The Titans are who we thought they were
By now, everyone has seen video footage of former Arizona head coach Dennis Green’s famous tirade after an improbable comeback defeat to the Bears during the 2006 season. For those who’ve missed it, the impromptu display of frustration by Green has since become the subject of a Coors Light commercial that is aired often during NFL broadcasts.
“They are who we thought they were” can also be appropriately applied to the plight of the 2007 Tennessee Titans. The same tendencies, good and bad, that became trademarks of this year’s Titan squad were highly evident in yesterday’s 17-6 playoff defeat to the Chargers.
First, let’s start with the good. The Titans are distinctively known as a resilient bunch. They have overcome their share of adversity of this season, beginning with the year long suspension of Adam “PacMan” Jones, a three game losing streak during the start of the season’s second half and finally, a devastating home overtime loss to the Chargers that almost destroyed their hopes of making the playoffs.
Despite the inability of the offense to move the football, the defensive unit persevered as they attempted to ward off an explosive San Diego offensive arsenal. Holding perhaps the league’s best running back to a meager two yards per carry on the afternoon is an impressive accomplishment, as the Titans consistently closed holes that LaDainian Tomlinson usually sails through. Unfortunately for Tennessee, “the LaDainian Leap” on fourth and goal served as the dagger that ended the Titans’ bid to advance to the next round of the postseason.
On the opposite end of the spectrum was the performance of the offense. The same problems that have plagued the Titans’ offense this season were also a thorn in the side during yesterday’s defeat. The running game churned out a solid performance in the first half as the Titan offensive line pummeled opposing Charger defensive linemen that stood in its relentless path.
Despite the early success of the running game, the Titans failed in their opportunities to score touchdowns in the red zone, as they continued this season’s recurring theme of settling for Rob Bironas field goals. As the Titans have found out all season, it takes touchdowns to defeat the league’s better teams.
The Titans fought hard but unfortunately, they came up short in their first postseason appearance since 2003. The team continues to be an embodiment of their head coach Jeff Fisher: they play tough, physical football for 60 minutes and almost always give their best effort. That aspect of the team’s identity must survive as the Titans continue their development.
However, in order for the Titans to reach their potential and rejoin the league’s elite, a new identity must emerge. Instead of being a team that is offensively challenged, management must go out and secure the services of playmakers at the skill positions that can get into the end zone.
An influx of talent on offense will go a long way towards enabling the Titans to transform into the team we think they can become in the future.
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10 Responses to “The Titans are who we thought they were”
January 7th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Let me start by saying I am a a Titans fan since the Houston oilers days.
The titans inability to score in the red zone is troubling.
Vince Young has not shown any improvement over last year.
The offense is predictable.
I am not saying to fire Norm Chow but he should rewrite his play book and push the GM to get better receivers so we can stretch the field. I am wondering what number 70 was doing in the latter part of the game. HE WAS NOT BLOCKING FOR VINCE.
Opponents stack the line in the red zone because they know its a run play. The offence never seem to be insync.
January 7th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Yeah, the majority of titans’ fans are hoping for some upgrades on the offensive side of the football, especially at the wr and perhaps the te position.
Considering the huge amount of cap room the Titans have going into the offseason, one would hope that some quality talent will be brung into the fold.
We shall see.
January 7th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
Hi guys, I’m not gonna complain—it was great to have the Titans in the playoffs! When you look at all the injuries to key guys (a lot of these players weren’t even dressed for the game), and when you realize Vince Young was playing hurt the whole game, I’m amazed the game was kept close enough long enough that it could have gone either way. Titans will upgrade, Vince will be better, 2008 could be a very good year for the Titans.
January 7th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
As a Titians fan I felt like this year was pretty good when you consider that VY was hurt most of the year. I’m not trying to make excuses but if Vince didn’t have to deal with his quad injury it would have been a different Vince out there playing football. I feel our receivers are going to improve but i would love to see Limas Sweed in a Titans uniform. But we are a young team so i can’t wait till next year
January 8th, 2008 at 11:38 am
I agree, Tom Junior and Alex— it looks good for next year. Let the healing begin.
January 8th, 2008 at 11:43 am
Hopefully, this season’s playoff appearance will be a stepping stone for greater things to come.
The Titans do appear to be headed in the right direction.
January 9th, 2008 at 10:55 am
i do not know how any critics can say that Vince Young did not improve this year. vince had the same completion percentage as Kurt warner and was only .3% behind Matthew Hasselback, who both have better (hasselback) if not way better (warner) options to throw to and much more experience. vincent showed great signs of poise, and delivered many tough and tight passes. in my personal opinion, i think the scheme and focus this year was set on vince running much less and focusing on passing/reading coverage. the receivers dropped alot of balls this year and the team had WAY to many fumbles(worse than INT’s.!) for as much as the D improved (32nd to 5th). 12 gage showed the best signs this year of consistentcy but im pretty sure that we only signed him for 1 year. Our Team lost by only 2 to Indi when they were healthy(excluding mcfarland) and Indy proved to be great and deep this year. the titans are approx. 40+ mill under the cap for next (2008) year and the draft is deep (unfortunately on paper not so much WR). and i also wanted to mention that the titans need to cut givens because this year i read that he made 6.8 last and 5.4 mil this season. that was 11th amongst WRs and for no play for us the past to seasons, he may need to go but we need WRs and im willing to give him a chance.
ps sorry for the long post but vince is still underrated at qb, he was a little hampered this year, chris browns fumbles INSIDE the 10 (ind/sd) are unexcusable and made us look awful on the scoreboard. BUT LISTEN WE MADE THE PLAYOFFS THINGS ARE ONLY GONNA GET BETTER!
January 9th, 2008 at 10:58 am
i forgot to say that Corland Finnegan is a BEAST
January 9th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
Titan Baumer,
I agree that Finnegan had a solid year. He did a solid job of replacing Pacman.
Vince is going to experience some growing pains as he continues to develop as an NFL qb. His passing stats would have looked better if the receivers had merely hung onto the ball more often.
However, his TD/INT ratio is an area that must improve.
I am looking forward to seeing how Vince does in his 3rd season.
January 9th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
Good points, Titan Baumer…
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