Eagles (0-1) at Titans (2-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
TV: WTVF-5. Greg Gumbel will provide the play-by-play, Phil Simms will handle the color analysis and Bonnie Bernstein will handle sideline reports.
Radio: WGFX 104.5-FM and the Titans Radio Network with Mike Keith on play-by-play and Pat Ryan as color analyst. Pregame starts at 5 p.m.
Advertisement
Past preseasons: Last year the Eagles beat the Titans 34-32 with a 48-yard field goal in the final seconds by kicker David Akers. The Titans erased a 31-19 fourth quarter deficit behind then-rookie Billy Volek, who led the Titans to 19 second-half points on 14 of 18 passing for 190 yards and two touchdowns.
Tonight's theme: It's almost the real thing. For the first time this preseason the starters will play the first half and even a series into the third quarter. It will be the only time during the preseason they'll get that much action.
''Just getting everybody into the flow of the game, getting all your assignments down, that is what we need to do,'' receiver Kevin Dyson said. ''If we come up with some adversity and change in momentum-type situations, things like that you want to see how you respond to.''
And for the first time this preseason, running back Eddie George and cornerback Samari Rolle will see action. Both have been held out of the first two preseason games with injuries.
The Eagles, who had a preseason game canceled against the Ravens because of poor field conditions at Veterans Stadium, are expected to play their starters for the first half as well.
Titans Coach Jeff Fisher said his team will have to prepare for the Eagles from an offensive standpoint because Philadelphia is expected to use multiple styles and multiple blitz packages.
Fisher wants to see: Effort and execution, as well as a good tempo.
And he'd like to see both George and Rolle play well enough to convince him their injuries are indeed a thing of the past. Steve McNair and the offense have looked OK in George's absence the past few weeks, but adding George back into the mix should provide more answers. Jonathan Linton will get his first work at fullback.
On defense, Perry Phenix will start in place of Bobby Myers at free safety. There's a good chance Aric Morris will start in place of injured Blaine Bishop at strong safety.
''I believe what Bobby's done is good enough to play the position, but Perry could surprise us,'' Fisher said. ''I'm not saying that this could make or break Perry, but Perry has the skills to play that position. I want to see him play it and play it well. If Bobby were to start the season, which it looks like he may, then we're looking for a backup free safety and strong safety. This gives Perry a chance to become more familiar with that position.''
Fisher would like to see solid play from DeRon Jenkins, who will start at left cornerback. Dainon Sidney, who has four interceptions in two games, is expected to take over for Jenkins in the third quarter. Fisher would like to decide on a starter for opening day by next week.
Roster count: 75. The Titans yesterday released five players ? wide receivers Jimmy Redmond and Michael Snowden, offensive guard Reid Diehl, defensive end Larry Paul and linebacker Shawn Johnson. By next Tuesday the Titans must trim their roster to 65. By Sept. 2 is must be down to the final 53.
Injuries: Safety Brandon McLemore (knee), tackle Adam Haayer (knee), cornerback Andre Dyson (toe), tackle Ian Rafferty (calf) and tight end Shad Meier are out. Safety Blaine Bishop (foot), linebacker Peter Sirmon (quad), defensive tackle Henry Ford (knee) and cornerback Michael Booker (back) are all questionable.
Comebacks: Several Eagles will be making a return trip to Nashville tonight, including tackle Jon Runyan, who played with the Titans from 1996-99 and started for the team in Super Bowl XXXIV. Eagles guard Bubba Miller is from Franklin and played at Brentwood Academy and the University of Tennessee.
Also, Eagles offensive coordinator Rod Dowhower was the head coach at Vanderbilt from 1995-96, and Eagles quarterbacks coach David Culley played at Vandy from 1973-77. Philadelphia strength and conditioning coach Mike Wolf coached at Vandy from 1988-89.
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
TV: WTVF-5. Greg Gumbel will provide the play-by-play, Phil Simms will handle the color analysis and Bonnie Bernstein will handle sideline reports.
Radio: WGFX 104.5-FM and the Titans Radio Network with Mike Keith on play-by-play and Pat Ryan as color analyst. Pregame starts at 5 p.m.
Advertisement
Past preseasons: Last year the Eagles beat the Titans 34-32 with a 48-yard field goal in the final seconds by kicker David Akers. The Titans erased a 31-19 fourth quarter deficit behind then-rookie Billy Volek, who led the Titans to 19 second-half points on 14 of 18 passing for 190 yards and two touchdowns.
Tonight's theme: It's almost the real thing. For the first time this preseason the starters will play the first half and even a series into the third quarter. It will be the only time during the preseason they'll get that much action.
''Just getting everybody into the flow of the game, getting all your assignments down, that is what we need to do,'' receiver Kevin Dyson said. ''If we come up with some adversity and change in momentum-type situations, things like that you want to see how you respond to.''
And for the first time this preseason, running back Eddie George and cornerback Samari Rolle will see action. Both have been held out of the first two preseason games with injuries.
The Eagles, who had a preseason game canceled against the Ravens because of poor field conditions at Veterans Stadium, are expected to play their starters for the first half as well.
Titans Coach Jeff Fisher said his team will have to prepare for the Eagles from an offensive standpoint because Philadelphia is expected to use multiple styles and multiple blitz packages.
Fisher wants to see: Effort and execution, as well as a good tempo.
And he'd like to see both George and Rolle play well enough to convince him their injuries are indeed a thing of the past. Steve McNair and the offense have looked OK in George's absence the past few weeks, but adding George back into the mix should provide more answers. Jonathan Linton will get his first work at fullback.
On defense, Perry Phenix will start in place of Bobby Myers at free safety. There's a good chance Aric Morris will start in place of injured Blaine Bishop at strong safety.
''I believe what Bobby's done is good enough to play the position, but Perry could surprise us,'' Fisher said. ''I'm not saying that this could make or break Perry, but Perry has the skills to play that position. I want to see him play it and play it well. If Bobby were to start the season, which it looks like he may, then we're looking for a backup free safety and strong safety. This gives Perry a chance to become more familiar with that position.''
Fisher would like to see solid play from DeRon Jenkins, who will start at left cornerback. Dainon Sidney, who has four interceptions in two games, is expected to take over for Jenkins in the third quarter. Fisher would like to decide on a starter for opening day by next week.
Roster count: 75. The Titans yesterday released five players ? wide receivers Jimmy Redmond and Michael Snowden, offensive guard Reid Diehl, defensive end Larry Paul and linebacker Shawn Johnson. By next Tuesday the Titans must trim their roster to 65. By Sept. 2 is must be down to the final 53.
Injuries: Safety Brandon McLemore (knee), tackle Adam Haayer (knee), cornerback Andre Dyson (toe), tackle Ian Rafferty (calf) and tight end Shad Meier are out. Safety Blaine Bishop (foot), linebacker Peter Sirmon (quad), defensive tackle Henry Ford (knee) and cornerback Michael Booker (back) are all questionable.
Comebacks: Several Eagles will be making a return trip to Nashville tonight, including tackle Jon Runyan, who played with the Titans from 1996-99 and started for the team in Super Bowl XXXIV. Eagles guard Bubba Miller is from Franklin and played at Brentwood Academy and the University of Tennessee.
Also, Eagles offensive coordinator Rod Dowhower was the head coach at Vanderbilt from 1995-96, and Eagles quarterbacks coach David Culley played at Vandy from 1973-77. Philadelphia strength and conditioning coach Mike Wolf coached at Vandy from 1988-89.
