January

Jan. 8, 2009   

Injury to Titans C Mawae could open door for Harris to make another start

The way we hear it, the Titans are high on second-year C-OG Leroy Harris’ potential. C Kevin Mawae’s right elbow injury paved the way for Harris to make his first career start in Week 17 at Indianapolis, and Harris is expected to start if Mawae’s injury keeps him out of the divisional-round game vs. Baltimore. A fourth-round pick in the 2007 draft, Harris has good athleticism for an interior lineman, and he is listed as the top backup center, left guard and right guard. A source close to the club suggests Harris could push OLG Eugene Amano for a starting job in 2009; Harris and Amano competed for the job before this season. Also, Mawae is a free agent after the ‘09 campaign. In short, Harris’ time as a long-term starter may be coming, but the circumstances that led to his debut as a starter were less than ideal, considering how well Mawae has played this season.

Jan. 2, 2009   

Titans well-rested entering divisional round

Updated 4:01 p.m. ET Tuesday, Jan. 6

“Survive and advance” is a popular playoff motto, and it can also be applied to the Titans’ strategy in the season finale at Indianapolis.

The top-seeded Titans enter the postseason in relatively good health, and that was one of their primary goals after resting starters in the season finale vs. Indianapolis. The result — a 23-0 loss to the Colts in easily the Titans’ weakest performance of the regular season — was not one for the time capsule, but head coach Jeff Fisher was not concerned about the score.

“You rest guys, you go into the playoffs, you win your game, and you’re a genius because you rested the players,” Fisher remarked. “You lose the game, you lost it because you rested the players. It makes no sense to me. These players are professionals. They’ve taken care of themselves, and they’ll be ready to play.”

Fisher’s decision to sit starters like RB Chris Johnson after clinching the No. 1 seed may not have sat well with some, but it’s clear that there is no set formula for deciding when to rest first-stringers.

“You’re right if you win; you’re wrong if you lose,” said one personnel man, echoing Fisher’s sentiments and noting the Titans were coming off a big win vs. second-seeded Pittsburgh the previous week.

Barring setbacks, the Titans were expecting to have DRT Albert Haynesworth (knee) and DRE Kyle Vanden Bosch (groin) back in the lineup in divisional-round play. They missed the final two games of the regular season. Also likely to return are starting LCB Nick Harper (groin) and OLB David Thornton (hip), as well as reserve DE Dave Ball (back). All sat out Week 17. Johnson, the team’s leading rusher, and WR Justin Gage were both inactive in the season finale after not appearing on the injury report in the week leading up to the Indianapolis game; they are also expected to be back. However, the status of C Kevin Mawae, who missed the season finale with a right elbow injury, is in question. If he can't go, Leroy Harris will likely start in his place.  

The Titans did suffer one key loss in the season finale, as LB Josh Stamer, a fixture on special teams, was lost for the season to a groin injury. The Titans signed FB-TE Casey Cramer to replace him. Cramer, who played nine games at fullback for the Dolphins this season, played 20 games for Tennessee from 2006-07, notching 19 special-teams tackles.

December

Dec. 25, 2008   

Titans QB Young staying out of spotlight

Updated at 10:15 a.m. EST Monday, Dec. 29

Titans QB Vince Young began this season as the club’s center of attention. As the regular season wound to a close, his name was uttered infrequently. Such is life as the backup quarterback, a role Young wasn’t expected to play in 2008. Young has kept a lower profile for much of the season, but we hear his stance is that he prefers simply not to take away attention from his teammates — and create headlines of his own. In extended action in Week 17, with Kerry Collins playing only in the opening series, Young completed 9-of-13 passes for 55 yards with no TDs or interceptions. Young’s future is likely to be a popular topic of discussion in the offseason, but he has received public support from both owner Bud Adams and head coach Jeff Fisher at different points this season, so it’s clear he remains in the Titans’ plans. For now, though, the focus is on the Titans’ postseason hopes, not Young.

Dec. 18, 2008   

Titans' D-line losses a short-term problem potentially overcome

Updated at 10:05 a.m. EST Monday, Dec. 22

The Titans would be forgiven for not wanting to contemplate their playoff chances without DRT Albert Haynesworth and DRE Kyle Vanden Bosch. And it appears that they won’t have to, as Haynesworth (sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee) and Vanden Bosch (groin injury) are expected to return to the lineup when Tennessee plays in the divisional playoff round, according to head coach Jeff Fisher.

The way we hear it, the feeling in Tennessee is the Titans are more prepared to handle the absence of both players than they were in past seasons, but it will take a total team effort to try and make up for the losses of Haynesworth and Vanden Bosch.

When Haynesworth is out, rookie DT Jason Jones, who has shown promise in his first NFL season, will garner more playing time. He made the most of the extra time in last week’s critical win over the Steelers, notching 3½ sacks. Veteran DLT Tony Brown, in the midst of the best season of his career, is also carrying a heavier burden.

Vanden Bosch has been limited to only 10 games this season because of the injury. In his absence, DEs Dave Ball and Jacob Ford have filled in capably, and rookie William Hayes has also flashed potential. Also, DLE Jevon Kearse remains a capable starter, and he may have played his best game of the season at Houston in Week 15.

