The TSB Training Camp Previews are about to get a little more musical as we head to Tennessee. The Titans have made the playoffs just two times in the last ten seasons. After another mediocre season, the Titans have a new regime at the helm, bringing in head coach Ken Whisenhunt, but will he bring the Titans back to glory? Lets take a closer look at the Tennessee Titans.
2013 Season: 7-9 (Missed playoffs for the 5th straight season)
Passing Leader: Ryan Fitzpatrick 2454 YDS 14 TD 12 INT
Rushing Leader: Chris Johnson 1077 YDS, 6 TD
Receiving Leader: Kendall Wright 1079 YDS, 2TD
Leading Tackler: Bernard Pollard 77 Tackles
Sacks Leader: Jurrell Casey 10.5 Sacks
Int Leader: Alterraun Verner 5 INT
FA losses: QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, RB Chris Johnson, WR Kenny Britt, WR Damian Williams, OT David Stewart, CB Alterraun Verner, K Rob Bironas.
FA signings: QB Charlie Whitehurst, WR/KR Dexter McCluster, OT Michael Oher, G/C Eric Olsen, NT Al Woods, DE/OLB Shaun Phillips, ILB Wesley Woodyard.
Draft Picks
1st Round: Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan
2nd Round: Bishop Sankey, RB, Washington
4th Round: DaQuan Jones, DT, Penn State Marqueston Huff, FS, Wyoming
5th Round: Avery Williamson, ILB, Kentucky
6th Round: Zach Mettenberger, QB, LSU
This is Jake Locker’s last chance to prove that he is the quarterback of the future in Tennessee. After being taken 8th overall in the 2011 draft, Locker has been a disappointment so far. He has been oft-injured and has failed to show true leadership of the Titans an their offense. He has a career record of 8-10 in games he has started and will be a free agent at the end of the season. The short version: This is a make or break year for Locker.
With the departure of RB Chris Johnson, Shonn Green and rookie Bishop Sankey will man the backfield, making an interesting combination of power and speed. The Titans have a very impressive offensive line, which was bolstered more with first round pick Taylor Lewan, so Johnson’s departure may be as big as one may think.
Kendall Wright took big steps forward last year and Justin Hunter is having a very impressive camp. That combination could shape up to be one of the best, young wide receiver combinations in the league and both players should be in Tennessee for years to come.
On the defensive side of the football, Ray Horton has been brought in as the new defensive coordinator and he should shake things up. He still runs the traditional 3-4 defense, so there may be come growing pains early on, but if the Titans defense clicks, they have the talent to become a fairly solid squad. Wesley Woodyard will help the secondary despite the major loss of CB Alterraun Verner. It will be up to CB Justin McCourty to prove he can be the top corner in the Music City.
Kicker Rob Bironas is one of the best in the league and was cut by the Titans after nine seasons, to save some cap space. Kickers Maikon Bonani or Travis Coons are fighting for the starting kicker job in camp.
This is a transition season for the Titans, being the first year under Whisenhunt. I see them finishing ahead of the Jaguars and Texans, but still not good enough to crack the .500 mark.
Prediction: 7-9
