squad that dropped a 37-16 decision that night.
But Head Coach Josh McDaniels said he’s very aware of the test the atmosphere will provide for his offense, in particular.
Last season, visitors to LP Field committed 18 false start penalties — tied for the most in the league with Houston’s Reliant Stadium. During the past three seasons, opposing teams have committed 49 false starts — tied with Minnesota’s Metrodome, where the Broncos visited this preseason, for the NFL’s highest total in that span.
“It is a big home-field advantage,” McDaniels said. “I have been there a few times. It is certainly not easy, but we are looking forward to the challenge.”
Other players who have gotten a taste of the gameday atmosphere include Kevin Vickerson, who played for the Titans from 2007 to 2009, and Britton Colquitt, a Knoxville, Tenn.,-native who first experienced the Titans’ home atmosphere as a fan several years ago.
That day Colquitt’s family made the trip to see then-Titans kicker Gary Anderson, who was a former teammate of his father, Craig. Even though the Titans fell to the Colts in the game, the crowd left an impression on the punter.
“It was a great time,” Colquitt said. “The fans were really into it. They like to pride themselves on helping their team out. That’s one of those things that we have to be prepared for, and I know we will be.”
The Broncos dropped their first road contest of the season at Jacksonville in Week 1 and hope to snap a three-game road losing streak dating back to last season.
With trips to Baltimore, Arizona, each of their AFC West rivals and a neutral site clash with San Francisco in London still coming this season, Bannan said the team has to be ready for different challenges from each road game on the schedule.
The defensive lineman said the Broncos have the focus to handle whatever difficulties the schedulemakers have presented — starting Sunday in Nashville, Tenn.
“I think you just have to block all that out and concentrate on the game,” Bannan said. “If you start thinking or worrying about it, then it’s going to affect you in a weird way — maybe subconsciously. My advice is ‘Who cares? Let’s just go down there and play football.’”
Fullback Spencer Larsen (ankle), running back Knowshon Moreno (hamstring), linebacker Wesley Woodyard (hamstring) and defensive lineman Jamal Williams (non-injury) did not practice on Thursday. Cornerback Andre’ Goodman (quadricep) and offensive lineman Ryan Harris (ankle) were limited during the workout. After missing Wednesday’s practice with an ankle injury, safety Brian Dawkins returned to full participation.
For the Titans, defensive tackle Tony Brown (knee), defensive end Jacob Ford (knee) and cornerback Jason McCourty (forearm) did not practice.
- Eric Detweiler, DenverBroncos.com
Below are some photos from today’s workout:
Tags: 2010, Britton Colquitt, Denver Broncos, Justin Bannan, Tennessee Titans, Week 4
There’s no question that the Chiefs draft choices are imediate impact players. For us, with the exception of Cox, Decker, Thomas, and Thompson we haven’t drafted the kind of player positions that get talked the on sports center, but we are buliding in areas that couldn’t go ignored. I’m talking about the o-line of course. With two of our top starters out for most of our season so far, the rookies played hard to help keep us in the game each week, and they’ve done a good job. I especially like Walton. Center is one of the toughest positions on the field and centers don’t get credit for what they do as often as they should, at least not from the media.
And I don’t think McDaniels central strategy is to build the team through FA. I think he’s trying to address what he can address that way, but he’s brining in and starting young players at some key spots. There has to be some balance between talented rookies and seasoned vets on any team with a future. I was watching John Elway in his Own Words the other night and he pointed out that the Broncos went to the Super Bowl largely because of what Shanahan did in FA, “So we could get good fast” as he put it.
Something needs to happen for us fast this season and that something is a running game. I think McD made the best choice he could with Maroney, and I think he knew it was far from a sure fix this season. Whether it works out or not… too early to know. Maroney’s missed a lot of games and he’s got some rust to shake off. When he’s at his best he averages 4.5 yds/carry. The problem is he hasn’t played his best in quite some time. I’m not ready to throw him by the wayside just yet.
Like Bayin said, our rookies came up short twice in three games, and the Chiefs are undefeated. No denying that. But what’s going to happen to them is what happened to us last year: they’re going to get dissected under the microscope and opposing teams are gonna find a way around their strengths. Those guys are talented but their defense is lead by rookies who just haven’t seen all there is to see in the NFL. McD will have some nice offense drawn up for these guys. As Joe Thiesman said on playbook the other night, “Josh McDaniels can write some offense.”
To me there’s something scarier than the Chiefs this season, and that’s the Chiefs NEXT season. And the season after that and the season after that and the… well you get my point. They could become the team to beat in the AFC West for several years to come and that’s something to boo about.
GO BRONCOS!
Don’t be 2 sure of yourself,some teams know how to build a team from the ground up.The way to build a team is thru the draft and NOT FA.IMO.
Beast, I’m not too sure of anything. Which one of us can be? I agree with you that teams can be built from the ground up. It looks like that’s what the Chiefs are doing. That’s what the Colts did.
But, again teams that have relied more heavily on FA and trade have won Super Bowls. The 2004 Patriots had Corey Dillion, Keith Traylor (Who played for Denver twice, Kansas City, and the Bears before coming to NE), and former Pittsburgh linebacker Miker Vrabel to name a few old veterans on there. You can’t even say the Super Bowl Champion Saints built their whole team from the ground up. Brees spent four years in San Diego before coming to New Orleans, and Shockey spent 3 years in New York with the Giants. What about our beloved ’97 Broncos? Would we have made it to the Super Bowl and won without players like Neil Smith, Bill Romanowski, and Easy Ed McCaffrey? John Elway doesn’t think so and I’ll take his word for it.
In any case we’ve seen more than one successful style of building a team. And I wouldn’t be too sure of any one particular style is all I’m saying.
I’ll be at the game tomorrow, driving up from Alabama with my girlfriend. Anyone else gonna be there? Lets tailgate!!!!! GO BRONCOS!!!!