Based on the first two weeks of the season, it's impressive to see where the Titans have come from and how they have carried over their momentum from last season. They've done a great job of carrying over the finish from last year, taking it into offseason workouts, mini-camps, training camps. Then when you get to the opener, you really want to see that all that work has paid off, and it's glaring. I think the Titans are a different team, and they've established an identity during these first couple of weeks.
It's so important for your team to understand where you are and what kind of roles you have to play. I think the coaches and everyone on the team are all on the same page, buying into the same things. That's one of the many hurdles you need to get over to become a good team. Even though they lost the game against the Colts, the Titans know they could have and should have won that game. They all recognize that, and that speaks well for the team.
The Titans are definitely making a statement and are right on the Colts' heels, like Keith Bulluck said after Sunday's game. This team, to me, doesn't have any let-up in them. Every single guy sets an example, from Bulluck to Chris Hope to David Thornton to Vince Young. This is not one of those teams where you're going to catch them flat one game, laying down, looking like they're not giving it all they've got. The way they've worked, the way they've come together, they just won't allow that to happen. That gets you fired up as a fan, because you know you're going to get an all-out effort every Sunday, and they are going to continue to work hard and improve.
Monday night's game against the New Orleans Saints is going to be a big challenge. As much as you want to say it, it's not just any other game. It is a different atmosphere, especially for the young guys. You can definitely sense that difference when you're there. There's more media attention, the lights seem a little brighter, and the turf is a little more colorful. Everything almost has that playoff atmosphere. You can definitely tell that it is a different game. They'll have to deal with all the attention surrounding Monday Night Football, but then they'll need to come back down to earth and just play their game. Everyone around the country is watching, so you want to be on the replays that are good, not the ones that are bad.
It's definitely a privilege to be able to play on Monday night. It means you're headed in the right direction; you're a good team. It also means a little extra because all your peers around the league will get a chance to watch you, whereas they may not normally be able to.
This is the kind of stage that Vince Young will embrace. This sort of thing is not new to Vince. I think he will rise to the occasion, as well as work to help the new guys adjust to the bigger stage. I think a guy like Vince, who has been on this stage for a long time, will really shine. I think he will take pride in the fact that he and the Titans are playing on Monday Night Football.
