The Daily News-Journal from Murfreesboro, Tennessee • 26

C6 THE DAILY NEWS JOURNAL SUNDAY, NOV. 14, 2010 TITANS GAMEDAY PREVIEW TITANS (5-3) at MIAMI DOLPHINS (4-4) I When. Noon today I TV. WTVF-5 I Radio. 104.5-FM Line.

Titans by 1 I Last week. Titans bye week; Dolphins lost to Ravens, 26-10. Randy Moss (81) should help the Titans as a deep threat, as the receiver has 57 touchdown catches of 31 yards or longer. MICHAEL DWYER AP FILE Moss' opponents are in Wide receiver shines brightest on long passes By Jim Wyatt THE TENNESSEAN MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. Randy Moss loves to go deep.

And with the Titans, the receiver is part of an offense that's unafraid to, take chances throwing it down the field. Quarterbacks Vince Young and Kerry Collins are happy, and even sometimes-surly offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger is smiling "Vince is throwing the ball very well down the field this year, and Heimerdinger is one of those offensive coordinators who likes to take his shots," said NFL Network analyst Joe Theismann, who was quarterback of the Redskins for 12 seasons. "I could see some big plays there. I could see the Titans hitting on a lot of big plays." Moss makes his debut with the Titans (5-3) today against the Dolphins (4-4). Over the years, the 13-year pro has turned short tosses into long gains, taken jump balls away from cornerbacks and safeties, and used his big frame to take advantage of defenders on sideline routes.

Of his 153 career touchdowns, however, 31 were on passes thrown 41 yards or more. He's caught 45 passes thrown at least 41 yards in the air. "The deep threat that he brings to the table is very rare," said Collins, who threw to Moss when they were with the Raiders in 2005. "That will make him a deep trouble SHORT AND LONG Career numbers for Randy tance of pass: Pass thrown Receptions Behind line 1-10 yards 11-20 yards 21-30 yards 31-40 yards 41-plus yards good fit because we are the kind of team that likes to take shots. Dinger has always been that way, and now with Randy I think we'll continue to try and find ways to get those big chunks.

It is fun to get a little creative with it and do some things with him." Young is 3-of-8 this season on passes thrown 41 yards or more, including a 71-yard touchdown to Nate Washington against the Chargers on Oct. 31. He's 6-of-28 on throws of 41 yards or more during his career. Collins, who is expected to start against the Dolphins as Young continues to recover from an ankle injury, also has shown a nice touch throwing the long ball. The 16-year pro is 15-of-91 passes on throws of 41 yards or more, with nine scores of 41-plus yards.

With running back Chris Johnson almost certain to remain the primary focus of defenses, Moss should have some opportunities to work his magic downfield. "He fits in wherever we put him," Young said. "Right now we've got him at one position trying to learn that and then overall we can add on things. But right now I feel like he can stretch the field just like Kenny Britt does, just like Justin Gage NUMBERS GAME 6. Consecutive wins for the month of November.

13-8. Titans record after 18. Consecutive games goal for Titans PK Rob 45. Rushing yards RB needs to reach 4,000 for 4. Catches WR Randy to surpass Andre Reed LINEUPS TITANS OFFENSE QB 5 Collins 10 Young RB 28 Johnson 21 Ringer FB 45 Hall 88 Stevens WR 85 Washington 17 Williams WR 84 Moss 12 Gage LT Roos ad Kropog By Jim Wyatt TEN MIA KEY MATCHUPS Titans WR Randy Moss vs.

Dolphins CB Vontae Davis Moss did not have a catch against the Dolphins when he faced them as member of the Patriots last month, but he was brilliant in each of his four debuts with a new team, averaging 122 yards per game and at least one score. Davis will have his hands full, but likely will get help. Titans CB Cortland Finnegan vs. Dolphins WR Brandon Marshall Marshall has 52 catches, but with Miami's quarterback switch from Chad Henne to Chad Pennington he might not get as many chances downfield. Finnegan will get physical with Marshall to disrupt his routes, but it's going to take a team effort to make sure Marshall doesn't do a lot of damage.

INJURY REPORT I Titans. WR Kenny Britt (hamstring) is out. CB Ryan Mouton (hamstring) and QB Vince Young (ankle) are questionable. DT Tony Brown (knee) and PB Chris Johnson (thigh) are probable. I Dolphins.

ST Tyrone Culver (ankle) and WR Roberto Wallace (knee) are questionable. Chris Clemons (groin), Anthony Fasano (chest), LB Karlos Dansby (elbow), Jake Long (knee) and WR Roberto Wallace (knee) are probable. TALE OF THE TAPE Total offense Titans. 310.6 (24th) I Dolphins. 336.9 (17th) Rush offense Titans.

123.0 (10th) Dolphins. 106.5 (16th) Pass offense Titans. 187.6 (26th) I Dolphins. 230.4 (14th) Points per game I Titans. 28.0 (1st) I Dolphins.

17.9 (28th) Total defense Titans. 344.1 (19th) I Dolphins. 321.0 (13th) Run defense I Titans. 105.0(14th) I Dolphins. 107.1 (16th) Pass defense I Titans.

239.1 (23rd) Dolphins. 213.9 (13th) Points allowed Titans. 18.8 (9th) I Dolphins. 21.9 (17th) ONLINE Get updates throughout today's game. Sign up for the Titans newsletter delivered each Monday and Friday at tennessean.com/newsletter.

