Titans 2009: Can They Duplicate '08 Success?

The 2008 edition of the Tennessee Titans exceeded all expectations by finishing the regular season with an NFL best 13-3 record, the No. 1 overall seed in the playoffs, but fell short of a Super Bowl appearance.

Enter the Titans' old nemesis, the Baltimore Ravens, a team the Titans defeated earlier in the season, in Baltimore. This time for a Divisional round playoff matchup in Nashville. Exit the Titans, bounced from the playoffs for the second time at the hands of the Ravens.

Fast forward to 2009. Gone is Albert Haynesworth, the Titans' mammoth defensive tackle and best defensive player, who signed to a ridiculous free agent contract in the offseason with the Washington Redskins. Also gone is defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, the defensive coordinator who became the head coach of the Detroit Lions. Enter Chuck Cecil who takes the position vacated by Schwartz.

By all accounts both huge losses to a defense that was at or near the top of the NFL in all defensive categories. But can this defense be as good in 2009?

Yes, it can!

While Haynesworth leaves a huge hole, this Titans team has a deep pool of talent led by Kyle Vanden Bosch and supported by Jevon Kearse and a second year player Jason Jones. Jones, the one man wrecking crew who replaced an injured Haynesworth last season, will look to continue his improvement.

In addition to Jones, Tony Brown, Kevin Vickerson, William Hayes, Dave Ball, Jacob Ford, and second round draft pick Sen'derrick Marks will add more depth and versatility to the Titans D-line.     

Keith Bullock, who is an unquestioned leader of the defense, returns along with David Thornton and Steven Tulloch as starters at linebacker. Second year pro Stanford Keglar and recently drafted Gerald McRathwill add depth along with veterans Ryan Fowler and others to give the Titans a very solid, yet unspectacular linebacker corp.

The secondary, which last year took steps toward being one of the best in the league, return all four starters.

Courtland Finnegan, a First Team All-Pro last season, and the veteran Nick Harper return at the corners, with Finnegan being a true lock down cover man. Harper, who suffered from injuries and age last season, will be supported and will hope to bounce back and be injury free in 2009.

The safety tandem of Chris Hope and Michael Griffin, who made his first Pro Bowl last season, should continue to keep the back end of the defense as good as any in the league.

If there are any concerns about the defense, they would be concerning depth in the secondary. Gone from last season are back-ups Chris Carr and Eric King, who played exceptionally well in replacing Harper at times last season.

Vincent Fuller will again man the nickel spot after being re-signed in the offseason, while second year player Cary Williams, who spent last season on the practice squad and rookie draft picks, Ryan Mouton from Hawaii, and Jason McCourty of Rutgers will add depth at corner.

They say that offense sells tickets, and if so, the Titans passing game last season would have left the stands empty at times. Kerry Collins will lead the offense in the hope for improvement after signing a new two-year deal and being guaranteed the starting job this season.

While not spectacular last season, this offense will likely not see a drop off, with the return of all five starters on the offensive line, including Pro Bowlers Michael Roos and Kevin Mawae. Meanwhile, David Stewart, Eugene Amano, and Jake Scott finish out the group.

Depth, as with any position, could be key after the loss of Danile Loper in free agency. Mike Otto, Leroy Harris, and rookie draft picks Troy Kropog from Tulane and Ryan Durand of Syracuse will be asked to fill the back-up roles.

The running back position seems set with the return of both Lendale White (15 TDs last season) and super speedster Chris Johnson. Add former Michigan State star and All-American Javon Ringer, drafted in the fifth round, to that mix and it would appear that this spot is solid and deep.

Former second round pick Chris Henry, who has yet to see much of the field or make an impact, might be seeing his last days in a Titans uniform. Raphael Little, who spent last season on the practice squad and was a favorite of coaches, will look to make his way into the rotation as well. The versatile Quinton Ganther, who can play both full back and tailback will also fight for a spot on the roster. Ahmard Hall is set at fullback.

The most questioned position on the Titans has been the wide receiver spot. That was addressed in the offseason with the signing of former Steeler Nate Washington and the drafting of Kenny Britt from Rutgers with its first round pick in the draft, something the Titans had not done since selecting Kevin Dyson with the 16th pick of first round in 1998.

Justin Gage, who led the team in receptions last season, returns along with Lavell Hawkins, Chris Davis, and Paul Williams.

The final spot to look at may be the strongest with tight ends Bo Scaife, the franchise player, Alge Crumpler, and last year's draftee Craig Stevens. It is likely that the Titans will only carry three on the active roster and Craig Stevens might be the odd man out with the arrival of standout rookie Jared Cook.

In conclusion, the 2009 Titans will be hard-pressed to duplicate the 13 wins from last season, though not impossible since the AFC South looks to be much improved. Nothing short of a playoff spot should be expected from this team. Hopefully this will be the season that the Titans fulfill their potential while satisfying the hopes and dreams of all Titans fans.

Time will tell, and the first regular season game could be a big statement game when the Titans visit Heinz Field on Sept. 10 to take on the defending Super Bowl Champions.

All in all this could well be a better Titans team than the one that won 13 games last season, but might not have the record to show it.

Final prediction: 11 wins, five losses, and a second straight south division title.

It should be a great season. I wish it started today!