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Life in the NFL
Travis LaBoy
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Even the food tastes better when you win
Before I get into the Redskin game, I have to send my congratulations to my main man, Pisa Tinoisamoa. Last week Pisa was given a five-year extension by the Rams. With free agency and the salary cap the way it is, it is rare for a player to stay with one team for an extended time. It is good to see the Rams step up and pay a player who has not only been the team leader on the field, but off the field as well. If anyone deserves a big contract, it is certainly Pisa. And from what I understand, Pisa's deal was very good and made him one of the highest paid LBs in the NFL.
We got one. We finally got a win, and man does it feel good. We beat the Washington Redskins this week, and we played our butts off and beat a really explosive, really talented, well-coached, veteran team. We were able to put it all together and it showed. Our defense played well against the run and the pass. You are never going to flat-out stop a team with a running back like Clinton Portis, wide receivers like Brandon Lloyd, Santana Moss and multi-threat Antwaan Randle El. But if you can contain their explosive, big-play potential, your team will have a chance for the win. We were able to do just that.
On offense, it seemed that Vince and the boys were doing pretty much whatever they wanted to on the field. Our offensive line did a solid job protecting the quarterback, while at the same time, did a phenomenal job clearing holes for Travis Henry. Travis was running on all cylinders on Sunday and had himself a big game, putting up 178 yards on the ground. Having the ability to effectively run the ball allows the offense to control the game. With our run game reaching full stride, we were able to dictate field position and manage the clock effectively toward the end of the game. Our offense kept our defense off the field and allowed our special teams to have the advantage they needed to make plays when they hit the field.
It feels good to win. And this win couldn't have come at a better time. This win is huge. Not only because we have a win in the win-loss column, but because a win like this can change the mood of a team. The mood around the practice facility instantly changed once we got back. People feel better. The food tastes better. The whole vibe is better. It also reminds us of the feeling of winning. It gives us a better confidence going into the bye week and the remainder of the season. At the same time, it is just one win and we can't let it be the only one this season.
This week we have a bye, and coach gave us a couple of extra days off to recover after the win. I think everyone is a little dinged up, so the extra couple of days will allow us all to heal up and recharge both physically and mentally. Following the bye week, we start into the bulky part of our schedule, playing some real tough teams. The win was crucial for us and these days off could help everyone get to where we need to be to finish this season strong.
Former UH lineman Travis LaBoy is chronicling his season with the Tennessee Titans for the Star-Bulletin