However, while the Titans can adequately replace Vanden Bosch in the short term, there is no doubt he’s still a player who strikes fear in opposing offenses. “He’s a bear to handle when he’s healthy,” said one personnel man, speaking on condition of anonymity and listing Vanden Bosch as one of the AFC’s best defensive ends.

Haynesworth, voted a Pro Bowl starter, commands, and beats, double teams, and he’s a force both stopping the run and as a pass rusher. The Titans’ defense fell off considerably when he missed three games in the ’07 season, and opponents rushed for 480 yards. In Week 15, without Haynesworth, the Titans held the Steelers to 71 rushing yards.

If Haynesworth is back for the playoffs, as expected, and if the rest of the defense, which boasts a very good LB corps and a physical secondary, steps up its play, the Titans could be formidable in January upon his return.

Dec. 12, 2008   

Bulluck having another fine season for Titans

Updated at 9:50 a.m. EST Monday, Dec. 15

Ever since moving into the starting lineup in 2002, Titans OLB Keith Bulluck has been one of the AFC’s more consistent defensive players, not missing a game in that span and never failing to notch at least 88 tackles. The 6-3, 235-pound Bulluck doesn’t bear quite the burden he did during some lean years for the Titans — he averaged 144.3 tackles from 2004-06, all seasons in which Tennessee missed the playoffs — but he remains a key to the defense all the same. One scout recently told PFW that the Titans’ defense “takes on (Bulluck’s) personality,” and we hear the feeling around the team is that Bulluck merits recognition for his importance to the defense. Entering the final two weeks of the season, Bulluck is on pace to lead the Titans in tackles for the sixth time in seven seasons as a starter. Through 14 games, Bulluck has 82 tackles.

Dec. 5, 2008   

Titans DE Ball providing a lift off the bench

Updated at 9:30 a.m. EST Monday, Dec. 8

The Titans have gotten a major contribution from fourth-year reserve DE Dave Ball, who has bolstered the pass rush considerably of late. The 6-5, 277-pound Ball had sacks in 4-of-5 games in November and helped pick up the slack when Kyle Vanden Bosch was bothered by a groin injury for parts of October and November. Ball also returned an interception for a TD at Detroit in Week 13 and had three QB hits in Week 14 vs. the Browns. Perhaps the only indication Ball was capable of having such an impact was his production at UCLA, where he notched 16½ sacks as a senior in 2003. But he did not notch a sack, nor start a game, in stints with the Chargers and Jets from 2004-06, and he was out of football in ’07. He has jump-started his career with Tennessee. “He’s a smart guy,” Titans coach Jeff Fisher said recently. “He understands formations, he understands his responsibility and he really understands pass rushing.”

November

Nov. 28, 2008   

White, Fisher move on; Titans get back to basics

When the Titans were done dispatching of the Lions on Thanksgiving Day, RB LenDale White was in a far more jovial mood than he had been just four days earlier, when he was angered at having played sparingly vs. the Jets. “How many carries did I have?” joked White, who had 106 yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries at Detroit. “I don’t even know if that's enough for me. I’m just playing, man. Things were said last week, but like I said, they were all out of frustration.” The way we hear it, that White and head coach Jeff Fisher were able to quickly move on from White’s comments after the Jets game speaks to Fisher’s high capacity to forgive-and-forget with his players. Meanwhile, the Titans’ offensive game plan vs. the Lions spoke to Tennessee’s desire to get back to a blueprint that worked so well earlier in the season. The Titans ran 46 times and attempted only 20 pass plays against an overmatched Detroit defense.

Nov. 20, 2008   

Carr signing looking like a bargain for Titans

Chris Carr

More and more, the Titans’ offseason signing of ex-Raiders CB Chris Carr looks like a bargain — one that has paid dividends on both special teams and defense.

Carr, who signed a one-year offer sheet worth around $2 million in March that the Raiders declined to match, has been one of the AFC’s better kickoff and punt returners for much of the season. But until the Week 11 game at Jacksonville, he had not received extended playing time on defense. That changed when Eric King, who was filling in for the injured Nick Harper, suffered a broken left forearm. Pressed into service, Carr responded with an outstanding performance, defending three passes and setting up the game-clinching touchdown with a leaping, toe-tapping interception along the Titans’ sideline. Harper could return for the Week 12 game vs. the Jets, but King is expected to miss several weeks and perhaps the rest of the regular season, so Carr's emergence could not have come at a better time.

The Jaguars frequently threw in Carr’s direction, something Carr expected. He recalled telling teammate Reynaldo Hill that whenever he got his chance to play, “I’m going to get a couple pass break-ups and a pick, because they don’t think I’m any good.”

Earning respect as a cornerback hasn’t been easy for Carr, who told PFW he never thought he played as much as he should have on defense in Oakland. Nevertheless, other teams liked what they saw from him when he got a chance to play in the Raiders’ defensive backfield. The Browns wanted to sign him to play cornerback, but they already had Pro Bowl RS Josh Cribbs in the fold, and Carr wanted to continue to return kickoffs and punts.

When he visited Tennessee, his host was Titans CB Cortland Finnegan, and Carr quickly sensed his goals were aligned with his potential new club. “Just talking to him about the players on this team, everybody was professional and wanted to win,” Carr said.

