Tennessee Titans: Records Could Be Broken in the Passing Game in 2012

It's been a long time since the Tennessee Titans had a potent passing attack, but gradually the Titans are building one of the better passing offenses the franchise has seen since moving to Nashville.

The Titans took a major step towards holding onto what is working by re-signing Lavelle Hawkins to a multi-year deal earlier this month.

Last season the Titans improved their passing attack from 25th to 12th in the NFL. If that alone isn't proof enough that the Titans are steadily improving with these young receivers, they also did that without Kenny Britt for much of the season.

As long as Britt can stay healthy for a full season, then there's no reason why the Titans can't become a top-10 passing team in the NFL.

To add onto Britt's return, Nate Washington is quietly coming off by far one of the best seasons of his seven-year career.

Jared Cook is quickly becoming one of the more athletic tight ends in the league behind a few obvious choices in New England, San Diego and New Orleans.

Cook just has to learn to hold onto the ball when he turns upfield.

Both Hawkins and Damian Williams have also become key ingredients despite their youth and inexperience. Now Matt Hasselbeck had a lot to do with that, but it's not even for certain if he'll be the starter heading into next season.

Jake Locker was drafted eighth overall for a reason. The Titans want him to be the future of the franchise, and if they think he's ready to go out of training camp, then he'll be the starter over Hasselbeck.

Locker actually makes this team even more dangerous in the passing game, because he's a more dynamic player.

He also has a stronger cannon for an arm than Hasselbeck does at this latter stage in his career.

After Locker gets a full offseason to get even better, he'll make this offense so dangerous in more ways than one.

This is no knock on Hasselbeck. The guy was great last season and did exactly what he was asked to do, but in all reality Hasselbeck was more of a rental than he was a long-term solution.

Frankly, the Titans offense hasn't been a viable one since before the Jeff Fisher era began. They were always an extremely conservative offense that only relied on the pass when absolutely necessary.

The tide is quickly turning with Mike Munchak and his coaching staff.

Passing records could very well end up being broken next season—maybe not dating back to the Houston Oilers days, but definitely since the team became the Tennessee Titans.

Locker has the table set perfectly for him right now as he heads into his second season.

If Chris Johnson can return to old form, then something special could really be in store for Titans fans in 2012.

Now the Titans do have plenty of other issues at other positions, but the passing game is reaching its peak heading into this offseason.