Tennessee Titans Preview
It’s a new era in Tennessee in one way, as Jeff Fischer is no longer on the sideline after a 16-year tenure that’s astonishingly long in this day and age in the NFL, especially for someone who hasn’t won a Super Bowl. But it’s the same era in another. The Titans promoted from within, in elevating offensive line coach Mike Munchak to the top job, so we can again expect to see a physical running game serving as this team’s cornerstone once again.
Tennessee’s offensive line is one of the best in the game, with tackles Michael Roos and David Stewart taking care of the outside and the interior providing the push for Chris Johnson to continue piling up the yardage. The Titans haven’t been able to translate this ground success into victories, because if you’re going to win in the trenches you have to do it on both sides of the ball. And Tennessee’s defensive front, not a strong point to begin with, got weaker with Jason Babin’s departure to Philadelphia.
Furthermore, even those like myself who believe success is founded on consistent running the ball and stopping the run, recognize that in the NFL you need to make big plays somewhere. It need not be the traditional way in the passing game, but you need to have the kind of game-changers who are the difference between a 14-10 loss and a 17-14 win. Tennessee doesn’t have those players, and bringing in aging Matt Hasselbeck might have been the best option available at quarterback, but it won’t solve this fundamental problem. The best Munchak can hope for is that Hasselbeck at least avoids mistakes. Which then means plays have to come from the defense. If that’s going to happen, rookie linebackers Akeem Ayers and Colin McCarthy have to grow up fast and do some damage. Tennessee’s cornerback tandem of Cortland Finnegan and Alterraun Verner are solid, so the Titans can try putting them in man coverage and making things happen up front. The coordinator change from conservative Chuck Cecil to the more aggressive Jerry Gray should serve that end. Now it’s a question of whether the talent can make it happen.
Whatever they try, it would be a shame to see a running game this solid not get a chance to play deep into January. Tennessee needs to get the pieces in place around the O-Line and Johnson.
Tennessee is presently getting 8-1 odds to upend Indianapolis and win the AFC South. This and other prop information is available at Legends Sportsbooks.
Image from nfl-craving.blogspot.com
TheSportsNotebook.com is home to an extensive archive of sports history articles along with blog posts on contemporary sports.
The museum includes past champions, great moments, personal favorites and offers e-book article compilations.
Baseball Featured History
![peteroseslidebase peteroseslidebase](https://ouatsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/peteroseslidebase.jpg)
NCAA Football Featured History
![earlcampbell earlcampbell](https://ouatsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/earlcampbell.jpg)
Pro Football Featured History
![rice montana rice montana](https://ouatsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/rice-montana.jpg)
Basketball Featured History
![magic jordan magic jordan](https://ouatsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/magic-jordan.jpg)
- Blog
- College Basketball History Articles
- College Football History Articles
- MLB History
- NBA History Articles
- NFL History Articles
- Sports History Articles
- Stanley Cup History
- Uncategorized
1985 North Carolina Basketball: The Post-Jordan Era Begins
Dean Smith had some rebuilding to do. A guy named Michael Jordan had departed from Chapel Hill. After winning a national title in 1982, UNC had continued to produce great teams with Jordan in 1983 and 1984, but there was disappointment in March. The Tar Heels had failed to win the conference tournament—a big deal […]
1987 DePaul Basketball: A Sweet 16 Trip
The 1980s were a great time for DePaul basketball. They had earned four #1 seeds in the first half of the decade. Even though March flameouts became all-too-common, the Blue Demons were on the map as a national power. When Joey Meyer took over the coaching reins from his father Ray in 1985, the son […]
1987 Notre Dame Basketball: A Return To The Sweet 16
In 1987, Notre Dame basketball was on the upswing. A three-year NCAA Tournament drought came to an end in 1985 with the arrival of heralded freshman point guard David Rivers. The Irish were even better in 1986 and got all the way to the 3-line in the NCAA bracket. But that year ended with a […]
NFL Notebook: NFC West Preview
The 49ers look for redemption, the Rams look to keep improving, and the Seahawks and Cardinals look for hope. Our NFL preseason tour ends with the NFC West.