7 Things The Titans Must Do To Become 2009 Champs

Yeah, I got the idea from Stampede Blue, but oh well. Last year after our 10-0 start and our monster regular season, we were crushed when we lost in our first round. This year we have another chance. In my opinion, these are 7 things, in no particular order, that will help us win it all in '09. Here we go...

1. Chuck Cecil must keep the defense stellar

Jim Schwartz departed to the Lions, but  we have most of the same defensive lineup as last year.  Jeff Fisher also seems very comfortable with Cecil. "I'm completely comfortable.  He worked very, very closely with Jim [Schwartz] and we are not changing anything.  Chuck has worked with Jim.  He has been in the box.  He has heard every call.  He has watched everything, every play during the ball game." 

2. Our wide receivers must improve

Though we are a "run-first" team, we need to be a "round" team to thrive. Our  defense is stellar, our running game is superb, so the only thing stopping us from being an absolutely unstoppable team is our mediocre passing game. In my opinion, Kerry Collins can handle his quarterback duties very well, and he showed so when he had to during last season.

Really, the only major subtraction in the offense during the offseason was Brandon Jones. (Justin McCareins was the other wide receiver that departed, and, well, Vince Young probably has better hands than him.) Nate Washington is an immediate upgrade over Brandon Jones. We will have to see what Kenny Britt will do, and if he will live up to the expectations of being a first round pick. Tight end Jared Cook is another intriguing player. He is build like a wide receiver, and seems to have the hands of a wide receiver, but he can also block. I'm really excited to see what he can do.

3. Albert Haynesworth's spot must be filled

Of course, Fat Al's 8.5 sacks in 2008 and run stuffing ability will be missed, but we have to move on.  The Titans coaching staff believes that we have a replacement, and that man is Jason Jones. He has proved that he definitely can be a great player (we all remember his dynamite game late in the season against the Steelers  where he had 3.5 sacks). Before Haynesworth left, even he believed that Jones could do the job. "Including my rookie year, I've never seen a rookie that far along...if he [Jones] keeps working like he is, he is going to be really, really good."

Another possibility for replacing Al is our second round draft pick this year, Sen'Derrick Marks. What's ironic is that Albert Haynesworth was his idol in his college years, but why wouldn't he be idoling the was the best defensive player in the league.  "That's the crazy part about it. Coming up and going through college Albert Haynesworth was my idol. I always liked the way he played. To get up to the Titans complex and watch film with the coach who coached him as well as me watching what he did, that was a blessing for me. To be in his shoes after he leaves and try to take up what he left behind is going to be hard work. I know I have my work cut out for me, and I'm ready for it."

4. Chris Carr's spot must be filled

Last year, Chris Carr made the field short for Kerry and Co, and that obviously was a great help.  He departed to the dreaded Ravens, and suddenly, we were in need of a returner. As a result, the Titans signed KR/PR Mark Jones from Carolina.

"As a punt returner, he's arguably better than Carr. Jones has averaged 9.4 yards per punt return in his career, compared to Carr's 7.1 yard average, and when he's managed to stay healthy, he's been a consistently solid returner throughout his career." But, Chris Carr came in as a cornerback when we were short on DBs, and Mark Jones seems to be purely a returner.

5. Stay healthy

This is a no brainer. Obviously, to win a championship, the team has to stay healthy through the season, but there are exceptions. Remember last year when so many people thought we were doomed when VY "injured" himself in Game 1? That didn't turn out too bad, eh? During the end of last year, Boom King and Haynesworth were injured. CJ got injured in the playoff game, and I think that if he was healthy through that game, we would have been in the AFC championship game.

6. Keep the running game great

(by the way, this is one of my weekly wallpapers I've done, I'll give the full size one later, when the season starts)

The Titans running game last year was probably the greatest part of the team. This year, in most fantasy mock drafts, CJ is ranked at about the 5 position. Like last year, he has already set high expectations for himself. "I want to be NFL MVP, and lead the league in rushing... I want to be named to another Pro Bowl. I like to set my goals high, and everything is possible.'' Lendale White is in a contract year, and he has to deliver with flying colors

7. Stay stable during the first part of the season

Our schedule seems very, very difficult to start the season. Steelers, Jets, Colts, and Patriots, not to mention the Texans in the first six weeks is a very tough task. Four of the first six are also on the road. The way I see it is if we go over .500, before the Week 7 bye, we will be in good shape, but even that is hard to do. Don't expect another 10-0 start. More likely would be finishing with a winning streak, and that is usually more beneficial anyway. (Not always...ask last year's Colts)