Offense looks good hearing into offseason
For the first time in a long time, the Tennessee Titans offense looks to be more ready to carry the load than the defense.
Yes, there have been years when the defense was bad, but in some of those seasons the offense had very few playmakers and often relied heavily on a strong offensive line and running game to control the clock and grind out wins.
Entering 2012, the Titans still have a few things to iron out on the offensive side of the football, but the potential is there for Tennessee to actually catch up with some of the more explosive teams in the NFL rather than play the old trudging, three-yards and a cloud of dust that has been the calling card of this franchise for the better part of 15 years.
At quarterback, Matt Hasselbeck came over from Seattle and was mostly a solid decision-maker and enjoyed his most productive season since 2007 with 3,571 yards passing. Hasselbeck played well, but voach Mike Munchak said, and last week, general manager Ruston Webster reiterated that the veteran will have to fend off last year's first-round pick Jake Locker in training camp and preseason.
Locker, the eighth pick overall, showed plenty of moxie in limited appearances as a rookie and rallied the Titans to near victories against New Orleans and Atlanta after Hasselbeck was knocked out with minor injuries.
The Titans were sold on Locker because of his makeup as they were looking for a quarterback who could learn quickly, move in the pocket and think on his feet. Plus, he shows the type of character where once he is the starter he will become an instant locker-room leader.
Whether it is Hasselbeck or Locker, the quarterback should have more weapons to throw to than the Titans have had in a long time.
Kenny Britt, who was lost with a knee injury, was flashing superstar potential before he went down. The Titans are hopeful he will make a full recovery after ACL surgery in October. In his stead, Nate Washington stepped up and had 75 catches and the first 1,000-yard receiving season of his career. Damian Williams and Lavelle Hawkins also had more than 40 catches each in their first seasons with extended playing time.
At tight end Jared Cook finally displayed some of the vast potential the Titans believed he had when they drafted him in 2009, finishing with 49 receptions for 759 yards.
With the passing game in good shape, the Titans now have to figure out a way to get their running game, which finished 31st overall, going again. Chris Johnson was not the same player he was before his holdout, running for a career-low 1,047 yards. Johnson did not exhibit the same explosiveness and burst out of cuts that he had previously shown, but the Titans hope a full offseason of work will allow him to recover.
Also expect changes on the offensive line, where guards and perhaps center could be addressed in free agency or the draft. The Titans are pleased with tackles Michael Roos and David Stewart, but less than satisfied with their interior three in 2011.
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