2007 Rankings
Rushing: 5th (131.8)
Passing: 27th (179.9)
Total Offense: 21st (311.7)
Run Defense: 5th (92.4)
Pass Defense: 10th (199.2)
Total Defense: 5th (291.6)
What was the Titans’ best move during the offseason?
Entering his third year in the NFL, quarterback Vince Young, although a big-play threat, is still a bit on the raw side and can use all the help he can get from his offensive weapons. Former Falcons tight end Alge Crumpler, who was signed as a free agent in the offseason, is a sure-handed receiver who will offer Young a safety valve in the passing game and a sure-handed target in the red zone. As an added bonus, Crumpler is use to working with a quarterback who creates things with his legs (Michael Vick), so he shouldn’t be caught off guard by Young’s ability to stretch out a play, and he should fit in well with what the Titans are trying to do.
What needs to go right for the Titans to succeed this season?
For this team to take the next step, they must figure out a way to put more points on the board. And a lot of that responsibility falls on Young’s shoulders. Although the Titans have a new offensive coordinator in Mike Heimerdinger, Young has been in the league long enough to have a good grasp on what he needs to do to run this offense efficiently. And though he has shown great leadership ability and a knack for making big plays in the clutch, he has got to become more consistent throughout the game and take some of the pressure off his defense. Last year he threw 17 interceptions to just nine touchdowns, and that just isn’t going to continue to get the job done in a tough AFC.
His receiving corps is still rather unspectacular, but he now has a solid pair of tight ends to count on in Crumpler and Bo Scaife, who Young already has a solid rapport with. Unfortunately, however, it doesn’t look like he is going to have that top-of-the-line No. 1 receiver to rely on again this season.
Where will the Titans finish the 2008 NFL season?
The Titans are a very solid team where it really counts; on both the offensive and defensive lines. However, I’m not sure they helped themselves enough in the offseason to put together the type of offense their going to need to win in January. Sure, their defense should continue to be among the best in the league and keep them in contention, but they play in what might be the toughest division in the league, and there will be a lot of tough competition fighting for playoff positions.
If Young takes another significant step forward in his development, the Titans have a good chance of making it back to the playoffs, although I doubt they challenge for the division crown. If Young doesn’t step it up, however, I could see this team stumbling into the AFC South basement.
Prediction:8-8 and last in the AFC South
