Finally! Titans’ Preseason Over, Now We Can Focus On Football

Nashville, Tenn — The photo shown here is truly the only thing worth watching in the preseason.

Honestly, I know there is a purpose to it. It gives the veterans a chance to knock the rust off and get back into the flow of the game; although, for many of them, the preseason is just an additional opportunity for them to suffer a needless season or career-ending injury playing in a meaningless contest.

The preseason gives the rookies and free agents the opportunity to justify the grotesque millions of dollars spent on them in the draft and on the open market.

$7 million a year is nothing to sneeze at; dropping passes, throwing interceptions, and getting dropped in the backfield is no way to guarantee that state of affairs will continue.

Yes, the preseason does on occassion feature an interesting position battle; it occurs a lot less often than we might like to think, and anyone who doesn’t think that, before the season even starts, the head coach already has it in his mind who he wants in the No. 1 spot has no grasp of human nature.

I will grant that without the preseason, at least in the last couple of years, we would have no idea when Brett Favre came out of retirement and which team he is supposed to be saving this year.

And the preseason does give the fans the opportunity to check out the new “talent”, i.e. who is returning on the cheerleading squad this year, and who the new girls are (unless you live in Pittsburgh, where their sidelines are woefully bereft of any such decoration).

But other than that, the preseason is nothing but a teaser.

None of the games matter when you get down to brass tacks. Identified first stringers play a few series in the first half before handing the reins over to the backups. Their stats are nothing spectacular; as long as they don’t make collosal mistakes or display immense lapses in judgement, their positions are relatively safe.

Once the backups hit the field, the most they can likely hope for is a permanent slot on the travelling squad, in a secondary role, and they realize that the preseason action they see is probably the most time they will spend between the hash marks all year.

Worst case scenario in their minds is that they get cut and re-signed to the practice squad, which allows them to say they are members of a professional football team without actually having to admit that they really don’t play much at all.

It would be utterly foolish of them to NOT take full advantage of the opportunity to showcase what they have, albeit against decidely lesser talent than they will see once the score starts counting.

In short, the preseason amounts to taking your hot cousin to the prom; yeah, she might be a looker as far as your friends are concerned, but we all know nothing is really gonna happen.

So, the Titans have now trimmed their roster to the requisite 53-man squad, including a seven-man practice squad led by erstwhile wide receiver Paul Williams.

Those of you who follow draft picks with the reckless abandon of a teenager with a brand new driver’s license know that Williams was the Titans’ third round pick in 2007, but has thus far failed to live up to expectations (yet another example of the fact that playing with the big boys is a world apart from college football).

As expected, there was absolutely ZERO shakeup in the starting lineup on offense; Collins starts, Vince Young fills the No. 2 spot, and Kenny Britt’s performance throughout the entire preseason relegated him to a backup role behind newly acquired Nate Washington, late of the world champion Pittsburgh Steelers.

Chris Johnson and LenDale White, with the newly acuired moniker of “Mr. Inside and Mr. Outside” —thanks go to former Titans turned broadcaster Eddie George for that one — maintain their hold on the top two running back positions; however, in one of the only big showings of the preseason, Jevon Ringer showed enough mettle to shove Chris Henry to the bottom of the running back gene pool. 

The defensive lineup also escaped the preseason without any major moves; Jason Jones stepped up as expected and filled the extra large shoes left behind by “Big AL” Haynesworth, and Sen-Derrick Marks will watch from the sidelines most of the season as he continues to learn the game.

Yes, I know he had some solid tackles during the preseason; he was playing against equal or lesser talent, remember? Against starters he wasn’t so hot, ergo he gets to spend this year learning and growing.

On special teams, Ryan Mouton made enough good moves to lock himself into the punt and kick return positions; although another school of thought would say he didn’t do well enough anywhere else, and was thereby relegated to the return positions. You decide.

All in all, the Titans who take the field Thrusday agains the Pittsburgh Steelers are exactly who should have been expected to take the field. 20 of 22 starters returned to the lineup this season. Nate Washington is new, Jason Jones is new but expected. Other than that, the Titans who start this year are the same ones who finished the season last year.

