Tennessee Titans First Quarter Report Card

If you would have told a Tennessee Titan fan in the offseason that their team would start 0-4, you would have got laughed out of the building.

The Titans are the ones getting laughed at after a 0-4 start including divisional losses to the Texans and Jaguars.  0-6 doesn't look that farfetched right now with their next two games against the Colts and Patriots.

Here is my positional analysis after four games:

Quarterback

It seems like 2006 all over again.  The Titans start 0-3 with Kerry Collins and everyone is chanting for Vince Young.  In 2006, the fans got their wish and Young led the Titans to an 8-8 record.  This year, Fisher is sticking with Collins, at least for the first five weeks. 

In 2009, Kerry is just not getting the job done.  He has a 68.9 QB rating compared to last year's 80.2.  He is currently ranked the twenty-eighth best, or you could just say the sixth worst, in the league.

He has six interceptions through four games compared to last year's seven for the entire year.  Those six interceptions are tied for second most in the league.

Kerry's completion percentage is also pretty bad at 56.9.  You know there is a problem with a quarterback's accuracy when he closes out a game with thirteen straight incompletions (see New York Jets).

Collins has said the term "game manager" offends him, but being called that this year would be a step up from the team scape goat.

Grade: D

Backfield

Chris Johnson has been the one bright spot this year for the Titans.  He is leading the NFL in rushing yards while doing it with an impressive 6.3 yards per carry average.  If this team was winning he would be an MVP contender.

At this point, I can't really judge Lendale White.  He has only carried the ball twenty-three times all year.  The majority of White's carries last year came in the red zone; along with when the Titans had a lead and were trying to grind the clock.  Compared with last year, red zone visits have come not nearly as often, and 0-4 teams don't get to run the clock.

I would give this group an "A", but you win as a team, and you lose as a team, and the Titans are winless.

Grade: B+

Receivers

Even though the Titans receivers haven't been amazing this year, I have been very impressed with the improvement from last season. 

The additions of Kenny Britt and Nate Washington look like great decisions.  As just a rookie, Britt leads the team in receiving by over 110 yards.  Nate Washington has caught a touchdown in three straight games.

Justin Gage and Alge Crumpler's production has been solid as well.

The problem is there have been some questionable drops at crucial times this season.  The one skill a receiver can never be too good at is catching.

Grade: B-

Offensive Line

I'm not sure what think about the offensive line. 

Last season it seemed like they dominated.  It doesn't seem like they are getting a consistent push this year.  Yes, Chris Johnson leads the league in rushing, but it is primarily because of his ability to break off big gains with his world-class speed.  Instead of moving four yards down the field at a time, running plays are often stopped for one and two yards making it difficult to convert from second and third and long.

The line has been solid in pass protection only allowing five sacks.  Of course, that could just be Kerry Collins throwing the ball away.  If he was throwing the ball away often, that would contribute to his poor throwing percentage.

That's what happens when a team starts losing; people start pointing fingers in ninety-two different directions.  Speaking of number ninety-two...

Grade: B-

Defensive Line

No one in the world can convince me that Albert Haynsworth was not the most dominant defensive player in the entire league over the last two years.  There is no stat for blowing up double teams, but if there was, Fat Albert would lead the NFL by a large margin.  The effect his absence has had on this team is just mind-boggling. 

Just looking at how the Titans stop the run doesn't give you the big picture.  The Titans are second in the league for fewest yards per rushing attempt with 2.8 yards a carry.  Looks like the Titans are a dominant defense again this year, not even close.

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