2011 NFL Season Preview: Tennessee Titans

Tennessee Titans

Front Office:

Owner:             Bud Adams

GM:                MikeReinfeldt

F:         Any owner who flips off fans, wants to play GM, and runs Jeff Fischer off deserves a fail.  When you talk about pompous, rich men who don’t know their own limitations one should see Bud Adams.  Reinfeldt is limited in what he can do because of this.

Coaching:

HC:                 MikeMunchak

OC:                  Chris Palmer

DC:                  Jerry Gray

D:         With the lockout situation the Titans did not do themselves any favors by putting in a first time HC.  Plus the coaching staff will be employed by Bud Adams which will not make their lives any easier.  Only hope is Munchak sticks to what he knows best and improves the trenches…which need to be improved.

QB:                 B

I like Jake Locker a lot.  I think he needs a ton of work and that is why the Titans signed Matt Hasselbeck.  Nothing better could have happened to Locker or the Titans.  One day Locker will be ready to lead the Titans…and when that day comes he will be ready.  In the meantime Hasselbeck still has some left in the tank, plus he is on a much better team than the one he left.

RB:                 B+

Chris Johnson is a stud.  He is electric and he is a work horse.  CJ does not wear down as his figure would suggest.  He is lightning fast and has a physical side to him.  His backups are nothing special.  Javon Ringer does everything well but nothing spectacular.  A better backup is needed to prolong CJ’s career.

WR/TE           C+

Kenny Britt has elite potential but needs to put in the work and stay out of trouble to reach it.  Nate Washington is a long strider who can make plays but not consistently.  His hands are nothing to brag about.  I do like the potential of Damian Williams who has great hands and body control.  Jared Cook also has some potential.  He was very raw when he got to the Titans but he showed late last season that the light bulb might be flickering.

OL:                 B

David Stewart and Michael Roos might be the best OT tandem in the NFL.  Problem is on the inside.  Jake Scott is okay at RG but is slowly wearing down.  Eugene Amano is manning the center position which is not a good fit for him.  He needs to go back to LG.  LG Leroy Harris is nothing special.  A true center is needed and some OG prospects next year for this OL to get back on track.

DL:                 C

Jason Babin finally broke out last season.  Losing him was a big loss.  Derrick Morgan showed some skill before being injured last season but will be the focus of the offense since the Titans have nothing at the other spot.  At DT the Titans are not much better with Jason Jones and Jurrell Casey.  This unit needs to be improved next season and the Titans need to stop losing talent in FA.

LB:                  C

MLB Stephen Tulloch is gone…too bad he was the leader on defense.  Replacing him is Barrett Ruud who softens the loss but still is a down grade.  This team has some young, unproven talent in McCarthy, Rennie Curran, Gerald McRath and Akeem Ayers. I believe they will struggle this year but slowly improve.  Will Witherspoon is an okay player but might be a salary cap casualty.

DB:                 C/C+

Alterraun Verner was a revelation last season.  He is a rock solid CB.  On the other side Cortland Finnegan might be a certified pain in the rear but is still effective.  They have some young depth that needs to step up.  At safety Michael Griffin is a pro bowl talent but SS Chris Hope is no longer effective.

2011 NFL Draft

Jake Locker was a solid selection and, unlike what many believe, would have been off the draft board soon if he was passed on.  Akeem Ayers, Jurrell Casey, and Colin McCarthy were smart selections.  The front seven on their defense needed more talent and this was a good start.  Solid first draft for this regime.  B

Offensive/ Defensive Sleepers

Damian Williams has the potential to win the number two spot.  As stated above I love his work ethic, hands, body control, and route running.  I do not think he can put up elite numbers this year but I think: 60 rec, 750 yards, and 5 TD’s are a possibility.

Derrick Morgan was on his way to a productive rookie season before a knee injury wiped it out.  I believe he has fully recovered from this injury as should be a key element to their defense.  I think 7-9 sacks will be achieved.

Season Preview:                     7-9

This team has talent.  I just do not like their front office as well as the coaching staff’s inexperience in a shortened off season.  Also losing Jason Babin and Stephen Tulloch were big losses.  Also the hold outs of Cortland Finnegan and CJ bear watching.