Titans Win 2009 Hall Of Fame Game

NFL News - August 10th, 2009 - Written by Ryan Smith

The first pre-season football game of the year was last night in Canton Ohio, and the Tennessee Titans pulled off a win against the Buffalo Bills with a final score of 21-18. Since it was only the first pre-season game of the year, we didn't get to see all-stars like Terrell Owens on the field to long, but it was nice to see football none the less. The famed "Hall of Fame Game", is always the first game of the season, and the game has become a constant reminder, that the NFL football season is just weeks away.

The Titans came out ready to perform well, despite entering training camp a week later than the Buffalo Bills. Titans starting quarterback Kerry Collins played like it was his 15th season, maybe because it is his 15th year in the league, completing 7 of 10 passes for 82 yards. On the Titans first series, Collins drove down the field just to be stopped on 3rd down, but the Titans pulled off a fake reverse punt fooling the Bills defense and punter A.J. Trapasso, and ran the football 40 yards all the way to the end zone. Collins continued to play well in the second series of the game, and he ended the afternoon passing 3-4 on third down plays totaling 49 yards. ESPN reports Kerry Collins had this to say after the game, "It doesn't take as long to get ready, but I'll take advantage of the work I'm going to get." The running attack of smash and dash, Chris Johnson, and Lendale White, played well in only limited playing time. Chris Johnson rushed for 17 yards on 6 carries, and Lendale White found the end zone on just 17 yards rushing.

The Buffalo Bills fans have waited to see wide receiver Terrell Owens on the football field, and they got their chance Sunday night. Terrell Owens only got the opportunity to play the first series of the game and made good use of it, snatching his first catch on a slant up the middle for 16 yards. His second catch came on a button hook pass from the right side of the field, Owens had to make a toe touch catch before going out of balance. ESPN reports Owens said this in an interview after the game "It was just what was open, Trent saw it and threw it to me," Owens later stated, "Whether or not it was a statement remains to be seen. I feel comfortable with the offense. I like it in Buffalo, but we all have a lot of work to do." The Buffalo Bills scored their touchdown on a 26-yard interception return from corner back Reggie Corner, and Bills kicker Ryan Lindell made three field goals on three attempts, the longest was a 52 yarder. Many Bills fans where at the game after the Hall of Fame enshrinement of long time Buffalo Bill Bruce Smith, and former Bills owner Raulph Wilson, the Bills fans greeted Terrell Owens with chants of T.O.-T.O. as he entered the field. The next scheduled pre-season games are on Thursday August 13, 2009.

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