Carr said he learned about professionalism in Oakland, where he realized early on that playing time on defense would be limited but sporadic.

“I really made a conscious decision there that if I get my shot, I have to prepare,” said Carr, who started four games in three seasons in Oakland. He added, “There’s no worse feeling going into the game unprepared or out of shape.”

His diligence was rewarded in Week 11.

Nov. 14, 2008   

Titans WR Jones starting to put it all together

Updated at 9:25 a.m. CST Monday, Nov. 17

The Titans had to wonder if WR Brandon Jones was ever going to develop into a key part of the offense. Injuries hampered Jones in two of his first three seasons, and expectations were not particularly high for him entering the ’08 campaign. But it appears Jones is starting to finally deliver on his promise. Injuries to starting WRs Justin Gage and Justin McCareins at various points of the season have allowed Jones to log more playing time, and he has stepped up, never more so than at Chicago on Nov. 9, when he hauled in a career-best eight catches in a 21-14 win marked by the Bears’ selling out vs. the running game unlike any other Tennessee opponent this season. If the Titans were going to prevail, it was going to be with the passing game, and Jones was perhaps never better than in that pivotal game. In Week 11’s win over the Jaguars, Jones contributed two catches for 23 yards and a touchdown.

Nov. 6, 2008   

Instinctive Scaife becomes Titans' go-to receiver

A knack for getting open, a good rapport with QB Kerry Collins and an understanding of offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger’s offense have worked hand-in-hand to make TE Bo Scaife the Titans’ leading pass catcher this season.

Entering Week 10, Scaife had caught 32 passes for 344 yards and a touchdown for the undefeated Titans, a team not known for its passing game but one that had made enough passes to fend off defenses gearing up to stop RBs Chris Johnson and LenDale White.

The 6-3, 249-pound Scaife, a fourth-year player from Texas, has been a dependable target for four starting quarterbacks (Steve McNair, Billy Volek, Vince Young, Collins) and has thrived both in the offenses of Norm Chow and Heimerdinger. In a recent interview with PFW, Scaife credited Heimerdinger for allowing him to add his “flair” to passing routes — allowing him to occasionally adjust his route when circumstances warrant. “I’m a pretty intelligent player,” Scaife said. “I understand what I’m trying to do.”

One of Scaife’s biggest assets is his ability to create after the catch. According to STATS, only two tight ends — the Redskins’ Chris Cooley and the Texans’ Owen Daniels — had racked up more yards after the catch than Scaife, who prides himself on making the first defender miss. In addition to bigger gains, this can help in avoiding the big hits that often come when a defender holds up a receiver for his teammates to finish off the tackle. As a prep star at J.K. Mullen High School in Denver, Scaife picked up a valuable piece of advice from coach Butch Johnson, a wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys from 1976-83.

“He said, ‘The less you get hit, the longer you’re going to play,’ ” Scaife recalled.

Career longevity is something associated with Collins, whose 14th NFL season is shaping up as one of his best. From the start, he has not hesitated to look for Scaife in pressure situations. Collins’ first pass of the season was a short toss to Scaife on a 3rd-and-15 play vs. Jacksonville in the season opener. Scaife rumbled for 44 yards, and four plays later, RB LenDale White scored the game-clinching touchdown.

“If he’s in trouble, he knows I’m going to be open,” Scaife said.

October

Oct. 31, 2008   

Tulloch's ascension to Titans' starting lineup has gone well

Updated at 9:25 a.m. CST Monday, Nov. 3

As far as in-season changes to the Titans’ starting lineup goes, the switch from Vince Young to Kerry Collins trumps all in terms of attention and impact. But another lineup tweak — installing Stephen Tulloch at middle linebacker in place of Ryan Fowler — has worked out pretty well, too. Installed as the starter in Week Four, Tulloch, a third-year player from North Carolina State, notched 26 tackles in his first five games in the lineup, and no tackle was bigger than his takedown of Colts RB Dominic Rhodes on a pivotal 4th-and-1 play in the Week Eight win over Indianapolis. The 5-11, 235-pound Tulloch has good instincts and is a little quicker than Fowler, whose 6-3, 250-pound frame makes him an option the Titans can turn to in short-yardage situations, if needed. In Week Nine’s win over the Packers, Tulloch led the Titans with six tackles and also had a fumble recovery.

Oct. 23, 2008   

Second NFL season has been learning experience for Titans' Henry

With Chris Johnson and LenDale White in the backfield, there has been no work for second-year RB Chris Henry, who was inactive in the Titans' first six games of the season. But RB coach Earnest Byner recently told PFW that he's pleased with how Henry, the Titans' second-round pick in 2007, has reacted to his lack of playing time. "I think he’s come along after going through the process of being deactivated the first five games," Byner said. "He came in (during the team's Week Six bye week) and asked me about the things he wanted me to do, and I was perfectly frank about his position and the difficult position he is in." Added Byner, "He has really started to apply some of the things we have talked about." At present, the only way the 5-11, 230-pound Henry is likely to see the field is if Johnson or White were to be hurt, but whenever he gets his next chance to play, Byner believes he'll be ready. "This situation is going to help him when his opportunity comes back around," Byner said.

