(Photo By: Jonathan Mohan/2009)
The Tennessee Titans enter the 2009 season as defending AFC South Champions but still have a mountain to prove. Where last years success came as a pleasant surprise, this campaign should be nothing short of a witch-hunt. After finishing a league best 13-3 last year, this time around they might has well be wearing bull’s-eyes across their chests.
Bolstering a solid defense that ranked fifth overall and sporting an upgraded offensive unit, the Titans are looking to not only repeat as South champs, but are focusing on representing the AFC in Miami come February 7th. If playing the Colts, Jaguars and Texans twice a year isn’t punishment enough, the schedule opens up on September 10th against the Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers.
Pause all the Bulluck towel stomp chatter for a moment to reflect on how beautiful this revival of a rivalry could be for not only our organization, but for the NFL. The Titans bullied the Steelers last time they met here in Nashville but this time around they must travel to Heinz Field. The Titans and Steelers have had many historic games before the realignment of 2002, when both teams shared the same division. Newcomer Nate Washington will be looking to prove to his former squad that he is too explosive to dwindle down as a number three receiver. These two smash-mouth, defensive minded teams have mutual respect for both organizations but on Sunday’s, they love to hate each other.
Also on the schedule this year is a trip up to Foxboro for another rematch of sort with the New England Patriots. Don’t think for one second that Keith Bulluck and the Titans have forgotten about New England’s fourth down conversion to run up the score and stats for Vinny Testaverde, which ultimately kept Tennessee out of the playoffs. With Tom Brady back healthy linked with targets Randy Moss and Wes Welker, plus a backfield of usual suspects like Laurence Maroney, former Jaguar Fred Taylor, Sammie Morris and Kevin Faulk, the Patriots offense will give the Titans a headache. Look for October 18th to be a collision of cunning wit between head coaches Jeff Fisher and Bill Belichick.
The Super Bowl runner-up will travel to Nashville November 29th to do battle with the Titans where Kyle Vanden Bosch will get a chance to go toe to toe with his old residence. An interesting fact is the only NFL franchise to have never played a game in Nashville is the Arizona Cardinals. Since signing with the Titans, KVB has molded into one of the best defensive ends in the game and has been named to the Pro Bowl twice. (05’ and 07’) Veterans Kurt Warner and Kerry Collins are a combined 75 years old but still can show you exactly what it takes to helm quarterback in the National Football League. Although former offensive coordinator Todd Haley is now the head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs, the Cardinals still know how to score. When Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin are on the field, your secondary better be on their toes. Two like-minded teams on both sides of the ball, this should make for an intriguing match-up so make sure to circle this date on your calendar.
Phillip Rivers, L.T. and company will visit us on Christmas night for not only a rematch of the AFC Wild Card game from 2008 where the Chargers won 17-6, but also a rematch of the first AFL Championship of 1961 when the Houston Oilers beat the Los Angeles Chargers 24-16. In that 2008 wildcard game, Tennessee channeled their defensive focus on Tomlinson limiting him to only 42 yards rushing but in the process let Rivers toss the ball all over the stadium. The Titans will be looking to play the grinch before their home crowd and send the Chargers back to San Diego empty handed. San Diego will be primed for this game as their season is being billed as the “Super Bowl or bust” year.
Other key games on the schedule include the Dolphins, Jets, Bills, Niners, Seahawks and Rams. Of the 16 weeks the Tennessee Titans will endure, 10 will be against teams with winning records and six of those are against playoff teams. (2 against the colts) If Kerry Collins can stay healthy along with our key offensive weapons, the Titans shouldn’t have any problem scoring touchdowns this season. Remember fans, Chris Johnson is still accepting celebration suggestions for 2009. (See bongos; Kansas City)
13-3 was not just a surprise to the entire league last year, but even to the Tennessee Titans as well. Although donning the best record in the NFL is nothing to sneeze at, this year the Titans are determined to advance in the playoffs. Last season home field advantage meant absolutely nothing as the Baltimore Ravens, before the sold-out crowd at LP field embarrassed the Titans and sent them home for an early vacation. While Tennessee has four primetime slots this season, they will have to seize the opportunities to prove themselves again to the rest of the NFL markets.
This will be the last year for a number of Titan players as contracts are set to expire at the end of the season. Among the names topping the list are; Keith Bulluck, Kyle Vanden Bosch, Tony Brown, Jevon Kearse, Nick Harper, LenDale White, Bo Scaife and Algie Crumpler. Depending on the post-season success of the Tennessee Titans, we could see many familiar faces finding new teams come 2010. There has never been a better time than right now for a Titans team that is on the bubble.
Last season Tennessee got the respect they were looking for. Earning respect in the NFL doesn’t come easy and it sure hasn’t been easy for the Tennessee Titans. This 50th Anniversary of the AFL is a testament to the determination that derives from within this franchise, personnel, players and fans.
So it is with great pleasure that I say to you “ladies and gentlemen, once again its football time in Tennessee.”
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