NFL Team Previews: Tennessee Titans
Jon Robinson, the first year GM for the Tennessee Titans, faces a daunting task trying to rebuild this roster into contention. Fortunately for him, it's only the AFC South. So far, he's had a pretty good start, especially by getting the Los Angeles Rams to give them the world in return for the number 1 pick in the draft. Led by Mike Mularkey, coaching his first full season for the Titans, and second year quarterback Marcus Mariota, the Titans are hoping the rebuild goes faster than planned.
DRAFT RECAP: With Mariota in the fold and no clear cut number 1 prospect, the Titans traded down to the fifteenth pick then traded back up to the eighth pick on draft night where they selected OT Jack Conklin from Michigan State. Some think he'll end up as a guard, some think he will be the Titans right tackle, but the Titans appear to have a young line coming together finally and that's where offense truly starts. The Titans also had three second rounders (thanks to the Rams) and with the first one they took edge rusher Kevin Dodd from Clemson, who should get a lot of time in as Derrick Morgan recovers from a shoulder injury. Then, they took DT Austin Johnson from Penn State, who isn't supposed to be starting right away. I also really liked the fifth round pick in WR Tajae Sharpe, and he may be one of those late round gems as he led all FBS wide receivers in receptions last year. The pick that puzzled me is selecting RB Derrick Henry, right after they traded for RB DeMarco Murray from Philadelphia. Sure, Murray had a down year, but he still has a chance to be really good again. Taking Henry makes no sense, especially when the Titans have holes all over the place.
FREE AGENCY: Probably the biggest move is the one just mentioned, trading for DeMarco Murray. The Titans have been a revolving door lately at running back since Chris Johnson left, and he and Derrick Henry should slam that shut. The big signing was taking C Ben Jones away from the division rival Houston Texans, and with him, Conklin and three additional young linemen, this line should be set for this season. They also brought in QB Matt Cassel as Mariota insurance and CB Antwon Blake from Pittsburgh as Jason McCourty insurance. They also signed WR Rishard Matthews from Miami, who should help that group get a little better, although I think he may be a one year wonder. S Rashad Johnson was brought in from the Arizona Cardinals and is in line to start, and ILB Sean Spence was brought in from Pittsburgh and should provide depth at the linebacking corp.
PLAYERS LOST: The big loss, and Titans fans probably disagree here, is losing S Michael Griffin to the MInnesota Vikings instead of Coty Sensabaugh to the LA Rams. I know that Sensabaugh is younger, but Michael Griffin had the better season, and the Titans have better depth at corner than at safety. I know Rashad Johnson had 5 picks last season, but he was also in an elite secondary where teams targeted him more than Patrick Peterson and Tyrann Mathieu. I don't know if he'll have that effect with the Titans. DT Sammie Lee HIll also remains unsigned, and maybe he'll be brought back in once training camp begins.
STRONGEST POSITION: I'm going with linebacker here, and I know that running back is deep, but there's question marks all over the place there. To start, OLB Brian Orakpo has had a resurgence in Tennessee, getting 7 sacks last season. The Titans also brought in Kevin Dodd in the draft to spell Derrick Morgan, who had 4.5 sacks in 10 games, as well as Orakpo. David Bass is also a good fourth option for outside linebackers, and provides depth as well. Inside, Avery Williamson and Wesley Woodyard combined for 200+ tackles and 8.5 sacks, and should continue to be the heart of this defense. And the signing of Spence from Pittsburgh provides depth for these two as well.
WEAKEST POSITION: I'll go with the secondary here. After losing S Michael Griffin and CB Coty Sensabaugh, the secondary has taken a big hit. Finding CB Antwon Blake at a cheap price was a steal, and he should slide into the nickel (at least) immediately. But, the top two corners in Jason McCourty and Perrish Cox have battled injury last season, as well as previous nickel corner Blidi Wreh-Wilson. At safety, newcomer Rashad Johnson had his interceptions, but there's a high chance he'll drop off a bit this year. At the other safety, it appears Da'Norris Searcy is in line to start, despite having only 55 tackles in 15 games. Without having Michael Griffin to make all of those tackles and Rashad Johnson being a better cover safety, he'll be needed to step into the box more. This secondary is by no means terrible, but it is not flawless and probably won't finish in the upper half in the NFL.
FIVE MOST IMPORTANT PLAYERS TO THE TITANS SUCCESS: QB Marcus Mariota, RB DeMarco Murray, TE Delanie Walker, CB Jason McCourty, ILB Avery Williamson. Obviously, Mariota is the face of the franchise and hopefully will be able to build on a solid rookie campaign. The Titans appear to be running the ball more, with newcomers Murray and Henry looking to take on the load of the offense behind the rebuilt line. With Henry's youth, Murray will need to be the guy to step up for at least this season, however. With regards to the still somewhat-limited passing game, TE Delanie Walker needs to keep up with his great campaign last year and allow the young receiving corp around him to grow. He needs to have a Rob Gronkowski like effect on this offense. Defensively, Jason McCourty needs to play a full season to try to solidify this secondary, and ILB Avery Williamson is the young, upcoming heart and soul of this defense, and needs to act like it for the Titans to be successful.
PREDICTION: This team has pieces in place for long term success, but that doesn't mean it will have short term success. The Titans will probably be fighting for the number 1 pick again, but I think that honor will go to Cleveland or San Francisco. Along with playing the NFC North and AFC West making an impact, the Titans will be one of those improved teams with a record that didn't get better. I think they are 3-13 or 4-12.
