Tennessee Titans: Improvements Titans Need to Show in Preseason Week 2

The Tennessee Titans showed much improvement in Saturday's opening preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks, which they lost 27-17. However, they also had a few certain areas that they will need to improve on this week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Opening Up The Run Game

Chris Johnson ran for just eight yards on five carries, and really just never seemed to be in rhythm, despite showing some initial burst. It's not all his fault. You can't expect defenses to not account for him. It doesn't help that the Titans passing game was mostly inefficient when he was in the game.

This week, the Titans will go with Jake Locker as the starter. With Locker being the quicker of the two quarterbacks battling for the starting job, expect the running lanes to open up for Johnson.

Pass Defense

The Titans gave up the highest completion percentage of any team in the first week of the preseason. The short passing game has haunted the Titans for years, and Saturday was no different. Jason McCourty and Alterraun Verner were often beat by short passes throughout the time they played.

The Titans also only got two sacks, both from defensive tackles (Karl Klug and Zach Clayton). The defensive ends must do a better job of getting to the quarterback to relieve some of the pressure off of the secondary.

The Titans open the regular season up against the New England Patriots, so they'll have to improve their overall pass defense if they want to stand a chance. That improvement will have to start this Friday against Tampa Bay.

Stopping The Run

Without starting running back Marshawn Lynch, the Seahawks ran for five yards per carry. It the Titans want to improve off of their sloppy 128.3 yards per game allowed last season, they'll have to do a better job of stopping the run. Mike Martin should get more of an opportunity this Friday, as he continues to battle Sen'Derrick Marks for a starting job on the defensive line.  

The Buccaneers boast a pair of young running backs in LeGarrette Blount, a former Titan, and rookie Doug Martin. Although they were 30th in rushing the ball, they should still give this young Titans defense a formidable match in the running game. If the Titans can slow them down, that will be huge for them moving forward.