2009 - a quick review and last nite

[Toronto]

First of all, a major complaint. I don't even celebrate Xmas, and think every league should stop playing games on this one day. It will not kill them. It's bad enough when the NBA started with 2 games, but now they've added 3 more for a ESPN tripleheader, and then the NFL chips in. Professionals or not, those players deserve to spend the holiday at home like us.

Also, kudos to SD. That is a Super Bowl contender, and their goals should be the championship, nothing less. They are strong everywhere.

While we are missing the playoffs, which sucks, we've learned a lot about our assets.

Minus a couple of hiccups, we have a settled QB situation.
We have the best RB in football.
We still have a top 5 Oline.
Dropsies aside, I feel better about our WRs - Britt is going to be a solid pro and alongside Gage this position has finally got upside, a lot of it.

The downside? We need to rebuild a lot of the D. We need at least 2 players for the defensive front 4 rotation, likely one DE to replace KVB and a high pick on a DT due to the inconsistency and inability to get any push into the opposing backfield.

We will need to address at least one, if not two LB positions. I just can't see Bulluck back.

We need to look at replacing one CB (Harper, nice knowing you) and unless Hope/Griffin can't explain why they've been torched and forgotten how to tackle in spots, even bring in a safety.

The D will most likely have 4 new starters next year, and like many of you, I'm not sold on the coaching staff either, epecially Cecil.

As an aside, we had a murderous schedule this year, I won't mind losing to Seattle and getting a 4th place sched.

Merry Xmas all. :thumbsup

[Red Birds]

The 4th place schedule would give us the Browns & Bills while the 3rd place teams this year (Jets or Dolphins & the Raiders) are much better than those two last place teams.
I do see your point about the secondary especially Harper (he needs to go) but we had three pro bowlers last year from that bunch. Unless we have a d line that can pressure the qb consistently the secondary has no chance. Winning teams build from the inside out so drafting a player or signing a free agent for the d-line to me takes priority.

[Jones31]

We got the NFC East next year, so it's not going to be easier.

[Rolltide14TOMB]

We got the NFC East next year, so it's not going to be easier
wow....philly, dallas, new york, washington, indy twice, houston, jags...good lord we have to get a LOT better FAST if we are going to have a prayer next season

[TTP77]

I agree that D is our top offseason priority. I'd like to see us get a good Dlineman in the first round. I really hope Gerald McCoy falls to us. As for DE I watched Jacob Ford quite a bit last night. It's time for him to start at RDE. He has definitely bulked up and is playing pretty well. We do need better depth there though.

IDK what to make of our safeties. We need to get some competition for Hope's spot. I want to give Griff another season to see what happens with him. I like McCourty a lot. I have no issue with giving him a shot at Harper's spot. I still think we will likely tag Keith this offseason. We need to draft at least one LB.

I know I'll likely get slammed for this but I'm not sold on our QB situation. Vince's play declined IMO from his great first 3 games and last night he played a terrible clunker of a game. I'm not saying we need to go out and get another QB to start next season but I would like to see us draft someone to start developing.

And I do think our Oline needs work. I think we need to draft another WR to compete with what we have.

I'll have more to say about coaching after the season is over.

[Jones31]

Tentative schedule

Home
Denver
Kansas City
Philadelphia
Washington
Indy
Jax
Houston
Cleveland*

Away
Oakland
San Diego
Dallas
New York Giants
Houston
Jax
Indy
Buffalo*

[Toronto]

We got the NFC East next year, so it's not going to be easier.

Chit, thx for reminding me of this hell.

[Toronto]

I agree that D is our top offseason priority. I'd like to see us get a good Dlineman in the first round. I really hope Gerald McCoy falls to us. As for DE I watched Jacob Ford quite a bit last night. It's time for him to start at RDE. He has definitely bulked up and is playing pretty well. We do need better depth there though.

IDK what to make of our safeties. We need to get some competition for Hope's spot. I want to give Griff another season to see what happens with him. I like McCourty a lot. I have no issue with giving him a shot at Harper's spot. I still think we will likely tag Keith this offseason. We need to draft at least one LB.

