Last Year:
It was just another day, another dollar for the Tennessee Titans in 2003 as they rolled past the wild card round of the playoffs. Although that?s where it ended, Jeff Fisher?s boys have developed into a yearly AFC threat. With so few house-hold names on this team, the Titans are becoming New England II which is a testament to the job coaches and management have done. Some may be stunned that Eddie George and Jevon Kearse, two stalwarts in Tennessee Titans history, are gone but the bigger surprise will be if the Titans are not competing for a Super Bowl this coming season.
What we Learned from Last Year:
Is it me, or has somebody else noticed that the Tennessee Titans haven?t had a dependable running game for a few years now.
Last year was no different, as the Titans ranked 7th from the bottom in total yards rushing. Clearly a growing reason for their ineffectiveness on the ground was Eddie George?s age. George used to be a model of running backs in this league with his tough nose, and unequaled leadership, but last year was more evident than ever that he was not capable of carrying the load on his own.
Eddie averaged a meager 3.3 yards per carry with only five touchdowns. Even in his final season with the Titans he was the model of consistency, never giving up a fumble to an opposing team. This team needed someone to take attention off of Steve McNair who was keyed when rivals disrespected the run game.
When this tandem first thrived in 1997 it was Eddie George who carried the onus as the team?s leader and best player but as the years progressed the weight transferred upon Steve McNair?s shoulders, who last year, finished as the NFL?s co-MVP.
McNair really put on a show, but I think it?s safe to say that he and Head Coach Jeff Fisher are co-MVPs on this team.
McNair, while receiving more attention than he was interested in facing, still managed a ridiculous 24 touchdown to 7 interceptions ratio. His completion percentage was one-tenth off of his career benchmark and had he played the full 16 games he likely would have set a new high for yards passing.
Last year was the first season ever that Steve McNair focused on sitting in the pocket and throwing first, and running second. He stepped across the line of scrimmage only 38 times, almost half of his next lowest total in a full season. That doesn?t mean that he wasn?t active in the pocket, scrambling or shifting to buy some time, but it?s clear that the goal was the accumulate yards with his arm opposed to his legs.
Jeff Fisher has done one of the best coaching jobs in the NFL mending his rookies, and extracting the maximum effort from all of his members. This team has that modern Bill Belichick/dynasty aroma where the drafts are excellent, one or two subdued ego leaders, and great coaching as a supplement.
The defense was a stellar bunch once again. Statistically they weren?t necessarily the best in every category, but generally when it mattered, this squad stepped up to the plate. Their overall rank was a respectable 12th, but the Titans held opponents to 27.7% on 3rd down conversions, good enough for best in the league. Tennessee grabbed an impressive 34 takeaways, but what was extraordinary was their 3rd best turnover ratio at +13.
The Patriots lost Lawyer Milloy last year and they all floated on ahead. The Titans have been successful without Jevon Kearse before, and Eddie George won?t be missed so expect Jeff Fisher and Co. to still be one of the tougher Sunday matchups.
What Has Changed?:
Rapper Young Buck calls his hometown Nashville, Cashville, but judging by the team?s free agent let-goes this off-season it looks like they are a little cash strapped.
People will be up in arms as J-Kearse backs a different jersey but the Titans throwing a boatload of cash at him was not ideal for their salary cap. Kearse, still a freakish defensive end, only participated in four games in the Titans? recent AFC Championship season so it?s not as if this team cannot play without him. Nonetheless, his perennial 10 sacks will be missed.
If you though that a know-how Head Coach like Jeff Fisher does not have a backup plan, then think again. Fisher has had impeccable drafts during his tenure Albert Haynesworth, Carlos Hall, Keith Bulluck, Rocky Calmus, Rocky Boiman, Tank Williams, Andre Dyson, and Samari Rolle are all home-grown talent acquired through the draft. Every single player is on the rise in this league and with so few egos, they?re much easier to coach.
On the line, Kearse is out but five new draft picks are screaming let me in. The top three, Travis LaBoy, Antwan Odom and Randy Starks can make this front four preposterously deep if they develop this year. Carlos Hall had a sophomore slump last year and the team is hoping his numbers touch closer to the 8 sacks in his rookie season, than his downgraded 3 last year. Just to give you an idea of what the Titans drafts are capable of, Hall was taken in the seventh round.
