Fisher sees Titans as more ready for season than he expected

He’s seen improved sack production from the defensive line, impressive improvement from the three drafted receivers and five rookies among the top six pass catchers in the preseason.

So what if the Titans went only 1-3? Fisher said Friday he counts their 16-13 overtime loss at San Francisco as a victory because they had a chance to win at the end if not for a missed field goal by a kicker no longer on the roster.

“I’m pleased in a lot of areas right now,” Fisher said.

“The day the draft was over, we had high expectations for the three young receivers. They’ve met those expectations. They’re going to be productive. They’re going to contribute in special teams. They know what to do, and they can make the plays. … The young players are ready to go.”

The top five rookies combined for 49 catches, including a team-high 14 by undrafted tight end Gregg Guenther who remained on the roster going into the final cutdown.

With Tyrone Calico starting Thursday night in the 21-17 loss to Green Bay, the receiving corps got back its biggest piece in the 6-foot-4, 222-pound receiver who missed almost all of the 2004 season after surgery on his left anterior cruciate ligament.

“He made some catches that normally Ty would,” Steve McNair said after the game. “Hopefully, he is back and comfortable with it. We have some young guys that are stepping up too, so with the receiving corps that we have now I’m pretty satisfied with what we’ve got.”

Fisher also is pleased with the recovery of the four players who needed ACL surgery in 2004: Calico, linebacker Peter Sirmon, safety Tank Williams and offensive lineman Jacob Bell. The only question left from the four is whether Bell, who tore his right ACL on Christmas night, has enough endurance to play at Pittsburgh.

If he can, Bell likely will start at right tackle in Pittsburgh with rookie Michael Roos starting at left tackle in place of Brad Hopkins, who will sit out the opener in a one-game suspension.

The lone injury question remaining is whether or not tight end Ben Troupe, who broke his left foot in May, will be able to play in Pittsburgh. Fisher said he expects Troupe to practice next week.

The Titans, coming off a 5-11 season, still have questions unanswered.

They wanted to improve the league’s worst punt return unit, but top draft pick Adam “Pacman” Jones won’t be handling punt returns in Pittsburgh after muffing two within a minute Thursday night. Fisher said there was no decision for Jones except to simply fair catch the ball.

That leaves newly signed Troy Edwards handling the job for now.

“I can assure you it’s going to be better than last year,” Fisher said. “I’ve got all the confidence in the world in him doing it.”

Defense lost five starters to salary cap slashing in the offseason, and Andre Woolfolk has the job at left cornerback. Fisher had been giving Jones room to earn the right cornerback position, but the coach left open the chance that the top draft pick might not be active in Pittsburgh.

But the defensive line has been a pleasant surprise after losing Kevin Carter and Carlos Hall. The Titans had only three sacks in the 2004 preseason, but they finished this preseason with 12.

“I’m definitely, definitely looking to the start of our season where the games count,” defensive tackle Rien Long said.