Ah, yes – the Summer air is scorching and the humidity is smothering. It’s almost football season. The Tennessee Titans kick off training camp in Nashville this Saturday at Saint Thomas Sports Park. You know we’re all ecstatic for the return of football, and your boy Big Natural has been salivating at the chance for more fresh Titans content.
So, here we are. It’s time to get serious about our football coverage again – something I don’t think I’ve done since I wrote a drinking game for the Super Bowl. But, alas! We are breaking news journalists and the best analysts on the Internet. This is what we were born for. This is why Johnathan Cyprien and Kevin Byard have retweeted us, and probably why Paul Kuharsky and Jim Wyatt have both answered mailbag questions that I’ve submitted. I can’t back that up with any real information, but I’m just assuming it’s all because of my journalism skills.
Expectations haven’t been this high for the Titans in quite some time. Even the vaunted 2008 team was a bit of a surprise. I don’t recall feeling the type of hope that comes with such expectations since Vince Young’s second season. Back then, we thought Young was the future, and after a campaign that yielded Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, it was time to make the playoffs!
Well, that didn’t end well. So, forgive me for being a little hesitant to anoint the Titans Super Bowl Champions just yet. Still, it’s fun to a cover a team when the fan base is buzzing. People actually want to talk Titans and not hide their face under a paper bag. Will they be good enough this season to dethrone the New England Patriots? I don’t know. But, could they sneak into a game in the divisional round? Yes. I don’t think that’s unreasonable.
We’ve been debating topics all Summer, but now it’s time for our burning questions to sort themselves out. Did you like my catchy journalism terms? Burning questions.
How Healthy Is Marcus Mariota?
By all accounts, the third year quarterback is ready to go. The expectation is that Mariota will become one of the elite quarterbacks in the NFL. After Derek Carr received a huge payday in the offseason, the former Oregon Duck will get in line for a monster deal, should he stay healthy. It’s all rainbows and sunshine for the moment, but we can’t truly believe it until we see it. I’m eager to actually see his 100% on the field. I know Titans fans will feel a lot better if all of the talk translates to in-game action.
Is Corey Davis Legit?
The Titans shocked the NFL community by selecting wide receiver Corey Davis out of Western Michigan at #5 overall in this year’s draft. He has all the tools that general manager Jon Robinson looks for in a player – namely reliability and production. Davis has sure hands, and can adequately separate. Can he become the first true #1 wideout in Tennessee since Derrick Mason?
Who Emerges as the 2nd Starting Cornerback?
Jason McCourty is out. Logan Ryan is in. But, there’s still a lot to determine on the opposite side of the field. The obvious choice is Adoree Jackson, who the Titans spent their second first-round pick on in this year’s draft. He’s speedy, and has elite ball skills, but no one seems to have any faith that he can cover elite NFL receivers. Then, there’s LeShaun Sims, who finished the season as one of the Titans highest graded defensive players via Pro Football Focus. So, who gets the edge?
What Is the Fallout for Tajae Sharpe?
Sharpe has had a rather tumultuous offseason, and it appears as though the writing is on the wall. Sharpe had a productive rookie season during which he started well and faded out by season’s end. That’s called “not trending in the right direction.” Then, the Titans drafted Davis, Taywan Taylor, and brought in Eric Decker. Where does Sharpe fit in to all of this? Sharpe’s issues have since been compounded after reports surfaced that he allegedly beat some dude down behind a bar late on a Nashville night. It doesn’t look good. For a guy who looked like the answer this time last year, he’ll be fighting just for a roster spot.
Who Provides Pass Rush Depth?
Brian Orakpo and Derrick Morgan have proven to be serviceable pass rushers. If both men can stay healthy and get on the field at the same time, it’s an above average tandem. But, what happens otherwise? Kevin Dodd is another important piece of the puzzle – supposedly, he’s healthy, but like Mariota, you certainly wan’t to see it before you believe it. I also loved the drafting of TCU’s Josh Carraway, but of course, you can’t place lofty expectations on a 7th-round pick. This is still a unit that’s one or two good pieces away from being elite.
How Much Does Eric Decker Have Left in the Tank?
Decker was a quality addition to an already promising receiving corps. But, he’s no Spring chicken. That said, he should be an effective weapon for Mariota in the red zone, an area where the Titans offense is already particularly good. If he can go, he’s going to make this offense complete. We just have to see whether he can still go or not.
Well, what do you think, how does this all shake out? Drop your predictions in the comments.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. A strong advocate of GSD (get shit done) and #BeBetter, he’s down to talk Tennessee Titans and Alabama Crimson Tide football over a beer any day. Check him out covering the WWE for WrestlingNews.co. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley, @WrestlingNewsCo
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