Tennesse Titans Coming Out of the Bye Week Hapless
The Tennessee Titans had some reason for hope at the start of the season. They had hired a new head coach in Ken Whisenhunt, who is quite respected around the league. They added veteran free agents who were supposed to contribute right away: Dexter McCluster, Wesley Woodyard, and Michael Oher. And even in their first game they had an impressive win on the road against the Kanas City Chiefs. But ever since their first win the Titans have done nothing but been a disappointment.
In their first eight games they have a record on 2-6, one of the wins over the winless Jaguars, which they could have easily lost at home. All of the losses have come by blow blowout, except for their loss to the Browns in which they blew a 28-0 lead.
The free agent acquisitions have made little impact. McCluster is oddly rarely used, after he seemed to be a clear cut target of the Titans in the offseason, Oher has for the most part been a minus player at RT, and Woodyard seems to be just another guy, which the Titans have far too many of those as it is.
The team has suffered some devastating injuries as well. LT Michael Roos, S Bernard Pollard, and LB Zach Brown have all suffered season ending injuries. Other players such as QB Jake Locker, CB Coty Sensabaugh, TE Taylor Thompson, and RB Shonn Greene have been on and off the field as well.
One of the few bright spots for the Titans this season has been their rookie class.
On offense the team has decided to bench former starting QB and first round draft pick Jake Locker in favor of rookie Zach Mettenberger. Mettenberger made his first start last week and showed some promise, which was one of the few bright spots of the season. The offensive line, which was supposed to be a strength has been inconsistent and mediocre. Guards Chance Warmack, a first round pick, and Andy Levitre, a prized free agent addition just a year ago, have really struggled. Neither has been an impact player for the Titans. This years first round pick Taylor Lewan looks to be the real deal at LT. Running back Bishop Sankey has flashed, but the coaching staff needs to make more of an effort to incorporate him into the offense.
On defense LB Avery Williamson has been one the Titans better defenders and looks to be locked in as a starting middle linebacker for years to come. DT DaQuan Jones and DB Marqueston Huff have played in spot duty, but nether have played in the minus from what I have seen of them so far.
This is a team clearly in disarray and a team in transition. For them to have a more successful second half of the season they will have to have players from this years and last years draft class step up. If these young players don’t make a leap or progress, expect more losses and a top ten pick in next years draft.