Oct. 16, 2008   

White still important part of Titans' backfield

Updated at 10:17 a.m. EDT Monday. Oct. 20

Don’t look for Titans RB LenDale White to be the forgotten man in the Tennessee backfield. Yes, White received only three carries in the Week Five game at Baltimore, with rookie Chris Johnson receiving 18, but head coach Jeff Fisher chalked that up to the way the game unfolded more than anything else. Things evened up in Week Seven, when Johnson had 18 carries and White had 17. They combined to rush for 317 yards vs. the Chiefs. White has proven he can handle a heavy workload — he carried 303 times last season — as well as the strain of a long season. Some of White’s best work in ’07 came in the final four weeks of the season, when he carried 92 times for 356 yards as Tennessee made its playoff push. Perhaps he won’t get as much work down the stretch this season, but the Titans know they can count on him when the conditions turn more winterlike and a more physical style of offense is needed.

Oct. 9, 2008   

Finnegan-Bulluck argument put in the past

The way we hear it, CB Cortland Finnegan is well-liked by his teammates, and his dispute with LB Keith Bulluck in the club's Week Five win at Baltimore is likely to be a non-issue going foward. Bulluck shoved Finnegan after the emotional cornerback was flagged for an unnecessary-roughness penalty early in the third quarter. Finnegan has earned a reputation for his tough, fiery play in his brief NFL career, but that bubbled over in the form of a pair of penalties during the Ravens' only TD drive of the game. The first was an offsetting foul, but the second put the Ravens on the Tennessee 11 and caused Bulluck to act. "Keith kind of summed it up best when he said, 'Hey, we’re teammates, we’re brothers, and every once in a while you have an argument on the back lawn' kind of thing," Titans head coach Jeff Fisher said. "I’m sure it was exactly this. Cortland was penalized and Keith said basically something along the lines of, 'Enough’s enough' and Cortland said, 'I didn’t do anything, I shouldn’t have been penalized.' "

Oct. 3, 2008   

Titans WRs Gage, McCareins bigger threats with Collins under center

It's no secret that the Titans have a more robust downfield passing game with Kerry Collins under center. Collins is more accurate than former starter Vince Young and has the arm strength, technique and touch to make the throws needed to stretch the defense. The way we hear it, this has allowed WRs Justin McCareins and Justin Gage to be bigger threats than they would have been otherwise. Entering Week Five, both receivers had racked up more than 80 receiving yards in one of their starts this season, something Titans wideouts only did all of six times in 2007 — and only three times in games that Young started and finished. Simply the threat of being able to make a big play here or there in the passing game is a boon to the Titans' run-heavy offense, which needs to keep defenses putting that extra defender in the box honest. It's another reason why Collins' transition to the starting lineup has been a seamless one.

September

Sept. 26, 2008   

Griffin's understanding of game keys strong start for Titans

Entering Week Four, only one safety — Steelers star Troy Polamalu — had as many interceptions as the Titans’ Michael Griffin. And only Griffin’s teammate, CB Cortland Finnegan, who’s playing like he’ll get strong Pro Bowl consideration, had more picks.

That’s what you call keeping good company. And it’s a testament to the rapid improvement that Griffin, Tennessee’s free safety, is making in his second NFL season. Since taking over as the Titans’ starting free safety late last October, Griffin has intercepted six passes in 13 starts, with three coming in the first three games of this season.

Griffin told PFW that simply getting his hands on the ball more is the area where he has improved the most in his second NFL season. Of course, it also helps that he has been able to get a good jump on the ball in key situations, something he chalks up to an improved understanding of down-and-distance situations. Griffin cited the example of his fourth-quarter interception of Texans QB Matt Schaub in Week Three. The Texans, facing 4th-and-10  and trailing 24-12 with 4:26 left, had to throw it deep. Griffin, who knew that Andre Johnson would be the primary receiver on the play, picked off the pass, ending the Texans’ drive.

The Titans drafted Griffin, who starred at Texas, in Round One of the 2007 draft. At first, they tried him at cornerback, a position that appeared to be lacking after the suspension of Pacman Jones. But Finnegan kept getting better and better, and ex-Colt Nick Harper proved a good fit at the other CB spot. This freed up Griffin to move back to his natural position of safety. In 10 starts in 2007, the 6-foot, 202-pound Griffin notched 54 tackles, intercepted three passes and showed exceptional athleticism for a safety. Now mix in a better grasp of the defense, and you have the elements for his impressive start to his second season.

Griffin told PFW that one of the challenging aspect of his position is reading quarterbacks while “trying to make everything look the same,” meaning that he doesn’t telegraph his intentions. This is all the more important now that the Titans are playing Griffin closer to the line more often — something else for which opposing offenses will have to prepare.

Sept. 18, 2008   

Titans' defense getting solid contributions throughout

There has been no shortage of bright spots for the Titans' defense in its excellent start to the season. The key, the way we hear it, has been the play of DT Albert Haynesworth, who has picked up right where he left off last season. Add to the mix the consistent play of veterans like OLB Keith Bulluck, DE Kyle Vanden Bosch and SS Chris Hope and the rapid improvement of emerging star CB Cortland Finnegan, and there's little doubt this is one of the NFL's best defenses at the moment. The contributions don't stop there, either. One unheralded member of the defense also impressing early in the season is MLB Ryan Fowler, who has been a force on running downs. Hope, the leader of the secondary, also has been a big help vs. the run, and he was singled out by head coach Jeff Fisher for his play in the Week Two win at Cincinnati, a game played in extremely windy conditions that affected the group's ability to communicate.

