Last season was a weird one in Tennessee. The Titans dropped their first six games — with the last three losses by a combined 101 points — before winning eight of their last 10. Quarterback Vince Young resurrected his career, and the defense eventually played with a little more purpose. Will the Jekyll and Hyde act continue, or do the Titans have what it takes to put a full season together? Let's take a closer look at Tennessee in the 22nd stop of NESN.com's 32-day trip through the NFL.
2009 Record: 8-8 (missed playoffs)
2010 Schedule Difficulty: Their opponents went a combined 140-116 (.547 winning percentage) in 2009, which is tied for the most difficult schedule in the NFL.
Key Additions: Defensive end Derrick Morgan (draft), wide receiver Damian Williams (draft), safety Myron Rolle (draft), quarterback Chris Simms, linebacker Will Witherspoon
Key Losses: Defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch, defensive end Jevon Kearse, tight end Alge Crumpler, running back LenDale White
Burning Question: Will Chris Johnson and the organization reach a resolution in contract discussions?
The running back has a real gripe. Alvin Pearman, who recorded zero carries last season in Tennessee and might not even make the team this year, is under contract for $630,000 in 2010, which is $80,000 more than Johnson. Of course, Johnson is coming off a season in which he gained 2,006 rushing yards and an NFL-record 2,509 yards from scrimmage, and he emerged as the biggest home-run threat in the game.
Naturally, Johnson wants more money, and it sounds like he's willing to hold out unless the Titans restructure the $12 million, five-year rookie deal he signed in 2008. The outside world tends to groan when athletes complain about money, but Johnson deserves to get paid. Obviously, running backs quickly deteriorate as their years pass by, and Johnson wants his cash before that happens.
2010 Outlook: Last season's late momentum will make the Titans a popular pick in 2010, but they've got some ifs. Young has to prove he has the desire to keep improving. Johnson also has to get on the field as soon as possible, because his injury risk will rise if he holds out through training camp. And head coach Jeff Fisher, who is undoubtedly one of the two or three best in the game, has to make sure his message still holds water after 16 years with the same organization.
No matter what, the Titans will be a playoff contender. If all goes perfectly, they could snag the division away from the Colts again.
