Major Concerns of the Tennessee Titans 2011 season

How great is the feeling of football coming back to us? All signs point to the lockout ending in a few days so its time to get back to the business of talking on the field football again. The Tennessee Titans probably have the worst situation coming out of the lockout. Let’s go down the list of problems facing this team:




• New coaching staff in transition including new Head Coach (Mike Munchak), Offensive Coordinator (Chris Palmer) and Defensive Coordinator (Jerry Gray)

• The retirement of Kerry Collins may hinder the development of the Titans first round draft choice Jake Locker

• The saga of off-field incidents involving the Titans best receiver Kenny Britt.

• The contract dispute in the making for the Titans best player RB Chris Johnson

• The possibility of losing major players due to free agency (Stephen Tulloch, Jason Babin, etc)



These are the biggest question marks for a team that less than a year ago was one of the most stable franchises in all of the NFL. The time has come to assess the Titans biggest needs as free agency is set to become a 2 or 3 week bonanza due to the labor strife.



Biggest Concerns:

1. Quarterback. To be a top team in this league, you have to have a surefire QB. The Titans carousel days of Vince Young and Kerry Collins have mercifully come to an end with the Titans selecting Jake Locker with the 8th pick of the draft. But with Collins retiring and the Titans undoubtedly not ready to toss their future QB to the wolves just yet, they have to sign a veteran QB to facilitate the transition of Locker. Most reports have Seahawks QB Matt Hasselbeck as the primary target of the Titans. He has connections to the franchise as GM Mike Reinfeldt was formally of the Seahawks and has ties to Hasselbeck as well as incoming OC Chris Palmer. Even Hasselbeck’s brother Tim of ESPN has discussed the possibility of Matt joining the Titans.

Another interesting name floating around was soon to be former Redskins QB Donovan McNabb. The Redskins will probably release the former Pro bowl QB as soon as the lockout is lifted going in favor of John Beck (Who again?). McNabb did look past his prime a bit last year with Washington but he still can get the job done as a veteran mentor for Locker. McNabb could parlay a year of good play with the Titans into a multi year deal with another team.

Off the radar picks include former Arizona Cardinal first round pick Matt Leinart, Baltimore backup Marc Bulger, and Trent Edwards formally of Jacksonville. All these players could be stop gaps until Locker is ready to take the reins.

2. Kenny Britt’s head: Britt seemed to enjoy his extra off a little too much this year. He was involved in several highly publicized incidents including: Allegedly made inaccurate statements on his driver's license applications on two occasions, Britt was also charged with tampering with evidence, obstructing a government function and resisting arrest while allegedly crushing a cigar containing what officers suspected to be marijuana, He was charged with theft-by-deception, a misdemeanor, after he was accused by two bail companies of not following through on paying the bail money for a friend who had been arrested, Britt pleaded guilty to separate motor vehicle violations related to an April 12 arrest on speeding charges in his hometown of Bayonne. He initially faced felony charges before prosecutors dropped them, citing his lack of a criminal record, and finally he was accused of being involved in a bar fight Oct. 22 in Nashville, but authorities later decided not to charge him. Whew, what a list. Dennis Rodman would be proud of Kenny for this but unfortunately he isn’t the one signing the checks for him. He is all but guaranteed himself a call and maybe a suspension from the commish Roger Goddell. I have spoken about Britt on my radio show to gauge the response on how the community feels about him and what I received was an indifferent attitude towards his transgressions. Britt is talented and has the potential to be a top flight NFL receiver but following in the footsteps of former Titans headache Adam “Pacman” Jones will do him no favors. A veteran has to step up and mentor the young Britt and tell him his place in the league. Just because one has success doesn’t mean that they are destined to great. Britt was recently seen at a Britney Spears concert onstage with the pop singer here in Nashville and it seemed to get a little racy at times. All in the day of the life for Britt, hopefully when the season ramps up, the shenanigans will end for him.

3. Chris Johnson’s contract dispute. As much as it pains me to say it, being a running back in the NFL means that more than likely you have a shortened career due to the nature of the position. You are constantly being hit rather it be from tackles or blocking for the QB. So when you come into the league and exceed expectations, you want to get that big and loaded contract as soon as possible. Johnson has certainly earned a new contract as he is one of the top 3 RBs in the NFL. To illustrate my point here are Johnson’s numbers since arriving in the NFL as the 24th pick of Tennessee:

Season Team Rushing Receiving Fumbles

G GS Att Yds Avg Lng TD Rec Yds Avg Lng TD FUM Lost

2010 Tennessee Titans

16 16 316 1,364 4.3 76T 11 44 245 5.6 25 1 3 2



2009 Tennessee Titans

16 16 358 2,006 5.6 91T 14 50 503 10.1 69T 2 3 3



2008 Tennessee Titans

15 14 251 1,228 4.9 66T 9 43 260 6.0 25 1 1 1



TOTAL 925 4,598 5.0 91 34 137 1,008 7.4 69 4 7 6



• He broke the 2,000 yard barrier and also set the single season yards from scrimmage record (2,509) in 2009 and was named to the All-pro team.



