2010 Tennessee Titans Season Preview

The 2010 Tennessee Titans Team Preview plays off the the way that the team concluded the 2009 regular season, ending as one of the hottest teams in the league after getting off to a horrendous start to begin the year. The Titans lost the first six games to open 2009, before winning five in a row and ultimately eight of the final 10 games of the year.

After all was said and done, the Titans finished at 8-8 and missed out on the playoffs, but had a lot to look forward to going into the off-season. It starts with running back Chris Johnson, who was the NFL Offensive Player of the Year after becoming just the sixth player in history to cross the 2,000-yard threshold in rushing ending with 2,006 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Starting the year, the Titans put Kerry Collins as the starter on offense, but after and 0-6 start he was replaced in favor of Vince Young. Young has had a very tumultuous relationship with the NFL and the Titans, but came onto the scene in Week 8 in 2009 and the Titans did not lose again until Week 13 against Indianapolis. Tennessee won eight of the final 10 games with Young as quarterback and the Titans were very close to making the playoffs.

Young threw for 1,879 yards and 10 touchdowns in his eight games as a starter. The Titans offense was second in the NFL in rushing behind Johnson, who has said his goal for 2010 was to rush for 2,500 yards. The Titans ranked 12th in the NFL in total offense gaining 351 points per game.

Defensively, the Titans struggled mightily, ranking 28th in the league, surrendering 365 yards per contest. The secondary had difficulties all season long, and were second-to-last in the NFL, giving up nearly 260 per game and putting themselves in quite a hole.

Looking ahead, the 2010 Tennessee Titans Season Preview, the team knows that they missed out on an opportunity, but closed strong and will try and spill that momentum over into the 2010 NFL Season.2010 Tennessee Titans Coaching Staff & ChangesHead Coach Jeff Fisher is the longest tenured coach with his team in the entire league. This will be his 17th season leading the organization, but still likely needs a positive season to please the fans and upper management alike. The Titans made the playoffs in 2008, but did not advance out of the opening round. Last season was a wild ride, for which after a horrendous start, the team regrouped to at least salvage the season and played well down the stretch.

Offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger will have the benefit of the same cast heading into 2010. The same cannot be said for defensive coordinator Chuck Cecil, who's defense was among the league's worst in 2009, and will present a new look in 2010 after the Titans drafted six defensive players in April.2010 Tennessee Titans Key Free Agency Acquisitions & LossesAcquistions
LB - Will Witherspoon from Philadelphia Eagles
QB - Chris Simms from Denver Broncos
CB - Tye Hill from Atlanta Falcons
DE - Jason Babin from Philadelphia Eagles

Losses
TE - Alge Crumpler to New England Patriots
RB - LenDale White traded to Seattle Seahawks
DE - Kyle Vanden Bosch to Detroit Lions
DE - Jevon Kearse to Free Agency
C - Kevin Mawae to Free Agency
CB - Nick Harper to Free Agency 2010 Tennessee Titans NFL DraftRound 1: Pick 16 - DE, Derrick Morgan (Georgia Tech)
Round 3: Pick 77 - WR, Damian Williams (Southern Cal)
Round 3: Pick 97 - LB, Rennie Curran (Georgia)
Round 4: Pick 104 - CB, Alterraun Verner (UCLA)
Round 5: Pick 148 - DB, Robert Johnson (Utah)
Round 6: Pick 176 - QB, Rusty Smith (Florida Atlantic)
Round 6: Pick 207 - SS, Myron Rolle (Florida State)
Round 7: Pick 222 - WR, Marc Mariani (Montana)
Round 7: Pick 241 - DT, David Howard (Brown)
2010 Tennessee Titans QuarterbacksWhen Vince Young came on the scene half way through the 2009 NFL season, hope was already lost among the Titan faithful. However, Young took the snaps and shined as the leader of the team, winning five in a row and eight of the final 10 games of the regular season. The Titans even had an outside shot at making the playoffs. By the end of the year, there was much to look forward to for 2010 as a member of the Titans. Young sports a career record as a starter of 26-13. He will begin 2010 undoubtedly as the starter and will look to get off to a positive start this season without having to dig out of an early hole. Kerry Collins will be the back up, and the Titans have arguably the most experienced 1-2 punch quarterback duo in the league.

