Tennessee Titans NFL Predictions 2009

Written August 11, 2009 by InfoPlays

Tennessee Titans 2009 NFL Predictions The Tennessee Titans enter the 2009 season with some unfinished business to take care of after their season ended much too quickly in ‘08. After a 10-0 start to the season, the Titans finished with a league-best 13-3 record to take down the AFC South crown. Naturally, losing in the AFC divisional round was painful after such a remarkable year. With a vast majority of the players back from last season’s team, the Titans want another shot at the playoffs in 2009. NFL lines at Sportsbook.com show the Titans listed at +350 to repeat as AFC South champs, which indicates they are a pretty big underdog to win back-to-back division titles.

Offense: Kerry Collins enters his 15th season with a brand new two-year contract to be the Titans starting quarterback. He came out of nowhere last season when Vince Young struggled early to lead Tennessee to the AFC South title and earned himself a Pro Bowl in the process. He was asked to manage the games last year, but with more weapons around him he’ll be asked to make more plays this season. That is indicated by the signing of free agent receiver Nate Washington and the draft selection of big-play receiver Kenny Britt in the first round. The Ravens exploited Collins’ immobility by really getting after him in the playoffs, and teams will likely blitz the Titans more this season because of it. Vince Young gets a fresh start this year and will likely settle into the No. 2 role while the No. 3 spot should go to Patrick Ramsey. Chris Johnson showed off his speed last year as the Titans’ leading rusher. He has even worked on his lateral movement in the offseason to try and make cuts without having to slow down. LenDale White has trimmed more than 20 pounds from his thick frame to become more than just a short-yardage back. He’ll be pushed by rookie Javon Ringer out of Michigan State for carries.

The Titans had one of the league’s worst receiving corps last season, so it was addressed in the offseason. Washington was the third receiver in Pittsburgh, but he’ll be asked to take on a bigger role in Tennessee. Britt should become the big-play receiver they have lacked for several seasons. Justin Gage is the lone returning starter, and he has been productive when healthy. Lavelle Hawkins is back after a lackluster rookie season. Tight end Bo Scaife is coming off his best season as a pro. Veteran Alge Crumpler and third-round pick Jared Cook make for a crowded tight end contingent. Kevin Mawae is a 15-year veteran center who will, once again, anchor an offensive line that exceeded expectations in 2008. This unit paved the way for Johnson and White to combine for 2,001 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns. They only allowed 12 sacks all season, so not only do they run-block very well but they keep their quarterbacks upright. The entire line returns intact. The weakest link is left guard Eugene Amano, who was a first-time starter last year. He’ll be pushed by several draft picks, led by Troy Kropog out of Tulane. Mawae missed the Titans’ playoff loss with a torn tendon in his right elbow, but he expects to be fully recovered by the start of the season. Left tackle Michael Roos was nearly perfect last season and he’ll be asked to maintain a high level of play. He allowed just one sack in 2008. Guard Jake Scott and tackle David Stewart man the right side.

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Defense: The entire defensive line will be playing with a chip on their shoulder now that Albert Haynesworth is gone. There is no denying that he was the key to their success, but there are several other players up front that contributed big things. Right tackle Tony Brown will look to silence his skeptics. Kyle Vanden Bosch has a lot to prove after a groin injury slowed him last season and later required surgery. Jevon Kearse has surprising durability at age 32 at the other end. Tackle Jason Jones was successful last season when filling in for an injured Haynesworth. Now he must do it over a 16- game regular season. He will share the left tackle spot with Tampa Bay free agent Jovan Haye, who had an outstanding 2007 season before being hampered by assorted injuries in 2008. Rookie Sen’Derrick Marks will compete with Kevin Vickerson for playing time. Dave Ball can play multiple positions across the defensive line to give the team plenty of depth up front.

Outside linebackers Keith Bullock and David Thornton are the team’s top two backers. Both are over the age of 30, but it hasn’t slowed them down. Bulluck is the face of the franchise after starting every game over the last seven years and recording more than 80 tackles each season. Stephen Tulloch can play all three linebacker spots, but he became the team’s starting middle linebacker last season. He’ll have to hold off Ryan Fowler, who will be fighting to regain the spot he occupied in 2007. All starters in the secondary are proven. Lockdown cornerback Cortland Finnegan and safeties Chris Hope and Michael Griffin all earned their first Pro Bowl berths last season. Veteran corner Nick Harper battled injuries, but played well when in the lineup. There isn’t much proven depth after these starters, though. Free agent DeMarcus Faggins and rookies Ryan Mouton and Jason McCourty will have to learn the system quickly. Cary Williams is an athletic corner, but he’s young as well. Vincent Fuller is a valuable nickelback who will compete for backup cornerback duties.

InfoPlays Prediction: 3rd in the AFC South – The Titans aren’t going to catch anyone by surprise, and without Haynesworth in the lineup, the defense will certainly take a hit. The Titans won their share of close games last season behind great defensive play. But the offense will be asked to do a lot more this season if Tennessee is to compete for another division title. Kerry Collins may have been a quick-fix, but he’s not nearly as skilled as the other quarterbacks of the AFC South. We feel both the Colts and Texans have what it takes to finish ahead of Tennessee come season’s end.

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