Friday, August 16, 2002
Titans 24, Raiders 14
The Associated Press
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Titans believe they fixed some mistakes very quickly. The Oakland Raiders aren't quite sure where to start.
The Titans scored three touchdowns within the first nine minutes and downed Oakland 24-14 Thursday night. Unlike their exhibition opener in which the first-team offense struggled, the Titans seemingly could no wrong against the Raiders.
Tennessee (2-0) had three sacks and forced four turnovers, including two within the first four minutes for the fast start.
“We didn't have the penalties and mistakes that cost us field position last Saturday against the Rams,” Titans receiver Kevin Dyson said. “We were in there for three drives and got three touchdowns.”
The Titans couldn't have played more differently than they did in the opener, when Steve McNair missed on his first nine passes and coach Jeff Fisher kept the first-team offense on the field until they scored. That took most of the first half.
“We really wanted to make a statement as far as getting the offense going, and we did that,” said running back Eddie George. “You live for nights like this. I have a feeling four weeks from now, it's not going to be that easy.”
That is when these teams play for real on Sept. 29 in Oakland, but the Raiders (0-2) might need that time to improve under new coach Bill Callahan. They cut down their penalties from 17 last week to only nine, but he said they couldn't get going early for a second straight road game.
“Time's running out,” Callahan said. “We want to get back in sync. I know this was a quick turnaround, but it is no excuse. I expected a better outing this game, and we didn't get it.”
Rich Gannon played three series and drove the Raiders to one TD. He called their play “garbage” even though he was 6-of-10 for 50 yards.
Even Jerry Rice had problems. He let a pass from Gannon go off his hands, and Titans linebacker Keith Bulluck intercepted. An unsportsmanlike penalty against Eric Barton on third-and-6 kept alive the Titans' drive, and George scored a 1-yard TD for a 21-0 lead at 6:15 of the first quarter.
“If anyone in here feels like they played well, then we've got a problem.” Rice said. “Guys are disappointed, and we should be.”
Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski, who missed wide left from 52 and 47 yards last week, was wide right on a 29-yarder just before the end of the first half.
But the Titans scored on the opening drive, needing only six plays to go 72 yards against Oakland's starting defense. McNair found Mason on a 34-yard TD pass down the left sideline, and not even holding by Raiders cornerback Tory James, which was declined, kept him from being wide open.
Larry Ned promptly fumbled away the ensuing kickoff as the ball went through his arms, and Dyson scored on an 11-yard reverse helped by a block by George.
When George scored for a 21-0 lead, Fisher pulled all but his starting offensive line.
The Titans slowed on offense when backup quarterback Neil O'Donnell came in with Skip Hicks, who is fighting Robert Holcombe to back up George. Hicks carried 17 times for 44 yards, while O'Donnell was 6-of-11 for 67 yards with one interception after sitting out several days recently with a sore shoulder.
Notes: Titans DE Jevon Kearse sat out with a bruised left elbow. Fisher said after the game he will miss 2-3 weeks and possibly the season opener with a damaged triceps muscle. Kearse hurt his left elbow Tuesday, and the damage was found Thursday in an MRI. ... Oakland rookie Ronald Curry fumbled twice in the second half, losing a kickoff in the third quarter but regained the ball after dropping a punt in the fourth. ... Oakland FS Anthony Dorsett hurt the bottom of his foot.
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Titans 24, Raiders 14 
