Fantasy Football Notes: Tennessee Titans

Heading into 2008, the last time any team other than the Indianapolis Colts sat atop the AFC South at season’s end was back in 2002, when the Tennessee Titans beat out the Colts for the division crown with an 11-5 record, one game better than the Colts’ 10-6 showing.

Thus, it was only fitting that the Titans were the team to end the Colts’ streak of five straight division titles in 2008, besting them yet again by one game as they rolled to the best record in the AFC at 13-3.

The Titans’ 13-3 finish was somewhat surprising. After all, the team was considered by many to be only the third best squad (behind both the Colts and Jacksonville Jaguars) in their division at the beginning of the year, and then, lost starting quarterback, Vince Young to a knee injury in the fourth quarter of their week One matchup.

With Kerry Collins, a man who had thrown just 1 TD in a combined 10 games during 2006 and 2007, set to take over, things looked a bit bleak for Tennessee.

But Collins ended up being the perfect fit for the club. The veteran didn’t win many games with his arm, but he didn’t need to. With a superb rushing attack and a strong defensive unit behind him, Collins simply had to manage things, and he did a fine job doing so.

Completing 58.3 percent of his passes, Collins threw for 2,676 yards with 12 TDs to just 7 INTs. In limiting his mistakes, he paved the way for the defense and run game to do their things.

And do their things they did. The defense held opponents in check, allowing the second fewest points per game in the league at 14.6.

Meanwhile, the Titans’ rushing attack, led by rookie, Chris Johnson, and short yardage extraordinaire, LenDale White, tallied the second most scores among the league’s ground games with 24 trips to the end-zone and put up the seventh most rushing yards in the NFL on the year at 2,199.

Unfortunately, the Titans ran into the Baltimore Ravens in the divisional round of the playoffs, a team well suited to last against the “wear them down” style of football the Titans played. In a hard-fought battle, the Ravens came out on top, defeating the Titans 13-10.

KEY ADDITION

Nate Washington (WR) – One of the big reasons that the Titans rely so heavily upon their run game is the simple fact that their receiving core isn’t one of the strongest in the league. To try and remedy that some, the team brought Nate Washington into the mix this off-season.

Obviously, acquiring Washington isn’t exactly like bringing in TJ Houshmandzadeh or T.O., but the former Steeler has shown potential at times, including a three game stretch last season in which he went for 216 receiving yards and 3 scores. Sadly, those three end-zone trips were Washington’s only visits to the promise land on the season.

KEY DEPARTURE

Albert Haynesworth (DT) – Losing Haynesworth will no doubt be a blow to the Titans’ defense. Not only will the team miss the 8.5 sacks he had in 2008, a team best, but more importantly, they’ll miss the attention he drew from opposing offensive lines.

Having Haynesworth as a teammate was, often times, like having a free ticket to the opposing quarterback as his mere presence on the field opened up lanes for his fellow Titans.

Unable to match Daniel Snyder’s seven-year, $100 million offer, Haynesworth signed with the Washington Redskins and the Titans have attempted to fill his shoes with a less costly option in Jovan Haye, a former Tampa Bay Buccaneer, who cost the team just $16.5 million for four years—sometimes, though, you get what you pay for.

BRUNO BOYS SPOTLIGHT

Chris Johnson (RB) & LenDale White (RB) – Even with opposing defenses fully aware that the Tennessee Titans were going to run, run, and run some more, this duo could not be stopped. Don’t believe us? Just look at the numbers.

In a phenomenal rookie season, Johnson managed 1,228 rush yards and 9 TDs, all while splitting time with White, who didn’t have a bad 2008 either, going for 773 rush yards and a whopping 15 TDs.

So, will 2009 hold more of the same for this dynamic duo? Yes and no. The Titans’ ground game will once again be dominant, but expect the team to lean more heavily on Johnson in his sophomore campaign, leading to an increase in his touches and a decrease in White’s.

Both still hold solid fantasy football value, but while Johnson is a RB1, White falls into the low-end RB2 realm.

ROOKIE TO WATCH

Kenny Britt (WR) – The Titans’ first round selection of the 2009 NFL Draft, and the 30th overall selection, Britt totaled 81 receptions for 1,252 yards and 6 TDs in his junior season at Rutgers. Due to his size, physical toughness, and solid hands, Britt has drawn many comparisons to fellow rookie wide out, Michael Crabtree.

If the comparisons hold true, Britt will be an excellent complement to the newly acquired, Nate Washington, a quick, deep threat type of receiver. The Titans wish to get Britt involved in the game plan as soon as possible; however, that has been complicated somewhat by a hamstring injury that has bothered the receiver all through spring.

Britt, though, should be good to go come week one and should post a solid rookie year; however, due to the Titans dedication to the run, anything more than 600 receiving yards and three scores would be a bonus.

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