Sept. 12, 2008   

Collins has chance to keep Titans' QB job

The way we hear it, a tumultuous start to the 2008 season for QB Vince Young has given backup Kerry Collins the opportunity to take the starting job for the rest of the season. With the Titans eyeing a return to the playoffs in 2008, there’s a possibility the Titans will not want to shake up the offense if Collins plays well in Young’s absence. Young, who sprained his left knee in the season opener — and whose mindset has been a hot-button topic of late — could be out until mid-October. Young could very well reclaim the job at that point, “but he’s got some work to do, obviously,” Titans head coach Jeff Fisher said. “He has to put some things back in perspective and, first and foremost, has to get healthy.”

Sept. 4, 2008   

Titans’ Young needs to get on same page with WRs, spread ball around

Updated at 11:15 a.m. EDT Monday, Sept. 8

When QB Vince Young suffered a sprained left knee late in the Titans’ season opener vs. the Jaguars, backup Kerry Collins came in, completed both of his passes for 65 yards and led Tennessee to the game-clinching touchdown. Collins’ play underscored his importance to the Titans; dating back to last season, the club’s last two regular-season wins have come with Collins closing out the win for an injured Young. Titans head coach Jeff Fisher has indicated that Young’s injury is not serious, but he may not start in Week Two. The Titans can afford to be prudent with their young quarterback’s health as long as Collins continues to thrive off the bench. As for Young, his 2008 debut was marked by two interceptions, but he did throw a touchdown pass to rookie RB Chris Johnson, who racked up 127 total yards in his first game as a pro.

August

Aug. 29, 2008   

Titans plan to ride their horses at receiver

Just because the Titans have a bevy of wideouts on their roster — they currently employ nine — doesn’t mean they’re planning to use a heavy receiver rotation. From what we hear, only three receivers will see serious playing time this season. Starters Justin Gage and Justin McCareins will get the most action, and slot guy Brandon Jones will see a healthy amount of snaps as well. But that’s it. The rest of the wideouts who make the final roster — we understand they’ll probably keep six, with Chris Davis, Paul Williams and one other pass catcher being shown the door — will spend most of their time watching from the sidelines. That includes Roydell Williams, who is apparently nowhere near being able to contribute in his return from an ankle injury. The reason for this strategy is that new offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger likes to establish a rhythm with his receivers and prefers not to rotate guys in and out. This method keeps the best players on the field and should help them develop a better rapport with QB Vince Young.

Aug. 21, 2008   

Crumpler's arrival in Tennessee doesn't spell doom for TE Scaife

When the Titans brought in former Pro Bowl TE Alge Crumpler this offseason, many saw it as a signal that last year’s starter, Bo Scaife, was headed to the bench as a reserve. From what we hear, however, Scaife will not be a forgotten target in the passing game. The fourth-year Texas product had a great training camp and has impressed in the preseason, looking much more polished as a pass catcher. In fact, Scaife leads Tennessee in receptions through two exhibition games with five. Now, this is not to say that he is on the verge of supplanting Crumpler, who has opened eyes thus far himself, but Scaife’s solid play may persuade offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger to implement more two-TE sets, in which both players would be on the field simultaneously. Given the Titans’ current crop of receivers, this formation could be their best bet. It could also help the play of QB Vince Young, who doesn’t have a huge arm and likes finding his tight ends. If Crumpler can return to the pass-catching force he was in Atlanta, Scaife may see lots of single coverage this season and may post much better numbers than people expect.

Aug. 15, 2008   

White open to a different role with Titans

Titans camp was abuzz about RB Chris Johnson even before he sprinted away from the Rams' defense en route to an easy-looking 66-yard TD run in the preseason opener vs. St. Louis, and there is no longer any doubt that he'll have a big role in the offense — perhaps even that of a starter on occasion. But we're hearing RB LenDale White is also having a very good summer. He's a little lighter and quicker than he was last season. With Johnson in the fold, White will get fewer carries. Nevertheless, White, who rushed for 1,110 yards last season, has embraced this change. White starred at USC as the bruising complement to Reggie Bush, and it's a role he may reprise in his third season in Tennessee.

Aug. 8, 2008   

Young's improved accuracy in scrimmage one of several positive signs for Tennessee's offense

Titans QB Vince Young

Looking for positive signs from the Titans’ offense as the preseason games start? Several have emerged. QB Vince Young’s strong play in a scrimmage vs. the Rams was a pleasant surprise, the way we hear it, after a nondescript start to training camp. The Titans want a less mistake-prone, more accurate Young, and his command vs. the Rams was impressive. The offense also received a boost from the return of WR Roydell Williams, who still is bothered by an ankle injury suffered at the end of last season but capable all the same of being a vertical threat for an offense that needs all the field-stretching capability it can get. Along those same lines, the continued improvement of speedy rookie RB Chris Johnson remains one of the top story lines to watch throughout the preseason, the way we hear it, and the potential exists for him to be a significant part of the offense.

