Titans’ offseason will dictate franchise’s future

By Steve Reynolds  |   Wednesday, February 21, 2007  |  Comments( 5 )

Tennessee Titans
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The Tennessee Titans franchise has been the model of consistency in the contemporary NFL. They have rewarded their fans over the last two decades (Houston included) by fielding teams that were almost always capable of vying for a playoff spot.

The Warren Moon-led Oilers of the late 1980s and early '90s were always a threat to go all the way, while the power running, defensive stalwart Titans of the late '90s and turn of the century were perennial playoff contenders. Even in so-called down years early in head coach Jeff Fisher's tenure, the team would still hover around .500 and play competitive ball.

Until recently, the Titans looked as if they may finally have fallen into that long period of losing that team PR personnel cheerfully refer to as "rebuilding" years. Devastated by injuries in 2004 and fielding a painfully young team in '05, Titans fans appeared to be settling in for a period of outclassed youth and salary cap hell brought on by breaking the bank to keep players like Eddie George and Steve McNair from years earlier.

However, it was not to be.

Tennessee turned its fortunes around last season, and, despite what the media would lead you to believe, it is not simply because of the drafting of Vince Young. The Titans stabilized their offensive line with the addition of center Kevin Mawae and added quality defenders in linebacker David Thorton and strong safety Chris Hope.

With budding young stars such as cornerback Pacman Jones and Young, the Titans are on the verge of returning to prominence. However, this offseason will be determinant in whether the Titans can field a team that can seriously contend for a championship or simply one that shows the promise of such. The following steps should be taken to ensure that the former is the case:

Step No. 1: Address the receiver position: The next two years will see a critical period of growth for Young. The Titans must do everything possible to ensure that their quarterback develops his passing ability in his formative years. Despite what the pundits may allude with their endless praise, Young is not yet a franchise quarterback.

The Titans should do everything they can to re-sign unrestricted free agent receiver Drew Bennett (as long as he doesn't ask for ridiculous money) and aggressively pursue a talented, proven FA wideout, like the Rams' Kevin Curtis. Tennessee can't rely on David Givens, despite what it paid him last March, to be its second receiver. The best-case scenario for the injured ex-Patriot would be a return to health and the adoption of the third wideout role. However, the Titans may need to take the loss on Givens and instead move the promising Brandon Jones up the depth chart.

The Titans could opt to fill one spot with their first-round draft pick, spending it on the likes of USC's Dwayne Jarrett or Ohio State's Ted Ginn (Calvin Johnson will be long gone), rather than spending the money on Bennett and an outside free agent.

Either scenario is fine, as long as they give the WR position the attention it needs. By surrounding Young with proven commodities, the Titans can help ensure that their talented QB can become the next Steve Young, rather than the next Michael Vick.

Step No. 2: With the exception of WR, stand pat on offense in free agency: With the two-back attack coming into vogue in the NFL, the Titans can easily conform by fielding the twin threat of Travis Henry and LenDale White, and therefore let the oft-injured Chris Brown leave via free agency.

The stabilization of the O-line made for a potent rushing attack in 2006, and, with a little help at receiver, the Titans' offense could be special. Depth can be addressed through the draft. If the Titans avoid being spendthrift on the offensive side of the ball it will allow them to invest their healthy cap space in the area that requires it most...

Step No. 3: Defense, Defense, Defense: The Titans have the money to spend and should not be frugal in free agency. A proven corner to pair with the talented Jones should be the first order of business. Tennessee has the funds to acquire the likes of Nate Clements and should aggressively pursue a proven talent at that spot. As a result, Tennessee will be in position to have a talented third CB rather than an overmatched No. 2, allowing young corners Reynaldo Hill and Cortland Finnegan to battle it out for the nickel spot.

Despite the maniacal Albert Haynesworth's apparent need to curb-stomp his opponents, the tackle should be given a chance to become the model citizen he professes he can be. However, while quality tackles can be hard to find, allowing the volatile DT a shot at redemption may lie outside of the no-nonsense Fisher's ability to endure. The Titans should unfortunately let tackle Robaire Smith go, as he appears to be a shell of his former self. Replacing Smith and finding a quality player opposite Kyle Vanden Bosch should be a priority, with Tennessee dedicating the most money toward an end.

The Titans appear unenthusiastic regarding free safety Lamont Thompson but may opt to go with one of their former fourth-rounders, either Vincent Fuller or Calvin Lowry, and concentrate more on the DE and CB spots in free agency.

Despite what many sportscasters have predicted, the Titans are by no means a mortal lock to make the playoffs in 2007. They play in a tough division featuring the reigning Super Bowl champion Colts and would most likely need to secure a wild card in the highly competitive AFC to make it to the postseason.

What Tennessee does this offseason is crucial. It will shape the franchise for the next several years. The Titans are walking a thin line between being a team that is just good enough to not get sufficient help through the draft yet not talented enough to make the playoffs -- much as they were in the mid to late '90s. Yet, they could easily take the next step and become a young, hungry playoff contender like last season's San Diego Chargers.

It could simply be a question of a pickup or two that becomes the determining factor as to whether the Titans return to the glory years or the "Commander" Cody Carlson days.

**You can e-mail Steve Reynolds at sreynolds@realfootball365.com.

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