This is the bigtime, folks. There is so much more to this game, at this level, than many young players realize, which would explain the rather high washout rate for professional football players throughout the league.

Once you get here, it’s man-up time. No one there for you to do your homework or help you cram for the test. It’s all on you, and for the majority it takes a lot longer than one preseason to take it all in.

So don’t take it personally, new guys, but do take it to heart. If you are strapping up come Thursday, you’ve impressed the right people and can honestly say you made it to the big time. Now, sit back, watch the old guys do their thing, and when your chance comes, take it and run with it.

Because you may only get one shot. If you blow it, it may never come around again.

 

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Titans’ “Young” Guns Show They Have Game: Ed Hochuli Shows His…Age

Nashville, Tenn—Just when you think you have everything figured out, someone grabs the snow globe and shakes things up.

The Tennessee Titans made it clear that Kerry Collins was their starter, awarding him a two-year, $15 million contract in the offseason.

Vince Young spent the offseason extricating his foot from his mouth time and again, at one point as much as telling the Titans that they either played him or traded him.

Veteran Justin Gage was joined at the top of the wide receiver depth chart by Super Bowl wide receiver Nate Washington, late of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“Smash and Dash,” or “Mr. Inside and Mr. Outside,” or whatever cute little moniker they are referred to, aka Chris Johnson and LenDale White, looked entrenched at the top spots in the offensive backfield.

In short, offensively the Titans’ offense were poised and ready to make everyone forget the disastrous end to their ’08 season.

Then the Tampa Bay Buccaneers came to town.

First there were the turnovers. Kerry Collins threw his first one early in the first quarter when he tried to hit Nate Washington in the end zone.

I’m not saying Nate gave up on the route, but lets just say he didn’t exactly put up a fight for the ball.

Hard to do when you are tripping over your own feet.

Collins’ second interception came on the first play of the second quarter, and one play later the Titans watched their opponents reach the end zone.

As the second quarter wound down, Craig Stevens was flagged for holding in the end zone on a Craig Hentrich punt attempt. Safety.

A result of not being able to control the ball is that you probably won’t score much, which was problem two for the starters. As Kerry Collins surrendered the reins to Vince Young, the Titans had managed to put three points on the board.

Things didn’t appear to get much better with Young at the helm. In fact, he made one of the most bone-headed, rookie-esque moves I have seen in a long time.

The last time I saw it, I was on the sidelines coaching kids who were quite a bit smaller than me.

After about the fourth or fifth bad snap from center Leroy Harris—which understandably had to have gotten on his last nerve—Young grabbed the bouncing baby ball and flung it over his shoulder to a completely unsuspecting LenDale White, who proceeded to miss the ball, chase it towards the sidelines and give it a swift soccer kick out of bounds.

Which, of course, is a penalty. Which didn’t really matter, because it was enforced from the previous spot. But that’s not the point.

The point is, with that play VY was on his way to cementing my belief that he just is not quite ready for prime time.

(fade to picture of Ed Hochuli looking stern as he miffs another call…)

Just prior to halftime, Ed Hochuli demonstrated again why he needs to either go back through referee training, or better yet, retire.

I’ve always liked Ed Hochuli. I thought he was one of the best in the game. But even the best fade over time. Ask Brett Favre if you don’t believe me.

I know they keep coming up with new rules to “protect” the quarterback. Which is actually kind of funny, because as quarterbacks continue to get bigger, faster, and stronger, eventually they are going to have to go the other way and make rules to protect linebackers.

This years new rule apparently says that you cannot finish a tackle on a quarterback, lest you give him a boo-boo.

While running the two-minute drill, Bucanneers quarterback Bryon Leftwich was being pressured—hard—by Titans defensive tackle Kevin Vickerson. Leftwich scrambled a bit, turned to his left, jumped in the air, and threw an incomplete pass to Brian Clark. 

