Tennessee (1-6) at San Francisco (3-4)

Partly Cloudy Currently: San Francisco, CA
Temp: 69° F
  • Game info: 4:15 pm EST Sun Nov 8, 2009
  • TV: CBS

By SANTOSH VENKATARAMAN, STATS Senior Writer Nov 4, 2:43 pm EST

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The Tennessee Titans may be a different team with Vince Young(notes) re-installed as the starting quarterback and Chris Johnson coming off the best game of his career.

San Francisco’s Alex Smith can relate to Young as far as being a high draft pick trying to resurrect his career after a difficult start.

Young and Johnson look to help the Titans earn a second straight victory when they try to hand the banged-up 49ers a fourth straight loss Sunday.

Tennessee earned its first win last week, beating Jacksonville 30-13. Young, named the starter after Kerry Collins(notes) guided the Titans to an 0-6 mark, responded by completing 15 of 18 passes for 125 yards and a touchdown.

It was Young’s second start since 2007.

“He looked all right out there,” owner Bud Adams said about the No. 3 overall pick in the 2006 draft. “I think he’s coming around a lot. I think there’s some things that happened to him early in his career that didn’t let him concentrate on football. I think he realized he needed to work at it hard. And he has shown that.”

While Young was steady, the Titans’ first victory was really keyed by Johnson. The second-year running back rushed for a franchise-record 228 yards on 24 carries and scored two touchdowns.

Johnson leads the league in rushing with 824 yards after entering last week fifth. His five runs of over 40 yards also lead the NFL.

“It feels real good to look at some of the guys who have played before me, then come in and break a record,” Johnson said. “But records are made to be broken.”

Young improved to 19-11 as a starter, and he’s 6-2 against NFC clubs. In contrast, Smith is 11-20 after he lost his first start since 2007 last week, 18-14 at Indianapolis.

Smith - the top overall pick in 2005 - played well in relief of Shaun Hill(notes) on Oct. 25 in a 24-21 loss at Houston, throwing three touchdowns to tight end Vernon Davis(notes) to rally the 49ers (3-4) from a 21-point deficit.

He completed 19 of 32 passes for 198 yards against the Colts with one touchdown to Davis and one interception, falling to 3-6 in starts against AFC teams.

“I thought Alex did very well,” coach Mike Singletary told the 49ers’ official Web site. “I was very pleased to see him make some throws. I was very excited and anticipated this game for him because I knew the rush was going to be coming at him.”

Singletary received bad news Monday when he learned that cornerback Nate Clements(notes) and left tackle Joe Staley(notes) will be out for this game.

Clements, who has missed only one game in his career, has a broken right shoulder blade and is out for up to eight weeks. The 49ers signed cornerback Keith Smith(notes) on Tuesday.

Staley has a sprained right knee and will miss a game for the first time in his three-year career. Barry Sims(notes) is expected to take his place in the lineup.

“Obviously we’re going to miss Joe Staley,” Singletary said. “In terms of how it’s going to affect our offensive line, which in essence is how it’s going to affect our offense, you find a way to win. You find a way to work around it.

“Obviously he will be missed. We think a lot of Joe Staley. I’m hoping he’s back real quick because he helps us tremendously. At the same time I know our offense will continue to get better.”

Singletary has said he will go with the best players who give the team a chance to win even if it means he has to regularly shake up the lineup.

“This team right now is going through some changes,” Singletary said. “You’re seeing guys step up, young guys stepping up, and some other guys stepping back. It’s going to continue to be that way. I believe in the best 11 guys on the field. Whoever that is, that’s who’s going to be out there.”

San Francisco appears to be fairly healthy up front on defense, and that will be important as it tries to contain Johnson. The 49ers have the league’s second-ranked rush defense, allowing 84.9 yards per game.

The Titans won 33-22 at home in the last meeting Nov. 27, 2005.

Updated Nov 4, 2:43 pm EST
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Team Comparison

Team Records Standings PF PA Road/Home AFC NFC DIV Streak
Tennessee 4-6-0 4th AFC South 209 272 2-4-0 Road 3-6-0 1-0-0 2-3-0 Won 4
San Francisco 4-6-0 2nd NFC West 208 210 3-2-0 Home 0-3-0 4-3-0 3-0-0 Lost 1
NFL

126 Comments

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  1. <i>doenuthead</i>
    126. Posted by doenuthead Wed Nov 11 12:00pm EST

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    I think the Offense for the Titans now, is better then last year's O. But their D this year definetly isnt the D of 2008.
  2. Happy Camper
    125. Posted by Happy Camper Tue Nov 10 1:47pm EST

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    MARK your a$$ is big and black and smellie!.You must be the one smoking crack from your big cracked a$$ if you're thinking vy is the second coming for your tennessee crackers! The Jags layed an egg and so did the 49ers. Your team sharing the same den as the Lions. An 0 -16 team with a 2 -14 record. LMFAO you $uck
  3. <i>llhl63rmt</i>
    124. Posted by llhl63rmt Tue Nov 10 12:22pm EST

