Buffalo Bills vs. Tennessee Titans Game Preview


Posted Aug 15, 2003


The Bills and Titans continue their preseasons this week on a prime time matchup (8:00 PM EST) that will be on ESPN. The game is highlighted by Gregg Williams' return Tennessee since departing there three seasons ago as defensive co-ordinator to become the head coach of the Bills. The Bills are coming off a 20-19 victory at Baltimore and the Titans are also coming off a victory in which they beat the Browns 10-6.

Williams was with the Titans organization for eleven seasons prior to joining the Bills. His final three years as the teams' defensive co-ordinator. He also served as the team's linebacker and special teams coaches and also stint as an assistatant in charge of quality control.

TEAM BREAKDOWNS

Tennessee Titans:
The Titans are coming off a season in which they lost in the AFC Championship but might struggle to make the Titans in 2003. As they team lost some key veterans iin free agency without bringing anyone to replace them. The hardest area hit was the middle of the defense where the Titans lost starters DTs John Thornton and Henry Ford, starting middle linebacker Randall Godfrey was a salary cap cusualty and backup defensive backs Donald Mitchell, Danion Sidney, Rich Coady and Aric Morris were also lost. That said the Titans still have two of the NFL's premier defensive ends Kevin Carter and Jevon Kearse anchoring the line along with last year's first round draft selection Albert Haynesworth. Steve McNair and Eddie George are still dangerous weapons on offense and head coach Jeff Fisher make it hard it hard to believe that the Titans won't be out of the playoff hunt at least in 2003. The Titans' top pick Andre Woolfolk will miss the game (and most likely the rest of the preseason) due to a toe injury.

Injuries: Andre Woolfolk (CB) - Toe , Samari Rolle (CB) - Concussion, Lance Schulters (FS) - Head.

Buffalo Bills:
As stated earlier this game will be marked by Gregg Williams' return to Tennessee but he's not the only one returning. Returning with him is defensive co-ordinator Jerry Gray who served as the Titans' defensive back's coach for two seasons before joining the Bills and played some time with the then Houston Oilers as did Bills' Safeties coach Steve Jackson. Offensive coaches Kevin Gilbride and Les Steckel both served as Oilers/Titans offensive co-ordinators. Former Titan cornerback Sidney, who's in a battle for the Bills nickel back position also returns to Tennessee along with backup kicker Jason Witczak had spent time in training camp with the Titans in 2002 and 2003. Although 1st Round draft pick Willis McGahee just signed with the Bills he isn't expected to be game ready until late into the regular season as he continues to rehab from a devasting knee injury suffered in last year's Sugar Bowl.

Injuries: Takeo Spikes (LB) - Groin, Gary Byrd (OT) - Knee.




Related Stories
Wednesday brings a welcome to Willis
 -by BuffaloFootballReport.com  Aug 13, 2003
Running Back News Highlight Tuesday's Practice
 -by BuffaloFootballReport.com  Aug 12, 2003
Vols Haunted by Injury, Inexperience
 -by InsideTennessee.com  Aug 20, 2003

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DE Kevin Carter (profile)
RB Eddie George (profile)
DT Albert Haynesworth (profile)
RB Willis McGahee (profile)
QB Steve McNair (profile)
K Jason Witczak (profile)
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