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Titans throttle Buccaneers 34-3 in preseason action




After a practice day on Thursday in which coach Mike Vrabel said the Titans’ play “sucked,” Tennessee played well in the preseason game Saturday night against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, rolling to a 34-3 victory.

While very few starters played for either team, Tennessee’s second and third team units acquitted themselves well in running their preseason record to 2-0, with the final tuneup set next Saturday, Aug. 28 at home against Chicago.

Matt Barkley and Logan Woodside, who got the start Saturday, alternated under center and were both sharp in the battle to be Ryan Tannehill’s backup quarterback.

Barkley was 12 of 16 for 115 yards with touchdown throws to Mekhi Sargent and Mason Kinsey, who again led the Titans with six receptions for 56 yards, including a 20-yard TD catch from Barkley into a tight window.

“I knew the safety was over the top away from him,” Barkley said of Kinsey. “He’s been making plays in camp since I’ve been here with his speed, so I knew he was going to win.”

Woodside completed 7 of 8 for 64 yards and a touchdown pass to rookie receiver Dez Fitzpatrick.

Woodside said he was glad to see two days of work against the Buccaneers in the joint practices pay off in the preseason game.

“This week coming down to practice against Tampa Bay was some tough practices, but coming out tonight and seeing it come to fruition for us was great,” Woodside said.

Sargent had another strong game as he tries to earn a backup running back role. In addition to his TD catch, he had 78 yards rushing on 16 carries Saturday. Vrabel noted that he ran hard and is finding a role on the kickoff team on special teams, which can enhance his value.

For his part, Sargent is simply trying to do what he can to increase his chances of sticking on the roster.

“I’m just here trying to define my role and earn the respect of the veterans and play wherever they need me to play,” Sargent said.

Strong defense

Defensively, three takeaways highlighted the evening for Tennessee, with Briean Boddy-Calhoun returning a fumble for a second-half score and newcomers Clayton Geathers and Jamal Carter both getting interceptions.

“It’s really nice to be able to see the things that you emphasize and coach come through,” Vrabel said. “It’s really cool to see the stuff that we emphasize and work on carry over into the game.”

Rookie defensive back Elijah Molden, the Titans’ third-round pick, had a sack and a pass breakup that led to an interception in his first preseason action.

“That’s something Jon (Robinson) and I had envisioned along with the defensive staff when he came out of (the University of) Washington. It was really cool to see him go out there and do some nice things,” Vrabel said.

Molden was grateful to contribute to a team effort.

“It felt really special. It felt bigger than myself, to be honest, the plays that went on out there,” Molden said.

Ficken excels

In the kicker battle, Sam Ficken took advantage of Tucker McCann being out with an injury to make field goals from 48 and 57 yards as the Titans dominated the backup version of the reigning Super Bowl champion Bucs.

Also on special teams, Chester Rogers had a long kickoff return deep into Bucs territory in the first half, but that was voided by a penalty on rookie Rashad Weaver.

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