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By T.J. Doyle

– Newsdesk contributor

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Nov 27, 2011 – The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-6) hope to right the ship when they travel to Nashville to take on the Tennessee Titans (5-5) Sunday afternoon at LP Field. The Buccaneers are reeling, having lost five of their last six games, and sit three games back of the New Orleans Saints in the NFC South.

The Titans need to win to stay in the AFC South race, with the Houston Texans currently the team everyone is chasing. Tennessee quarterback Matt Hasselbeck is expected to play Sunday, after leaving last week’s 23-17 loss to the Atlanta Falcon in the third quarter with a right elbow injury.

Here is everything you need to know about the game:

Teams: Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Tennessee Titans

Location: LP Field, Nashville, TN

Game Date/Time: Sunday, November 27; 1:00pm ET

TV Information: FOX (TV Distribution Map - the506.com)

Announcers: Dick Stockton, John Lynch

Radio: 620 WDAE AM (Tampa Bay), WGFX 104.5 FM (Tennessee)

For more on Tampa Bay, please visit Bucs Nation, SB Nation’s Buccaneers blog. For more on Tennessee, please visit Music City Miracles, SB Nation’s Titans blog. For coverage of Sunday’s Buccaneers vs. Titans matchup, please visit this StoryStream.

Read More: Matt Hasselbeck (QB – TEN), New Orleans Saints, Tennessee Titans, Houston Texans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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Carolina Panthers’ Cam Newton, center, is sacked by Tennessee Titans’ Colin McCarthy, left, and Karl Klug, right, during the third quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011.

Carolina Panthers’ Cam Newton, center, is sacked by Tennessee Titans’ Colin McCarthy, left, and Karl Klug, right, during the third quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011.

The Tennessee Titans still are trying to find their way as a defense, and they know very well their challenge is to put together another stingy performance for a second straight week.

The Titans stymied Cam Newton, forcing his worst performance as a rookie, and held Carolina to its first game without a touchdown this season.

Next up is Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons.

Titans coach Mike Munchak said Wednesday that’s the NFL, where there’s never any long stretches to enjoy playing well for long.

“Our defense no doubt played well against an offense that was playing really well at that time,” Munchak said. “This week is a veteran group that everyone gave a great chance to win the NFC, and they are a little disappointed at how they are playing at 5-4 … We need to win, they need to win, and defense is obviously going to be a big part of that.”

The Titans (5-4) came up with a season-high five sacks by six players, forced two turnovers and allowed a season-low in points in the 30-3 win — even with three rookies starting and a fourth subbing in. Jurrell Casey, a third-round pick out of Southern California, has started every game, with Karl Klug, a fifth-round pick out of Iowa, rotating in at tackle every week. Akeem Ayers, the second-round pick from UCLA, also has started every game at linebacker.

Colin McCarthy, the fourth-rounder out of Miami, got his first NFL start at middle linebacker with veteran Barrett Ruud out due to a groin injury. McCarthy lined up everyone and had a team-high eight tackles with a hit on Newton.

“A lot of the rookies now are knowing what to do and know their jobs,” defensive tackle Sen’Derrick Marks said.

The Titans held Carolina to 279 yards, well below what the NFL’s fifth-best offense had been cranking out.

Safety Michael Griffin credited the rookies’ strong play, along with having safety Chris Hope back. The 10-year veteran broke his left arm Oct. 2, and the Titans eased him back onto the field in Carolina, where he intercepted a tipped pass to keep the Panthers out of the end zone. Griffin said Hope’s return allowed the Titans to put six defensive backs on the field and use more of their playbook in confusing Newton.

Atlanta coach Mike Smith said he noticed how many different looks the Titans showed Carolina, which makes more work for an offense preparing for Tennessee. Doing that with four rookies at times is even more impressive.

“It says a lot about that rookie class that there are some good football players, and it says a lot about coach (Jerry) Gray and his staff to be able to be that multiple with four young players,” Smith said of the Titans’ defensive coordinator.

But the Titans have been up and down this season. They ranked first in the NFL in fewest points allowed in early October, then gave up 79 points and 949 yards combined in consecutive losses to Pittsburgh and Houston. They know too well how inconsistent they’ve been.

Cornerback Jason McCourty said he thinks the performance in Carolina helped the defense’s confidence, especially in how the hard work preparing and watching film turns into results on game day. A strong performance by the line is a big help, too, and the Titans know Ryan has been sacked 20 times through nine games.

