The Sports Guru

Projected Record
4-12, 4th Place AFC South

Projected Schedule W/L
NY Jets (L)
@San Diego (L)
@Miami (L)
Dallas (L)
@Indianapolis(L)
@Washington (L)
Houston (L)
@Jacksonville (L)
Baltimore (W)
@Philadelphia(L)
NY GIants (W)
Indianapolis (L)
@Houston (L)
Jacksonville (W)
@Buffalo (W)
New England (L)

After a few years of try to compete while rebuilding, the Titans finally decided now is the time to look towards the future. Jevon Kearse, Eddie George, Derrick Mason, all gone the past few seasons. The Titans completed the overhaul by trading the face of their franchise, Steve McNair, to Baltimore in the off-season. They drafted Vince Young #3 overall to be their Quarterback of teh future. Questions still abound for this team and it is a pivotal season for the Titans and Head Coach Jeff Fisher. Could it be time for him to move on as well?

Team Strengths – Like most teams down this far on the list the TItans don’t have many discernable strengths. They do have one, in HC Jeff Fisher. Fisher is the longest tenured coach in the league, longer than even Bill Cowher in Pittsburgh. He has been with the team through the different cities and a name change. Stability is a key to success in the NFL, and Fisher has been a rock for the Titans. Titans are young, but they are fast and atheltic ad at some point that is a stregth as well. QB Billy Volek is a solid choice until rookie Vince Young is ready.

Team Weaknesses – Youth and inexperience. The Titans are young all over the field as cap problems and Free Agent defections have stripped some of their talent base. As great a coach as Fisher is this will be a big season for him in Tennessee. By trading the face of the franchise the Titans have moved into full rebuild mode and sometimes a new voice is needed. Can Fisher be that voice or has his time in “rocky-top” run it’s course. Another bad season and that answer could be yes.

Best Case Scenario – Billy Volek has played solid before and does have some talent around him. If the 3 headed monster at tailback(Travis Henry, Chris Brown and rookie LenDale White)can be effective and stay on the field and the defense can get off the field on 3rd down the Titans can be on of those teams no one wants to play come November.

Worst Case Scenario – Playing in a division with two playoff contenders isn’t much fun when you are a team trying to rebuild, just ask the Texans. If Billy Volek struggle sor is injured the Titans will be forced to go to Vince Young alot earlier than they want to. That could spell trouble. Young is not ready to be a starter in the NFL and being thrust into the #1 role early could mean alot of lumps. Record not withstanding, if the Titans don’t show progress in their play this very easily could be Fisher’s last season on the sidelines for the Titans. He has been there a long time and a new voice could be needed.

My Opinion – Young was a stretch at #3. We have seen with Michael Vick that a running QB has trouble winning consistently in this league. You have to be able to read defenses and Young had trouble with that in college. There is no denying his athletic ability and he will definately be fun to watch, but longterm I question his upside. The Titans are banking their future on Young and Fisher may not be the right coach to get him where he needs to go. I think the TItans will struggle this season, and Fisher will be somewhere else this time next year.