Ravens cornerback Samari Rolle and receiver Derrick Mason both returned to Nashville, Tenn. last year to face their former team, the Tennessee Titans.
“We went back last year, but unfortunately, we didn?t win,” Rolle said of the 25-10 loss. “I feel we have a much better team this year and our heads are in the right place this year, so I feel a lot better about that.”
Both players, as well as Ravens quarterback Steve McNair, were part of Tennessee?s salary-cap purge that ousted numerous stars from Music City. Rolle, Mason and McNair will get a second chance to beat their former team Sunday at LP Field.
The 6-2 Ravens are looking like one of the stronger teams in the AFC at this point and could put further distance between themselves and their North Division rivals. There?s no better team to help with breathing room than the struggling Titans, who are 2-6.
Titans head coach Jeff Fisher, during a conference call with reporters earlier this week, bristled at a question about the state of the organization.
“Have you followed this franchise?” he said. “Have you followed the cap difficulties that we?ve had over the last couple of years? Typically speaking, when you have a handful of changes because of the cap rule and you have to let go starters and core players, then I?d say yes, you are in a rebuilding phase. Our record is not reflective of where we want to be, but the franchise is very stable.”
The Titans decided to go with rookie quarterback Vince Young this season after trading McNair in the offseason. While Young (762 yards, five TDs) has shown flashes of brilliance, the team has been battered hard in several games. Three of the Titans? six losses have been by at least 30 points.
The Titans have found some success running the ball. Travis Henry (479 yards, three TDs) and LenDale White (171 yards) have shared the load in an offense that is ranked 28th in the NFL.
The Ravens? risk-taking defense will attempt to force the Titans to turn the ball over. So far this season, the Ravens defense has proven proficient in turning turnovers into points, scoring four touchdowns off 25 turnovers.
“I think our guys put a lot of focus in on it,” Ravens head coach Brian Billick said. “The way we kind of hand off and pitch back, it drives me nuts. I?m dog-cussing the whole time, right until the point they get in the end zone, but we seem to be good at it. It?s been great to have.”
Rolle cautioned his team about being overconfident.
“The biggest thing is that you have to beat the teams you are supposed to beat,” Rolle said. “They are going to play hard. As everybody knows, they are well-coached, so it?s not going to be an easy game.”