I know I'll likely get slammed for this but I'm not sold on our QB situation. Vince's play declined IMO from his great first 3 games and last night he played a terrible clunker of a game. I'm not saying we need to go out and get another QB to start next season but I would like to see us draft someone to start developing.

And I do think our Oline needs work. I think we need to draft another WR to compete with what we have.

I'll have more to say about coaching after the season is over.

That makes two of us.

[Jones31]

I'm done with this coaching staff after that "effort".

[Old Oilers Fan]

I like the coaching and what they did for us in the past but I feel it is the time for a change. :sad

[titansikou]

I know I'll likely get slammed for this but I'm not sold on our QB situation. Vince's play declined IMO from his great first 3 games and last night he played a terrible clunker of a game. I'm not saying we need to go out and get another QB to start next season but I would like to see us draft someone to start developing.


I won't slam you. :thumbsup I was pretty disappointed in VY's play last night. In the past he's managed to keep his fire up despite adversity in the game (the MNF game against Denver comes to mind here), but he seemed to have lost it. HOWEVER, after reading the postgame quotes I got the feeling that Fisher is the guy who let things go. He said, and I'm paraphrasing, that after the score went up to 32 - 10 (which would have been mid 3rd quarter) that he decided the game had gotten away from us. Realistically, it had, but with a quarter and a half left to play teams CAN turn things around (Dolphins against us last week). My point is that VY played terribly last night but also wasn't really given the support to at least try to make amends. He's the QB of the future IMHO, but Fish isn't the coach of the future (or he shouldn't be).

[Rolltide14TOMB]

Home
Denver
Kansas City
Philadelphia
Washington
Indy
Jax
Houston
Cleveland*

Away
Oakland
San Diego
Dallas
New York Giants
Houston
Jax
Indy


Ouch...and this is a 7-9, 8-8 record?
a shutter to think what indy's will be....probably filled with rams, lions, bills, browns, and seahawks..makes no sense

[ryangm2123]

how did u know which ones are home and which are away?

[Jones31]

http://www.johnnyroadtrip.com/schedules/nfl_future_afcs.htm

[Jones31]

Ouch...and this is a 7-9, 8-8 record?
a shutter to think what indy's will be....probably filled with rams, lions, bills, browns, and seahawks..makes no sense

Only games we get based on record are the Bills/Browns.

[SwissTitansFan]

Tentative schedule

Home
Denver
Kansas City
Philadelphia
Washington
Indy
Jax
Houston
Cleveland*

Away
Oakland
San Diego
Dallas
New York Giants
Houston
Jax
Indy
Buffalo*

We can do this.....!!!

I don't see, why some are already in panic mode...It's a new season FCOL...
Everything is possible...and we usually do good, when nobody's expecting it...

[Yvette]

I'm fine with VY and especially after reading this:


QB VINCE YOUNG

(on the touchdown drive to end the first half)

We just couldn’t get into a rhythm tonight. Too many turnovers on my behalf, definitely. That’s pretty much it. Every time we did get in a rhythm, I turned the ball over. That’s something I can’t do. At the same time, we were having a really good game, from an offensive standpoint. We were driving the ball pretty good, it was just the turnovers on my behalf hurt us a little bit.

(on what San Diego was doing defensively)

We were moving the ball really well. My mistakes just hurt us on offense. And that didn’t give our defense a chance to get to the sideline to get a breather. Overall, I really feel like we were moving the ball pretty good.
I think we do need to draft a QB and sign a vet QB this off season, but not to groom for the spot just yet. I think VY will continue to grow into the role and I feel good about him :)

[Jones31]

I like this... Vince did have a stinker, he knew and accepted the mistakes he made all night. He's had a great comeback this year IMO. I don't have the doubts today I had of him last 2 seasons. I think bringing in a vet will be fine, keep Booty around, don't spend a pick on a QB if we don't have to.

[TitansFan370]

Glad to see some of you are coming around to my way of thinking - Fisher has been with us fifteen years and really needs to go. Through the years he has been given gradually too much control over coaching staff and player personnel. Good examples - not hiring Greg Williams as defensive coordinator and letting GW control the defense; remaining wedded to players who have declined and not winning their starting roles through competition like Harper; fighting the owner and others insisting on keeping K.C.. starting instead of genuinely supporting and starting V. Young. etc., etc.

