Tennessee Titans Predictions
July 1, 2008
Head coach Jeff Fisher is one of the best in the business after leading his Tennessee Titans to the playoffs in five of his nine seasons. The Titans have overachieved with a young roster in each of the last two seasons. Their season ended last year in a hard-fought 17-6 setback to the Chargers in a game that was much closer than this final score indicates. Tennessee is now primed to take another step forward this year as the players have gained much-needed experience. Let’s see how this squad fares with our 2008 Tennessee Titans Predictions along with a team preview.
Offense:
Vince Young went to the Pro Bowl and was named Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2006. Last year he suffered a sophomore slump with a lingering quadriceps injury, but still managed to lead the Titans to the playoffs. Young just has a knack for finding ways to win ball games as he has led the Titans to a 17-11 record as a starter. New offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger should only further Young’s progress after calling the plays for the Titans back in Steve McNair’s heyday. Backup Kerry Collins returns for his 14th season and has proven there’s still gas left in the tank. He led the Titans to their highest point total of the year (38) in his only start against the Texans.
The Titans have added a running back in three consecutive drafts with first-round pick Chris Johnson being this year’s selection. This three-back attack led by LenDale White as a starter and Chris Henry as a backup is a promising one to say the least. White rushed for 1,110 yards and seven touchdowns in his first season as a starter. Johnson brings speed to give the Titans a thunder-and-lighting combo in the backfield.
The Titans hope tight end Alge Crumpler has plenty left in the tank. They signed Crumpler from the Falcons to provide Young with a reliable target over the middle and in the red zone. Wide receiver offers no big-name guys, but several talented pass-catchers and a deep unit. Beteran Justin McCareins returns to the Titans after coming over from the Jets to join Justin Gage, Brandon Jones, Roydell Williams, Chris Davis, Mike Williams, Paul Williams and rookie Lavelle Hawkins. Backup tight ends Bo Scaife and rookie Craig Stevens add depth to the tight end position as well.
Underrated franchise left tackle Michael Roos leads the strongest unit on the team in the Titans’ offensive line. Roos has started 48 consecutive games since entering the league in 2005 and was rewarded with a six-year, $43 million deal in the offseason. Right tackle David Stewart is a force in the running game while center Kevin Mawae provides the veteran leadership in his 15th season. Guards Benji Olson and Jacob Bell left due to retirement and free agency respectively. Jake Scott and Leroy Harris are likely replacements.
Defense:
With the offensive line going over a few changes, the defensive line becomes the backbone of this team. End Kyle Vanden Bosch and tackle Albert Haynesworth each earned trips to the Pro Bowl after terrorizing the league last season. When motivated, Haynesworth is one of the most disruptive forces in the NFL. Former Titans legend Jevon Kearse returns to the team but the “Freak” has only 22 sacks in his last 45 games while being hampered by injuries in Philadelphia. He’ll be eager to prove his critics that he still has something left in the tank. Tackle Tony Brown rounds out the frong four, with depth coming from the versatile rookie Antonio Johnson, end Bryce Fisher and rookie end William Hayes.
Outside linebacker Keith Bulluck is the leader of this defense and may be the most underrated defensive player in the league. Bulluck had three interceptions in one games against the Saints on Monday Night Football last season. He teams up with David Thornton as the stars of this line backing corps. Middle linebackers Ryan Fowler and Stephen Tulloch are steady contributors but lack the big-play abilities of Bulluck and Thornton.
If Chris Hope can return healthy following a neck injury, the Titans could have one of the best safety tandems in the NFL. Second-year free safety Michael Griffin should be even better than he was as a rookie, logging three interceptions in his final five games last year. Cornerback Cortland Finnegan is an emerging star, while Nick Harper and Reynaldo Hill are inconsistent and newcomer Chris Carr is unproven.
Info Plays 2008 Tennessee Titans Predictions:
Defense wins championships and the Titans may have the best defensive unit in the AFC South. This unit gives them a chance to beat the Colts, Jaguars and Texans within the division. Now their offense has to pick up the slack, mainly in the passing game. Vince Young should benefit from a new offensive coordinator and a plethora of no-name receivers with a ton of talent. A steady running game has always been the key to Fisher’s success in Tennessee, and the Titans have that with the trio of White, Johnson and Henry to run behind a solid offensive line. Tennessee will scratch and claw their way to playoff contention, but in the end the Colts and Jaguars finish atop the AFC South standings as the Titans have to settle for another third-place finish within their division.