In Mariota we trust. Like, a lot. The Titans passed up multiple trade offers, reportedly, in order to get the quarterback of their future. Unfortunately, having a good, young quarterback isn't the only success factor for a winning team. Do the Titans have enough talent around Mariota to compete in a relatively weak AFC South?
The Titans haven't exactly been relevant for a few seasons, with quick fix exceptions surrounding the immortal Kerry Collins and the Vince Young Project. Chris Johnson threatened the single season rushing record and Jeff Fisher's tenure crashed and burned. Other than those few headlines, the Titans have involuntarily shied away from the national spotlight. Enter Marcus Mariota, the heavily debated quarterback out of Oregon who was on Chip Kelly's Christmas list but fell out of the sleigh over Nashville. The Titans reportedly had a lot of enticing offers, mostly from Philadelphia, and they chose to surpass all of them in order to land their franchise guy. Quarterback play has been nominal at best the past few seasons with Jake Locker looking the closest to competent since the infallible Kerry Collins mid life crisis. Of course, the rest of the roster boasts Madden scores closer to a Jeaneau, Alaska autumn high as well.
2014 Photo Finish: 2-14, last in AFC South, 15.9 PPG (30th), 27.4 allowed PPG (29th)
Offseason Hooplah and Report Card: Anytime a team loses Bernard Pollard, their cajones size goes down a tick or two, so there's that. Otherwise, the Titans really didn't have any talent to lose, kind of like a McDonalds losing their top fry frier. I am a decent sized Harry Douglas fan just because he always seems to be the top free agent receiver in Week 10 of the fantasy season but also because he is a reliable veteran for Mariota to throw to. Defensively, signing Perrish Cox is both hysterical and important as he will help sure up the middle of the field. Bringing in Brian Orakpo is definitely going to bring some flare and some toughness to a soft defense, especially at the linebacker position. Safety Da'Norris Searcy is a nice addition to a secondary as impressive as my family Thanksgiving defense. Tennessee also released Shonne Greene, which is at least four years overdue or however long its been since he got there. Overall, I'd give their offseason a C because of how forgettable it truly was.
Draft Grade: Obviously, the Titans draft was a little different. Landing Mariota looks great on paper as the young gunslinger put up great numbers at a successful college program and brings to the table a likable and safe personality. They spent seven of their nine draft picks on improving the offense in some fashion, hoping that they finally cash in instead of striking out. Overall, I'll give them a C- solely because the only other talent I like, Dorial Green-Beckham (WR), has been arrested twice on marijuana charges. I was gonna play on the shitty Titans, but then I got high.
Shining Sleeping Star: I'm going with Antonio Andrews in the backfield to outperform Bishop Sankey early before overtaking him as the starter by the middle of the season. Andrews is bigger back who may not be able to ever be a guy who gets 300-325 touches, but with the right line in front of him to open up holes even larger for him, the 225 pound monster could be a double digit touchdown machine.
Help Wanted: I wouldn't even say that the Titans are strong at any position on the roster, so picking an area that they are in most desperate need of improving is a struggle. I would say the backfield is the weakest although they did address that in the draft, so we won't count all of their picks as busts yet. Defensively, I could probably be the fourth cornerback of that secondary. After Jason McCourty, who definitely hasn't established a McCourty Island yet, the corners range from Coty Sensabaugh, who used to be my special teams ace in Madden but never proved to actually exist in the real NFL, to Curtis Riley, the rookie who stands the best chance at improving this defense. They addressed the safety issues by signing Searcy over Kohlscy, but really any competent passing team is going to pick this secondary apart.
Game on your Calendar: Week 5 vs Bills. Unless Mariota opens the season as the starter this could be the game he makes his debut after their early bye week following what should be a brutal loss in Tennessee to the Colts in Week 3. Otherwise, pray for frequent Titans games to be blacked out.
Coach's Corner: Ken Whisenhunt has proven himself as a very viable head coach, unless you dive a little deeper. After the 2009 season when Whisenhunt somehow found himself in the Super Bowl, his record stands at a measly 20-44. Granted, his quarterbacks have been found in cereal boxes since Kurt Warner in 2009, his middling success has to make you question his potential as a head coach. Now, he's got a young, coachable stud at quarterback and Whisenhunt has been heralded as a QB guy. Let's see what he can do with M&M.
The Nugget Crystal Ball: The Titans best case scenario is to channel some RGIII rookie sensations and make a playoff run behind the almighty Mariota. Realistically, I don't think Mariota is close enough to where RGIII was in his rookie year, and I don't think the Titans really have any talent anywhere else on the roster. The defense should look slightly better than last year and the offense ideally will take a step forward behind Mariota, the rookie running backs, the free agent signings of Douglas and Hakeem Nicks and the bolstered line. The Titans have a rough schedule down the stretch, highlighted by a three game finale with a trip to New England, a home game against the Texans and a trip to Indy. I'll put the Titans at 4-12 and a last place finish in the AFC South. I do think that Mariota will prove himself to have the potential to be a franchise quarterback once the Titans surround him with some talent. Either that, or he'll be traded to the Eagles in Week 2 for a first round pick in the 2016 draft.
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