• His 1,364 ranked him fourth in league last year despite constantly facing eight man and sometimes nine man fronts from the defense.



• He was ranked the 13th best players in the league by the NFL Network.



If these numbers don’t make you want to sign a guy to a long-term contract, then I don’t what will. Bud "Bottom Line" Adams is usually thight with his wallet but he pays his stars (See: Eddie Geroge, Steve McNair and Frank Wycheck) but thats about all he pays. As I stated earlier, RBs usually have a short shelf life in the NFL, but that shouldn’t hinder Johnson from the dollar signs. He is only in his fourth year and the biggest declines at that position usually happens with players in their late 20s and early 30s. He is the main attraction for Titan fans as his speed and style electrifies LP field on Sundays. When you go Titans games just look around and see how 28 jerseys you will see. The Titans tried to appease Johnson by moving $2.5 million into a signing bonus for the 2010 season but Johnson wants his full due now and why shouldn’t he. If the Titans are serious about being a contender for the next few years, they have to sign the centerpiece of the team. If Johnson ever makes it to free agency, he could be as good as gone.

4. Coaching staff in transition: One of the worst parts of the lockout in my opinion was the no interaction of the players and coaches. Teams with new coaches like San Francisco, Carolina, Denver, Cleveland, and Tennessee haven’t had a chance to integrate their locker rooms as a result. It puts those teams at a disadvantage out the gates as they will have to quickly accustom themselves to their new surroundings. The Titans situation couldn’t be a worst position as they parted ways with Jeff Fisher, the longest tenured coach in the league at his time of dismissal. Hiring Munchak was good because the team did have familiarity with him as he has been the Titans offensive line coach under Fisher since 1994 and overall with the franchise since being drafted by the Houston Oilers back in 1982. Munchak may not be new to the team but OC Chris Palmer is. He will be giving the task of molding young Jake Locker into the eventual leader of this team. Palmer does have a good track record as he guided Eli Manning to his best season ever. DC Jerry Gray also has some experience with the Titans as he was the defensive back coach for the 1999 and 2000 season.



Furthermore, the team will basically have to learn an entirely different system under all of the new coaches. Munchak has promised changes and will run a more flexible offense around Chris Johnson with Palmer calling the signals. On the defensive side, Gray also has promised changes and hinted at shifting between a 3-4 defense and 4-3. These type of changes in philosophy and mentality take time and with the short amount they will have, can you not expect some problems in this transition? Munchak also has to put up with the problems created off the field with Britt to show what kind of enforcer he will be as the head man in Tennessee. It’s going to be a lot of his plate to make this first season successful for the Titans.



So as you can see, the Titans face a litany of questions coming into the 2011 season. There are plenty reasons of concern that this could be a down year in Titanland. But one thing I have learned in this business is to never underestimate this team. The last time I did back in 2008, all they did was obtain the best record in the league that year at 13-3. Hopefully this is one of those situations this time around as well.

Titans vs. Redskins Game Review

Tennessee let another game slip from their grasp, losing this time in OT 19-16 to the Washington Redskins. In a game that was built up as "Haynesworth Homecoming", this one was hotly contested from the beginning and the pressure may have gotten the best of Vince Young and the Titan faithful. The fans at LP field didn't seem to happy about the questionable play-calling, in particular not getting Randy Moss involved. The raucous crowd begin to boo the Titans and Young seemed to take exception. Young reportedly waved his hands at the booing fans as too egg them on apparently in the late first half. Young (12/15 for 165 yards) was having a decent game before slamming his hand a helmet as he completed a 37-yard pass to Nate Washington. He would stay in the game for the next play and before going to the sidelines and having his thumb taped. Trainers tried to re-taped Young's hand as he tossed passes to Randy Moss but Young couldn't return. This is interesting in itself because earlier this week there were reported rumors circling the Titans locker involving Young's toughness and commitment. It was even reported that some teammates preferred Kerry Collins to start when he returned. This make for the 3rd time in last four games played Young has been knocked out the game.

Coach Jeff Fisher now says that Young may have a season ending torn flexor tendon in his right thumb. The injury will would require season ending surgery. Fisher would go on to say that no matter injury, rookie Rusty Smith would be the Titans QB going forward. This latest situation with Young seems eerily similar to the infamous Jaguars game meltdown that Young had. Both times Young was injured and both times he handled the situation in undermining ways. Its disappointing for Young and the Titans because he had been playing his best football in a Titans uniform this year.

