TENNESSEE TITANS
2009 RECORD: 8-8-0
(3rd in AFC South)
HEAD COACH: Jeff Fisher
Key Additions: CB Tye Hill (FA/Atlanta), QB Chris Simms (FA/Denver), LB Will Witherspoon (FA/Philadelphia)
Key Losses: DE Kyle Vanden Bosch (FA/Detroit), LB Keith Bullock (FA), RB LenDale White (FA/Denver), TE Alge Crumpler (FA/New England), DE Jevon Kearse (FA), C Kevin Mawae (FA)
Offense: The resurgent Vince Young arose from the ashes and went 8-2 as the Titans' starting quarterback last season, compiling 1,879 yards passing with 10 TD and seven interceptions. Young was also the second leading rusher on the team in '09 with 281 yards.
Kerry Collins, the starter in 2008, and Chris Simms will backup Young.
What can you say about the season running back Chris Johnson had in 2009?
Johnson put up eye popping numbers, gaining 2,006 yards rushing, including a 91-yard TD run and also scored 14 rushing touchdowns. In addition, Johnson averaged 5.6 yards per carry and also led the team in receiving with 50 catches for 503 yards and two more scores.
Simply put... Johnson was the offense for Tennessee in 2009.
LenDale White is gone so that leaves Javon Ringer as the backup to Johnson.
The receiving corps has Nate Washington (47 catches, 569 yards and six TD), Justin Gage (28 catches, 383 yards and three TD), Kenny Britt (42, 701 yards and three TD) and tight end Bo Scaife, who had 45 catches for 440 yards.
The line is comprised of center Eugene Amano, guards Jake Scott and Leroy Harris and tackles David Stewart and Michael Roos.
The Titans run the ball and then run some more as evidenced by Johnson's numbers a year ago. His ability to break off long runs is uncanny and keeps opposing defenses on their toes.
Tennessee finished second in the NFL in rushing, averaging 162 yards per game.
Defense: This was definitely a big problem for the Titans in 2009 as they finished 28th in defense after having one of the top defenses in all of football the year before.
Gone are Kyle Vanden Bosch, Keith Bullock and Jevon Kearse, who all left via free agency.
The Titans feature the 4-3 defense and have Jason Jones and Tony Brown at the defensive tackle spots along with William Hayes and first round draft pick Derrick Morgan out of Georgia Tech at the ends.
The linebackers are revamped and include Will Witherspoon and David Thornton on the outside along with Stephen Tulloch at middle linebacker.
The secondary, which picked off 20 passes last year, has Chris Hope and Michael Griffin at safeties and the cornerbacks are Cortland Finnegan (five interceptions in '09) and Ryan Mouton. Tye Hill and Rod Hood are the backups.
The defense allowed 107 yards rushing per game last season while finishing 31st in the league against the pass, allowing 259 yards per game.
OUTLOOK: The Titans were like two different teams last season, starting out 0-6 with Collins at quarterback. But when Head Coach Jeff Fisher, with some prompting from ownership, made the switch to Young, the team went 8-2 and finished 8-8, including a serious push for a playoff spot.
For that momentum to continue, the Titans defense must step up and not get lit up as much as it did in during the '09 season. Five times opponents scored 30 or more against Tennessee, including 59 points by New England and 42 by San Diego in one game.
The team can score points and Young gives them the fresh legs they needed at the QB spot to go along with the running game that was so dominant.
The offensive line gives Young good protection, allowing only 15 sacks a year ago. If Young and the receivers get it going and take some pressure off Johnson, this offense can put up some numbers in 2010.
However, the real questions are on the defense, where the Titans have many holes to fill. The main thing is to stop letting up the big plays that burned the defense so often in 2009.
If the defense improves from last season, the Titans can be legitimate contenders in the AFC South once again. If not, then another mediocre season is in store.
The call for the Titans in 2010 is a 9-7 finish and possibly a wild card playoff spot if they can be consistent.
TEAM SCHEDULE:
Week 1- vs. Oakland
Week 2- vs. Pittsburgh
Week 3- at NY Giants
Week 4- vs. Denver
Week 5- at Dallas
Week 6- at Jacksonville
Week 7- vs. Philadelphia
Week 8- at San Diego
Week 9- Bye Week
Week 10- at Miami
Week 11- vs. Washington
Week 12- at Houston
Week 13- vs. Jacksonville
Week 14- vs. Indianapolis
Week 15- vs. Houston
Week 16- at Kansas City
Week 17- at Indianapolis
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