If Denver can fire Shannahan, Fisher is not immune. If nothing else, some of Fisher's control should be transferred to other front office personnel. But I really would prefer to have a new coach not so wedded to the "run game" and who will definitely not play "Fisherball."

[RohitTheNair]

I'm 100000000000000% sold on VY as the future of this team....I'm content with the offense as a whole, we unfortunately butchered the 2 RB system (I think we would have won more games if we used LenDale properly), but we can obviously survive with just CJ the best player in the league. Defense needs major upgrades on the line and we need to do all we can to resign Bulluck...I still like Griff and Hope, we need to draft another CB. First priority in my opinion. Second is LB especially if we don't get Keith back...Ugh the way this ended sucks.

[Jones31]

Glad to see some of you are coming around to my way of thinking - Fisher has been with us fifteen years and really needs to go. Through the years he has been given gradually too much control over coaching staff and player personnel. Good examples - not hiring Greg Williams as defensive coordinator and letting GW control the defense; remaining wedded to players who have declined and not winning their starting roles through competition like Harper; fighting the owner and others insisting on keeping K.C.. starting instead of genuinely supporting and starting V. Young. etc., etc.

If Denver can fire Shannahan, Fisher is not immune. If nothing else, some of Fisher's control should be transferred to other front office personnel. But I really would prefer to have a new coach not so wedded to the "run game" and who will definitely not play "Fisherball."

While some of your points are valid, getting back to Fisherball won us the games we did, last night and second half of the Miami game not withstanding. While the change at QB gave the team a different dynamic on offense, the real change was made when we stopped throwing the ball as much compared to the first half of the year.

[TitansFan370]

While some of your points are valid, getting back to Fisherball won us the games we did, last night and second half of the Miami game not withstanding. While the change at QB gave the team a different dynamic on offense, the real change was made when we stopped throwing the ball as much compared to the first half of the year.

That is my concern about Fisherball! Yes, it will win games against average teams most of the time, but it leads to embarrassing defeats such as first Colts game, New England, and San Diego -- all front running AFC playoff teams.

Specifically, last night I think in the last quarter and a half we should have(now that I know Fisher had given up) just run CJ almost every play simply to help him attain his INDIVIDUAL goal of 2,000 plus yards.

[Jones31]

The players stood around for 60 minutes vs New England. I've seen enough football to be able to see the difference in trying and simply going through the motions. They didn't try after the first series in that game.

Last night, when the defense isn't given a break thank to mistakes by the QB (that wasn't on coaching) that lead to 21 points for the other team. After that Fisher threw in the towel, I could tell, my father in law who never watches the team could see that.

I said after the game it's time to let Fisher walk, and I still think that today now. He's done good but some things I've seen during the second half..... has baffled me.

If anyone figures out what the hell he was thinking vs Indy a few weeks ago, let me know.... I'm still trying to figure that one out. Aside from just wanting to give it away.

[TTP77]

I think it's a toss up whether Kerry will be here next year. Besides he's not the future. Vince looks like he is but we still need a backup. why not draft someone? Peeps were squawking about there being no QB competition when Vince wasn't starting. Bring in new blood and develop and foster a good sense of competition at all spots...including QB.

[gnarl]

I think it's a toss up whether Kerry will be here next year. Besides he's not the future. Vince looks like he is but we still need a backup. why not draft someone? Peeps were squawking about there being no QB competition when Vince wasn't starting. Bring in new blood and develop and foster a good sense of competition at all spots...including QB.

that sounds pretty fair.

i also agree with Jones, VY sucked it up last night but i am glad he actually said it was on him...didnt try to beat around the bush & say the offense made TO's, straight up said it was all him.

but point is he has made lots of progress. in 07' he would have a good/decent game, a bad one, good game, couple of bad ones.

i think this year he proved he can be a consistant qb until this past game.

but IMHO, it seemed like he was playing 07' ball last night & trying to force alot of things. instead of this seasons "take what the defensive gives me" approach. I would of too if my defense let the other team score TD's at will. Kind of hard to be patient when that happens.

