Newcomers Impress in Titans Preseason Win Over Chargers

The Tennessee Titans aimed for a more impressive running back stable in the offseason and if Saturday night's preseason performance was any indication, their aim was true.

DeMarco Murray, traded from Philadelphia in March, had six carries for 93 yards, including a 71-yard touchdown, and rookie Derrick Henry, the team's second-round pick in April's draft, had 74 yards on 10 carries. The Heisman Trophy winner from the University of Alabama had a six-yard touchdown run.

All told, the Titans racked up 288 rushing yards on 33 attempts. Last season, the team ranked last in the NFL in rushing with 92 yards per game.

Given the impressive displays by the debutante runners, second-year quarterback Marcus Mariota wasn't asked to do much with his arm, though he was 5-for-5 for 45 yards in three series in the first half before he gave way to veteran back-up Matt Cassell in the second half.

The Titans' defense looked suspect on the Chargers' opening possession, a four-minute, seven-play, 75-yard drive capped by a 44-yard Philip Rivers touchdown pass to Melvin Gordon. But the defensive unit stiffened, conceding just a field goal the rest of the way.

Running back Bishop Sankey added a 41-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. Ryan Succop and Aldrick Rosas, a rookie out of Southern Oregon University, each had a field goal.

The teams meet again Nov. 6 in San Diego where the Titans haven't won since they were the Houston Oilers in 1990.

The Titans return for another home preseason game next Saturday with a 2 PM kickoff against the defending NFC champions, the Carolina Panthers. The game will be televised on WKRN.