By Terry McCormick

Correspondent

NASHVILLE — As the preseason concludes for the Tennessee Titans against the Green Bay Packers tonight, the seemingly meaningless game has plenty of value, depending upon the perspective.

For Vince Young and the Titans offense, it is one final chance to dispel the notions of ineffectiveness that have haunted them for the past two weeks in games against Oakland and Atlanta.

Young and the first team offense have not scored a touchdown through three preseason games, thanks in part to penalties, mistakes with routes and drops by the receivers and Young’s own struggles with his accuracy.

“We want to eliminate penalties, move the ball down the field and clean up some things in our offense that we want to clean up,” Young said.

Titans coach Jeff Fisher also said he hopes the offense can eliminate its many sputters and misfires as well..

“I want to minimize mistakes. I want to eliminate the needless penalties that took place last week, those that didn’t have anything to do with the play,” Fisher said. “I want to see some execution. I want to see some younger guys step up a little bit in different areas.”

The Titans starters will also use the final preseason game as a tune-up for the regular season. First-teamers will play into the second half for the first time this preseason as away of acclimating themselves to that process for the regular season.

“I think it’s unfair to ask players, especially young players, to play in the first half or in the second half and not go through the halftime experience,” Fisher said. “It is unique. You’re warmed up, you play, you’re emotional. When you come in at halftime you go through adjustments and have to get yourself back ready to play and that’s the primary reason for playing the first series of the third quarter.”

For the players themselves, at least those who are guaranteed a roster spot, the preseason can’t end fast enough as they are already setting their sights on the regular season opener Sept. 7 against Jacksonville.

“There’s definitely a lot that helps us in preseason, but sometimes after you go through two weeks of camp and you go through preseason games for six weeks of camp total, you start getting like, ‘Let’s get to this first week already,’” running back LenDale White said. “But right now, we’ve got to play them and go hard. You can’t let your guard down at all, because they’re going to be coming to hit you.”

For players trying to secure a roster spot, it never hurts for the coaches and front office personnel to have a last look in a game-type atmosphere.

Defensive end Dave Ball is one of those hoping to make a lasting positive impression. Out of football last year, Ball is giving the NFL one last shot in Titans camp.

“Some people see it as a grind, but for me, it’s a golden opportunity. So I just have to make the most of it,” Ball said.

E-mail Terry McCormick at sports@timesfreepress.com

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