2006 NFL Preview: The Tennessee Titans
Quarterback- With the messy divorce of Tennessee and Steve McNair in the offseason, the Titans need to hope that Billy Volek will be a solid starter in 2006. Volek has been one of those quarterbacks who have been a long time backup that have always been promoted as the next big thing in the NFL. However, Volek may be more like Scott Mitchell than Matt Hasselbeck but will be fair enough a quarterback in 2006 to not make the big mistakes. Much like when Steve McNair came up through the Houston/Tennessee organization with starter Cody Carlson mentoring him, rookie Vince Young will be mentored by longtime back up Volek and look for extensive playing time in the preseason and spot action by Young throughout the season. If Volek can give the Titans a good year or two, Young will be ready to gradually develop into NFL form. At the third quarterback spot, it will likely be rookie Cody Hodges of Texas Tech, who is an efficient quarterback and can develop into a decent NFL quarterback.
2006 NFL Grade- B-
Running back/Full back- The Titans have a great group of running backs heading into 2006, including veterans Chris Brown and Travis Henry and rookie Lendale White. Henry has yet to prove that he can stay on the field long enough to be a factor and Brown needs to step up his game to NFL starter level in 2006. But Jeff Fisher has a fall back with second round pick White, who fell to them upon concerns by scouts about his conditioning. But White has a chip on his shoulder from playing second fiddle to Reggie Bush in college and has always had a sturdy frame, so the Titans will certainly get a hardworking back out of their 2006 pick.
2006 NFL Grade- B
Wide Receiver/Tight End- The addition of former Patriot David Givens in the offseason was a huge boost to the Titans’ receiving corps, as their group as talented but inexperienced. Givens has played on three Super Bowl champions and brings talent and football smarts to the Titans squad. Outstanding receiver Drew Bennett will be joined by Courtney Roby, Tyrone Calico, and former Bear Bobby Wade in an effort to give Volek and Young a good group of targets to ease pressure off of the run game. Wade is a good possession receiver and Roby and Calico are good deep threats, so if they all stay on the field and play to their potential, they should be a good nucleus for Tennessee in the future.
2006 NFL Grade- B+
Offensive Line-The Titans’ offensive line is experienced and talented, most especially with center Kevin Mawae joining the team this offseason and guards Benji Olson and Zach Pillar playing well on the interior line. The Titans need big holes for Henry and Brown if they are going to have successful seasons and look for the line to provide a steady performance throughout the 2006 season.
2006 NFL Grade- B
Defensive Line- Kyle Vanden Bosch was an overachiever last season and look for him to provide steady, though not spectacular, play at the defensive end position. He will be aided by young lineman like Travis Laboy and Antwan Odom, who will give the Titans a good rush defense and decent pass rush. Up the middle, the Titans have two very good tackles, Albert Haynesworth and Randy Starks, who will stuff the run between the tackles and force the outside linebackers and defensive ends to make plays in the run.
2006 NFL Grade- B+
Linebacker- The linebackers for Tennessee in 2006 will be solid, especially with the continued improvement of Peter Sirmon into a prominent NFL linebacker. To help Sirmon, the Titans also have veteran Keith Bullock and talented youngster David Thornton to help contain the run and pass at the second level. Look for either Bullock or Thornton to have a good year due to Sirmon’s improving play.
2006 NFL Grade- B+
Defensive Back- The Titans have great talent at the cornerback position, but the secondary’s chances hinge on whether Adam “Pac Man” Jones can grow up and become an NFL cornerback. After a rookie season plagued by off the field problems and mishaps on the field, Jones needs to prove his resiliency and headiness in the NFL or risk becoming a huge bust. If Jones can improve his performance, the rest of the group, including Andre Woolfolk, Michael Waddell, and Lamont Thompson, will benefit from having a burgeoning shut down corner. If Jones busts, so will the Tennessee secondary.
2006 NFL Grade- C+
Kicker/Punter- Kicker Rob Bironas had a solid season in 2005, bringing a workman-like performance to the kicking game. Bironas was 7th in the NFL in touchbacks on kickoffs and showed a solid leg and accuracy on field goals. Punter Craig Hentrich is a veteran specialist who is very accurate and is a solid backup to Bironas in the kicking game. If Bironas continues to develop as a kicker, Jeff Fisher should have a consistent kicking game for years to come.
2006 NFL Grade- B+
2006 NFL Projection- Jeff Fisher is one of the more resilient coaches in the NFL and has to like the direction his young team is heading. The Titans will start to close in on Jacksonville for second in the division and separate themselves from Houston at the bottom of the division in 2006, with a 7-9 or 8-8 season.
