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The 2009 season for the Tennessee Titans did not go as really anyone expected. Fans went in to the season with Super Bowl expectations, and through the first 6 weeks of the season, what we got out of it was nothing but sheer disappointment. No one saw it coming, regardless of whether you expected this team to win the Super Bowl, or hell, even make the playoffs, no one can say they thought the Tennessee Titans would be 0-6 to start the season.

However, as it turned out, the 2009 season was not a complete waste. The Titans got something out of it that probably no one in the organization expected, and that was the emergence of Vince Young as the teams franchise QB. He came out and proved his doubters wrong, going 8-2 in the final 10 games of the season, and helped Tennessee from turning in to a complete joke.

Most importantly of this, though, is he didn’t do that simply with just his legs like he did in 2006. He did it with a combination of his arm AND legs. He posted the highest QB rating of his career, had a positive TD-INT ratio of 10-6 as a starter, and had a 58% completion percentage, to go along with his 281 yards rushing on a 5.1 average with 2 touchdowns.

Past Vince Young’s emergence(it’s hard to believe this got overshadowed by something else going on in the franchise, but that was partly the case), was Chris Johnson becoming the undisputed best back in football, and running for 2,000 yards along with breaking the yards from scrimmage record once held by the future hall-of-famer Marshall Faulk.

These 2 things were able to help Titans fans push the 0-6 start in to the back of their heads and focus on the good things going on in the franchise, and gave us hope for the next season. Which brings us to the main point of this article: a preview of the Tennessee Titans 2010 season.

I’m going to go from position to position, giving my personal thoughts on the starters and the depth of those positions, and how I feel they will fare this season, and I will follow that with a win/loss prediction on the season. We’ll start off the position previews with:

Quarterback:

Starter: Vince Young

Depth: Kerry Collins, Chris Simms, Rusty Smith

Titans fans finally got what they’ve wanted to see since Vince Young’s breakdown in 2008, and that is him establishing himself as the starting QB, and improving on his accuracy and decision making. All the talk so far in camp is that Vince Young has done nothing but give 100% to becoming better, and has improved not only on the practice field, but in the film room as well, where he was previously lacking. Vince Young should have a good season this year, and I’m predicting about 58/59% completion percentage, 18-20 TDS, 7-8 INTs along with 500 yards rushing and 5 or 6 rushing touchdowns.

In terms of the depth at the position, Kerry Collins and Chris Simms bring veteran help to the table, and Rusty Smith was brought in as a project to hopefully mold in to the #2 QB to stay behind Vince Young. We won’t go in to the season with 4 QBs on the roster, and I doubt we’ll even have more than 2 active in game, however, I foresee Simms getting cut, Collins sticking around as the backup for another season, and keeping Smith on the practice squad to mold in to the future #2.

Running Back:

Starter: Chris Johnson

Depth: Javon Ringer, LeGarrette Blount, Stafon Johnson

Chris Johnson established himself as the best back in football with his record breaking season, and should stay at that same level. I personally think the contract issues will be solved soon, and he’ll be back in the Titans camp, never having missed a beat. He won’t break 2,000 this season, and he probably won’t get close, as Fisher himself has stated he’ll be taking some of the load off of him, however you can expect him to have 1,400/1,500 yards this season along with 8-10 TDs to go with it. I don’t think he’ll be used in the receiving game AS much, with Britt improving and the addition of Damian Williams, however, expect about 350 yards from him and a TD or 2 in the receiving game.

We have no proven depth at RB, but a boatload of talent. Ringer has impressed in camp the past 2 years, and coaches like what Blount and Stafon Johnson bring to the table. Expect either Blount or Johnson to be cut, as CJ will stay #1, Ringer will be #2, then we’ll keep a 3rd, but not a 4th.

Fullback:

Starter: Ahmard Hall

Depth: William Rose

Hall has emerged as one of the top FBs in the game with his nothing short of superb blocking skills, and I foresee nothing less than another great year from him this season.

Rose is a guy the Titans picked up as an undrafted free agent, and I doubt him making the team, as Hall has always been durable, and if it comes down to it, we can use either Blount or Stafon Johnson(whichever makes the team) here as they’re both pretty powerful backs, if it comes down to it.

Wide Receiver

Starters: Kenny Britt - Nate Washington

Depth: Justin Gage, Damian Williams, Lavelle Hawkins, Dominique Edison

Not really 100% sure on who is gonna be starting opposite Kenny Britt, but I’m gonna guess it’ll be Washington, for his speed to compliment Britt’s size and physical ability. Personally not the biggest fan of Nate Washington, as he seems to drop every easy catch, but I’ll hold out hope he fixes it this off-season, as the coaches seem to love him. Britt started out the off-season in Fisher’s dog house as he came in to camp a bit out of shape, but he’s seemed to work his way back in to his favor, so I don’t think there will be any problems there, and I really expect a breakout season from Britt.