Apparently catching a quarterback in mid-air and falling to the gound on top of him, as the laws of physics seem to dictate, is unnecessary roughness.

This call was bad even in real time. Vickerson did nothing malicious; he simply lunged at Leftwich, who left the ground all by himself, caught him in mid tackling technique, and bore him to the ground.

Leftwich didn’t appear any worse the wear for it, nobody appeared to be upset that their quarterback had been hit illegally; in short, it was a football play in a football game.

Not, as Ed Hochuli surmised, a defensive player picking a quarterback up and stuffing him in the ground.

As I said, either a) Ed needs to go back to school; b) Ed needs to retire; or c) Ed has an unhealthy affinity towards quarterbacks, and doesn’t want to see them get their uniforms dirty.

Either way, the call was bad, and even Jeff Fisher, who rather artfully dodged questions about it at halftime, knew it.

(fade back to Vince Young, looking determined under center)

The Titans entered halftime down 12-6, and things did not look well in the forgetting last year department.

Something happened early in the third quarter, though.

Vince Young was flushed from the pocket early, and scrambled to his left for a nine yard gain. He pulled up lame on the sidelines, and you could hear the intake of breath from the crowd. Here we go again; Vince is hurt, and he’s fixing to take himself out.

It appears Mr. Young was listening all summer after all.

VY flexed his leg, trotted painfully on the field, and returned to center.

Five plays later, with what can be called nothing less than excellent vision, he hit rookie wide receiver Kenny Britt downfield, wide the heck open, for the Titans’ first touchdown of the game.

Rookies and backups one, veterans zero.

On the Titans next possession, Young marched the team downfield again, until running back Jevon Ringer utilized some excellent downfield vision to break free from the backfield and rumble 36 yards for the Titans second touchdown.

Rookies and backups two, veterans zero.

Three plays into Tampa’s next possession, Ryan Mouton read the play perfectly, jumped the pass from Josh Freeman, picked it clean out of the air, and returned it 29 yards for a touchdown—the Titans’ third.

Rookies and backups three, veterans zero.

I know it’s a preseason game, and I usually don’t put much stock in them.

But this game was different, because there usually isn’t as stark a difference in the performances of the two squads. On Saturday, Tennessee’s veteran starters looked sluggish. they weren’t crisp on their routes, their effort seemed lackluster, and they did not appear to feel they needed to perform to any standard.

The rookies and backups rather obviously saw things differently. They put on a performance that should have come from the starting squad. Some of them are fighting for a roster spot, and it showed. 

But what also showed was that they were there to serve notice to the veterans: we are here, we can play, and if you aren’t careful, it will be YOU who watch us take the Titans all the way this year.

As long as Ed Hochuli isn’t on the Super Bowl squad, it should be a good game.

As Season Closes in, Questions Loom for Titans

Nashville, TN – With training camp a mere four days away, Tennessee Titans players are wrapping up their offseason activities and gearing up for what is sure to be a busy preseason. Veterans will be looking to keep their spots, while the new up-and- comers will be vying for playing time right from the start.

It’s not all about the players picked in this years’ draft; the Titans made some key free agent moves, and at least one position will be fought over by two or more players already established on the Titans’ roster.

Heading into training camp, these are the questions that should be on everyone’s minds:

Does Kerry Collins have it in him to keep his starting position, or is he rapidly moving into Brett Favre territory—holding on just a little bit too long, trying to recapture the magic that has long since left?

If Collins falters, who will be there, ready, and most importantly, able to fill the void at quarterback? Has Vince Young truly matured into an NFL signal caller, or is he one bad game and a few boos away from yet another meltdown?

His attitude in the offseason seems to indicate that he might not be as mentally tough and stable as some would like to believe, and NFL fans are fickle—one wrong move from VY and the boo-birds are gonna be on him, quick and mercilessly.

And they have long memories.

Two other guys on the TItans roster would most likely LOVE to be considered the No. 2 guy, because Collins is so very long in the tooth. Rookie Alex Mortensen and veteran journeyman Patrick Ramsey both look to dislodge VY, and possibly Collins, from under center.

