Here is a little food for thought.
Titans' Sankey, West have much to prove in Cleveland
The first time Bishop Sankey stepped inside an NFL stadium, he was in Cleveland. And in sixth grade.
It’ll be somewhat different this time around.
The second-year running back, who grew up in Wadsworth, Ohio, about 40 miles south of Cleveland, is looking to continue his success of a week ago when the Titans visit the Browns on Sunday (noon, WTVF-5) in search of their first 2-0 start since 2008.
“We’ve just got to be mentally prepared and physically prepared,” he said, “and try to build off what we did last week.”
Sankey found the end zone twice in the season opener against the Buccaneers. He rushed for 74 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries for an average of 6.2 yards per touch, recovered his own fumble, and caught another score on a 12-yard screen pass.
Sankey also split time in the backfield evenly with newcomer Terrance West, registering 23 snaps apiece, while Dexter McCluster had 14.
“It’s up to the coaches how long I play,” Sankey said. “I’m just trying to — when I’m in there — do well and be productive and just pick up chunks of yardage, really. I’m more upset if I don’t do that than how many touches I get. It’s more about what I do with my touches as opposed to how many I get.”
Sankey expects about 30 friends and relatives in attendance.
Are they going to wear Browns jerseys?
“Nah,” he said. “They have a lot of Titans gear now.”
Bitter homecoming: The game will mark a bitter homecoming for West, who was traded to the Titans for a conditional seventh-round draft pick on Sept. 6, despite leading the Browns in rushing as a rookie last season.
“Terrance was very inconsistent with us as far as with his preparation on the practice field, carrying it over on to the game field,” Browns coach Mike Pettine said this week. “We just reached the point where we felt it would be mutually beneficial … we thought it was best for him and we thought it was best for the Browns.”
West had 41 yards on 13 carries and lost a fumble last week against the Bucs.
“It can’t be easy,” Sankey said. “I know he’s probably motivated to go out there and play well. He’s just been going about his business and practicing hard. He’s been a real professional since he’s been here, trying to pick up the playbook.”
No spying: Because of his athleticism and gunslinging mentality, Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel has the uncanny ability to gain huge yardage on broken plays.
“He poses a challenge,” Titans defensive coordinator Ray Horton said. “He’s a very active quarterback and most pocket quarterbacks, you know where the pocket is going to be, but with Johnny it’s a little different. You have to prepare for him being outside the pocket, extending plays and cover down the field a little bit longer.”
Does that mean the Titans will try to spy him?
“No,” Horton said, a smile creeping across his face. “We don’t send anybody anywhere to look at anybody. We just stay in-building and watch film.”
He got big laughs out of that one.
But what about during the game?
“Oh. I apologize,” he said. “Johnny’s going to get out. We understand that. He’s a very athletic and dangerous quarterback, and Johnny’s going to make his plays. We can’t say, hey, we’re going to dedicate a guy and be so consumed with Johnny, Johnny, Johnny. We’ve got to just respect their offensive team right now.”
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