The Tennessee Titans have long been the laughing stock of the NFL and shared the role of doormat for the AFC South with the Jacksonville Jaguars. This is not the current reality. The days of Air McNair and Eddie George have passed, but a new culture is brewing under general manager Jon Robinson and head coach Mike Vrabel.
The Titans front office grew tired of mediocrity and got rid of general manager Ruston Webster and head coach Jeff Fisher by the end of 2016. They hired coach Mike Mularkey who had a strange year, being one of few cases where a coach is fired following a two game playoff appearance. Now the Titans are set with Robinson, who has often been hailed as one of the best general managers in the game, and was promoted after his first season to executive vice president and general manager. Coach Mike Vrabel has a more spotty track record, but has helped bring in OC Matt LaFleur. This move was considered a major coup from the Rams, who had been very successful and were considered one of the top offenses in the league.
Despite Vrabel having worse defensive statistics when he came into the defensive coordinator spot for the Texans, he is known as a players coach and no doubt offers the sort of culture change that Robinson and owner Amy Strunk wanted to see. LaFleur should relieve coaching pressure from Vrabel on a loaded offense as Vrabel and former Ravens DC Dean Pees work with a defense that has been recently reloaded in the secondary.
On offense the Titans will look to maximize Marcus Mariota and revitalize his game following a down year. Considering the man can throw to himself this should be an easy task for LaFleur. The Titans offensive line will be anchored by left tackle Taylor Lewan as right tackle Jack Conklin recovers from a torn ACL. Second year receiver and fifth overall pick Corey Davis is expected to come back as a leading receiver following an injury plagued rookie campaign. New Titans running back Dion Lewis will work in tandem with 250 pound Derrick Henry to give the Patriots Southeast a fast and violent backfield. Delanie Walker will likely remain a top receiver and the best unrecognized offensive weapon in the country as he puts up the numbers fans have grown to love him for.
On defense the secondary has had a two year turnaround as Robinson has turned one of the worst secondaries in the league into one of the best. Former Patriots Logan Ryan and new free agent find Malcolm Butler will work with a dynamic Adoree Jackson at cornerback with veteran Jonathan Cyprien and pick machine all pro safety Kevin Byard, who is fresh off of a snub from Deion Sanders. The run stopping power will remain a highlight on the defensive side with Jurrell Casey and Brian Orakpo leading the big men. With a few good picks in the draft and a big free agent splash this defensive unit could improve on a great 2017 season, despite the loss of future hall of fame coach Dick LeBeau.
This season will also have a new look as the Titan’s new uniforms release April 4. The world may not want it, much less be ready for it, but the 2018 Titans are looking like a threat.