Aug. 1, 2008   

Titans LB Tulloch making a push for more playing time

One of the most promising developments early in Titans camp, the way we hear it, has been the play of third-year LB Stephen Tulloch, whose instincts and playmaking ability have turned heads and have led to some chatter about him potentially pushing MLB Ryan Fowler out of the starting lineup. However, a source close to the club says Fowler is still the likely Week One starter, with Tulloch likely to get an increased workload in passing situations and perhaps also at outside linebacker in some situations. At the least, Tulloch's development enhances the Titans' LB depth and gives them some flexibility in the event Fowler is disciplined by the NFL. ESPN.com reported in June that Fowler had been informed by the NFL that he faced a suspension for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing drugs.

July

July 18, 2008   

Kearse, Hayes get first crack at holding down Titans' DLE spot

Jevon Kearse has not posted double-digit sacks since 2001, which was also the last time he played a 16-game season. So what Kearse, who will be 32 as of Week One, can still bring to the Titans' defense is a matter of debate. Nevertheless, he will get first run at the starting DLE job, one shared by Antwan Odom and Travis LaBoy a season ago. That tandem combined for 14 sacks a season ago, but both players left via free agency. Kearse, back for a second stint in Tennessee after a disappointing four-year stint in Philadelphia, will be spelled by rookie William Hayes, a fourth-round pick out of Winston-Salem (N.C.) State. The Titans' hope is that Kearse can recapture his old form and that the leap from college to the pros won't be too much for Hayes, 23. The way we hear it, second-round pick Jason Jones is also expected to get a handful of snaps at left end, but the plan is for Kearse and Hayes to get most of the work outside.

June

June 25, 2008   

Graves likes what he's seeing from WRs

If the Titans' WR corps doesn't make the strides expected of it this season, it won't be on account of the group not getting along, according to WR coach Fred Graves. "The chemistry in our room is as good as I've seen," Graves told PFW. "Guys just come to work every day." Graves recalled a recent day off when all of the wide receivers still elected to show up at the team facility and watch film. Another promising sign for the Titans: second-year WR Paul Williams might be ready to contribute after not catching a pass as a rookie. "He's really made big strides," Graves said. "To be honest, (as a rookie), he thought he knew it all. He learned he had a lot to learn. … He's been a professional." 

June 6, 2008   

FB Hall could have an expanded role in Heimerdinger's offense

Don’t be surprised if FB Ahmard Hall is a bigger part of the offense this season, the way we hear it. The 5-11, 242-pound Hall has no touchdowns in two NFL seasons and only 24 catches for 198 yards and eight rushes for 29 yards to his credit. However, offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger’s offenses are known for spreading the ball around to a variety of targets, including fullbacks, tight ends and H-backs. Hall missed five games last season with a broken arm, but he was a pleasant surprise as a 26-year-old rookie in 2006, and he is likely to have a consistent role in the Titans’ backfield, which can now show opponents a variety of looks with the addition of speedy and versatile rookie Chris Johnson.

May

May 30, 2008   

Battle for spots on Titans' WR depth chart could be fierce

One of the most contentious position battles in the Titans' training camp figures to be at wide receiver. Justin Gage and Roydell Williams are the likely starters, with veteran Justin McCareins — who we hear has played well when filling in for Williams as the latter recovers from a broken ankle — also expected to have an important role. Polished rookie Lavelle Hawkins, a fourth-round pick out of Cal, could also work into the rotation; he has impressed with his technique in his early work with the club and has really turned some heads. If Hawkins is ready for an important role, he could put some pressure on second-year WRs Paul Williams and Chris Davis, neither of whom made much of an impact in his first NFL season and both are now playing for an offensive coordinator (Mike Heimerdinger) who wasn't on the coaching staff when they were drafted. There is a sense that Paul Williams, Davis and former Lions and Raiders WR Mike Williams could be in real fights for their jobs. While it can be argued the Titans don't have a true go-to receiver, they do have strength in numbers at the position.

May 23, 2008   

Rookie Johnson a key player in a Titans backfield that could get even more crowded

Titans RB Chris Johnson knows the only way he’ll get regular playing time in his first season is by mastering the playbook. “You have got to go at it like it’s a class, like in college,” said Johnson, speaking at the NFL Players Rookie Premiere in Los Angeles last weekend. “I really didn’t like to study, but I’ve got to read it (the playbook) like it’s a test.” Johnson, the Titans’ first-round pick out of East Carolina, is expected to contribute immediately in a crowded Tennessee backfield that includes starter LenDale White and change-of-pace back Chris Henry. And more competition could be coming: Former Texans RB Ron Dayne and ex-Lions RB Kevin Jones visited the club on Thursday. Johnson, best-known for his rare speed, believes he can make an impact in other ways, too. “I make people miss and I run with power,” he said. 

May 14, 2008   

DL Jones' future may be at tackle

Word from Nashville is rookie Jason Jones is likely to get significant playing time at defensive tackle, the position that respected DL coach Jim Washburn believes he is best-suited to play. Jones, a second-round pick from Eastern Michigan, was one of the more intriguing prospects of the linemen not selected in Round One because of his ability to both play defensive end and defensive tackle. Jones figures to also get a look at left defensive end, but with the Titans needing capable backups for starting DTs Albert Haynesworth and Tony Brown, the rookie may make his biggest impact inside. It’s unclear whether the Titans want him to bulk up from his current weight of 270 pounds. “I know that I have more room to gain weight in my upper body, as well as my lower body,” Jones told Tennessee reporters on draft weekend. “It is up to the coaches.”

