Kerry Collins Retires: What Does It Mean for Jake Locker and Tennessee Titans?

It was all so simple: Jake Locker would sit behind Kerry Collins for a year, learning the system and the intricacies of the NFL behind a seasoned and talented veteran.

It's not hard to see, then, why Kerry Collins' retirement completely throws a wrench in the future plans of the Tennessee Titans.

It was supposed to be a low-pressure season for Locker, who many scouts believe will need time to get used to the NFL game. Now, with no suitable option ahead of him on the roster, the Titans may be forced to thrust their young signal caller into action. Hopefully, for the Titans' sake and for Lockers, they won't be throwing him to the wolves.

He did play in a West Coast offense for a year in Washington, but will need time to acclimate to a pro style offense, where he'll be taking snaps from center and will be expected to throw those 15-yard outs and comebacks.

Where the Titans really need help is at the offensive skill positions, namely wide receiver and tight end. Chris Johnson carried the load for the Titans in 2009, but fell short of high expectations in 2010. Even despite his strong play, the Titans could use another solid option at running back to complement his game.

The problems with Tennessee's offense go far beyond the skill position players, though.

Cold, Hard Football Facts' Offensive Hog Index ranks the Titans' offensive line as just the 18th-best unit in football, just one year after they ranked second in the league. While this may have quite a bit to do with a reduced average in rushing yards per attempt (from 5.18 to 4.25), they also dipped dramatically in negative pass play percentage (from 5.92 percent all the way to 8.38 percent).

Locker's ability to create plays with his legs will be of use behind a line with more holes than Swiss cheese (Swiss and pork are not a good combo, in case you were wondering). Will his legs completely save him? Chances are slim, but only time will tell.

Before today, the Titans had murky situations at wide receiver, running back, and offensive line. With the retirement of Collins, the situation at quarterback could be the murkiest of them all.

Whoever is running the offense in 2011 will likely be completely new to the system—do you think they have a world of confidence in Rusty Smith?  With that, they may be resigned to a veteran free agent.

With the downturn in offensive line play and the lack of playmakers (plural, for Chris Johnson lovers) around whoever the quarterback may be, the Titans look doomed for a drastic downturn in 2011.