By Brian Moore
July 11, 2009

The Tennessee Titans ended the 2008 regular season with the NFL's best record. They had the top defense for several weeks, opening the year with a defensive onslaught that few defenses in NFL history have matched. As the season wore on, their defense was not as outstanding but it was a pace couldn't be kept up anyway. The defense was still outstanding and finished as one of the best.

The offense was engineered by offensive cooridinator Mike Heimerdinger who returned to the Titans in 2008. Heimerdinger is quite possibly the best at creating mismatches for his offense. If there is a weakness in the defense or a less than stellar defender, he has a play to attack that. He has a very deep roster of skill position players at his disposal. While the Titans were deep, the Titans problem was the lack of big play threat. Rookie Chris Johnson was the first big play threat the team has had in a long time. Tight End Bo Scaife led the Titans in receiving. Despite being fourth on the depth chart on opening day, Brandon Jones led the Titans wide receivers.

Jeff Fisher's teams will always play great in the trenches, tough defense and run the ball well. Expecting anything more than that has always been a point of contention. The offseason was spent revamping the wide receivers and adding more big play threats to go with Johnson. On defense, they had to overcome the loss of (arguably) the best defensive player in the league, as Albert Haynesworth went to Washington in free agency.

On offense, Jeff Fisher could be entering a new era. The Titans have never had the number of big play threats they have now. Fisher's teams have always run the ball well and that is sure to continue. However, a potent passing attack seems to be a distinct possibility for 2009, a new era for the Titans.

The Titans passing attack is managed by quarterback Kerry Collins. Collins has played in 178 games and is a seasoned veteran that only threw an interception 1.7% of the time in 2008. Collins play was the very definition of efficiency. The expectations do not seem to be heightenned for Collins in the sense that he will likely throw as many passes but, the increased production from the new playmakers will increase his overall production. Behind Collins the Titans have two former first round draft picks in Patrick Ramsey and Vince Young. Look for those two to battle it out and the battle to be far closer than many expect. Ramsey is not going to back down from Young and was praised plenty himself when the Redskins drafted him out of Tulane. He has experience under Heimerdinger's system in Denver and does not have the baggage that Young has. The Titans usually only keep two quarterbacks.

The Titans have one of the best offensive lines in football led by two bookend tackles. Tackle Michael Roos was first team all-pro and tackle David Stewart was voted to the second team by the associated press. At center is the future hall of famer Kevin Mawae. At guard the Titans have two maulers in Jake Scott and Eugene Amano. It would not be surprising to see one of the guards make the pro bowl as well in 2009. This is an excellent offensive line that will protect the 36 year old at quarterback and also lead the way for the running game.

Lendale White has been a very effective runningback despite his detractors. His weight this spring was the lowest it's been in quite some time. White is in a contract year and his play is expected to earn him a nice payday in 2010, a possible uncapped year. White was third in the NFL with 15 rushing touchdowns and is Fisher's tough yardage runningback. Johnson was the gazelle put onto the speed to flash his mesmerizing 4.2 speed and have defenses turning their head in disbelief. Defenses are well versed on Johnson's speed now and will have new ways to contain him as will Heimerdinger have ways to better utilize his speed. Johnson is expected by many to get more carries than in 2008 but 251 carries seems like plenty. White had 200 and that may decrease. The Titans have been waiting for Rafael Little to heal up and produce on gameday. Little is a prototypical third down back that should provide an added weapon for Heimerdinger. Javon Ringer was drafted in the fifth round and was a workhorse at Michigan State. Ringer could be White's replacement if the Titans don't want to offer White a big contract in 2010. For 2009, he'll likely just be a rookie hoping for a chance to play. Fullback Ahmard Hall is an outstanding fullback that doesn't get enough credit. Hall will have his role increased in 2009 but he was rarely used other than blocking in 2008. Look for him to catch a pass here and there and "punch" a few first downs through a stacked defensive line. 2007 second round pick, Chris Henry, is very fast. Many believe that's all he has to offer. He could seemingly replace Johnson for a play here or there but he's more than likely to be waived and considered a bust. Quinton Ganther is a 5 foot 9 215 pound hard working runningback the coaches love. What he lacks in talent, he makes up for with grit and determination. He has to find a role here. It wouldn't be surprising if he staves off rookie Ringer and is Lendale's primary backup.

The Titans drafted a speedy tight end in Jared Cook. Despite hands and speed like a wide receiver, the one attribute he will bring to the Titans in 2009 is being a fast lead blocker for Chris Johnson. If Heimerdinger can get Johnson outside with Cook blocking, there is a very good chance that they can produce a big gain. Scaife is a fine, if underappreciated, tight end that the Titans named their franchise player. Scaife held off a camp challenge by Alge Crumpler last summer. Crumpler has become veteran depth and been praised for his work with the young tight ends. Crumpler still can make big catches in traffic and is an added weapon for Heimerdinger. Seemingly forgotten, 2008 third round pick tight end Craig Stevens has a year under his belt and has quietly impressed. He is developing into a fine blocker and is a decent receiving tight end. For now, Stevens is just depth.