May 9, 2008   

Titans want RB Johnson to create mismatches

The way we hear it, the Titans are likely to get first-round pick Chris Johnson about 8-12 touches a game in his first season. Johnson, a running back from East Carolina, was far and away the fastest player at Tennessee's rookie minicamp, and offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger will work to get him the ball in positions where he'll have the edge because of that speed. Johnson's development will be key for a Tennessee offense that was 23rd in yards per play last season. On paper, he looks like he'll be the Titans' most dangerous player in space. He figures to also contribute on special teams, an area where Tennessee lacked punch last season.

April

April 25, 2008   

Valuable Bironas could become unrestricted free agent next year

Updated as of 8:00 a.m. EDT Monday, April 28

The way we hear it, talks between the Titans and PK Rob Bironas on a long-term deal have not occurred in some time, yet we’re hearing the restricted free agent hopes to stay in Tennessee beyond 2008. Bironas, a restricted free agent, has yet to sign his tender. The 30-year-old Bironas may have been the Titans’ offensive MVP a season ago. Bironas connected on 35-of-39 field goals, including an impressive 13-of-15 attempts from 40 yards and beyond. He also averaged 67.6 yards on kickoffs, tops among kickers who played a full season. If he signs his tender and plays out the ’08 season, Bironas will be part of what could be another class of important unrestricted free agents for Tennessee. OT David Stewart could be free agent after the ’08 season, as could Pro Bowl DT Albert Haynesworth if he simply signs his franchise-player tender and plays out his contract.

April 11, 2008   

Carr likely to play multiple roles for Titans

The Titans’ signing of former Raiders restricted free-agent RS-DB Chris Carr bolsters Tennessee’s depth at two positions of need. Carr, who averaged 24.1 yards on 201 kickoff returns in three seasons with Oakland, is likely to team with Chris Henry on kickoffs. The Titans averaged only 21.1 yards on kickoffs a season ago. Carr can also return punts, but that’s not his strength, as evidenced by six fumbles and a 5.9-yard average on 77 career returns. Carr has a nice burst but not a lot of long speed, and he has never returned a kickoff or a punt for a touchdown. Carr has logged four starts in the secondary and will compete to be the Titans’ sixth defensive back. The way we hear it, Carr will push backup CBs Kelly Herndon and Reynaldo Hill for playing time in the team’s “sub” packages.

April 2, 2008   

Scott takes over for stalwart Olson at right guard

The retirement of Benji Olson paves the way for Jake Scott to start at right guard. Olson played 10 seasons, nine as a full-time starter. But a history of back problems caused him to step aside. At his retirement press conference last week, Olson was candid about his health. “I’m probably most proud of just making it this long,” Olson said. “… Part of the reason I decided to come out early [from the University of Washington, where he was an All-American] was I didn’t know how many years I had left on my back. The fact that I’ve made it this long dealing with my back, and the last couple of years it’s gotten chronically worse and harder to deal with … just hanging in there and being able to go out there and fight through back pain, (it’s) just a blessing to be able to play in the NFL.” OL coach Mike Munchak praised Olson’s all-around game, noting how good he could be both in run and pass protection. The 6-5, 295-pound Scott, who turns 27 on April 16, has been praised by Titans officials for his sound technique and ability to handle bigger interior linemen.

March

March 28, 2008   

Pressure is on Titans' WR corps

Can one — or more — of the Titans’ young receivers step up in 2008? If so, the impact on the offense could be significant. The depth behind starters Justin Gage and Roydell Williams is talented but unproven. Fourth-year WR Brandon Jones has had moments where he’s looked like a player, but he missed seven games because of injury last season. The way we hear it, second-year WR Paul Williams is under pressure to show something after not contributing as a rookie. Fellow second-year WR Chris Davis had a rocky rookie season handling punts but figures to hold down a roster spot as a slot receiver and a returner. Some may call ex-Raiders WR Mike Williams the X-factor of the group, but the reality is that he’s going to have to have a great offseason and training camp to have a shot at sticking on the roster. Ex-Jets WR Justin McCareins is back for a second stint with the Titans, which further ratchets up the competition for spots on the depth chart.

March 21, 2008   

Are new deals coming for Roos, Stewart and Haynesworth?

It has, in many ways, been a relatively quiet offseason for the Titans, considering the abundant salary-cap space they carried into free agency. The team’s highest-priced signing was a guard (Indianapolis’ Jake Scott), and its biggest-name signings were a pair of veterans with something to prove (ex-Falcons TE Alge Crumpler and ex-Eagles DE Jevon Kearse). With the unrestricted free-agent market picked over, the focus turns to whether the Titans can sign several of their own players to contract extensions. OLT Michael Roos’ agent went public in his desire for his client to receive a new deal. ORT David Stewart, a restricted free agent, is another player the Titans would like to have for the long term. And then there is the case of DT Albert Haynesworth, the team’s franchise player. The way we hear it, the Titans may get a pass from the public if they use some of that salary-cap space to retain some of their core players beyond ’08, but entering this season with each of those players signed for only one more season will cause some consternation — and would lead to a rather interesting beginning to next offseason.

