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Worlds of wonder Road mastery hard to figure in Jaguars-Titans rivalry
Posted: Friday January 21, 2000 02:19 AM
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- The Jacksonville Jaguars are 30-4 at home since 1996, but three of those losses have been to the Tennessee Titans. Still, coach Tom Coughlin insisted Thursday that the Jaguars had a psychological edge over the Titans in Sunday's AFC championship game. He was reminded that the Titans had handed his team its only two losses this season. "That's their psychological edge," Coughlin replied. "What's yours?" he was asked. "We're at home," Coughlin replied. Coughlin says what many people forget is that the Jaguars have won four of five on the Titans-Oilers turf. It's a strange phenomenon to explain, but Coughlin has a theory. "Two good football teams that have been able to take advantage of certain things, and they just happen to have happened on the road," he said. "There are explanations for everything. You just have to dig underneath. This year, we're minus-5 in turnovers against the Titans, and you're not going to beat anyone that way no matter where you're playing." No ticketsAll the Titans are hearing from family and friends for tickets to Sunday's game, but some are letting their answering machines handle the calls for help. Cornerback Denard Walker said he's been getting 30 to 40 calls a day, including one from his grandmother, who got a little confused. "She asked if she could get four Super Bowl tickets and that finally after 60 years of living, she said she'd get on an airplane and come to Atlanta. I didn't answer the phone. I wanted to tell her we've got one more game before we get there," Walker said. Florida natives Jevon Kearse, Kenny Holmes and Samari Rolle all are being pressured for tickets, as well. Holmes and Rolle said they need dozens. "This time it will be immediate, immediate, immediate family," Kearse said. Cool poolThe Jaguars' defensive backs have a kangaroo court with a heart. The cornerbacks and safeties have a fine pool for mistakes in practices and games. Instead of using the proceeds for a fancy dinner or party at the end of the season, the backs will use the money to establish a scholarship fund for a deserving youth. "I was thinking if I had to give my money for things I did wrong, it should go to something productive," safety Donovin Darius said. The defensive backs fine each other $10 for mistakes in practice and $50 for mistakes in games. The pot is now close to $3,000 this season. The players haven't worked out the exact criteria for who will qualify for the money, but grades, athletic ability and, most of all, need, will be part of it. "We will set parameters, with one being someone under the poverty level," Darius said. "We'll talk more about coming up with the things we feel are most important to us. This is a chance to help someone who is primed to become something. This is our chance to do something productive." Pep rallies and partiesThe only celebration planned by the Titans will be Sunday night at Adelphia Coliseum, win or lose. Coach Jeff Fisher said the Titans aren't interested in pregame pep rallies like the Indianapolis Colts held before last week's divisional playoff or some functions being held this week by the Jaguars. "Our fans understand what this is about. They appreciate our time here and understand how difficult the preparation is," Fisher said. "We'll celebrate if things go the way we hope they go. "Anything in between I think is a potential distraction, and I know our fans, who've supported us all year long, realize that as well." Fans are being invited to Adelphia on Sunday afternoon to watch the NFC championship on the stadium's video screens as a warmup to when the team returns from Jacksonville. Team officials decided to open up the coliseum after up to 10,000 people unexpectedly showed up at the airport last week to greet the Titans following their victory over Indianapolis. Brunell's numberJaguars quarterback Mark Brunell insists his strained left knee will be at 100 percent come Sunday. Coach Tom Coughlin thinks differently. "Maybe 90, maybe 85," Coughlin said. "I don't know what he thinks. Maybe he thinks it's better. He knows better than I." Ball, ball, ballThe Titans entered the playoffs with the best turnover margin of any team in the postseason at plus-18. But after two playoff games, Tennessee is minus-1, and coach Jeff Fisher wants his team to think turnovers against Jacksonville. "It's an issue," Fisher said. "It's something we've obviously addressed defensively. But the other side of that is we've done a pretty good job protecting the ball against two challenging defenses the last couple of weeks."
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