FanPost

Zen Mettenberger and the All Defense Draft

There are reasons Whisenhunt had hope for this team going into the season. You know, before he saw the passion play that is the Tennessee Titan’s regular season performance. We do have some insane talent on both sides of the ball. However, it’s time to move on from underperforming talent and players who do not fit the new scheme. Like it or not we don’t have a head coach who can game plan around the talent on the roster. He has a system, and when the system is staffed properly, he can go to the Super Bowl. The rest of this season is talent evaluation for 2015. It’s time to decide who needs to go, who should stay, and how to proceed.

Let’s start with the offense. Specifically the passing game. We know Locker will not be a Titan in 2015. If you take a look at the NFL Savant page on our passing game two words come to mind: not great. We need to ask ourselves if Mett is the answer. In just over two games, Mett has completed 45 of 73 passes (61.64%) for 495 yards, 3 touchdowns and 3 picks. Also not great. Free agency doesn’t fill me with a great deal of confidence. I’d rather take keep the offense under Mett than Mark Sanchez or Matt Flynn (literally the best options in the 2015 free agency). We may have a top five draft pick before it’s all over, but I’m not buying into the QB’s of this draft. Mariota could be great, but I feel like he’s less Colin Kaepernick and more Tim Tebow. Even though Dak Prescott most notably, and rightfully, gets compared to Tebow, Mariota’s an athletic, likeable quarterback thriving in a dumbed down high school offense. Jameis Winston only compares to a great quarterback if you notice his remarkable resemblance to Ares Spears’ impression of Steve McNair. The rest of the class are no less works in project than Mett, and he has experience with the team and system. I’m also impressed with his zen approach to the pocket. Someone could literally punch him in the face and he wouldn’t scramble. From now on he’s Zen Mettenberger.

Prior to the Mettenberger era, our running game did not look pretty. It has not improved. Too much weight is given to an overrated Shonn Greene, Leon Washington (who was behind Charlie Whitehurst in rushing yards just three games ago) has inexplicably been made third back over Dexter McCluster, and Whiz has completely failed at matching up specific backs against defenses. The whole committee approach seems haphazard.

Our receiving game has been abysmal. Prior to the Mettenberger era our receiving game stats were not pretty. Kendall Wright and Delanie Walker are doing everything they can to win. Justin Hunter is under the impression that his job is to run straight up the field as fast as he can, the ball be damned. Dexter McCluster has not seen the field as the Danny Woodhead piece of the Titans offense, and that is to our detriment. Catchable balls are being dropped by all of these guys. Unfortunately, a lot of balls are being thrown behind them. We need to make our quarterbacks play Space Invaders. Shoot where they’re going to be, not where they are!

The offensive line is not playing up to its supposed market value. The right side looks awful. The lack of discipline and poor performance coming from this group is, in my opinion, the biggest reason we are losing games. Our offense will never get a rhythm if every 2nd and 5 gets turned into a 1st and 20 from their penalties. We will have difficulty judging Mett if we cannot trust the right side to make tackles and protect him. As much as it pains me to say it, I wouldn’t be mad if the Titans drafted another offensive lineman with a top 3 pick. The contracts of Michael Oher and Shonn Greene continue to be my biggest sore spot with Webster.

The defense has performed better than the preseason indicated, but has flaws of its own. Unfortunately Whiz’s vague notion of team identity being our "versatility" could not be more off base. On defense, we have no speed. Each group is defined by the same skill set with a different degree of quality. Personally I like to evaluate the defense by utilizing the STIFF test. (No, this isn’t some bizarre follow-up to "Zack Mettenberger’s Sacks on Film".)

My litmus test isn’t super sound, but it’s how I like to look at productivity by using easily available stats. Split the defense into three sections: Defensive Line, Linebackers and Defensive Backs. Determine the NFL average for Sacks, Tackles, Interceptions, and Forced Fumbles for each group. Add them up and determine the average. Then see who are above average players on the team. Add the sum of the highest of each statistic from the NFL with the sum of the average NFL player, divide by two, and see who are in the top tier. Our best players in each group are Jurrell Casey, Wesley Woodyard, and Michael Griffin. Honestly, based on the Titans depth chart, I think we have a lot to build on. Our only top-tier players are Casey and Griffin. Griffin may give up a lot, but with a team that gives every QB all day to throw the ball, he’s a busy play maker. The players who are above average on the team defensive side of the ball are: Jurrell Casey, Ropati Pitoitua, Sammie Hill, Al Woods, Karl Klug, Wesley Woodyard, Derrick Morgan, Kamerion Wimbley, Avery Williamson, Zavier Gooden, Michael Griffin, Blidi-Wreh Wilson, Jason McCourty, Coty Sensabaugh, George Wilson, DaQuan Jones, and Daimion Stafford. Keeping these guys gives us a lot to build upon. By dropping the rest of the defensive depth chart, we will have a lot of room for improvement.

I would be very happy if we parted ways with: Mike Martin, Shaun Phillips, Quentin Groves, James Anderson, Brandon Harris, Marqueston Huff, and Brandon Ghee. We should draft fast pass rushers to replace these guys and compete for starting positions.

As much as I hate to say this, we need to purge the IR of everyone under the age of 25. That includes: Colin McCarthy, Michael Roos, and Craig Stevens. I think if Bernard Pollard is given a chance with some additional help up front, Griffin and Pollard could be an awesome safety duo.

Now, with all of that being said:

My Offseason Christmas List

Free Agency

  1. Restructure the contracts of, or if possible move on from, Shonn Greene and Michael Oher.

  2. Go after Brian Bulaga and Mike Iupati to fix the right side of the OL.

  3. Go after Torrey Smith as a more productive WR1. Resign Nate Washington on the cheap as a backup veteran.

  4. Take a look at Jabaal Sheard. He has worked with Ray Horton, and his recent season ending injury could allow us to get him on the cheap.

  5. Put Antonio Andrews in a place to get snaps. Make Ricardo Richards the second string WR3. I like his speed, hands, and I want pressure on Justin Hunter.

The Draft

  1. Select the 7 fastest pass rushers who have experience in a 3 – 4 defense and purge the team of at least 4 players of our current depth chart.


    That is all.

So, what do you guys want? What would be in your offseason Christmas list? What specific moves will put us in Super Bowl contention?