We have quite a few WRs in camp, but those 4 are the ones I expect to make it. Gage and Williams are locks to make it, as Gage has been a starter for us the past few years, though he’s had some injury problems, he’s always been a stable receiver and seems to have good chemistry with VY. Williams will likely have more of a kick return/punt return role in his first season, ala Derrick Mason his first couple of years, but if he works his way up the WR DC, it wouldn’t surprise me. Lavelle Hawkins has REALLY impressed coaches so far, and I think he may very well be a lock to make it as well. It seems he always has a great off-season though, so we’ll have to wait and see. Edison is a fan favorite and had a good pre-season last year, so he’s the guy I chose to take the #6 spot.

Tight End

Starter: Bo Scaife

Depth: Jared Cook, Craig Stevens

Scaife has always been one of VY’s favorite targets, and has always been reliable as VY’s check down receiver. Not the best TE in the NFL by any stretch, but I like him and he’s good fit in the offense.

Jared Cook has some amazing athletic ability, being 6′6 and running a 4.4, however, he wasn’t able to get on the field much last year, and seems to have a case of the drops thus far this off-season, but coaches and fans alike have high expectations for him, and many think he’s poised for a breakout season. Stevens is the replacement for Alge Crumpler as the blocking tight end, and he should do just fine there.

Offensive Tackles

Starters: Michael Roos, David Stewart

Depth: Michael Otto, Troy Kropog

Roos/Stewart have proved themselves and they’re arguably the best starting tackle combination in the NFL. Both are relatively young, and should be the staples of this o-line for the next 6 or so years.

Otto has always been decent depth, and has stuck around here the past few years. Troy Kropog is a guy the staff seems to love, but he’ll never see the field as a starter here with Roos/Stewart already as the starters, but he’s really good depth.

Offensive Guards

Starters: Leroy Harris, Jake Scott

Depth: Ryan Durand, Fernando Velasco

Eugene Amano was the starter at left guard this past season, but is more likely than not going to move in as the starting center, and Leroy Harris will be the one to take his spot. Harris has always been one of the best backups on the line, and just about every Titan fan feels he’s earned his chance to start, and he’ll get it now. Jake Scott continued to be the solid player he’s been since coming in to the league, and I have no complaints about him.

I don’t know anything about Ryan Durand, to be quite honest, and had to look up who we had behind Harris at LG. He’s never played a game so I can’t say much of anything about him. I do, however know about Velasco as he came in and played against I believe it was San Francisco. He has very little experience, but the staff has kept him these past two years despite him being an undrafted free agent in 2008, and anyone this staff has confidence in on the o-line, I have confidence in.

Center

Starter: Eugene Amano

Depth: Kevin Matthews

Amano was never amazing at left guard, but I think the hate he receives isn’t really necesary. He should be better at center, and Vince Young has commented on him coming in and already taking command as one of the offensive leaders.

Matthews was another undrafted free agent we picked up, and I don’t know a whole lot about him, and not really sure if he’ll make the team. I’d assume Leroy Harris would move from LG to center if Amano goes down to injury, then they’ll put someone at LG instead of letting an inexperienced player go to center.

- Defense -

Defensive Ends

Starters: Derrick Morgan, William Hayes

Depth: Jacob Ford, Dave Ball, Jason Babin

I see Derrick Morgan coming in and starting IMMEDIATELY. We are in desperate need of an elite pass rusher, and he brings that to the table, and Fisher has already stated he thinks he’s already ready to play..and we’ve only went through OTAs so far. Hayes was somewhat disappointing last year, starting 11 games and only managing 4 sacks, but he was solid in the run game. I expect him to improve in his 2nd season as a starter.

Ford and Ball are proven players on this defense, and Ford is a pretty good pass rusher, but isn’t a complete defensive end. Ball had a somewhat disappointing 09 season after having a pretty solid 08 season, but it seemed like most players disappointed on the d-line this past season. Titans fans hope d-line coach Jim Washburn can turn Jason Babin in to the next Kyle Vanden-Bosch.

Defensive Tackles

Starters: Tony Brown, Jason Jones

Depth: Jovan Haye, Sen’Derrick Marks

Tony Brown was one of the few players on the defense that played at a high level last year, as he was arguably the best pass rushing DT in the NFL. Jason Jones was plagued by injuries last year, but is a very good player at the defensive tackle position, and I’m expecting a great season from him, which is why I have him as a starter over Haye.

Haye had a disappointing season last year after we signed him in free agency, but is solid depth. The Titans knew when they drafted Sen’Derrick Marks, that they were drafting a player that would need to be developed. He showed some flashes at the end of the season, but I expect this to be another developing year for him.

