Cardinals at Titans: What Bettors Need to Know
PROOF OF LIFE
Matt Leinart didn’t do anything to make Arizona backers forget about Kurt Warner with his preseason Week 1 performance.
Sure he completed six of his seven pass attempts, but the first-team offense failed to score and backup QB Derek Anderson was even worse when he took the field.
“There were a couple of times in the first half, offensively, where it was a joke, to be quite honest with you,” Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt told the Arizona Republic the day after the game against the Texans. “Plays that we had run 25 times in two weeks looked like it was the first time we’d run it.”
Leinart’s assessment of his play was much more positive but reporters had to wait until the next day to hear from him. The former Heisman winner ducked out before the press got a chance to question him after the game.
Regardless, it’s pretty clear that Whisenhunt wants to see a better performance on the field from his projected starting quarterback in the second exhibition game.
PUNCH DRUNK LOVE
The news of the week for the Titans was dominated by a punch thrown by running back LeGarrette Blount at a teammate during team practice Wednesday night.
Blount was of course suspended for most of his senior year at Oregon because of a sucker punch he threw at a Boise State player.
The rookie immediately apologized for the act of aggression and wasn’t punished by head coach Jeff Fisher, who downplayed the whole incident.
Music City Miracle reports that the Wednesday night practice was noticeably more physical than other scrimmages the Titans have had so far in training camp.
INJURIES
Leinart and Anderson will be missing a couple big offensive weapons on Monday night. Receivers Larry Fitzgerald and Early Doucet are both expected to sit out against the Titans because of injuries.
Fisher said Titan players Justin Gage (WR), Cortland Finnegan (CB), David Thornton (LB), William Hayes (DE) and Tony Brown (DT) all would not play. The Tennessee coach didn’t rule out rookie defensive end Derrick Morgan from Monday’s game even though he’s yet to participate in a full practice because a lingering calf injury.
STARTER REPORT
Both coaches were being a bit coy with how long their first units would play on Monday night but there were hints each team’s starters would play into the second quarter.
The press is talking about the matchup of Leinart and Titans starting QB Vince Young. This will only be the second time the two have faced off since their memorable Rose Bowl in 2005.
Young got the best of Leinart in that game and also in their only previous pro contest. Young led a late come-from-behind victory against the Kurt Warner-less Cards in Week 12 last season.
Fisher warns fans not to get too caught up in the QB battle between the old foes.
“You’d like to win at home, but I think everybody understands that our starters could score 14 points and not give up any, and then the backups come in and give up 17 and you lose,” Fisher told the Nashville City Paper. “We all understand what preseason is about.”
WEATHER
The forecast is calling for a clear night with a game-time temperature around 85 degrees and minimal winds.
LINE MOVEMENT
Several books opened with a short line of Tennessee -2.5 while others went with -3. The line moved up to 3.5 and there are some shops out there dealing 4.
Meanwhile the total has stayed put at 37 throughout the week.
Tips and Trends
Arizona Cardinals at Tennessee Titans
CARDINALS: Arizona played pretty well in their first preseason game, as they were able to beat the pass happy Texans 19-16. All 3 of the Arizona QB's played efficiently, led by backup John Skelton. Skelton was 5 of 6 for 84 YDS and a TD in mop-up duty. Starter Matt Leinart was an efficient 5 of 6 in the brief time he saw action against the Texans. Starting running back Beanie Wells had 36 yards rushing, as well as a receiving TD for Arizona. Defensively, the Cardinals allowed the Texans to have 356 total yards, many of which came through the air. Arizona forced 1 turnover, and only had 1 sack against Houston. The Cardinals expect to compete for another NFC West division title, but will have to deal with the upstart 49ers this season. Arizona appears to be headed wherever Matt Leinart leads them this year.
Arizona beat Houston at home 19-16 in their first preseason game.
Key Injuries - WR Larry Fitzgerald (knee) is doubtful.
Projected Score: 14
TITANS: (-3.5, O/U 37) Tennessee is approaching their 2nd preseason game with far more intensity than their 1st preseason contest. That's because the Titans didn't play their brand of football, as they had an uncharacteristic 3 turnovers. Those 3 turnovers played a vital role in why they ultimately lost on the road to the Seahawks. Starting QB Vince Young played well in his brief time on the field, except for an INT. Dynamic RB Chris Johnson barely played, but he was able to score a TD in his brief efforts on the field. Surprisingly, the run happy Titans actually had more passing plays than running plays in Seattle, 34 to 23. Defensively, the Titans didn't play much better. Tennessee not only allowed 20 PTS, but they also allowed 321 total YDS to Seattle. Coach Jeff Fisher is quite likely to have his group of players ready to play tonight after their careless defeat to Seattle. In front of the national audience, the Titans can be expected to establish the run early and avoid any costly turnovers.
Tennesee lost at Seattle 18-20 in their first preseason game.
Key Injuries - DE William Hayes (knee) is out.
Projected Score: 24 (SIDE of the Day)