Who will have a more immediate impact on the receiving corps: Kenny Britt, the wunderkind that the Titans put their hopes on in round one of the NFL Draft, or Nate Washington, a supposedly undersized and under speed veteran receiver who wears two Super Bowl rings—that he personally helped to acquire—from his days in Pittsburgh?

And why is Britt still not signed? The kid was good, but he wasn’t THAT good…

Kevin Mawae is another aging veteran; will he have the durability to make it through the whole season, and possibly deep into the post season? He’s smart, but is smart gonna be good enough to keep him healthy?

The Titans are taking seven running backs into camp; Chris Johnson is probably safe, but is the “Smash” half of the “Smash and Dash” duo up for the challenge of keeping his position? LenDale White has come out publicly and welcomed the competition, but is it all false bravado? Will he really step up and earn his spot, or expect it to be given to him?

Will he play, or will he pout?

Alge Crumpler plays five years older than his actually is, and Bo Scaife just hired arguably the biggest loudmouth jerk in the agent business—albeit a loudmouth jerk who gets ridiculously large contracts for his clients—Drew Rosenhaus.

Is this an indication that Scaife is about to play hardball to keep his job or get big bucks elsewhere? Does that open the door for one of the three young tight ends coming to camp to make an impression of Coach Fisher and earn a spot?

Back to wide receivers for a minute: Tennessee is taking 10 WR’s into camp, looking to fill five, maybe six, positions. Justin Gage is the only receiver who is established in his position; Nate Washington is most likely not going to be threatened for a spot atop the roster.

Everything else is, as they say, up for grabs.

Britt is still unsigned, while the other two draft picks, Dominique Edison and Dudley Guice, are fully on board and ready to rock. He has already underperformed for the Titans in offseason practices; what makes Britt think he’s worth enough to hold out?

All these questions, and more, are sure to make this preseason an exciting one to watch. I for one, am anxious to see how the Titans plan to repeat their regular season perofrmance from last year, and work towards going deeper in the playoffs this year. 

Titans Training Camp Begins July 31, Open to Public

Nashville, TN – The Tennessee Titans officially open training camp on July 31, giving fans the first opportunity to see their favorite players up close and personal. Fans also will have the opportunity to evaluate the “new” talent, from top draft pick Kenny Britt to free agent acquisition Nate Washington.

A total of 18 practices will be open to fans, with new access to parking directly across the street from Baptist Sports Park, the Titans’ training facility just north of downtown Nashville.

Admission is free but limited, with fans being allowed in on a first-come, first-served basis. Although Titans officials acknowledge that overcrowding is a rare occurrence, they advise arriving early to obtain a pass to the practice field.

Locating the practice field is a simple affair: from downtown Nashville, simply take Interstate 65 North to Rosa Parks Boulevard, exiting to the North away from downtown. Once on Rosa Parks, turn right on Athens Way, then left on Great Circle Road. The Sports Park is impossible to miss; it’s the big white bubble on the left, just across the street from the corporate offices for CVS.

Fans looking for autographs are in luck: every player on the roster will be available for autographs at some point during camp. Three to five players at a minimum will sign autographs at the fences surrounding the outdoor practice field each day, with players offering additional opportunities as they see fit.

For a list of practice times and scheduled autograph sessions, you can visit the Titans official team site.    

 

Please, Not Again: Favre’s Intrest to Return No More Than Delusion

The Brett Favre saga is quickly getting old. Recently, Favre admitted to having contact with the Minnesota Vikings and incredibly—not to mention in defiance of all logic—he has announced that he would still like to come back.

Please.

Does no one remember the disaster of last year’s season with the Jets? The Favre who played for that team was far removed from the Favre we were accustomed to seeing, the Favre who made the Green Bay Packers perennial contenders, the same Favre who led them to a Super Bowl.

No, this Favre showed his age; there was less zip on his passes, his accuracy and decision-making was in question; the only thing still remaining was his desire and intensity, which only carried him so far.

