Johnson, Young rally Titans

By JANIE McCAULEY, AP Sports Writer Nov 8, 9:28 pm EST

Preview | Box Score | Recap
  • Print

SAN FRANCISCO (AP)—Vince Young(notes) has evolved before his teammates’ eyes. Through all those months watching Kerry Collins(notes) from the bench last season, he believed his time would come again.

Young’s gritty play at quarterback has given the Tennessee Titans a much-needed morale boost after an 0-6 start—not to mention back-to-back victories.

Six plays after his 81-yard touchdown run was overturned, Chris Johnson took a pitch from Young and scurried 2 yards for a go-ahead score and led the Titans to their second straight win with a 34-27 victory over the stumbling San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.

Young showed his comeback is legitimate, outplaying fellow first-round draft pick Alex Smith down the stretch. Young has been clutch twice in as many weeks, getting the Titans (2-6) in the end zone when it mattered.

“There’s a maturing process that takes place when you’re not the guy anymore,” center Kevin Mawae(notes) said of Young’s ordeal. “He sat back for a good part of a year and a half to see what a guy like Kerry does, a guy that’s been in the league 15 years and how he handles the success of a 13-3 season and how he handles the ups and downs of an 0-6 start. You can’t help but learn from that.”

Johnson converted on fourth-and-inches for his second TD of the day, making up for those six points that were negated only a few minutes earlier after it was determined he stepped out of bounds on the long run. Going for it when the Titans could have tied it with a field goal was a sign of coach Jeff Fisher’s faith in Young and Co. to get it done.

The Titans beat Jacksonville last Sunday to end an eight-game losing streak dating to December. Suddenly, this team has found some much-needed momentum. Tennessee has its first back-to-back wins since victories over the Lions and Browns in Weeks 13 and 14 last season on the way to a 13-3 finish.

“It’s how we believe in each other. The excitement that everybody has, the confidence we have in each other is tremendous right now,” Young said. “It feels real good to come to the sideline and hear your defense chatting you on, and vice versa. Everybody’s together right now. … I want to go out there and show them what’s been going on, what I’ve been doing behind the scenes.”

Smith threw two interceptions in the final 6:24 and three in all, fumbled twice and was sacked four times—not the kind of day he’d hoped for in his first home start in more than two years. Smith took over the starting job at halftime against Houston on Oct. 25 when coach Mike Singletary benched Shaun Hill(notes).

Tennessee scored 24 points after 49ers turnovers.

After Johnson’s score, Chris Hope(notes) intercepted a pass by Smith on San Francisco’s ensuing series to set up a 28-yard field goal by Rob Bironas(notes), then Cortland Finnegan(notes) added a late 39-yard interception return for a touchdown to seal it.

Stunned San Francisco (3-5) has lost four straight following a 3-1 start— and the 49ers have little time to recover. The Chicago Bears come to town for a Thursday night game.

“It’s definitely frustrating to be at this point, but we do have eight games left,” San Francisco coach Mike Singletary said. “We have to make sure we go out and play a complete football game without killing ourselves in the process.”

Young and Johnson were all smiles on the sideline as they stood together and waited out the end of this one.

After Johnson’s TD was reversed, Young hit Justin Gage(notes) on a leaping catch between two defenders for a 33-yard gain to put Tennessee in the red zone. The Titans kept converting the big plays.

Johnson finished with 135 yards on a career-high 25 carries—53 of those after his TD run was called back. Young, who got his starting job back last week, was 12 of 19 for 172 yards and ran for a 7-yard touchdown. Johnson has 959 yards rushing through eight games.

“We’re confident right now,” Johnson said. “We feel like we’re a new team now and we’ve got a new schedule.”

Vernon Davis(notes) had career highs of 10 catches and 102 yards for San Francisco in a game pitting two rebuilding quarterbacks who have resurrected their careers with improved play of late. But this was a big step back for Smith, the No. 1 overall pick in 2005 who was booed in the waning moments by those fans who stuck around for the finish.

“It’s probably too early to tell if I think it’s a regression,” Smith said.

Jason Hill(notes) caught touchdown passes of 12 and 3 yards for the 49ers, who had better turn things around in a hurry if they want to make the playoffs and end a franchise-worst streak of six straight losing seasons.

Frank Gore(notes) was held to 83 yards on 15 carries with a 3-yard TD run. He also had seven catches for 75 yards.

Young made a pretty 49-yard completion to Gage in the first quarter for the Titans, one of Gage’s four receptions.

NOTES: The 49ers have challenged four times this season and three of those have been overturned. … This was the Titans’ first trip to Candlestick since losing here for their first defeat following a 3-0 start during the team’s 1999 Super Bowl season. … 49ers RB Glen Coffee(notes) sustained a concussion with 2:45 left.

Updated Nov 8, 9:28 pm EST
digg del.icio.us
more

Head to Head - Week 9

Team Total Yds Pass Yds Rush Yds First Downs 3rdD% Pen./Yds Turnovers Time of Poss.
Tennessee 315 163 152 14 33.3% 8/58 0 26:10
San Francisco 358 250 108 25 30.8% 5/25 4 33:50
NFL

126 Comments

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

    Report Abuse

    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

    Report Abuse

    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

    Report Abuse

    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

    Report Abuse

    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

    Report Abuse

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

    Report Abuse

    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

    Report Abuse

    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

    Report Abuse

    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

    Report Abuse

    Start Hill..

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

    Report Abuse

    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

    Report Abuse

    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

    Report Abuse

    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

    Report Abuse

    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

    Report Abuse

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

    Report Abuse

    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

    Report Abuse

    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

    Report Abuse

    @ 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

    Report Abuse

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

    Report Abuse

    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

    Report Abuse

    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

    Report Abuse

    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

    Report Abuse

    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

    Report Abuse

    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

    Report Abuse

    "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

    Report Abuse

    REALITY CHECK FOR ALL YOU niner fans! LOL LOL
    throw your niner gear back to the bottom of your closets again! LOL LOL
Sign in to post a comment, or sign up for a free account

Upset!

20%
of Pro Football Pick’em users chose Tennessee to win the game

Did the Yahoo! Sports Experts make the right picks?

Top Performers

 Top Performers
 Tennessee
C. Johnson Chris Johnson RB
25 Rush, 135 yds
2 TDs
 San Francisco
J. Hill Jason Hill WR
4 Rec, 50 yds
2 TDs

Team Stat Leaders

Passing Yards
Rushing Yards
Receiving Yards

Scoreboard

Week 9

YAHOO! SPORTS

ALSO ON YAHOO!

THINGS YOU CAN DO

- Site Map

Copyright © 2009 2009 STATS LLC and The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the STATS/AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of STATS LLC and The Associated Press.