The secondary has impressed with Andre Dyson, Samari Rolle, Tank Williams and Lance Schulters. Andre Woolfolk, and Mike Echols, two recent draft picks as well, are solid depth charters.
The linebackers will miss Peter Sirmon who will be out for the season with an injured knee. Two third year players Rocky Calmus and Rocky Boiman will have to fill the void. These two are more than able starters, but there is not much depth behind them.
The offense is faced with the potential to improve on their 2003 performance simply because Chris Brown is now running the ball instead of Eddie George. Brown gives the run game a big-play shot in the arm and more importantly should distract defenses from staring at Steve McNair.
Justin McCareins was traded away in the down time but anxiety should not grow over targets for Steve McNair. Tyrone Calico was having a breakout pre-season before spraining his knees, and he could emerge as a number two receiver in this offense once he?s back. Drew Bennett proved serviceable, and we all know what Derrick Mason can do. The vital point is that the running game should be stunting once again, which opens numerous avenues to an already potent passing attack.
This team is playoff built, veteran savvy, and well coached. All it will take is a nice little run to instill confidence in the young guys and they?ll be one of the more feared teams in the post-season.
O/U 9.5:
A division that used to boast four easy wins, namely two annual meetings with Jacksonville and Houston, now boasts two Super Bowl contenders, and two near playoff contenders. The winner of this division should come down to Tennessee and Indianapolis, and more so, whichever of these teams avoids upsets versus J-ville and H-town. Outside of the division Tennessee plays: @MIA, @SD, @GB, @MIN, CIN, CHI, KC, @OAK, DEN, and DET.
Fantasy Sleeper:
I won?t even bother suggesting Chris Brown since he?s highlighted as a sleeper in every single publication of notice. In the receiving corps another target will emerge beside Derrick Mason. With rookie tight-end Ben Troupe struggling in his first season, and Drew Bennett resembling more a depending third wide receiver, Tyrone Calico should see a fair number of balls by season?s end. He has the most upside of the pass-catchers outside of Mason.
It was just another day, another dollar for the Tennessee Titans in 2003 as they rolled past the wild card round of the playoffs. Although that?s where it ended, Jeff Fisher?s boys have developed into a yearly AFC threat. With so few house-hold names on this team, the Titans are becoming New England II which is a testament to the job coaches and management have done. Some may be stunned that Eddie George and Jevon Kearse, two stalwarts in Tennessee Titans history, are gone but the bigger surprise will be if the Titans are not competing for a Super Bowl this coming season.
What we Learned from Last Year:
Is it me, or has somebody else noticed that the Tennessee Titans haven?t had a dependable running game for a few years now.
Last year was no different, as the Titans ranked 7th from the bottom in total yards rushing. Clearly a growing reason for their ineffectiveness on the ground was Eddie George?s age. George used to be a model of running backs in this league with his tough nose, and unequaled leadership, but last year was more evident than ever that he was not capable of carrying the load on his own.
Eddie averaged a meager 3.3 yards per carry with only five touchdowns. Even in his final season with the Titans he was the model of consistency, never giving up a fumble to an opposing team. This team needed someone to take attention off of Steve McNair who was keyed when rivals disrespected the run game.
When this tandem first thrived in 1997 it was Eddie George who carried the onus as the team?s leader and best player but as the years progressed the weight transferred upon Steve McNair?s shoulders, who last year, finished as the NFL?s co-MVP.
McNair really put on a show, but I think it?s safe to say that he and Head Coach Jeff Fisher are co-MVPs on this team.
McNair, while receiving more attention than he was interested in facing, still managed a ridiculous 24 touchdown to 7 interceptions ratio. His completion percentage was one-tenth off of his career benchmark and had he played the full 16 games he likely would have set a new high for yards passing.
Last year was the first season ever that Steve McNair focused on sitting in the pocket and throwing first, and running second. He stepped across the line of scrimmage only 38 times, almost half of his next lowest total in a full season. That doesn?t mean that he wasn?t active in the pocket, scrambling or shifting to buy some time, but it?s clear that the goal was the accumulate yards with his arm opposed to his legs.
