ProFootballCentral.com

PFC Titans Writer – Daniel Johns

 One of the main priorities on the defensive side of the ball for the Titans front office was to lock up Albert Haynesworth.  However, after the deadline passed on July 15th at 3:00 pm, there was no long-term deal for the mammoth DT.  Here’s the scoop on big Albert, he’s 6-6, 320 lbs. with all the potential in the world.  However, prior to his recent success in 2007 and making the Pro Bowl squad with a career high 6 sacks, his future seemed rather bleak as a Titan and didn’t have much to show on his resume from the time he was drafted in 2002 up until 2007.  Yes, it was looking like Haynesworth was going to be a bust.  So his break out year couldn’t have come at a better time … it was in fact his last chance.

 Being drafted right out of Tennessee University, he had some character issues that eventually lead up to him stomping his cleat over a defenseless Andre Gurode, the Center of the Dallas Cowboys, in a regular season game played in front of the Titans home crowd in 2006.  Head Coach Jeff Fisher came running onto the field to subdue the his “angry giant” who at the time seemed all but through as a Titan and maybe in the league all together.  A strict punishment was let out and he finished up the season whenever his suspension was up.  Prior to the infamous stomp to the face, Haynesworth had never played a season healthy.  In fact every year, not counting his rookie season which he played sparingly, he had been injured at some point.

So heading into the 2007 campaign, Haynesworth found himself in a “contract year”.  Knowing he had to step up his game and determined to show people he was over his “immaturities”, he became almost over night, single-handedly the most dominate DT in the game.  Haynesworth finished 2007 with 6 sacks and a trip to the Pro Bowl.  Rushers couldn’t run on the Titans when “A-Train” was out on the field; however, when missing 3 games due to yet another injury half way through the year, teams literally ran all over the Tennessee D.  Defensive Coach Jim Schwartz sure missed having the presence of Albert out there to help anchor the D-Line.

But as mentioned earlier, a long-term deal which was seeked by both sides, could not be agreed on, thus Haynesworth remains a Titan for at least one more year, as they slap the franchise tag on him which all but guarantees his one year service for the team in the amount of $7.24 million.  He has willingly stated that he would love to remain a Titan and finish his career in Nashville .  He went on to say that he couldn’t picture himself wearing anything but “Titan Blue”.  According to gotitans.com it stats, ‘following the deadline, the Titans released an announcement which included “We will remain in contact with his representatives throughout the season; and at years end, see if both sides can agree on a fair number on a long-term agreement for a player with his qualities.”’

But even though the Titans run-defense excelled with Haynesworth in the lineup doesn’t mean the rest of the roster are slouches.  Kyle Vanden Bosch who revived his career upon coming over to the Titans via free agency in 2005, has been one of the most solid pieces on the Defense.  Also a Pro Bowler in 2007, he joins big Albert, to help dual one of the most dominate D-Lines in the NFL, when healthy.  In 2006 the Titans Defense ranked dead last, by 2007 it was among the top-10 defenses’ in the league..  Haynesworth as noted finally showed the potential he had to be a dominate force in the middle, while KVB has been a sack-machine gaining 31 sacks for Tennessee in three years, this after only having 4 sacks with Arizona in his first three years!

The front office even brought back a familiar face that helped take the Titans to the Super Bowl in their dominate years, Jevon Kearse.  Kearse nicknamed “The Freak” in Tennessee because of his uncanny ability and relentlessness to sack opposing quarterbacks, returns to wear “Titan Blue” and assures to his doubters that he will be back as better then ever to pick up from his glory years.  While in Philadelphia, Kearse has done next to nothing, this after hitting numerous rough patches with an injury bug and claiming while in Philly they didn’t let him play to his abilities.  Now at a much older age than when he was drafted by Tennessee, at 32 years old he’s out to prove he has much more left in his tank.

In the 2008 NFL Draft, the Titans added even more depth along the D-Line with the 2nd round choice of Eastern Michigan ’s James Jones.  Jones is slated to play both positions on the line which includes defensive end and possible even tackle if need be.  Bryce Fisher, who rarely found the field much of last year is set to have a more substantial in-pact with the team this year.  Also returning from pre-season injuries in 2007 are Antonio Johnson and Jacob Ford, who play d-tackle and d-end respectfully.  Along side Haynesworth on the line will be over-achieving d-tackle Tony Brown.  Brown an undrafted FA has made a name and a home for himself since coming over from Carolina .      

The Titan’s have a solid starting corp of linebackers but lack real depth at that position.  Returning is the captain of the Titans D, the under-rated Keith Bulluck.  One of the longest-tenured Titans still left on the team, he has led Tennessee in tackles almost virtually very year.  He is the catalyst and playmaking linebacker that brings energy to the young Titans D.  David Thornton who portholes the other side of the field opposite K-Bull, lead the team in tackles last year with 122.  In the middle the Titans will likely rotate young linebackers, Ryan Fowler and Stephen Tulloch.  However, after them there is no real depth that will scare any teams, but barring injuries they are a very solid team at the linebacker position.

 At cornerback, Titans fans are thrilled to see former 7th round draft pick of 2006, Courtland Finnegan out of Samford, starting to develop into a rising-star in this league.  If he get’s one more productive year like he has been building on thus far, people better start to remember his name as one of the top corners in the league.  It’s still too early to mark him down for that now, but he is definitely a star in the making.  Known for his toughness, speed and durability Finnegan is the complete cornerback that can be a starter on this team for years.  Across from him starting is long time vet Nick Harper.  His prime years seemed to have hit its peak while still with AFC South rival Indianapolis .  But Harper has shown now at age 34, he can still cover some of the best in the game.  However, he also can be inconsistent at times and lacks the true speed a starting corner should have, so the Titans might be hard pressed to find an eventual replacement by next year.  After them the depth has grown thinner as slot man Reynaldo Hill is inconsistent and average at best and Chris Carr and Eric King are unproven.

The safety position is much more to look at as opposed to the cornerbacks; that is if strong safety Chris Hope can return to the form he was in before his devastating neck injury that could have ended his career.  But if all signs are a go and Hope can return to the playmaking safety he was, then the Titans secondary get’s a major upgrade as he is essentially vital to their success.  Next to him in the deep backfield will be former 1st round pick of 2007 Michael Griffin.  He started to show that he is the real deal and can play at a high-level in this league.  Griffin is still a work in progress as he has split time at both cornerback and free safety, but came into his own rather well and the Titans expect great things out of him for years to come.  The experience at both positions can only be beneficial for this young playmaker and teamed up with Hope, the Titans will have a ball-hawking secondary to keep offenses at bay.  The safety position has some of their best depth as young safeties Calvin Lowry and Vincent Fuller were thrown in the mix a lot last year and therefore have experience and playing time under their belts.

Anyway you look at it the Titans have a really solid foundation on Defense and one that is foolishly underrated.  Jim Schwartz does a great job coaching his D and figures to have his group back in the top-10 in 2008.  The Defense is young and hungry.  Heading into this year they will experience a more veteran presence with Bulluck, Haynesworth, KVB, Harper and the return of Kearse.  So when you mix in those experienced vets with young up-and-comers like Jones, Finnegan and Griffin the Titans have all the tools to be a Defense to fear, as they continue to command respect.