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    I think it is obovious that certain players were throwing off to get vy his starting position back. It is a crying shame that the player that was playing the hardest is the only one that took the fall. It's just funny to me that all of a sudden they can catch the ball 5ft over their head when they couldn't catch one in their hands. I noticed that the media also made notice of that on tv last night. All of a sudden they all seem to be able to play. I hope they don't win another game. A team with this attitude shouldn't have support. Collins I hope you get on a team that will appreciate your talent and take advantage of it. You can throw circles around him. You didn't get any help. Anybody that knows football knows that. You got a dirty deal out of this mess and the ones that got you in it got rewarded. Your too good for this team. Peyton Manning wouldn't have looked good on this team the way that they were doing you. What goes around comes around, just be patient. I want you and the world to know that when all is said and done, everyone will know the truth about what has happened here, and it won't be a pretty picture about team sports. I hope Bud Adams pays the price.We did lead the nfl in drop balls. What does that tell you???
  4. SPANKY
    123. Posted by SPANKY Tue Nov 10 1:36am EST

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    Passes wer tiped by receivers not smith fault on 2 of them intercepted! go niners we will beat the bears !
  5. d-dawg
    122. Posted by d-dawg Mon Nov 9 11:45pm EST

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    Here we go 9ers here.....wait, nevermind
    Sorry, season OVER!!!!
  6. MARK
    121. Posted by MARK Mon Nov 9 9:02pm EST

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    all you titans fans who did and still think vy sucks can kiss my yes its big fat a--. and to fire fisher are you smokin crack that isso stupid and if adams does is is an old stupid man. Get off vy back and support your team and quarteback he probably beat all you nay sayers hands down
  7. 49er Faithful
    120. Posted by 49er Faithful Mon Nov 9 7:32pm EST

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    Wow just read what went down at today's press conference. BTW I don't think the writer was wrong in saying what he did. I'm having the same approach. "We'll see". So far Sing hasn't shown he's much of an X&O guy but more of a motivational speaker. That stuff might work in high school football but I don't know if it does in the pros. I mean by the time your in the NFL you're either motivated to perform or you're not. No coach is going to change that. Maybe strategy wise but other than that no.

    http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/ninerinsider/detail?entry_id=51321
  8. Big Mike
    119. Posted by Big Mike Mon Nov 9 3:44pm EST

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    Well fellow Niner fans its going to be another long season......I think Tenn played like a 13-3 team yesterday, Vince made some nice throws. Defensively I think the niners did a good job, problem is the offense. ALEX SMITH did not play that badly, well those picks in the end hurt. THINK ABOUT THE PROBLEM...OFFENSIVE LINE SUCKS-ALL THOSE GUYS NEED TO BE FIRED....Those guys are awful...Smith was getting pressure from all around and I think Raye did not come up with plays to get the ball out of Smith's hands. I would like to see more slants vs those stupid WR screens they run all the time. (keep those when you play the Eagles) ---SF DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE OFFENSIVE LINE....Gore is getting hit everytime he touches the ball at the line of scrimmage......Raye needs to find a way to turn this around or we will need another OC for next year...LOL ....poor Alex....
  9. Q
    118. Posted by Q Mon Nov 9 1:59pm EST

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    Start Hill..

    Sit Singletary..
  10. Dkt4eer
    117. Posted by Dkt4eer Mon Nov 9 1:34pm EST

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    It was sad when 49er's did not sign Kurt Warner before the season.
  11. skier1
    116. Posted by skier1 Mon Nov 9 1:31pm EST

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    Obviously the Titans team the 49ers played is a much better team than the one that compiled an 0-6 record. Alex did not play that badly. Two of the interceptions were questionably his fault. That being said he did throw the ball too high a lot Sunday. He also needs to throw the ball low and away from the defender as much as possible. The receivers should expect it there. The receivers should make the catch. Right now he seems to be throwing the ball exactly to the receivers.

    It was also clear that Alex had good chemistry with Jason Hill. Perhpas he is more used to him from working with the scout team. If Bruce is at all injured, it may be better to start Jason Hill in his place.

    The 49ers did use the shotgun more, it did seem to give Alex a little more time to survey the field. However, the 49ers need to run the no-huddle more often. It will keep the other team from substituting as much. It will keep them more tired. It will allow Alex to showcase his brains, which he does have. If it can make Peyton Manning more effective, it can do the same for Alex.

    The most negative thing I saw was that Alex telegraphed his passing intentions sometimes without realizing it. This has the same result as a baseball pitcher telegraphing his pitches -- bad!! Coach Singletary needs to come up with good drills in practice to break Alex of this habit. I suggest he put an extra free safety in in practice. That safety would only attempt to intercept or break up a pass, if he thought Alex was telegraphing his intentions. If Alex gets intercepted more often in practice, he may learn to be more wary of demonstrating negative behaviors in games.

