Tennessee Titans 2010 Season Preview: Eight Players with Most to Prove

Sometimes the players who work the hardest on the team are the ones who have that chip on their shoulder.

The Titans as a team have something to prove in 2010. They started off 0-6 last season but still came within one game of making the playoffs.

Many said this strong finish was a fluke and that gives this team even more of a reason to prove those people wrong in 2010.

Here's eight players who will add fuel to that fire of proving to the rest of the NFL that the Titans could very easily return to the playoffs.

Chris Johnson

Could Chris Johnson put any more pressure on himself than he already has?

He probably has more to prove than any other player in the NFL going into the season.

Even though most agreed that he deserved more money, his demands were still a little over-the-top for someone who is only going into their third year in the league.

It also didn't help that he pretty much guaranteed that he'll duplicate last year's performance.

With all of that said, he definitely has a lot to prove to the NFL and its fan to see if last season was a fluke.

Justin Gage

Justin Gage really has to prove to Titans fans this year that he's worthy of being considered the number one receiver on this team.

In the last two seasons he's missed eight games and has only shown for 62 receptions.

His average numbers were good enough to keep him number one on this team a few season ago, but if he doesn't put up solid numbers this season then his time in Tennessee may be over.

If Tennessee were to let him go then I can't see him ever regaining the role of being a number one receiver on another team.

Stephen Tulloch

With the departure of Keith Bulluck and with David Thornton more on the back nine of his career, Stephen Tulloch will be leaned on more so than any other time in his career.

He's obviously got to prove that he can handle being the team's leader among the linebackers.

He led the team in tackles last season so we know he's capable of helping this defense get back to where it once was.

Vince Young

Vince Young has pretty much always had something to prove since he's been in the NFL, and that won't change this year.

His ability to play quarterback at the pro-level is still widely criticized and the images of him refusing to go back into a game is still fresh in the minds of many Titans fans.

I'm sure Young would be the first to tell you he has a lot to prove. There's no denying his talent, but his execution is still in question.

With Kerry Collins close to retirement, the Titans have already prepared for a possible breakup with Young by drafting Rusty Smith in the past draft.

Nate Washington

There was a ton of buzz here in Nashville when Nate Washington was acquired from the Steelers just a season ago.

He had an alright season numbers wise, but he also had a few crucial drops.

Frankly all of the Titans wide receivers have a lot to prove, but Washington was brough to this team to dramatically improve the passing game and that didn't really happen last season.

Now that he's had a full year to learn the offense and get adjusted, there will be no excuses for Washington if he underperforms.

Eugene Amano

Eugene Amano has the enormous shoes of Kevin Mawae to fill, not literally of course.

Much like Stephen Tulloch at middle linebacker, Amano has to prove to the team and to the fans that he's ready to be a full time starter.

If Chris Johnson has a bad season then it's likely that Amano will get a large part of the blame.

Amano has been with the organization for a while so he should be ready to fill that role.

LeGarrette Blount

All of the rookies obviously have something to prove, but let's face it. It's going to take a long time for anyone to forget what LeGarrette Blount did after the Boise State game.

I'm sure there's plenty of fans who were against drafting him in fears of his personal conduct.

Frankly the Titans haven't had the biggest angels on their roster over the past few seasons.

Blount has to simply prove to those doubters that he knows how to be a professional. If he makes it through the season without getting into any trouble then he'll prove to most people that the Boise State incident was a one-time thing.

Jeff Fisher

Ok, Jeff Fisher may not be an actual player, but he still has a lot to prove.

Many people called for the firing of Fisher last season after that gruesome 0-6 start.

If that happens again then I'm not so sure Fisher will make it to the end of the season. He has to figure out a way to remind everyone why he's the NFL's longest tenured coach.

Anything short of a playoff berth may entice the Titans front office to go out with the old and in with the new.