As for the game, with Young going down yet again and Collins still sidelined with an injured calf from last weeks game, The Titans had no choice but to insert the rookie Smith. Smith would drive the Titans down the field and set up a field goal that gave the Titans the lead 16-13. It would be short lived lead because the Redskins would come right back down the field on their next drive and kick a field goal themselves to tie the game 16-16. On the very first play after the Titans next drive, Redskins CB Phillip Buccannon would pick off Smith. Washington was unable to take advantage of the turnover and would punt. The Titans Chris Johnson found a lane and took it 20-yards on 2nd down of the next drive and burst for another 29- yards on the very next play to take the ball to the Redskins 45. Johnson would finish with 21 carries for 130 yards. The play took the game into the two-minute warning and the Titans were building a drive. Randy Moss would be penalized for a false start that moved the ball back to midfield. That penalty seemed to doom the at first promising drive as Smith completed a 6-yard pass to TE Jared Cook and incompleted his next pass to Nate Washington and the Titans would be forced to punt.

Donovan McNabb would give Washington a chance as he directed the Redskins down the field on some clutch throws to Chris Cooley, Keiland Williams, and Brandon Banks. Tennessee was charged with too many men on the field and that moved the ball to the Titans 35, that would set up a potential game winning 47-yard field goal attempt for the Redskins. Graham Gano would however would miss the attempt sending the game into overtime.

The Titans would win the toss and receive the ball first. Chris Johnson got the ball moving for the Titans on the first play of the drive, gashing the Washington D for a 15-yard run. Johnson would get the ball again on the next play for no gain and Rusty Smith would incomplete his next two passes forcing the Titans to punt. McNabb completed a beauty to Chris Cooley for 29-yards on the next subsequent play to get the Redskins drive started. McMabb would be sacked on the next play and then was called for a delay of game. But this is the point where the Titans begin to self inflict themselves with penalties. Titans DE Jason Babin would be called for unnecessary roughness and LB Wil Witherspoon was called for roughing the passer that went for another 15 yards. After another McNabb completion and a Titans timeout, rookie Alterraun Verner was called for a 5-yard illegal contact penalty but Tennessee would get those yards back as Washington's Will Montgomery was charged with a false start. Even after the Redskins penalty, Washington was in range for a 48-yard field goal. The Redskins, probably weary from the miss Gano had at the end of regulation, went on to run a few more plays before sending Gano back out. However this time Gano kicked it right down the middle for the game winner.

A very disappointing game to say the least for Tennessee. A number of things need to be addressed after this loss. Vince Young questionable antics makes one raise his eyebrow. We all thought VY was pass the immaturity that had plagued his career to this point.

After the game, Young walked toward the tunnel and suddenly tossed his shoulder pads and jersey into the stands.A few minutes later he walked past reporters already dressed, ignoring both questions and his old college teammate who tried to talk to him.Young tweeted nearly three hours later that he was fine and "sorry to my teammates." He then tweeted "Just want to play"

The play-calling was also suspicious in not including Randy Moss as he was only targeted 2 times resulting in no catches for him. The Titans had wy to many penalties including the embarrassing too many men on the field call. This game could cause the team to spiral out of control with all of the negatives that will come out of it. Only time time will tell how the Titans respond to a loss that had so many missed opportunities for them.

After the jumping out to a 5-2 record, the Titans now stand at 5-5 and now lost their last three. They dropped to third in the divison with Jacksonville winning and the Colts losing to the Patriots. They travel next to Houston to face the Texans in a divisional game. Lets hope the Titans can right the ship and get back to winning games, because it makes things a lot calmer in week for all of us Tennessee fans.

Titans vs. Redskins game preview

Kickoff: Noon

TV: Fox

Radio: 104.5 The Zone

Weather: 54 and partly cloudy

Commentators: Dick Stockton, Jim Mora Jr., and Charles Davis

Tennessee finally gets back to friendly confide of LP field this Sunday, for their first game in nearly a month. The Titans look to rebound from a two-game losing steak. What a good time to have the reeling Washington Redskins to come to town. The Skins got flat out embarrassed by Michael Vick and the Philadelphia Eagles. Vick was a one man show, accounting for 413 total yards and six touchdowns. The Redskins had trouble containing the mobile Vick and he was able to pretty much do as he pleased. This particularly bodes well for Vince Young, who is of course one of the more mobile QBs in the league.