Even the postseason announcement that he had torn the bicep muscle in his throwing arm was not enough to deride the facts: Favre’s best days are behind him—way behind him.

Now, instead of staying in retirement and being able to maintain what is left of his legacy, he is foolishly considering coming back, again, to a team that is in even worse shape than the one he left scant months ago. After watching him play last season, surely the Vikings don’t think he is their only option to improve their anemic offensive production?

I truly understand the desire to return to something you have left behind, particularly if that something was a significant part of your life. But there comes a time when you have to let it go, as painful as that is.

That time is now, Brett. It doesn’t matter if the doctor said you would know in four or five games whether the surgery was successful; you should know in your heart and in your head the logical, reasonable, right thing to do is walk away. Work the farm, make the appearances, consider the rebirth of your football life in the broadcast booth, anything but come back and try to play just one more time.

Because this time, it might be more painful than last time. This time, back in the NFC North, you will be a big target for all those teams you embarrassed for so many years. This time, they will truly come after you, if for no other reason than to prove that you are a washed up old has-been who has no business on the football field any more.

This time, your career could be ended for you. And that is a fate no one truly wants.

Latest Public Comments Show Vince is Still Too “Young” for the NFL

In another incident, this one being comments made during an interview for a Baltimore TV station, once-heralded wunderkind Vince Young is quickly demonstrating that on field play is only one element of success in the NFL.

Without the maturity to handle adversity, the mental toughness to handle hard times, and the maturity, tact, and flat-out brains to know when to speak out, what to say, what NOT to say, and when to bloody well shut the heck up, VY is continuing to show this particular football fan that he is not anywhere close to ready for a starting position in the National Football League.

First there was the pouting. Booed by fans after throwing an interception, Young initially refused to reenter a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Apparently his feelings were hurt, and this was how he was going to show the fans that booing was just not acceptable to him.

Coach Fisher finally was able to cajole Young to re-enter the game, and four plays later he suffered a knee injury that was to end his run as the starting quarterback for the Titans.

Then there was the breakdown. One day after being booed, getting injured, and losing his starting position—admittedly a bad day by most standards—a distraught VY left his Nashville home without a phone, without telling anyone in the Titans organization where he was going, and—oh yeah—with a gun in his possession.

It was later revealed by VY’s therapist—why he needed a therapist after only two seasons in the NFL is becoming clearer—that he had mentioned suicide several times prior to his disappearance.

Then, after a season of supposed humility and learning, VY was informed that Kerry Collins, the man who stepped into “his” job and had a renaissance year in leading the Titans to the playoffs, would be named the starting quarterback for the Titans, but that Vince would be expected to eventually become the leader he was drafted to be, possibly winning the job back from Collins at some point ion the future.

Apparently earning the job back wasn’t in Vince’s plans. Just one week after former Titans star Steve McNair publicly stated that he was beginning to see signs of maturity in Young, and scarcely one month after telling reporters that he was ready to back Collins up, be ready when needed, and “keep my mouth shut and play my role”, VY has had a change of heart.

Speaking with WMAR out of Baltimore, Vince said that not only was he ready to get back on the field, but that if the Titans were not as ready for him to play as he was to get back out there, then “it’s time for me to make a career change for myself.”

Head coach Jeff Fisher has already gone on record as “not paying attention to it,” although I for one am not quite sure I buy it. I also don’t buy his suggestion that Young was “led on a little bit”. He is supposed to have matured, learned that he has to earn his position, and be willing to step up and fill what role the team needs him to fill.

Apparently he is still immature enough to let a beat reporter egg him into a public outburst.

Honestly, if this continues throughout the season, VY will be nothing more than a locker room disturbance and a sideline distraction. If he wants the starting job back, he needs to do what he claimed he was ready to do last month: shut his mouth, play his role, earn his job back, and most of all, grow up.

If he can’t, or won’t, do that—if he is intent upon being a Terrell Owens, Keyshawn Johnson, Adam “Pac-Man” Jones, Chad Johnson (I refuse to call him by his “other ” name) type of player—then he needs to go.

