#16: The Not-Quite-Ready-for-Primetime Players

When we talk about the best coaches in football, one name conspicuously shows up year after year. Jeff Fisher may have a cool mustache and a philosophy, but its not clear that he has won enough to be in the "great coach" conversation. This guy has won less than John Fox. Fisher has a system, and his teams are generally competitive, but since the Steve McNair era ended, it's been one step forward, two steps back in Nashville. Last year, they stumbled to 0-6, then went 8-6 down the stretch thanks to 2,500 yards from scrimmage by Chris Johnson. This upturn, combined with their 13-3 season two years ago, has many thinking the Titans are poised for a positive season. While they clearly have the coaching and the talent to be competitive, I don't view them as a playoff team.

One reason the Titans slid out of the gate last year was the departure of Albert Haynesworth, whose replacement, Jason Jones, is half the run blocker his predecessor was. After his pro-bowl season in 2008, cornerback Cortland Finnegan was just average. Perhaps his success was linked to defensive co-ordinator Jim Schwartz, who left for Detroit. Going into 2010, Tennessee still doesn't have a quality defensive tackle and still has the milquetoast Chuck Cecil calling defensive plays. Couple this with the club not resigning Keith Bulluck or Kyle Vanden Bosch, the clear leaders of the group, and the defense will continue to be in major disarray.

Okay, so maybe the offense, potent at times, will take the next step. Not so fast - every running back to breach the 2,000 yard mark has followed it up with a subpar season (O.J. Simpson was the best, compiling 1314 total yards in 1974, but only 4 TDs). Chris Johnson made his money on half a dozen absurdly long plays last year - a lot like Adrian Peterson in 2007. If defenses focus in on him, and he gets loose a little less, or, due to his small size, he suffers an injury, not even Jeff Fisher can tell you who will be taking the majority of the snaps. So here we go, four years later, and the fate of this team still rests on the uneasy shoulders of Vince Young.

The former longhorn's overnight disappearance and apparent suicidal ideations were put to rest by the Titans capable, if not strong, finish to last season. Now he enters the season as the clear starter for the first time since that situation transpired, and expectations have never been higher. While Kenny Britt is a good receiver, I see him more as an Anquan Boldin-style tough guy, not a true versatile number 1. The passing game will be average at best, if Young can keep his head in the game. Do not expect that option package to have the same success this year - with Tim Tebow entering the league, D-co's have plenty of reason to scheme against it.

All this only is only focusing on what the team can control. Their immaturity, tenuous offense and ravaged defense aside, they have to contend in the AFC South, against a juggernaut in Indy, and as we'll soon see, the newly arrived Houston Texans.