Outside Linebackers

Starters: Will Witherspoon, Gerald McRath

Depth: Rennie Curran, David Thornton

Witherspoon was the Titans top free agent signee and there’s a lot expected of him, as he’s gonna try and take over Keith Bulluck’s spot at ROLB. I’ve heard nothing but great things about him, so that will be what I’m expecting. Gerald McRath showed last year when Thornton/Bulluck went down with injuries that he could start, and he could be a very good player. Getting a off-season in as the starting OLB opposite of Witherspoon in practice should help him get even better, and I have high expectations for him.

David Thornton was a starter last season, but he probably won’t be this year. Some think he may be cut due to his contract but I see him sticking on the team and he’ll provide good depth. Rennie Curran was a monster at Georgia, and a lot of fans love his ability, but he lacks size. We’ll have to wait and see what he’s able to do.

Middle Linebacker

Starter: Stephen Tulloch

Depth: Colin Allred

Stephen Tulloch had a very nice season last year, but has held out wanting a long term contract. Neither side seems to be too worried, and I expect one to be done pretty soon, and I’m excited to have him at MLB for the next 8 or 9 years.

Colin Allred is a good special teams player, but he’s not a guy you want coming in and playing a lot of minutes on defense.

Cornerback

Starters: Cortland Finnegan, Jason McCourty

Depth: Rod Hood, Tye Hill, Alterraun Verner, Ryan Mouton

Finnegan has been great these past 2 seasons, despite having a bit of an injury problem to start last year. The worry is the #2 CB position, however, so far in practice, Jason McCourty (yes, he is the brother of Pats first round pick Devin McCourty) has played extremely well opposite Finnegan and will more likely than not be the #2 CB going in to the season.

Having Rod Hood is a great thing in my opinion as he gives you a guy who can step in and start for a game and there not be a humongous drop in talent. Tye Hill has played well so far in practice, but I don’t expect a lot of him. Verner was Tennessee’s 4th round draft pick, and seems to be a guy a lot of people like. If McCourty fails, he may be the guy we turn to. Mouton is probably gonna be a depth player his whole career, and I do not like him, at all.

Safety

Starters: Michael Griffin, Chris Hope

Depth: Vincent Fuller, Robert Johnson, Myron Rolle

After their 08 season they were considered the best safety duo in the NFL. Both of them had a big drop off in 09, though they started to get better as the year came to a close. Griffin has admitted he was distracted by some personal issues most of last season, and I expect him to return back to his old self. Hope I’m not as sure about, but I think he’ll be solid. Another thing to consider is the CBs they had to cover for, especially when both Finnegan and Harper went down.

Fuller has always been a fan favorite, and has always been great depth, including being the nickel CB in a lot of situations. Rolle/Johnson were draft picks, and I only expect one of them to make it. Rolle seems to be the fan favorite though.

Special Teams

Starters: Rob Bironas(Kicker), Brett Kern(Punter), Ken Amato(Long Snapper)

If you only count the past 3 seasons, Bironas is the most accurate kicker in NFL history, and he should keep that pace up. Replacing Hentrich is gonna be a big task for Kern, but he did an amazing job last year, and Hentrich has taught him his famous knuckle ball. Amato has been our long snapper the past 7 seasons, and has never had any problems.

I imagine some people are gonna point out that this is more than 53 players, and I’m more than aware of that. I don’t expect all these players to make the team, some of the depth players are some that I expect to battle for a spot, and am not 100% sure on which will make it.

Season Prediction:

Best Case Scenario:

12-4. Vince Young becomes the franchise QB all us Titans fans expect him to be, Kenny Britt steps up and becomes a true #1 receiver, and Derrick Morgan makes a huge impact on the defensive side of the ball along with Griffin/Hope returning to their 08 form, making the Titans a top team in the NFL.

Worst Case Scenario:

5-11. Vince Young goes back to his 07/08 self, providing no passing threat for the Titans, hurting every aspect of the offense. The defense fails to improve, the secondary is just as bad as last season, without any offense to back it up this time, making Tennessee one of the worst teams in the NFL.

What I Think Will Happen:

10-6 (have us beating Oakland, Pittsburgh, Denver, Jacksonville(x2), Miami, Washington, Houston(x1), Indianapolis(x1), Kansas City). I don’t think the offense would be the problem here, as I see Vince Young improving on his 2009 performance, and I see no drop off from Chris Johnson, however, I don’t think the defense will greatly improve. I think we’ll have a middle of the road defense, as it’s replacing a lot of players with new talent. I see a wildcard birth for us, might get a playoff win, but nothing more than that. If the NFL/NFLPA comes to an agreement, the 2011 season will be the year to watch out for the Titans, in my personal opinion.

This was pretty fun to do, but took about 2 hours to finish. Hope everyone enjoyed reading it.

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