Anyways, just kind of glad we got seattle for the last week...no game is a gimmie but i hope our whole team can rebound from this and go out slaughter some sea chickens & end this season 8-8 on a somewhat good note.

[Toronto]

I'm rooting for a loss but CJ sets every record. Screw it, we're missing the playoffs, let's at least get up the draft board a few notches - there are some serious prizes this year for the d-line/secondary.

[MDK Titan]

I agree but CJ is probably good enough to beat Seattle alone

[TitansFan23]

When VY turned the ball over last night, I was upset, but not too much. I’ve seen great QB’s have games like that. Manning has had games like that and he’s the best QB in the league. Sometimes it just happens, especially when you’re playing great teams.

VY has shown that he can throw the ball, and he’s shown that he can make plays. He looks more poised in the pocket, in the game for that matter. He’ll never be a prototypical QB, but I don’t believe he has to for the Titans to be successful with him. I believe we can be a great team again, but our defense is in shambles right now, and that is priority number one.

As far as Fisher goes, you all know how I feel about that. His departure from this organization can’t come soon enough for me.

[titansikou]

I’ve seen great QB’s have games like that. Manning has had games like that and he’s the best QB in the league.

... against San Diego no less.

[NYTitan21]

Ugh the way this ended sucks.

but the way it started was even worse...

[Parddy]

Last night gives me lots of thoughts: Obviously we need some playmakers on defense, badly. I can live with the d-line ( If they get their heads out of their asses and stay onside) but the secondary other than Finnegan is a bunch of average players. We need help everywhere back there. Everywhere. IMO

I was very disappointed with Young last night. Vince did not play well and really hurt us in the first half, the 4th and 2 was a great call and CJ executed the play nicely, then on very next play BANG interception on a horrible read. The very next series he FUMBLES trying to slide at mid-field, that was really the beginning of the end for us in this game. He had at least 3 passes batted down at the line on 1st down with that side arm sling he can't seem to get rid of. As good as he has been this year, he was that bad last night. Plain and simple Vince stunk. I don't like seeing him regress.. Vince needs to keep working hard every week. Again, he has been super this year but, I would be lying if I said there wasn't a seed of doubt planted in my head again. Consistentcy seperates the great ones from the good ones.

The Chargers have lots of weapons and they use them all relentlessly. Why we can't seem to get Lendale involved at all is a mystery. The Titans were way too one-dimentional last night and that is a recipe for disaster. I wish we could have pounded away with two backs and see what would have happened. Unfortunately, our defense isn't built for the low scoring running type games right now. Once Rivers got into a rhythm it was goodnight Irene.

This off-season is huge for us. If we finish 8-8, a two game swing next year is the difference between 6-10 and 10-6.

I think the offense is workable as is, Vince needs to continue working and learning and I think he will be fine. \

The defense is another story, we need major changes back there and we need them soon.

Although I am really bummed out about last night, I am happy this team carried us into December with some meaningful games. Come September next year this team needs to be ready to play, if not, heads should roll.

[Sect309Fan]

Just to let everyone know (again), we won't play at San Diego and at Oakland. One of those will be swapped for Denver or Kansas City. That is a new change that goes into effect in 2010.

The NFC East are the Titans' bitches. I am not worried at all about playing them. We own that division.

I want 8-8 badly for history's sake. No team would have done what the Titans could do with a win next Sunday. But I would be happy with a 3rd place schedule rather than 2nd place.

I also want Fisher to stay. This team is going to the playoffs for the next two years.

[Toronto]

Just to let everyone know (again), we won't play at San Diego and at Oakland. One of those will be swapped for Denver or Kansas City. That is a new change that goes into effect in 2010.

The NFC East are the Titans' bitches. I am not worried at all about playing them. We own that division.

I want 8-8 badly for history's sake. No team would have done what the Titans could do with a win next Sunday. But I would be happy with a 3rd place schedule rather than 2nd place.

