NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -LenDale White or Chris Brown? Coach Jeff Fisher insists he hasn’t decided on his starting running back in a situation where both will play for Tennessee.
“We have a good problem either way we decide,” Fisher said Saturday. “We’re going to be good.”
The Titans have a handful of starting positions up for grabs including middle linebacker, receiver opposite veteran Eric Moulds and a couple spots in the secondary. The biggest is at running back where Brown, rookie Chris Henry and White each have started a game this preseason.
If the decision is based on production, then White takes the lead after his first NFL start.
He ran 11 times for 51 yards in Friday night’s 28-17 exhibition victory at Buffalo – an average of 4.6 yards per carry. He also caught three passes for 23 yards and showed how well he can block for Vince Young.
Brown also played well, carrying six times for 42 yards with a long of 19 with a couple catches for 25 yards.
“When we want to keep our running backs fresh in the game early in the season when you’re dealing with some heat issues and things, both of them have shown they can make the plays, which is good. We’ll be in a good situation,” Fisher said.
Fisher will play his starters a series into the third quarter Thursday night when they conclude the preseason against Green Bay (2-1). He said position battles are clearing up, but it’s unlikely he will name any starters this week.
Top draft pick Michael Griffin played well in his first start even though he gave up a 64-yard touchdown pass to Lee Evans. He also missed when he had a chance to sack J.P. Losman in the end zone. Asked if Griffin played well enough to earn another start, Fisher said they will talk over the next two days who will start Thursday night.
Veteran cornerback Nick Harper gave up a 56-yard completion to Peerless Price, and Fisher said they consciously tried to pressure the cornerbacks in the defensive scheme to see how they responded. He called the mistakes correctable.
“Griff was in good position early in that play. He should have become the receiver on the play, run to the ball and made the catch … Those are the kinds of things we need to have happen in preseason games,” Fisher said.
The Titans (2-1) are 74 seconds away from being undefeated this preseason and looked their best against the Bills.
The mistakes included a 35-yard field-goal attempt that was wide left and consecutive three-and-outs in the second quarter with the first ending when Young underthrew a receiver and the next stalled by two false starts.
Young was very sharp, completing 13 of 19 passes for 162 yards.
Of his six incompletions, four were short or behind the receiver, one dropped by tight end Bo Scaife in the end zone and the last batted down. Young ran for a TD and threw for another capping a 78-yard drive over 2:07 when he was a perfect 5-of-5 for 55 yards.
The defense came up with two sacks and one interception that should have been two if Harper hadn’t dropped a ball in his hands. The Titans have 10 sacks through three exhibitions and seven turnovers.
“Things are starting to clear up a little bit,” Fisher said.
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