Tennessee Titans: Three Offensive Players to Watch Against the Lions

Sept. 11, 2011; Jacksonville FL, USA; Tennessee Titans wide receiver Kenny Britt (18) celebrates catching a touchdown with running back Chris Johnson (28) during the second half at EverBank Field. The Jaguars defeated the Titans 16-14. Mandatory Credit: Matt Stamey-US PRESSWIRE

The Tennessee Titans offense is a mess. No run game has made them one dimensional and even when they try to run, they use overly predictable plays that gain little to nothing… Now that I’ve got you all warmed up and feeling optimistic, lets look at the players the Titans need to have show up on Sunday:

C Fernando Velasco

Last week I watched Velasco get thrown… thrown to the ground by a Charger while QB Jake Locker was having to throw from his own endzone. Locker barely avoided the safety and actually completed a pass to Chris Johnson for a first down. The Titans run game has been non-existent and Locker hasn’t had the best pass protection.

Velasco wasn’t the Titans first choice for the center position, but he needs to play like he was. If he doesn’t, it’s going to be a long season for the Titans.

WR Kenny Britt

Britt was extremely quiet in his first game back, catching only one ball for five yards. It might take a little while for him to get his sea legs back, but he should see even more reps this week. The Titans need all the help they can get to stay on the field and any bit of improvement by Britt would help. I’m not holding my breath, but I’m still watching him.

Britt seemed a little nervous last game and spoke about being a little nervous make plants off his leg during practices. Hopefully we’ll see that subside as the year goes by and he becomes more comfortable.

RB Chris Johnson

Johnson hasn’t been saying the nicest things about his offensive line, and I don’t blame him. That being said, that could backfire on him. As Paul Kuharsky said earlier this week on his blog, Johnson could see himself standing alone with no line to back him up when things get rough. While that makes sense, he’s already been getting beat… for about a year now. If they do any worse in their blocking, they’ll be jobless.

I truly don’t know what to think of it anymore. All I do every week is hope for things to get better, as dumb as it may be to hope. Without Chris Johnson getting his yards on the ground, the Titans are screwed. Johnson and the run game have to get back to being a consistent threat.

The offense feels about the same as the defense, where you can practically put anyone on the list because they all have to show up to win. Pretty soon the lists will be as short as saying “offense” and “defense”.

Who’re you hoping come through for the Titans this weekend?

You can find me on Twitter @JustinLStewart