Titans: Love and hate
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Love/hate impressions about the Tennessee Titans.
Love
• Running back Chris Johnson. How can you not love a 2,000-yard rusher? Johnson is the prototype for what an NFL running back should be. He is explosive and can rip off big chunks. He has proved to a lot of people that he can handle running inside the tackles as well. It will be tough to duplicate what he did in 2009, but he might come close. I told him it would be tough. "Nah, it won't be tough," Johnson said. "It's only tough if you let it be tough."
• Coach Jeff Fisher. He is one of those coaches who gets the most out of his players, which is why he's the longest-tenured coach in the league. His teams are always feisty and tough. This one will be no different. Fisher believes in running the ball and playing good defense. That's his trademark style, and it won't change anytime soon. This is a young team that has some talent, the kind of team Fisher coaches best, one with little in terms of expectations.
• Offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger sometimes leans on the run too much, but he is a good coach. One day, he will get a chance to be a head coach. He can be tough on players, but he knows when to push and when not to push. If he had a better quarterback, he would be a better coordinator. If he can turn Vince Young into a 3,000-yard passer, his name will be on a lot of "hot" coaching lists.
• There is no premier pass rusher. Under Fisher, you could always count on the Titans to have an elite rusher, but even without that the Titans are deep on the defensive front. Young players like William Hayes and Jacob Ford are ready for big seasons. And don't forget first-round pick Derrick Morgan from Georgia Tech. I asked Fisher about not having a top pass rusher. "We have about seven of them," he said. We'll see.
• You have to love what Young did late last season. Even more so, the Titans have to love that he finally looks like he cares. Those are the things to love about Young. It seems the pilot light has gone on. But there's also stuff to hate.
Hate
• Young made big strides when he came off the bench last season to rally the team to an 8-8 record. But he still has limitations as a passer. He doesn't stay put in the pocket long enough to allow his routes to develop. He has to be better at that this season. He's good with his legs, but he has to get better with his arm. He told me he plans to run as much as ever. "That's who I am," he said. "As long as my body holds up, that's the style I will play." Age might dictate changing that style down the road, but not now.
• Cortland Finnegan is solid at one corner, but the other spot isn't as settled as the team would like. Jason McCourty is starting there now, winning the job with a nice offseason. But a player to watch is Alterraun Verner, a rookie fourth-round pick who seems to have a nose for the football. He has been compared favorably to Finnegan as a rookie. That's high praise.
• Two seasons ago, when the Titans went 13-3, safeties Chris Hope and Michael Griffin were good players. They weren't last season. That has to change. We found out this offseason that Griffin played with a bum shoulder, so that contributed to his problems. He is young enough that he can rebound. Hope, now in his ninth season, might not be as fortunate.
• Too run reliant. It's one thing to get those great numbers from Johnson, but they need more from the passing game. That means Young has to improve. If not, they will not be a playoff team.
• The division. The Colts own the AFC South, and it doesn't look like that will change. That means the best the Titans can hope for is a wild-card spot. It's possible. If Young can play better the Titans have a chance.