At wide receiver, the Titans watched Brandon Jones and Justin McCareins walk away and brought in some youth. First rounder Kenny Britt from Rutgers is expected to contribute in 2009. Hopes are high but free agent Nate Washington was signed from Pittsburgh to hold the fort until Britt can start. When starting, Washington should move to the slot. Justin Gage has been a very good wide receiver for the Titans when he's been healthy. While technically he only missed four games, he wasn't healthy for 4-6 more. The Titans must keep Gage healthy. Rookie Dominique Edison and last year's fourth rounder, Lavelle Hawkins, are the start of some exciting young depth. Hawkins is a slot wide receiver that is so shifty with his hips he should be able to get some extra yards, if he gets the opportunity. For those rooting for undrafted free agents, Joel Filani and Dudley Guice have become some favorites on the web. Guice creates much of the chatter. Chris Davis isn't likely to make the team. Last but is it least? is Paul Williams. Williams is 6 foot 1 205 pounds of exciting play making ability that just can't seem to get it together on the field. At one time, he was an extremely promising prospect. Currently, he seems to be at a "make or break" stage in his career with the Titans. He must produce.

The defensive backs are the best in football. Cortland Finnegan, Chris Hope and Michael Griffin all made the pro-bowl. Each has had their moments to show the NFL world that they could possibly develop into being the top player at their position. Hope is tough and opportunistic. Griffin had seven interceptions and is an outstanding outfielder. Finnegan is a wonderful 7th rounder to All-Pro story. The other defensive back in 2008 was Nick Harper. Harper has had some vision problem and had procedures done to cure them. It is believed that safety Vincent Fuller could start on many teams in the NFL and provides them terrific depth. Behind this outstanding top 5 defensive backs is a slew of youngsters including three drafted in the 2009 draft. DeMarcus Faggins was signed away from the Texans to battle for a backup cornerback spot. None of them are likely to play past Fuller. Injuries could provide an opportunity as could special teams. The backup defensive backs are an exciting camp compeititon many are looking forward to seeing.

The defensive line lost Albert Haynesworth. Pro Bowl caliber defensive end Kyle Vandenbosch missed several games in 2008 including several of which he just played part of the game. In some respects this is plus one minus one. When Haynesworth was injured, 2008 second round pick Jason Jones, replaced him to net 3.5 sacks and force 3 fumbles all in one game. Jones was a college defensive end that's learning the interior game in the pros. The Titans have a discplined defense that funnelled the plays right at Haynesworth. Clearly Jones excelled when given the chance to play Haynesworth's role but, that is not the plan in 2009. To do that would put too much responsibility on a very young inexperienced player. New defensive coordinator(and former teammate of Fisher with the Bears) Chuck Cecil will not be scheming to rely on any one player. The Titans starting defensive line is expected to be Tony Brown, Jevon Kearse, Vandenbosch and Jovan Haye(a free agent from Tampa). Jones is expected to bounce along the defensive line in an effort to find mismatches and play much of the game, likely more than one of those starters. Dave Ball, Jacob Ford and William Hayes provide quality depth at defensive end. At some point, one of those three will likely replace the veteran Kearse. Kevin Vickerson is a big defensive tackle that clogs the middle. He is their only noteworthy depth and thus why they've spent so much time working Jones in at tackle. Rookie Sen'Derrick Marks is a second rounder that could be a significant contributor right away. Undrafted free agent Mitch King is one of those guys that are too small to make it, yet they don't only make a team, they thrive. King is a fun fun player to google and see some discerning opinions of. You can find some that think he'll start for the Titans and others that don't think he even has a chance. King was the Big Ten defensive lineman of the year. Here is draft countdown's King writeup.

The defensive line puts extreme pressure on the opposing quarterback limiting the time the defensive backs have to cover and making their job easier.Throwing against three top defensive backs is not an enviable position for opposing teams. Without Haynesworth, the Titans should be able to still wreak havoc in the opposing backfield. This will be the key to them remaining a top defense in 2009.

The linebackers are an unsung underappreciated group led by Keith Bulluck. David Thornton plays opposite Bulluck and is dependably tough. Stephen Tulloch beat out former starter Ryan Fowler in camp and was impressive at middle linebacker in 2008. Fowler provides a unique depth perspective since he can play inside or outside and is a former starter. Fowler is expected to battle in camp to try and win a starting spot. Interesting sidenote: Fowler was an undrafted free agent with the Dallas Cowboys and signed as a restricted free agent by the Titans in 2007. The Cowboys have struggled to find a middle linebacker ever since, rotating different older linebackers to try and fill the gap. They had a quality starter, they just didn't realize it. Behind Fowler there's not alot of proven depth. Stanford Keglar was a fourth round pick in 2008 and Gerald McRath was also drafted in the fourth round in April.

At kicker the Titans have Rob Bironas who has nailed 88 percent of his field goals including a game in which he hit seven field goals. Craig Hentrich has been in the NFL for 15 years and is a good quality punter. The special teams are a fine unit led by Nick Lowry whom has 28 years experience in the NFL.

Coach Fisher is 52-2 in games where his team leads heading into the fourth quarter. His style is to have them run, run, run the ball behind all of the outstanding offensive lines he's coached. While the new talent on offense is exciting, do not expect Fisher to go away from the outstanding success he's had in the fourth quarter.