I also want Fisher to stay. This team is going to the playoffs for the next two years.


His playoff record isn't solid. Tis OK, my rant will arrive after the last game. :thumbsup

[TTP77]

His playoff record isn't solid. Tis OK, my rant will arrive after the last game. :thumbsup

mine as well.

[RohitTheNair]

CJ better have at least 45 carries vs. Seattle.

[titansikou]

I also want Fisher to stay. This team is going to the playoffs for the next two years.

That prediction is going to be tough to fulfill if Fisher makes more poor decisions this off-season. Let's face it, the season started off poorly because of special teams (Fisher), then defense whiffed (Cecil, Fisher) at the same point that a struggling QB stayed on the field (Fisher) - there's a name common to each facet of the crappy start this year: Jeff Fisher. I love that Jeff Fisher is out on the field when players are injured and that he supports players as a human being (and a somewhat stubborn father). But after 15 years, 1 SB loss and more playoff heartbreaks (this is an Oiler curse), I can't help but wonder if the grass really is greener.

[Titan723]

Eariler in the season when we were 0-6 the question was brought up on whether or not we would want us to lose a home game to London next year. Based on the turn around in the 2nd half of the season, would you still want to give up a home game?

[Jones31]

Nope.... the NFL needs to end that.

[amy]

Vince showed a lot of maturity and responsibility. He will only get better. Whether or not he is the future of the franchise is up to Bud Adams. I still say Fisher doesn't want him. Maybe Fisher will be hired by Chicago and then he can coach Cutler and be back where he started. He did start in Chicago, didn't he? Or am I wrong?

[pookha]

i just dont get this fisher isnt happy with vince now.
vince finally grew up and is finally coming into his potential.
it is possible for awhile being in the middle of it all fish wasnt sure it ever would happen.

but whatever fisher seems to be thrilled and over joyed about how that story turned out.

they also share a common bond of being close to mcnair.

and i think this game showed there is only so much a qb can do when one of those nights happen.

[Cld12pk2go]

... against San Diego no less.

I remember that 6 INT performance by the best QB ever to step on any field...

VY made enormous strides forward this year. I feel good with him as the QB of the future. In fact, I feel pretty good about our O in general.

Our D needs several more upgrades though, and our ST need to stop riding the short bus to the stadium.

[InVinceWeTrust]

I really hate that VY had such a crappy game. But, just like he's showing the maturity to deal with it and own it, its also to be wished that fans will do the same. Actually, it appears most can. They understand all QBs pitch clunkers just like they sometimes pitch a perfect or near perfect game. So long as the ledger is lopsided with the good efforts then then the debits can be taken in stride.

As to next week, I fully expect VY to bounce back and I also expect the team in general to do so as well. I want a win and I want at least the yards from scrimmage record and 2K season for CJ. To me, if we play like we care there is no way we lose to Seattle.

As to the coaches, I'm totally unimpressed with Cecil as DC. I'd prefer to see us look for the best DC available rather than continue down that road. Dinger has had his bad games, but, overall, he was clearly the better and more creative coordinator and I think he has "figured it out" when it comes to how to use VY and CJ to make each of them better than they might be alone. Fisher....had to be one if his worst years as a Head Coach in terms of timely decision making, planning to avoid serious holes in the personnel and in failing to see - until his hand was forced - that the "future" QB was ready to play now. If I were Bud Adams I'd have to seriously consider moving on. But, my guess is, he doesn't know who he'd replace him with and so will give him at least one more season to get it right. We'll see.

[TitansFan23]

I think Bud sticks with Fish.

Adams will turn 87 on Sunday and I don't know that he wants to go through a transition in coaching at this point.

I'm not sure what that means once Jeff's contract is done either. At some point it'll have to be addressed.

Guess we'll just have to wait and see...

[TTP77]

I really hate that VY had such a crappy game. But, just like he's showing the maturity to deal with it and own it, its also to be wished that fans will do the same. Actually, it appears most can. They understand all QBs pitch clunkers just like they sometimes pitch a perfect or near perfect game. So long as the ledger is lopsided with the good efforts then then the debits can be taken in stride.