Another interesting storyline going into this game is the return of former Titan Albert “Big Al” Haynesworth. He signed a $100 million deal with Washington after playing with the Titans his first seven years in the league. Haynesworth had an embarrassing play himself Monday night, when he stayed on the ground and didn’t get up as Michael Vick scrambled around (Big Al said “ I had, like a Charlie horse in my Thigh or whatever.”). This is just the latest in a number of incidents that have Redskins fans questioning his effort and Titans fans glad he isn’t with the team anymore. Mike Shanahan and Haynesworth have continuously bumped heads on his conditioning and work ethic. His rocky relationship with Shanahan led to speculation that Haynesworth could be traded back to the Titans and Jeff Fisher even confirmed the report that the Titans looked into the idea, but the deal never really got off the ground.

Haynesworth’s homecoming will definitely be something to see but the Titans are more worried about getting back into the win column. Vince Young gets the start after coming in as the second QB on the depth chart last week. Kerry Collins was initially ruled out for several weeks after injuring his calf against the Dolphins, but now coach Jeff Fisher said he will the number 3 QB. Young has to stay healthy now with the Collins injury as the Titans only have backup rookie Rusty Smith in case Young goes down. Young also has another chance to exploit one of the worst secondaries in the league. Washington is actually allowing an NFL worst 415.3 yards per game, with 286.6 of that through the air. The newly acquired Randy Moss again is pushed to the forefront in this game. After being targeted 4 times and only having one catch, Moss has yet another chance in his first home game to make his mark. He will be matched up with one of the better corners in the league in Deangelo Hall. Hall you may remember intercepted former Commodores QB and current Bears signal caller Jay Cutler four times in one game earlier this season. So that will be a key match-up in the game. As good as Hall is, he is very aggressive and has a tendency to either make the interception or get burned for a touchdown.



Now with the storylines out the way, let’s breakdown the three key factors in the game:

1. The Titans dominant defensive line vs. the porous Redskins offensive line: On paper this one is a mismatch. The Titans have accumulated 25 sacks which has them tied for 3rd in the league. Washington’s offensive line has allowed 25 sacks. The Titans should be able to pressure Donovan McNabb. McNabb has thrown 11 interceptions to 9 touchdowns and the line is to blame for some of that. If the Titans do what they do best, than they should be able to fluster McNabb out of the pocket and help the secondary out. McNabb does throw the deep ball well so you have to account for that.

2. McNabb’s Arm vs. Titans Secondary:  As I stated above, if there is one good thing McNabb still does, it’s taking a shot down field. The Redskins Anthony Armstrong is one of five players in the NFL averaging more than 20 yards per reception and his 22.6 average is the highest in team history since 1952. Tennessee allowed Miami and its three QBs to throw for 316 yards going 24 of 37 in the process. The Titans have allowed six TD passes of 20 yards or longer already this year and are ranked 25th in pass defense, so the secondary will need to step up to defend Armstrong’s big play ability. Cortland Finnegan and Alterrun Verner have to be sure in coverage and the Titans need to continue to get a good pass rush to thwart the McNabb and the Redskins passing game.

3. The Moss effect part 2.: A lot of attention was given to Moss for only catching one pass for 26 yards in last weeks game against the Dolphins. I won’t jump on the bad-mouthing bandwagon though. For one, he was only thrown to 4 times the whole game. For two, it’s hard to expect a guy to come in and make an immediate impact, especially when the QB situation changes on a dime at any moment with Young or Collins. And for three, his debut also came against Vontae Davis who seems to have his number this year. In two games against Davis, Moss has only that one catch he had last week. And just to be sure about my analysis, I made sure to pay extra close attention to how the Miami defended Moss. From my break down they rarely double-teamed Moss, allowing Davis to cover him for the most part. They did keep a safety in the vicinity of Moss though and didn’t have eight men in the box, except on a few plays. That allowed Chris Johnson to get those long gashing runs that he was getting all game. Johnson finished with 117 yards on 17 carries and a lot of it had to do with Moss’s presence on the field. Young and Moss got to have another week of practice under there belt, and also have one of the worst pass defenses coming to town. The Moss effect will show up even more in this game, I all but guarantee it.

Game notes and stats: The Titans enter the game with a 12-game winning steak versus the NFC. This will be only the second time the Redskins have ever visited LP field and the first time was in 2006. Donovan McNabb teams are 46-2 when he has a passer rating of 100 or higher including the playoffs. LB Brian Orapko has 5 ½ sacks in the past five games and 8 ½ in six games versus AFC opponents. Vince Young is 12-2 against the NFC and got his first NFL win against the Redskins in 2006. Chris Johnson ran for his 5th 100-yard rushing game and 21st of his career last Sunday. Randy Moss (949) needs just 3 catches to pass Andre Reed eight-most in NFL history.



Food Drive: The Titans are encouraging fans before the game to participate in the annual Second Harvest Food bank food drive. Fans can drop off non-perishable items at one of the several collection sites around LP field. The most reportedly needed items are canned tuna and chicken, canned vegetables and fruit, peanut butter, rice, chili, and macaroni and cheese.