    Generally the 49ers offense looked better. They clearly can't have the interceptions though.
  12. SJB
    115. Posted by SJB Mon Nov 9 1:17pm EST

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    The Niners should set up Hill as a reliever - like in baseball. If the game is close, and when Smith starts to falter in 4th quarter crunch-time, bring in Hill. He is more of a ball control QB and won't throw the game away like Smith does. Also, this defense everyone thinks is so improved cannot get a stop when they need it. Seems like 3rd and 4th down conversions by the opponent are becoming common in the 4th quarter. Maybe it's player fatigue, or bad play calling, but the D needs to change what they do late in the game.
  13. Lind
    114. Posted by Lind Mon Nov 9 12:06pm EST

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    Alex Smith is hot garbage like some low budget p.orn stars on set.
  14. Ripley J. Shlongslinger
    113. Posted by Ripley J. Shlongslinger Mon Nov 9 11:30am EST

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    Sign Garcia!
  15. <i>sluggersbball</i>
    112. Posted by sluggersbball Mon Nov 9 10:59am EST

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    Jeff Fisher should have made the change along time ago. The team looks alive again. He need to be fired t the end of the season for not making the change sooner
  16. O
    111. Posted by O Mon Nov 9 10:26am EST

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    To #86 do us real Niner fans a favor and go root for someone else. That's a great attitude as a fan. Gimme a break. To #91: Tennessee had a low-ranked pass D. so Raye tried to exploit that. to #104 Nate Davis was taken in the 5th round and looks promising enough to be the starter in a couple years. Basically, from what I saw, the offense tried to open up the playbook but our O-line is not getting it done. And think about how uncomfortable you'd be dropping back to pass when you know that you're not going to get enough time to throw. We're only a few pieces away from being a consistent contender though. Singletary can only do so much. I don't understand how people are calling for their heads. Stop crying like a bunch of snatches and realize that we're actually better than we have been in recent years. Bunch of shortsighted bandwagoners. Jump off of it already and let us real fans root for our team without having to defend your stupid comments.
  17. Louis
    110. Posted by Louis Mon Nov 9 9:50am EST

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    @ brandy, the problem was that the team was calling for vince young since week 3 and when they didnt make the switch the team acted like they didnt wanna play no more...when your offensive line ask for a change in qb...DO IT!!!!! poor kerry was getting killed out there
  18. DAVID
    109. Posted by DAVID Mon Nov 9 9:40am EST

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    niners make me so sad
  19. Desmond E
    108. Posted by Desmond E Mon Nov 9 8:57am EST

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    Vince young doesn't have to worry about anything. He's got Chris Johnson in the backfield. Sorry LenDale, it was gonna happen sooner or later.
  20. Brandy
    107. Posted by Brandy Mon Nov 9 8:48am EST

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    Titans Fans: I have been a titans fan consistently since they came to Nashville and I follow them pretty regularly, but I need some help on this one.

    I know the last 2 wins were not high quality, but wins are wins. I can't figure out the change in our Defense so that we are now getting those Turnovers. Gosh the first 6 weeks of the season we were losing the turnover battle. AND I refuse to believe that VY has been the difference. If VY had been in those games against NY and NE and Houston where we were immediately down 3 scores, he would not have done any better.

    On another note: How about CJ for MVP? That kid is sick!
  21. paul t
    106. Posted by paul t Mon Nov 9 7:56am EST

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    before you all (fake) tennessee fans start sucking vy's organ, he still SUCKS!! it was the jags and 49'ers, teams that are definitely average and even on the way down. wait until tenn plays a legitimate team and you will see that vy is very average at best.
  22. Legal Eagle
    105. Posted by Legal Eagle Mon Nov 9 5:43am EST

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    and what were all the VY haters saying before? yeah, Collins is in: Titans 0-6, VY goes in: 2-0
  23. Yul
    104. Posted by Yul Mon Nov 9 5:42am EST

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    When Alex Smith was drafted, I stated that the Niners should have traded the pick and taken either Smith or Rodgers lower on the draft. Rodgers seems to be slightly ahead of Smith in development but both would not have been a 1st rounder. Taking a QB in the first round is too much of a gamble. Every team is trying to find the Montana of the draft when common sense should tell the teams that even Montana was drafted in the 2nd round. I hope the Niners learned that lesson and apply it to next year’s draft.

    I haven’t written off the season yet but we are about a heartbeat away from another wasted season. Makes me yearn for the days of Eddie D (The George Steinbrenner of the NFL), pre-salary cap days, go Niners go
  24. AndreH
    103. Posted by AndreH Mon Nov 9 3:54am EST

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    "Tennessee scored 24 points after 49ers turnovers"

    I think this says it all. Smith sucks @$$ and even if he'll never be a star Hill still has a VASTLY superior record and is a much more reliable QB
  25. smoothy
    102. Posted by smoothy Mon Nov 9 2:46am EST

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    REALITY CHECK FOR ALL YOU niner fans! LOL LOL
    throw your niner gear back to the bottom of your closets again! LOL LOL
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