Tennessee Titans 2008 Season Preview

Vince Young tries to summon some Rose Bowl magic as he guides the Tennessee Titans toward the Super Bowl

Tennessee Titans Preview: Overview

The Tennessee Titans clawed their way to a 10-6 record while going against the best the NFL had to offer in 2007. After dropping the AFC Wildcard game to the San Diego Chargers, the Tennessee Titans moved into the off season ready to reload. With one of the best defenses in the NFL, the Tennessee Titans need an offense to push them over the hump. Recent off-season moves have brought the necessary firepower into the fold, and the Tennessee Titans are one of the best in the AFC.

Tennessee Titans Preview: Moves

The Tennessee Titans entered the 2008 NFL Draft with a few needs to address. Many experts expected the Tennessee Titans to target a game-breaking WR, but the 2008 NFL Draft lacked top-level talent at the position. Instead of reaching, the Tennessee Titans used their first round pick on RB Chris Johnson. With a blazing 4.24 40-yard dash, Chris Johnson is the fastest running back in NFL Combine history. DT/DE Jason Jones came off the board in the second round. It took until the bottom of the 4th round for the Tennessee Titans to draft a WR, Levelle Hawkins from the University of California.

The Tennessee Titans attempted to address their WR problems in free agency by signing former Titan and then former New York Jet, Justin McCareins. Often-criticized WR Mike Williams also came aboard and looks to live up to his pure athletic talent. TE Alge Crumpler was the boon of the off season, giving Vince Young one of the best TEs in football for a target. G Jake Scott also came over from the Indianapolis Colts. Former Tennessee Titan DE Jevon ”The Freak” Kearse returns to the team that drafted him after spending the past few years with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Tennessee Titans Preview: Offense

Quarterback Vince Young is the face of the Tennessee Titans franchise and is a superstar in the making. Already a respected leader in the huddle, Vince Young has the ability to will his team to victory. With great running ability and an accurate arm, Vince Young has the potential to be one of the best in the NFL. A stout offensive line protects Vince Young and opens holes for the RBs. LT Michael Roos is a young anchor of the offensive line and is a great pass-protector. RT David Stewart is a mauler in the run game. G Jake Scott is new and has impeccable pass-protection. C Kevin Mawae is the veteran force on the O-Line and helps Vince Young read the defense.

The Tennessee Titans running game is the key to the offense of head coach Jeff Fisher. RB LenDale White is one of the toughest players in the NFL and wears down defenses with his massive frame. Rookie RB Chris Johnson will be the lightning to LenDale White’s thunder and will take advantage of tired defenses with homerun speed. TE Alge Crumpler has experience working with mobile QBs, having played with Michael Vick for years and he will be an asset to Vince Young. WR Justin Gage returns along with WR Roydell Williams to form a gelling receiving duo with Vince Young. New wideouts Mike Williams and Lavelle Hawkins will both have a chance to start as well.

Tennessee Titans Preview: Defense

The Tennessee Titans fielded one of the best defenses in the NFL in the 2007 season. Much of this thanks goes to the monstrous defensive line. Franchise player DT Albert Haynesworth is large, talented, and one mean son-of-a-gun. With Albert Haynesworth occupying two or more blockers, other D-Linemen such as DEs Kyle Vanden Bosch and Jevon Kearse are able to go one-on-one with opposing linemen. The presence of Albert Haynesworth also gives the Tennessee Titans impressive linebacking corps a chance to make plays. OLB Keith Bulluck is one of the best all-around defensive players in the NFL and is equally effective against the run and the pass. David Thornton is another tackling machine on the field and has great speed.

The Tennessee Titans have a great secondary, even with the departure of CB Adam “Pac-Man” Jones. CB Nick Harper is becoming a solid man-coverage player after coming over from the Tampa-2 of the Indianapolis Colts in 2007. CB Cortland Finnegan is an aggressive hitter and blitzer. The real strength of the Tennessee Titans secondary is the pair of great safeties. FS Michael Griffin is a speedy ballhawk who can even move down to CB in a pinch. SS Chris Hope is perhaps the hardest hitter on the team and only Albert Haynesworth has a meaner disposition. The defense will once again be the key to the Tennessee Titans playoff hopes.

Tennessee Titans: Special Teams

The Tennessee Titans return game gets a much-needed boost thanks to the arrival of CB Chris Carr. A pure return specialist, Chris Carr is gangbusters both on punt and kick return. FS Michael Griffin and RB Chris Johnson will also contribute in the return game. K Ron Bironas kicks like an angry mule and has possibly the best range for any kicker in the NFL. Fifteen-year veteran P Craig Hentrich is the stereotypical punter but does have one of the most accurate legs around. The combination of excellent special teams with stiff defense has won the Tennessee Titans many games in their history, even dating back to their time as the Houston Oilers. This trend looks to continue in the 2008-09 season.

Tennessee Titans Preview: Outlook

The Tennessee Titans have a tough row to hoe in the AFC South, the best division in football. The rivalry with the Houston Texans has become a feud of epic proportions. Ball-control battles with the Jacksonville Jaguars often leave both teams spent and beat up. The big dogs of the AFC South, the Indianapolis Colts, have been upset numerous times by the antics of Vince Young. Outside the AFC South, things don’t get any easier as the Tennessee Titans 2008 schedule pits them against the likes of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, and the Green Bay Packers. The home field of the Tennessee Titans, LP Field, will be jumping all 2007-08 season long thanks to the heroic actions of Vince Young and the hits of the Titans Blue defense.