NASHVILLE, Tenn. –Ken Whisenhunt returned to the podium for his weekly presser on Monday and discussed the team's 21-7 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in week 10. Here are the five things you need to know from the Titans head coach.
5. Injury Update
Tight end Delanie Walker is in the league's concussion protocol but Whisenhunt said Walker was in good spirits at the team facility on Monday. Dexter McCluster left Sunday's contest early and is dealing with a knee bruise. Whisenhunt said there is some swelling in the knee but he doesn't believe there is anything wrong structurally.
The Titans were without nose tackle Sammie Hill against the Ravens due to a hamstring injury. Hill was very close to playing per Whisenhunt but was held out as a precautionary measure.
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- Evaluation of Zach Mettenberger**
Rather than break it up, here's Whisenhunt's full comments on Mettenberger's second start.
*"I think that's something that he'll get better at as he gets more comfortable with the position. He did a nice job in a lot of things yesterday. I thought early in the game he really made some good throws. I think a little bit that was underrated was how he handled that environment, especially early, to have the ball for a 15-play drive and a nine-play drive, make some throws on third down and handled the pressures the way he did, I felt there's a lot of positive in that. As the game progressed, as they had a lead and they were playing a little bit more seven-man coverages driving, those windows get a lot harder, especially with the field position. That really hurt us, being bottled up down there inside the 10 a number of times. You have a tendency to be a little bit more careful with your throws. That'll lead you to holding onto it. What we've got to do a better job of with him going forward is getting to the check down quicker, getting the ball out of his hand a little bit quicker." *
3. Strong Performance From the Secondary
Whisenhunt: "They did a nice job. The two things I thought they did well, they defended the pass obviously and they tackled the catch. That was one of the things we really felt we needed to do a good job of going into the game. With the exception of the one pass they had for the touchdown they did a really nice job the whole way."
2. Refs to Return to Saint Thomas Sports Park
The Titans brought officials to practice last week to help alleviate the team's propensity for penalties throughout the first half of the season. Tennessee made improvements in some areas but still committed nine penalties for 67 yards against the Ravens.
Whisenhunt said the officials will return for another week at Titans practice.
1. Preparing for Prime Time Lights
The Titans next contest will be their one and only prime time game under the LP Field lights – a showdown on Monday Night Football with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Monday night game provides the Titans with an extra day of preparation, one Whisehunt says will be used as a recovery/review day on Friday. Wednesday and Thursday will go like a normal week with Saturday and Sunday serving as the schedules for what is normally Friday and Saturday.
As for the game itself, Whisenhunt's message to the team is cut and dry.
"If you're not excited about playing the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football then you shouldn't be here," Whisenhunt said simply. "I think our team is excited about that."
The Tennessee Titans and Baltimore Ravens battle in a Week 10 contest at M&T Bank Stadium. (Photos: Donn Jones, AP)