March 12, 2008   

Durable Scott bolsters Tennessee's O-line

The signing of Colts ORG Jake Scott makes up somewhat for the loss of Jacob Bell to St. Louis. Scott, 26, started every game the last three seasons for Indianapolis. Several evaluators polled by PFW before the start of free agency preferred teammate Ryan Lilja, the Colts’ left guard, and Indianapolis signed Lilja to a five-year contract before the new league year commenced. But Scott is a capable starter, and the Titans were looking for a veteran guard to replace Bell. ORG Benji Olson’s long-term future is also in doubt because of back problems, so the addition of Scott protects the Titans against that uncertainty. Scott, who, according to The Indianapolis Star, received a contract worth $20 million over four years, is the Titans’ most expensive signing to date. Tennessee has been criticized by some for not being more aggressive at the outset of free agency, but it may have snagged two bargains in TE Alge Crumpler and DE Jevon Kearse; both signed short-term deals. And Scott’s contract, while lucrative, probably doesn’t take the Titans out of play if they want to shop more in free agency. Wide receiver is at the top of the list of their needs.

March 7, 2008   

Bargain-hungry Titans finally getting into free-agent game

Updated 9 a.m. ET, Saturday, March 8

Late in the first week of free agency, the Titans became active shoppers. But is it too late, given the personnel losses the team sustained earlier in the signing period? That’s the question in Tennessee after the club lost DEs Antwan Odom and Travis LaBoy to Cincinnati and Arizona respectively and could not keep steady OLG Jacob Bell from signing with St. Louis. The way we hear it, the departures of Odom and Bell particularly sting. Last season, as DRT Albert Haynesworth and DRE Kyle Vanden Bosch played at Pro Bowl levels, Odom also thrived, notching eight sacks. The Titans regarded him as a very good complementary player, and he could prove hard to replace. Tennessee tried to bring back Bell, but the Rams — beset by O-line injuries and inconsistency last season — made signing him a top priority. Leroy Harris is likely to step into Bell’s spot in the lineup, but the Titans may add another guard in free agency or the draft. Colts OG Jake Scott visited the club this week. The Titans are also in the market for defensive ends even after agreeing to terms with DE Jevon Kearse, recently cut by the Eagles after beginning his career with Tennessee. Josh Thomas, a free agent from Indianapolis, also visited. The most intriguing visitor of all was Cowboys RB Julius Jones, as Tennessee searches for a veteran back to pair with LenDale White. However, Jones decided to sign with Seattle.

February

Feb. 27, 2008   

Fisher: Titans could get in on free agency's first wave

Expect the Titans to be active early in free agency, head coach Jeff Fisher indicated at the Scouting Combine. Fisher said the Titans will have "a player or two" to visit early in the signing period, which starts Friday. "A lot can happen between now and Friday, but we've identified some players we think can help us," Fisher said. "We'd like to think that from their perspective that our rebuilding process is over, and now what we need is key components on both sides of the ball to keep us competitive. I'd like to think that the players would at least be interested in what we have to offer." The Titans want to add more playmakers on offense, especially in the passing game, but they may also look at the defensive linemen available in free agency with DEs Antwan Odom and Travis LaBoy slated to hit the market.

Feb. 20, 2008   

Loss of Smith a blow to Titans

In the end, Titans assistant head coach/RB coach Sherman Smith couldn't turn down a chance to be the Redskins' offensive coordinator, a role he was unlikely to play in Tennessee any time soon. The departure of Smith, who coached Tennessee's running backs for 13 seasons, is no insignificant loss. Smith was a well-liked and respected assistant who helped Eddie George develop into a star and was charged with molding young LenDale White and Chris Henry into professionals. And he was having success on that front: White was a dependable starter last season, and Henry flashed intriguing ability as the Titans' change-of-pace back. It's unclear whom the Titans are considering as Smith's replacement.

Feb. 15, 2008   

If Stallworth hits market, Titans likely to be a suitor

The way we hear it, should Patriots WR Donté Stallworth hit the market, the Titans are expected to be a suitor for the former University of Tennessee star. The Patriots have to decide whether to play Stallworth an option bonus reportedly worth $6 million to $8 million by Feb. 25; if they decline, Stallworth will be a free agent, and the Titans — who showed significant interest in Stallworth last offseason — figure to again look seriously at him. Stallworth’s deep speed is his greatest attribute, and the Titans lack a receiver who can stretch the field. Stallworth, 27, caught 46 passes for 697 yards and three touchdowns for New England in 2007.

January

Jan. 30, 2008   

DEs Odom, LaBoy to draw interest in free agency

Will DE Antwan Odom get an offer he can’t refuse from another club in free agency? The 6-5, 274-pound Odom had eight sacks in 2007 despite splitting time with Travis LaBoy, who’s also an unrestricted free agent; hence, it won’t be a surprise if the Titans are looking for defensive ends in the offseason, given the demand both Odom and LaBoy could draw on the open market. The good news for the Titans: DL coach Jim Washburn is one of the very best in his profession. But losing either Odom or LaBoy would be a blow to the Titans’ defensive line, which was such a key to Tennessee’s first playoff berth since 2003.