“We tell those guys all the time they have a performance like that, five sacks and pressuring the quarterback, it makes our job easier,” McCourty said. “We know it starts up front with them. When they have a good game, they make us look good.”

Notes: Ruud (groin) practiced Wednesday after sitting out last week’s game. LB Gerald McRath (hamstring) did not practice along with DE Dave Ball (concussion). … The Titans practiced indoors due to heavy rain that ended just before practice. Munchak said they will be outside Thursday.

___

Follow Teresa M. Walker on Twitter at www.twitter.com/teresamwalker

Three Local Athletes Named TSSAA’s Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Finalists
Baylor’s Ribeiro, Gouger; South Pittsburg’s Lankford Among Finalists, Winners To Be Announced November 28
posted November 8, 2011

THE TENNESSEE TITANS MR. FOOTBALL AWARDS

TO BE PRESENTED ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2011

Embassy Suites Hotel & Conference Center, Murfreesboro

11:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m.

Baylor’s Barrett Gouger was named as a finalist for the DII-AA Lineman of the year and Henrique Ribeiro finalist for Kicker of the Year. South Pittsburg’s Jajuan Lankford is one of the finalists for Class A Back of the Year.

Three finalists in each category for each division and class were announced Tuesday.

The Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Awards will be presented to the top 10 backs and linemen in five classifications of the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association on Monday, November 28, 2011, at the Embassy Suites Hotel & Conference Center in Murfreesboro.

For the tenth consecutive year, the top kicker in the state will be recognized with a Mr. Football Award. There are three finalists in this category, regardless of their schools classification.

“High school football in Tennessee enjoys a great tradition throughout the state and we are pleased to join the TSSAA for the fourth consecutive year in saluting these fine young men at the Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Awards,” said Adams. “The young men that are recognized with these awards are truly the best of the best! They are selected not only for their football skills, but for their strong character and academic achievements and we’re honored to join the TSSAA in saluting them!”

A committee of statewide sports writers selected winners based on performance in the 2011 regular season. Academics and character were also taken into consideration. High school head coaches and members of the media nominated the finalists.

“We’re very thankful to Mr. Adams and the Tennessee Titans for their continued commitment to high school athletics in serving as the title sponsor for these awards, stated Bernard Childress, Executive Director of the TSSAA.

“We are obviously excited and appreciative about being involved with the Tennessee Titans. They have helped make the recognition of the 33 student-athletes, their families, and schools possible,” added Childress.

This is the twenty-seventh year that the Mr. Football Awards have been presented to Tennessees best high school football players. Plaques will be presented to 22 other finalists.

Approximately 600 people, including the honorees, their families, coaches, school administrators and members of the media from all parts of the state, are expected to attend the 2011 luncheon.

Mike Keith, play-by-play voice of the Tennessee Titans, will emcee the awards presentation. Live videostream of the awards will be provided for free by the TSSAA Network. Those interested can watch the awards by going to www.TSSAANetwork.com.

2011 Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Finalists:

CLASS A LINEMAN
Coltin Blevins, South Pittsburg

Tyler Coen, Gordonsville

Boston Ray, Wayne County

CLASS AA LINEMAN

Jamel Hall, Greeneville

Jarod Henderson, Austin-East

Terrell Rollins, Greeneville

CLASS AAA LINEMAN

Brett Dillard, Mt. Juliet

Jay Guillermo, Maryville

Andrew Jelks, Henry County

DII-A LINEMAN

Brewer Congleton, Knoxville Webb

Chase Hensley, USJ

Brandon Hill, St. Georges

DII-AA LINEMAN

Woody Baron, Brentwood Academy
Barrett Gouger, Baylor

Graham Shuler, Brentwood Academy

CLASS A BACK
Jajuan Lankford, South Pittsburg

Jacob Tucker, Perry County

Tyler Warbritton, Huntingdon

CLASS AA BACK

Dalton Boles, West Greene

Charlie High, CAK

Ladarius Vanlier, Maplewood

CLASS AAA BACK

Brian Kimbrow, Memphis East

ITavius Mathers, Blackman

Patton Robinette, Maryville

DII-A BACK

Caleb Blance, Knoxville Webb

Josh Kimberlin, SBEC

Lee Mayhall, USJ

DII-AA BACK

C.J. Beathard, BGA

Cornelius Elder, Ensworth

Jordan Wilkins, St. Benedict

KICKER OF THE YEAR

George Bullock, Knoxville West

Landon Foster, Independence
Henrique Ribeiro, Baylor