Spuradicator
06-23-2008, 05:22 PM
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Even though the Titans were a surprise team in 2007 with 10 wins and a trip to the playoffs, they made a lot of changes.
Mike Heimerdinger replaced Norm Chow as offensive coordinator. The Titans wiped out seven of the eight remaining members of the 2004 draft class. They traded troubled cornerback Pacman Jones. Longtime guard Benji Olson retired. The Titans hope the changes will allow new players to emerge, which in turn will help the team take the next stop.
What we learned from minicamp
The offensive line made a couple key adjustments at guard. Jake Scott took over at right guard and it appears Eugene Amano is ready to emerge as the starting left guard. Amano is competing against Leroy Harris, but came out of the OTAs (organized team activities) with plenty of confidence. Kevin Mawae is set at center. Michael Roos, secure with a new contract extension, is set at left tackle. David Stewart will be at right tackle.
Titans QB Vince Young talks about new offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger.
The Titans made some major adjustments along the defensive line, which lost Antwan Odom, Travis LaBoy and Randy Starks in free agency. They added Jevon Kearse for pass-rushing power, and he's worked hard. Bryce Fisher will back him up and be a third-down pass-rusher.
At tight end, Alge Crumpler gave Vince Young the big target in pass receiving he was seeking.
Still unresolved
Even though Crumpler could help out Young, questions at receiver still exist. The Titans brought back Justin McCareins (who played in Tennessee from 2001 to '03), but critics aren't sure if the team has a true No. 1 or even a No. 2 receiver on the roster. Justin Gage and Roydell Williams each caught 55 passes last season, but neither topped 751 yards receiving. Williams is also coming off a broken ankle. Mike Williams lost weight after ballooning to over 270 pounds last season, but no one knows if he will make the team. Brandon Jones hasn't shown much and he faces a misdemeanor charge after he was recently caught at the airport with a handgun. Biren Ealy showed some promise in the offseason program, but he's an undrafted overachiever.
With such a shaky receiving corps, Young might struggle to take his game to the next level. Young made some strides in 2007 by getting his completion percentage to 62.3, but he must improve his touchdown-to-interception ratio (9-17).
Injury analysis
The Titans have the longest injury list in the division. They also have one major off-the-field question. Middle linebacker Ryan Fowler has been linked to a convicted steroids dealer and could face a suspension pending the results of an NFL investigation. To make matters worse, Fowler's also coming off shoulder surgery. Safety Chris Hope had neck problems last season that put his future in question. He appears to be OK. Crumpler and Kearse were added despite a history of knee and leg problems. On the defensive line, Jacob Ford (Achilles tendon), Antonio Johnson (knee) and David Ball (foot) are coming off surgeries. Halfback LenDale White had a torn meniscus in his right knee, but he should be fine. Wide receiver Roydell Williams is returning from a broken ankle.
Did they make the right decision?
With no wide receiver worthy of a first-round choice in the draft, the Titans selected halfback Chris Johnson in the first round. Johnson has blazing speed. The plan is for him to be a backup halfback who can come off the bench to catch passes and spell White. The question is whether that is going to be enough to spark the offense. The Titans averaged only 10.7 yards a reception last year and ranked near the bottom of the league in the number of 20-yard completions (28).
Young, who rushed for 395 yards, has the ability to scramble for a big play and can turn third-and-longs into first downs with his feet, but the team needs to find ways to take pressure off him. Coach Jeff Fisher and the organization are confident they can develop receiving options for Young. Obviously, the Titans have to score more than 18.9 points per game if they want to remain a playoff team. They play a tough .543 schedule and the AFC South is perhaps the most competitive division in football. The pressure is on.
Training camp start date: July 25
John Clayton, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame writers' wing, is a senior writer for ESPN.com.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=clayton_john&id=3452709
Even though the Titans were a surprise team in 2007 with 10 wins and a trip to the playoffs, they made a lot of changes.
Mike Heimerdinger replaced Norm Chow as offensive coordinator. The Titans wiped out seven of the eight remaining members of the 2004 draft class. They traded troubled cornerback Pacman Jones. Longtime guard Benji Olson retired. The Titans hope the changes will allow new players to emerge, which in turn will help the team take the next stop.
What we learned from minicamp
The offensive line made a couple key adjustments at guard. Jake Scott took over at right guard and it appears Eugene Amano is ready to emerge as the starting left guard. Amano is competing against Leroy Harris, but came out of the OTAs (organized team activities) with plenty of confidence. Kevin Mawae is set at center. Michael Roos, secure with a new contract extension, is set at left tackle. David Stewart will be at right tackle.
Titans QB Vince Young talks about new offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger.
The Titans made some major adjustments along the defensive line, which lost Antwan Odom, Travis LaBoy and Randy Starks in free agency. They added Jevon Kearse for pass-rushing power, and he's worked hard. Bryce Fisher will back him up and be a third-down pass-rusher.
At tight end, Alge Crumpler gave Vince Young the big target in pass receiving he was seeking.
Still unresolved
Even though Crumpler could help out Young, questions at receiver still exist. The Titans brought back Justin McCareins (who played in Tennessee from 2001 to '03), but critics aren't sure if the team has a true No. 1 or even a No. 2 receiver on the roster. Justin Gage and Roydell Williams each caught 55 passes last season, but neither topped 751 yards receiving. Williams is also coming off a broken ankle. Mike Williams lost weight after ballooning to over 270 pounds last season, but no one knows if he will make the team. Brandon Jones hasn't shown much and he faces a misdemeanor charge after he was recently caught at the airport with a handgun. Biren Ealy showed some promise in the offseason program, but he's an undrafted overachiever.
With such a shaky receiving corps, Young might struggle to take his game to the next level. Young made some strides in 2007 by getting his completion percentage to 62.3, but he must improve his touchdown-to-interception ratio (9-17).
Injury analysis
The Titans have the longest injury list in the division. They also have one major off-the-field question. Middle linebacker Ryan Fowler has been linked to a convicted steroids dealer and could face a suspension pending the results of an NFL investigation. To make matters worse, Fowler's also coming off shoulder surgery. Safety Chris Hope had neck problems last season that put his future in question. He appears to be OK. Crumpler and Kearse were added despite a history of knee and leg problems. On the defensive line, Jacob Ford (Achilles tendon), Antonio Johnson (knee) and David Ball (foot) are coming off surgeries. Halfback LenDale White had a torn meniscus in his right knee, but he should be fine. Wide receiver Roydell Williams is returning from a broken ankle.
Did they make the right decision?
With no wide receiver worthy of a first-round choice in the draft, the Titans selected halfback Chris Johnson in the first round. Johnson has blazing speed. The plan is for him to be a backup halfback who can come off the bench to catch passes and spell White. The question is whether that is going to be enough to spark the offense. The Titans averaged only 10.7 yards a reception last year and ranked near the bottom of the league in the number of 20-yard completions (28).
Young, who rushed for 395 yards, has the ability to scramble for a big play and can turn third-and-longs into first downs with his feet, but the team needs to find ways to take pressure off him. Coach Jeff Fisher and the organization are confident they can develop receiving options for Young. Obviously, the Titans have to score more than 18.9 points per game if they want to remain a playoff team. They play a tough .543 schedule and the AFC South is perhaps the most competitive division in football. The pressure is on.
Training camp start date: July 25
John Clayton, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame writers' wing, is a senior writer for ESPN.com.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=clayton_john&id=3452709