Sooner rather than later, Titans. I hear Minnesota is looking for someone, and the last guy they talked to decided to stay retired.

Steelers Need to Step Up and Let Kids Know They Matter Too

My apologies up front for the slight political direction this article is headed, but this needs to be said.

On Thursday, May 21, the World Champion Pittsburgh Steelers made the customary visit to the White House to meet the president.

After meeting the President and handing him his own No. 44 jersey—a quaint reference to his being the 44th President—the Steelers and others in attendance made good use of their lunch visit, putting together over 3,000 care packages for service members who have been wounded in battle.

From a public relations standpoint, this could have been, and SHOULD have been, a feel-good story for the fluff portion of the evening news.

However, there is a portion of the day’s story that has been suspiciously absent from national news, and one which sullies the experience.

Just prior to the Steelers visit, a group of over 100 excited kindergartners were scheduled to meet the President of the United States and take an actual tour of the White House.

This was a trip that was sure to make a huge impact on these young people’s lives.

It made an impact alright, although doubtfully the impact the current administration would like to have made.

The children and chaperones left their school at 8:30 to make the trip from Stafford County, Virginia to Washington, D.C. for a 10:15 tour time. As is wont to happen, the chartered buses that the kids had paid $20 a seat for got stuck in traffic, and they arrived approximately 10 minutes late.

Apparently “The People’s President” only has so much time in his day to fulfill that claim.

The priorities of the President and his administration were made painfully clear:

Spending time with full-grown millionaires who may not have even voted for him to garnish more public approval through a canned photo opportunity, and engaging in an activity he could truly care less about except that it bolsters his public image, is infinitely more important than impacting the lives of children who will be future voters and leaders.

I for one am hopeful that each and every child, and their parents, remember this day until they are able to vote, and act accordingly.

But there is another group of people we haven’t heard from in this matter…The Steelers organization has been, thus far, silent on the issue.

I am not faulting the Steelers or the Steelers organization for the snafu; the blame in the matter is as clear as a bell.

What I AM suggesting is that the Steelers take advantage of the opportunity to impact the lives of some very impressionable, very disappointed, future football fans.

Someone needs to show these kids that their feelings matter, and the pat press releases from the White House Press office make me want to gag.

So come on, Steelers: time to step up.

You’ve got an opportunity here to let these kids know that you are the good guys.

Tennessee Titans 2009: Is This the Year They Close It Out Right?

Twice since their relocation and rebirth in Nashville, Tennessee, the Tennessee Titans have come perilously close to being crowned World Champions.

Twice they have faced a team that they had the ability, and in fact had been picked, to beat.  

Twice they have gone into the waning minutes of the fourth quarter tied.

Twice they have let one get away.

After closing out their 1998 inaugural season in Nashville with an 8-8 record, the Tennessee Titans came alive in 1999, racking up an impressive, if not totally expected, 13-3 record on the way to a Wildcard berth.

After they “miraculously” outlasted Buffalo at home, they traveled to Indianapolis and stunned the pundits with a 19-16 victory over heavily favored Peyton Manning and the Colts.  They then closed out their postseason run with a decisive 33-14 victory over the hapless Jaguars, earning them the right to play the St. Louis Rams in the franchise’s first Super Bowl appearance.

As most of you know, St. Louis, with “The Greatest Show on Turf,” took the lead in the fourth quarter with “The Catch,” and ended Super Bowl XXXIV just over two minutes later with “The Tackle.”

In 2008, the Titans again ran up an unexpected 13-3 record, this time earning the No. 1 seed throughout the playoffs. The AFC road to the Super Bowl ran right down main street across the Silliman-Evans Bridge.

This time, there was no miracle. Baltimore waltzed into town under the leadership of “Joe Cool” Flacco, the rookie quarterback with the seemingly unflappable demeanor, and Tennessee again ended their postseason run by being scored on in the waning minutes of the fourth quarter. A few bad play calls, some horrible ball control at the end of the game, and the Titans were sent to an early offseason.