I Slideshows, blogs from today's game. THE EDGE QUARTERBACK Vince Young leads the AFC in passer rating and is coming off an impressive performance in San Diego, but he has an ankle injury. Chad Pennington given the Titans problems in RUNNING BACK Chris Johnson will be challenged against a physical Miami defense, but he should be well rested for the second half. The Dolphins have a solid and Ricky Williams. END The Titans now have Randy Moss, but it's going to take him awhile to get comfortable.

Miami's Brandon Marshall and Davone Bess is an is accurate and has the past. EVEN tandem in Ronnie Brown is one of the NFL's best, underrated playmaker. OFFENSIVE LINE The Titans have settled down after a shaky start and lately have done an especially good job in protection. Miami is big and physical up front. Will Richie Incognito behave himself this time? DEFENSIVE LINE Titans ends Jason Babin and Dave Ball have been consistently productive, with 13 sacks between them.

Randy for Miami than he was during Starks has been a better fit his time in Tennessee. Moss based on dis- Yards TDS 102 772 3 450 3,920 51 259 4,491 28 45 1,231 14 47 1,928 26 45 2,436 31 does one of our big guys on that side." Moss is still looking for his first long ball this season, however. After playing four games each in New England and Minnesota, his longest catch is 37 yards. Theismann said he didn't think Vikings quarterback Brett Favre "had the arm to be able to take advantage of what Randy can do downfield." Titans Coach Jeff Fisher predicted Moss would be effective running every route in the playbook, not just the deep stuff. But if Moss can get open down the field, he might be the most capable player in the league when he runs under a ball in flight.

"Being able to adjust and catch the football, there isn't a better receiver in football than Randy Moss going down the field a deep ball," Theismann said. "When he runs to catch a pass and goes up to get it, to me it is like a centerfielder catching a fly ball. He has the best ball skills I have ever seen on a wide receiver, and his eyehand coordination is impeccable. "If the quarterback can throw it down the field, I know Randy can still run under it." Reach Jim Wyatt at 615-259-8015 or GAME the Titans in eighth place on the NFL career receptions list. the bye.

10. Touchdown catches for Moss in with a field 10 career games vs. the Dolphins. Bironas. 126.

Average yards for Dolphins RB Chris Johnson Ricky Williams in his past two his career. games against the Titans. Moss needs 8.5. Sacks for Miami LB Cameron (951) for Wake, who leads the AFC. DT 91 Jones Velasco 75 Haye Amano DT 97 Brown Velasco Marks DE 98 Ball Velasco 78 Ford Stewart LB 51 McRath 53 Curran MLB 55 Tulloch Stevens 92 Witherspoon DEFENSE LB 92 Witherspoon 53 Curran CB 20 Verner 30 McCourty LINEBACKER OLB Cameron Wake has 8.5 sacks and OLB Karlos Dansby is a beast.

The Titans linebackers, led by Stephen Tulloch, have been particularly productive. SECONDARY Philip Rivers lit up the Titans before the bye. Chad Pennington will try to nickel and dime them all game. The Dolphins this week, and the Titans are SPECIAL TEAMS Both kicking games have been good. Miami PK Dan Carpenter has really been busy and accurate of late.

Davone returner, but hasn't broken a COACHING Offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger had his group rolling even before the addition of WR Randy Moss. shook things up with his week, replacing Chad Henne INTANGIBLES The Dolphins haven't won at home this season, so they're due. They should benefit from the heat. The Titans addition of Moss, but can he added veteran CB Al Harris likely to test him early. EVEN Bess is a dangerous punt big one this season.

Dolphins Coach Tony Sparano quarterback switcheroo this with Pennington. have been reenergized with the make an instant impact? PREDICTIONS JIM WYATT Dolphins 23, Titans 20 Even Randy Moss can't keep the Titans from dropping two straight. JOHN GLENNON Titans 24, Dolphins 20 No debut touchdown for Randy Moss, but the Titans will still prevail. JOE BIDDLE Titans 27, Dolphins 24 There's a rumor the Titans have a new wide receiver. DAVID CLIMER Dolphins 22, Titans 17 The Titans get a slow start to the second half of the season.

L6 Harris 54 61 RG 73 Scott 61 RT 76 66 Otto TE 80 Staife 88 TITANS DE 93 Babin Hayes CB 31 Finnegan DOLPHINS 29 Mouton SS 24 Hope QB 10 Nickey RB 23 FS 33 Griffin 34 22 Fuller WR 19 TITANS SPECIALISTS 15 PK 2 Bironas WR 82 14 Kern TE 80 KR 83 Mariani 88 PR 83 Mariani LT OFFENSE L6 68 Incognito NT 71 Procter Pennington Henne 64 Berger DE McQuistan Brown Williams RG 74 Jerry LB 79 McQuistan Marshall Bess RT 72 Carey LB 76 Murtha Hartline Moore FB 36 Polite LB 88 Mastrud Fasano Mastrud DOLPHINS DEFENSE LB Long DE 70 Langford Murtha 78 McDaniel CB 96 Solal CB Smith 78 McDaniel 22 Harris 94 Starks SS 37 Bell 90 Baker 29 Culver 55 Misi FS 30 Clemons Alama-Francis 20 Jones 52 Crowder DOLPHINS SPECIALIST! Dobbins PK 5 Carpenter 58 Dansby 50 Carpenter 2 Fields Wake KR 38 Cobbs 51 Dobbins PR 15 Bess 21 Davis 27 Sapp.