Tennessee Titans Remain Last In NFL Power Rankings
By Les Bailey
Due to a lack of faith in Tennessee Titans running back Bishop Sankey, NFL Media analyst Elliot Harrison continues to keep the Titans mired at the bottom of the NFL Power Rankings.
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In fact, as we get closer to an opening day matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who are ranked 29th in the same poll, Harrison said unless the Titans sort out the running game to provide an elixir for rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota, they would remain in last place.
With rookie running back David Cobb still unproven and now on the short tern IR, it was apparent that Titans head coach Ken Whisenhunt was not sold on his second-year running back when he picked up Terrance West from the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.
Harrison points out on his list that without a running game that opponents have some respect for, a new and untested offensive line, and a so-so defense, it could be a tough season in Music City.
The Tennessee Titans will face four of the five teams at the bottom of this power ranking at some time during the season. Avoiding only the Washington Redskins who are ranked 30th, they will face the Jacksonville Jaguars(ranked 28th) twice.
The addition of Terrance West from the Cleveland Browns will probably not help the Titans in the week one game with the Buccaneers.
Coach Whisenhunt said West was someone they were impressed with, and when he became available, they brought him in for a chat.
“We liked him coming out last year. We brought him in for a visit. He was one of the players that we felt like we had a pretty good feel for, that we thought was a good match,’’ Whisenhunt said of West. “We had an opportunity to get him and we felt like he could help our team be better.”
Whisenhunt also said that it would take some time for Terrance West to learn the system in Nashville, and may not be ready for the opener on Sunday afternoon.
Harrison points out in his power rankings that the Buccaneers success in 2015 will be tied to the maturation speed of Jameis Winston.
He also points out that Winston has better pieces around him than does Mariota.
Winston, who was 23-of-47 for 311 yards during the preseason, enjoys the benefit of two returning 1,000-yard wide receivers in Vincent Jackson (1,002 yards in 2014) and Mike Evans (1,051). Additionally, Tampa Bay features a former 1,000-yard running back, Doug Martin (1,454 yards in 2012).
Defensively, the Buccaneers are led by a pair of All-Pro performers: linebacker Lavonte David and defensive tackle Gerald McCoy. Former Titans Pro Bowl cornerback Alterraun Verner also plays a key role for the Bucs.
At the top of this Power Ranking are the Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots and the Pittsburgh Steelers rounding out the top five.
I think everyone will have a new look at this power ranking after all teams have a regular season game to look at. Maybe the Titans will move up the chart if they can have some success in Tampa on Sunday!
Next: Countdown to Winston vs. Mariota II