So what’s it gong to take? How are the Titans going to break through the ceiling and lay claim to the ultimate title of World Champion? Do they have it in them?

I, for one, think they do, but I may be in the minority. Kerry Collins is old, Albert Haynesworth is gone, the “Freak” Jevon Kearse had another offseason surgery, and LenDale White is already in the news with his big mouth, bigger attitude, and questionable position on the depth chart.

But I still think they have the tools to make another run, and maybe this time they can close it out right.

 

Key Factors to a Successful Super Bowl Run

Solid, Consistent Play on Both Sides of the Ball

First of all, the Titans need balance. Yeah, defense is good, but I’m gonna throw something out there that some of you more established football types may not like. GOOD DEFENSE DOES NOT ALWAYS WIN CHAMPIONSHIPS.

Blasphemy? Not necessarily. The Titans were ranked in the top 10—seventh overall—in the 2008 regular season. Of the 12 teams who made the playoffs, only six were ranked in the top 10: Pittsburgh, Tennessee, Baltimore, New York, Philadelphia, and Minnesota. Of those six, three made it out of the first round.

Why? THEY SCORED MORE POINTS THAN THE OTHER TEAM. They did that by aggressive play-calling and ball control. It’s kind of hard to put points on the board if you keep giving the rock away, or if you focus on playing it safe the entire game.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m a defensive guy, and always have been. But if the offense isn’t performing, it doesn’t matter much what the defense does. The Titans ranked 14th overall in the regular season in points per game. In their lone postseason appearance, they scored 10 points. The eventual Super Bowl contenders, Pittsburgh and Arizona, both scored more than 25 points per game in the playoffs.

Defense may get you to the postseason, but points get you the trophy. 

 

Youth and Enthusiasm

The Titans have one big thing going for them; with only five players on their roster having 10 or more years in the league, they are relatively young.  This does not necessarily equate to inexperience, however; 26 of the players currently on their roster have at least five years in the league, and the Titans did make a postseason appearance last year.

With that much youth, Tennessee has the opportunity to turn in not just one, but a string of postseason appearances in the next few years. One of those, quite possibly the one they could turn in this year, should end up as a Super Bowl Championship.

 

Open Up Down Field

With the addition of Nate Washington to the roster, Tennessee now has a potential double threat for the long ball, depending on how draftee Kenny Britt turns out. With Justin Gage in the lineup and both Bo Scaife and Alge Crumpler available on short routes, it’s time for Collins to get the ball down field before he gets too old to throw it that far.

This isn’t to say that they have to throw it because the running game is shot; to the contrary, the offensive backfield is one of the strongest they’ve had in years. But if they want to continue to use it, they have got to get the receivers engaged further down field than five to 10 yards at a time.

 

Change Nothing Defensively

There was quite a bit of worry last year when Big Al went down with a knee injury. Then KVB dropped, and the whole world went to heck.

Or so it appeared. Turns out, it was much ado about nothing. Dave Ball and Jason Jones stepped in as the season wound down, and played like they had been there all season.

With Haynesworth’s departure, these two guys, as well as a few other up and comers, have things well in hand. The Titans still have the strength and speed to put pressure on the offensive backfield and force mistakes. The defensive backfield, led by veterans like Keith Bullock, Cortland Finnegan, Nick Harper, and Chris Hope, still have the speed and agility to defend and intercept downfield attacks.

The long and short of it is the Titans have 10 starters coming back from their No. 1 ranked defense of 2008. With the depth they have to keep everyone fresh well into the fourth quarter, they are set for another top-ranked year.

 

All in all, if the Titans can maintain their focus in the playoffs they could be unstoppable. Their defensive play was good enough to get them to the top, but their lack of ball control ultimately ended their run. Play like they did all last year, hold on to the ball this time in the playoffs, and we are likely to see the Titans hold aloft the Lombardi in February 2010.

That’s how I see it, anyway.

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