2006 Titans preview
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The Titans have gone 9-23 the past two seasons. But owner Bud Adams recently said Jeff Fisher is in no danger of losing his job after this season, and the head coach thinks his club could be dangerous despite its preseason struggles. All those young players Tennessee was forced to play the past two years are now veterans. And the Titans had one of the best offseasons of any team, signing wide receiver David Givens, center Kevin Mawae, linebacker David Thornton and safety Chris Hope.
The running game has a chance to be really good with a rejuvenated Travis Henry, a motivated Chris Brown and rookie LenDale White, the most talented of the three. Tennesse got a lot better at quarterback with the signing of Kerry Collins. Whether it's Collins or Billy Volek who will be starting the season opener, whoever's at quarterback is keeping the spot warm for Vince Young, who's already won over his new teammates. The Titans will use him in spots beginning in Week 1.
The Titans are stuck in the middle of a rebuilding process. At QB, they have a choice between perennial backup Billy Volek, newly acquired Kerry Collins or first-round pick Vince Young. They are apt to go with Volek, at least to start the season, as he knows the system the best. The receiving corps is improved with David Givens' speed to go with Drew Bennett's size. They have two good tight ends in Erron Kinney and Ben Troupe. The offensive line is either young and filled with potential (Michael Roos) or getting on in years (Kevin Mawae). Chris Brown needs to stay healthy for the run game to be productive, or else LenDale White will have to show that he can get along with his teammates and stay in shape.
The defense should be better than last season, although two of the ends the Titans are counting on (Travis LaBoy and Antwan Odom) have been hampered by injuries. David Thornton should help the linebacking crew, but Peter Sirmon and Keith Bulluck are not much more than adequate.
The secondary can be very good if Pacman Jones spends more time on the field than in the courtroom. Chris Hope (from the Steelers) should help them at safety to go along with an adequate Lamont Thompson.
The statistical highlight from the Titans' 2005 season had to be how often they threw passes to their tight ends. Tennessee threw 209 passes to the combination of Ben Troupe, Erron Kinney and Bo Scaife. The NFL doesn't keep pass attempt records for receivers, but that total would have to be one of the highest of all-time.
The most amazing part of that number was how many of these were short passes. There were only 27 medium and deep passes among the 209 total. To put that total into perspective, consider that there were seven tight ends who had more medium and deep passes thrown to them than were thrown to all three of the Titans' tight ends.
No joke, this offense is deep and talented. The signing of David Givens (left) and the return of Brandon Jones from a knee injury strengthen a versatile WR crew. TE Ben Troupe is poised for a breakout. LenDale White gives them depth at RB. And the Titans can ride solid Billy Volek until Vince Young is ready. So what if Young's training camp showing makes it clear that won't be for a while? He'll contribute as a short-yardage and goal-line weapon.
| Team Preview Centers |
| Key Stretch |
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Sept. 24: at Miami Oct. 1: Dallas Oct. 8: at Indianapolis Oct. 15: at Washington |
| Comings & Goings |
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Key Acquisitions: WR David Givens, C Kevin Mawae, LB David Thornton; QB Kerry Collins; S Chris Hope . Key Departures: |
| Offensive Starters (as of 8/30) |
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RB Chris Brown FB Troy Fleming QB Billy Volek WR David Givens RT David Stewart RG Benji Olson C Kevin Mawae LG Zach Piller LT Michael Roos TE Ben Troupe WR Drew Bennett |
| Defensive Starters (as of 8/30) |
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LDE Kyle Vanden Bosch LDT Randy Starks RDT Albert Haynesworth RDE Travis LaBoy LOLB David Thornton MLB Peter Sirmon ROLB Keith Bulluck LCB Reynaldo Hill FS Chris Hope SS Lamont Thompson RCB Pacman Jones • Complete roster |
