NFL: Being Al Del Greco

"I was a big part of the loss." said Al Del Greco. "I don't think I'm the whole reason for the loss."

Like big athletes, the Titan's kicker didn't show to the rest of the world the loss he sustained to the Ravens at home on November the 22nd, the only game Tennessee gave up at Adelphia Coliseum. His confidence was, to put it mildly, shaken.

The Titans were leading 7-0 in the first quarter when they set up for a 50-yard field goal.

The special teams came out fast and Del Greco kicked while a Raven was offside and the ball flew short of the goal posts, but in good angle.

I think that was when Del greco started watching himself, thinking about his movements -- the worst thing a sportsman could do because then it's when he losses his automatic instinct. If you don't beleave me, ask Chuck Knoblauch or St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Rick Ankiel.

Al Del Greco's mind wasn't on January 7th anymore. It was on November 22nd, when he missed an extra point attempt and later a field goal which could have given the Titans the victory over the Ravens. Instead Baltimore defeated Tennessee 24-23, handling them their first ever loss at Adelphia Coliseum.

The re-kick of the field goal was from 45 yards and if kicked the same way as the last one it should have scored for his team. But the ball hooked left and hitd the post. Del Greco's face told the story.

Later, with the game tied at 7, he had an other chance. A 31-yarder, which was deflected by Keith Washington at the line of scrimmage and left Del greco 0 for 2 at half time.

Fortunately, in the third quarter he hit a 21-yarder that put the Titans up 10 to 7, but the Ravens raged back and tied the game.

The Titans offense kept moving the ball, controlling the clock and then set up at the start of the fourth quarter for a 37-yard field goal.

Del Greco was worried, he even had came out of the locker room earlier at half time to practice his kick.

When his attempt was blocked again by Washington and caught by Mitchell, all Del Greco could do was try to stop him. He came close, but the Ravens number 92 was running fast and inspired, not like Al who just stumbled on the groud after missing the tackle, watching the Ravens score.

The game was later put away when Ray Lewis returned the only turnover of the game, an interception 50 yards, for a TD with less than 7 minutes in the clock. The 14-point difference became too much for a slow moving Tennessee offense.

The 38-year-old Al Del Greco needs to forget about these two games and instead of working on his mechanics he has to work on his concentration. He must decide not to think and just kick. Otherwise, he'll never be able to return to his former self.