Titans hope experience gained will pay dividends in long run
The sixth overall draft pick brought by the Nashville franchise’s worst ever 5-11 record may not be the only positive coming out for an otherwise forgettable year for the Titans.
“Injuries allowed other players to step up,” said Titan Safety Tank Williams, who was among the many Titans injured this year. “They don’t quit around here. That attitude will carry over into next season.”
About three-quarters of the Tennessee squad’s starters missed extensive playing time this season, with some like linebacker Peter Sirmon being injured even before the season began. The end result was the Titans missing the playoffs for just the second time in their six years in Nashville.
The season also saw last year’s co-MVP, Steve McNair, hampered all season by a bruised sternum and running back Chris Brown, who at one time led the league in rushing, miss significant time with a leg injury. However, Brown was still able to break the 1,000-yard barrier in his sophomore season in Nashville.
“I think the biggest thing we are going to get out of this season is that we had to play so many young guys,” said guard Benji Olsen. “They got experience they normally wouldn’t receive and I think that’s going to be big for us.”
One of the young players, tight end Ben Troupe, a rookie out of Florida, saw extensive action and despite a slow start was able to break the Titan record for receptions by a rookie tight end.
“I’m looking forward to getting better and doing bigger things next year,” Troupe said.