Jeff Fisher has done one of the best coaching jobs in the NFL mending his rookies, and extracting the maximum effort from all of his members. This team has that modern Bill Belichick/dynasty aroma where the drafts are excellent, one or two subdued ego leaders, and great coaching as a supplement.
The defense was a stellar bunch once again. Statistically they weren?t necessarily the best in every category, but generally when it mattered, this squad stepped up to the plate. Their overall rank was a respectable 12th, but the Titans held opponents to 27.7% on 3rd down conversions, good enough for best in the league. Tennessee grabbed an impressive 34 takeaways, but what was extraordinary was their 3rd best turnover ratio at +13.
The Patriots lost Lawyer Milloy last year and they all floated on ahead. The Titans have been successful without Jevon Kearse before, and Eddie George won?t be missed so expect Jeff Fisher and Co. to still be one of the tougher Sunday matchups.
What Has Changed?:
Rapper Young Buck calls his hometown Nashville, Cashville, but judging by the team?s free agent let-goes this off-season it looks like they are a little cash strapped.
People will be up in arms as J-Kearse backs a different jersey but the Titans throwing a boatload of cash at him was not ideal for their salary cap. Kearse, still a freakish defensive end, only participated in four games in the Titans? recent AFC Championship season so it?s not as if this team cannot play without him. Nonetheless, his perennial 10 sacks will be missed.
If you though that a know-how Head Coach like Jeff Fisher does not have a backup plan, then think again. Fisher has had impeccable drafts during his tenure Albert Haynesworth, Carlos Hall, Keith Bulluck, Rocky Calmus, Rocky Boiman, Tank Williams, Andre Dyson, and Samari Rolle are all home-grown talent acquired through the draft. Every single player is on the rise in this league and with so few egos, they?re much easier to coach.
On the line, Kearse is out but five new draft picks are screaming let me in. The top three, Travis LaBoy, Antwan Odom and Randy Starks can make this front four preposterously deep if they develop this year. Carlos Hall had a sophomore slump last year and the team is hoping his numbers touch closer to the 8 sacks in his rookie season, than his downgraded 3 last year. Just to give you an idea of what the Titans drafts are capable of, Hall was taken in the seventh round.
The secondary has impressed with Andre Dyson, Samari Rolle, Tank Williams and Lance Schulters. Andre Woolfolk, and Mike Echols, two recent draft picks as well, are solid depth charters.
The linebackers will miss Peter Sirmon who will be out for the season with an injured knee. Two third year players Rocky Calmus and Rocky Boiman will have to fill the void. These two are more than able starters, but there is not much depth behind them.
The offense is faced with the potential to improve on their 2003 performance simply because Chris Brown is now running the ball instead of Eddie George. Brown gives the run game a big-play shot in the arm and more importantly should distract defenses from staring at Steve McNair.
Justin McCareins was traded away in the down time but anxiety should not grow over targets for Steve McNair. Tyrone Calico was having a breakout pre-season before spraining his knees, and he could emerge as a number two receiver in this offense once he?s back. Drew Bennett proved serviceable, and we all know what Derrick Mason can do. The vital point is that the running game should be stunting once again, which opens numerous avenues to an already potent passing attack.
This team is playoff built, veteran savvy, and well coached. All it will take is a nice little run to instill confidence in the young guys and they?ll be one of the more feared teams in the post-season.
O/U 9.5:
A division that used to boast four easy wins, namely two annual meetings with Jacksonville and Houston, now boasts two Super Bowl contenders, and two near playoff contenders. The winner of this division should come down to Tennessee and Indianapolis, and more so, whichever of these teams avoids upsets versus J-ville and H-town. Outside of the division Tennessee plays: @MIA, @SD, @GB, @MIN, CIN, CHI, KC, @OAK, DEN, and DET.
Fantasy Sleeper:
I won?t even bother suggesting Chris Brown since he?s highlighted as a sleeper in every single publication of notice. In the receiving corps another target will emerge beside Derrick Mason. With rookie tight-end Ben Troupe struggling in his first season, and Drew Bennett resembling more a depending third wide receiver, Tyrone Calico should see a fair number of balls by season?s end. He has the most upside of the pass-catchers outside of Mason.