As to next week, I fully expect VY to bounce back and I also expect the team in general to do so as well. I want a win and I want at least the yards from scrimmage record and 2K season for CJ. To me, if we play like we care there is no way we lose to Seattle.

I love how Vince tried to take this loss entirely on himself. Shows a ton of accountability. It also wasn't true as there were plenty of mistakes made all around. I too think Vince will bounce back and I hope the team as a whole plays well.

It is true that generally every QB has a bad game and it goes with the territory. I think most fans do understand that. I still think Vince can be our franchise QB. I still have great hope for him. But the Chargers game causes me a great deal of concern. Vince had trouble completing the most basic passes. I won't quote his numbers as I am sure you know what they are. I think most fans can live with peaks and valleys in QB performance but that performance was sinkhole territory. So while I am going to look at it as an aberration I still think the Titans need to consider drafting a QB to develop if nothing else but to have a solid young backup. Bud is most likely going to pay the offseason bonus and high salary for Vince next year which only puts him under contract for two more years anyway. A lot can happen in that time.

[Cld12pk2go]

No chance Fisher gets fired after finishing 8-2 (yeah, we are going to thump Seattle)...

If we ended 3-13 or worse, then Bud would probably have to seriously consider a change.

[Titanico]

Fisher is done here after giving us another and such bad year. It was obvious that the players turned to be on Young's side and that's why the team played much better when he was named the starter, so props to Adams for catching the obvious.

Overall, the players seem to be not sold at all under Fisher's direction and game plans. Fisher do not catch, miss or fumbles, but it is obvious that this team feels that is more capable than what they are ordered to do, and they came back from the bye week to show what they were built of...but still this team is with one hand tied with the bad coaching it has.

We had a good 6 game span to prove that the 13-3 record wasn't a fluke, but something happened in the locker room after the playoff loss against Baltimore. Or there's nothing else that could explain such bad start after such good season.

Just my opinion.

[Sect309Fan]

Or there's nothing else that could explain such bad start after such good season.


So the fact that we played 5 of 6 teams with winning records (and the other that had a winning record for much of the season), 4 of them on the road, had nothing to do with it? :huh

Two of those teams won their divisions. The other 3 teams are still in playoff contention.

We also had a new DC, and the defense has dropped dramatically each time that happened in our history. Losing Haynesworth certainly didn't help, though he was far from being the primary reason to our bad start.

Injuries to the defense played a major role in games 4 through 6.

And Collins just isn't a 4th quarter QB. For most of 2008, it didn't matter, but for the playoff game and for the first half of the season, he had to be and couldn't do it.

Fisher certainly made mistakes, notably not having a true kick returner and not starting Vince right away. He isn't blameless by any means, but we weren't 0-6 because of the Ravens' playoff game.

[Jones31]

Just to let everyone know (again), we won't play at San Diego and at Oakland. One of those will be swapped for Denver or Kansas City. That is a new change that goes into effect in 2010.

The NFC East are the Titans' bitches. I am not worried at all about playing them. We own that division.

I want 8-8 badly for history's sake. No team would have done what the Titans could do with a win next Sunday. But I would be happy with a 3rd place schedule rather than 2nd place.

I also want Fisher to stay. This team is going to the playoffs for the next two years.
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/12/28/scheduling-formula-will-remain-for-2010-and-beyond/

[titansikou]

Speaking of Vince, isn't it telling that in Week 16 Vince Young has a crap game and we don't need a Vince Young forum and there isn't Vince Young fallout all over the networks. Even Climer and Kuharsky are quiet.

I agree. I think Fisher will stay although I can't say I want him to (my last name isn't Adams).

[Sect309Fan]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/12/28/scheduling-formula-will-remain-for-2010-and-beyond/

Yes, the rotation of the divisions stays the same. The only difference is that no non-west team will have to play two far west teams on the road in the same season.

Titans will not play at both San Diego and Oakland next year. Unfortunately, it is not clear which one will be the road one and which one will be at home (and which of KC and Denver will be on the road). http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4009230


We do know that the pairings now are KC/San Diego and Denver/Oakland.