2010 Tennessee Titans Quarterback Depth Chart
QB - Vince Young
QB - Kerry Collins
QB - Chris Simms2010 Tennessee Titans Running BacksAll Chris Johnson did in 2009 was become the sixth player in history to rush for over 2,000 yards and collect the NFL's offensive player of the year award. Johnson and the Titans have gone through a public contract debate over the off-season but the team has reached an agreement to a revised deal to get him to training camp on time. Johnson has said his goal for 2010 is to rush for 2,500 yards. He won't be alone in the offensive backfield however, but the departure of bruising back LenDale White hurts. However, several backs are eager to fill the void including Javon Ringer, a former Michigan State standout. The Titans also signed former troubled Oregon running back LaGarrette Blount.

Projected 2010 Tennessee Titans Running Back Depth Chart
RB - Chris Johnson
RB - Javon Ringer 2010 Tennessee Titans Wide ReceiversKenny Brit was a rookie in 2009, but led the Titans in receiving yards nonetheless, tabbing 7-1 yards on 42 catches and three touchdowns. Justin Gage and Nate Washington are also threats in this receiving corps, capable of making big plays. Washington was the team leader in touchdown receptions with six. Tennessee drafted Damian Williams out of USC in the third round of this year's draft and could try and implement him in the 2010 Tennessee Titans offense early.

Projected 2010 Tennessee Titans Wide Receiver Depth Chart
WR - Kenny Brit
WR - Nate Washington
WR - Justin Gage
WR - Damian Williams

Projected 2010 Tennessee Titans Tight End Depth Chart
TE - Bo Scaife
TE - Jared Cook2010 Tennessee Titans Offensive LineWhen a player rushes for 2,000 in a season, there has to be some credit to the offensive line. The line also gave up just 15 sacks, which was second-fewest in the entire league. Coming into 2010 the offensive line for the Titans is a strength to the team, and should continue to be that way barring injury. Center Leroy Harris will anchor the line as left guard Engene Amano and left tackle Michael Roos will continue the solid production of protecting Young's blind side. This could be arguably the league's top unit.

Projected 2010 Tennessee Titans Starting Offensive Line
LT - Michael Roos
LG - Eugen Amaro
C - LeRoy Harris
RG - Jake Scott
RT - David Stewart2010 Tennessee Titans Defensive LineThere were several issues on the defensive side of the ball that needed to be addressed heading into the 2010 Tennessee Titans Season and that is exactly what they did by drafting end Derrick Morgan out of Georgia Tech with the 10th overall pick in the NFL Draft in April. Morgan will get the opportunity to make an immediate impact following the departure of Kyle Vanden Bosch. The pass-rush for the Titans was not good at all last year, and Morgan proved to be a great rusher in college. William Hayes and Jacob Ford will also compete with Morgan for the end positions. On the interior of the line, Jason Jones clogs up the middle while Jovan Haye is also on the interior portion of the front.

Projected 2010 Tennessee Titans Starting Defensive Line
DE - Derrick Morgan
DT - Jason Jones
DT - Tony Brown
DE - William Hayes2010 Tennessee Titans LinebackersTwo linebackers for the Titans in Keith Bullock and David Thorton were on the injured reserve at the close of the 2009 season. Looking ahead to 2010, Tennessee has brought on Gerlad McGrath an Collin Allred as well as signing Will Witherspoon from Philadelphia as the corps could present a completely new look. The Titans also drafted Rennie Curran out of Georgia in the third round. Curran is a bit undersized, but a relentless tackler and a big-time play-maker out of the SEC.

Projected 2010 Tennessee Titans Starting Linebackers
OLB - Will Witherspoon
MLB - Stephen Tulloch
OLB - Gerald McRath
2010 Tennessee Titans SecondaryThe Titans ranked 31st in the NFL last year against the pass, and were among the league worst in every secondary statistical category. The team allowed 259 yards per contest through the air and is an area for much improvement. Cortland Finnegan will anchor the secondary after making the Pro Bowl in 2008. He recorded five interceptions last year to lead the league. The Titans also brought in Tye Hill from Atlanta, who should make a positive impact opposite Finnegan. Tennessee drafted Alterraun Verner out of UCLA in the third round of the 2010 Tennessee Titans draft.

Projected 2010 Tennessee Titans Starting Seconday
CB - Tye Hill
CB - Cortland Finnegan
SS - Chris Hope
FS - Donnie Nickey

2010 Tennessee Titans Preview