Knocked out – With playoff hopes dashed, Titans look to the future
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After winning six of their last seven behind rookie QB sensation Vince Young, the Titans can be labeled one of the league?s most promising teams for next year.
Heading into the offseason, players didn?t want to talk about what personnel needs the team should address to get better.
Linebacker Peter Sirmon said, ?That?s for management to decide.? Added defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, ?That doesn?t have anything to do with me.?
Offensive lineman Benji Olson came the closest to mentioning areas that need to be upgraded. ?I know a couple areas I would try to improve,? said Olson. ?But I don?t want to single out my teammates or anything like that.?
Coach Jeff Fisher, who is currently working on a long-term contract extension, will return, but there could be a coaching shakeup. Offensive coordinator Norm Chow is being considered for the Arizona Cardinals head coaching vacancy.
As for players the Titans plan to go after in free agency, Fisher said, ?It?s a little early to get into needs.? However, he also added, ?We?re going to have to pay a lot of attention to defense and we?re going to have to get better.?
With Vince Young predicting the Titans will make the playoffs next year, here?s an analysis of what the team needs to do to get there:
While Young was key to the Titans turnaround so was the play of the offensive line, which gelled when second-year player David Stewart was inserted into the starting lineup at right tackle. With Michael Roos, also in his second year, at the other tackle, the Titans have two young and talented players anchoring the line.
Guard Jacob Bell played well replacing Zach Piller, who was placed on injured reserve for the second straight year. It would be surprising if Piller returns.
Despite his age, 13-year veteran Kevin Mawae brought fire and leadership to the line at center.
Outlook: While the starting unit is solid, depth is very much a concern with long snapper Eugene Amano backing up three positions. The Titans will almost certainly draft at least one offensive lineman, possibly two.
Bo Scaife had his moments but was plagued by inconsistent play, including two drops in the season finale against New England. Tight end is an area that should be upgraded, but the Titans will likely cross their fingers and hope for the improved health of two players currently on the roster.
Heading into the season, the Titans probably never expected to have to sign tight end Ben Hartsock off the waiver wire but that move was necessary because of injuries to Ben Troupe and Erron Kinney.
Kinney never played a down due to a lingering knee injury that required mid-season surgery. Troupe played, although his performance was largely forgettable.
Outlook: Provided Kinney can continue his career, the Titans will likely count on the trio of Scaife, Kinney and Troupe ? a trio that set an NFL record for tight end receptions in 2005, but was disappointing in 2006.
The Titans have a serviceable group of wide receivers but the description can?t get much better than that.
While Drew Bennett and Brandon Jones have made a handful of long receptions between them, there is no big-play threat. The Titans have several No. 2 and No. 3 receivers on the roster, but there?s no consistent playmaker.
No receiver caught over 50 passes, with Bennett leading the way with 46 receptions for 737 yards and three TDs. Bobby Wade had 33 catches and Brandon Jones added 27.
High-priced offseason acquisition David Givens finished the year with eight catches. He suffered a season-ending knee injury and the team hopes he will be ready by the beginning of next year.
Outlook: This is an area in need of definite improvement. Even if Givens returns, he is more of a sure-handed receiver and not a player who can stretch the field with blazing speed.
The Titans luck with receivers has been abysmal. From Yancy Thigpen to Carl Pickens to David Givens, every big-name receiver the team has signed has been a bust. The team reached to take Tyrone Calico in the second round four years ago and he was cut before the season.
Look for the Titans to take a receiver in the middle to late rounds. The fourth round is where they found Derrick Mason, one of their few noteworthy draft picks at the position.
This area will probably see the least amount of change as any position on the roster. Young has blossomed into the star at quarterback, and Travis Henry appears entrenched at tailback after a 1,211-yard rushing season. Rookie Ahmard Hall fulfilled expectations at fullback.
Behind those players, LenDale White will likely be the backup tailback. There probably isn?t a situation where Chris Brown, a free agent, returns.
Outlook: Barring injury, expect Young and Henry to be familiar faces in the backfield with White getting more carries than the 61 he received this year.
Provided Albert Haynesworth doesn?t stomp on any more heads and the Titans resign Robaire Smith, the interior line is stout. Randy Starks and Tony Brown are also in the defensive tackle rotation, with Brown providing a memorable moment with a fumble return for a touchdown against the Texans.
Defensive end is a different story. Kyle Vanden Bosch produced a 75-tackle season but his sack total was cut in half to 6.5. The other defensive end spot, currently occupied by Travis LaBoy, is one area that must be targeted for improvement. Sean Conover and Antwan Odom also saw time at that spot with Odom rarely taking the field due to injury.
Outlook: The Titans will probably draft a defensive end very high or sign a quality free agent. This is a position that will surely be addressed with the team only generating 26 sacks for the year. With Jesse Mahelona and Rien Long also in the defensive tackle mix, it?s doubtful the team will pursue any players for that position.
The Titans? main linebackers, Keith Bulluck, David Thornton and Peter Sirmon, finished as three of the top four tacklers. Bullock once again led the team with 143 tackles, while Thornton added 107 and Sirmon had 88.
Middle linebacker Stephen Tulloch played on short-yardage situations and compiled 47 tackles.
Outlook: Linebacker is one of the team?s most stable positions. However, the Titans may still pursue a middle linebacker. Sirmon can play the middle or provide depth outside.
The acquisition of free safety Chris Hope was a good one as he led the team with five interceptions and was second with 121 tackles.
Cornerback Pacman Jones grabbed headlines for his play, not his off-field behavior, and is one of the league?s rising stars. His cover skills showed remarkable improvement and is punt return abilities are Pro Bowl quality.
The other half of the secondary is a different story. Cornerback Reynaldo Hill is better suited to add depth ? not be an every down player. He gives up the big play and isn?t particularly strong in underneath coverage either. Safety Lamont Thompson lacks consistency and great range.
The play of first-year nickel back Cortland Finnegan has generated rave reviews. Finnegan could be moved outside to replace Hill as the starter.
Outlook: The team certainly needs better cornerback play opposite Pacman. Whether that?s addressed with Finnegan or an outside player will have to be determined.
Regardless, the Titans will surely pick a cornerback or two in the draft. They always do. Former first-round pick Andre Woolfork is probably finished as a Titan. Safety help is a much lower priority than cornerback.
Punter Craig Hentrich finished with a 42.7 yard average, including a long of 73 yards.
Kicker Rob Bironas was 17-of-18 in field goals under 40 yards and was 4-of-8 in field goals 40 to 49 yards. He made a dramatic 60-yarder to beat the Indianapolis Colts.
Outlook: Both positions are expected to remain unchanged.