Tennessee Titans Season in Review

Tennessee Titans Season in Review 

There is no denying the fact that the Titans were a pleasant surprise this year. Most people would not pick them to go 7-9. After starting 3-1, the Titans finished the season going 4-8. It seems there is always one team each season who starts off great but somehow just falls off. Maybe it was over confidence after a few wins, and then lack of confidence after a few losses. The problem is some teams don't know how to respond to a loss. Or maybe they just weren't good enough to begin with. So which problem did the Titans have last season? Maybe a little of both.

Take a look at the Titans schedule. Their first four games were against average teams. Week 1, they won against the Pittsburgh Steelers, who finished the season strong but did not start strong by any means. Week 2, the Titans lost to division rival, Houston Texans (which was the last Texans win of the season). Week 3, they beat the San Diego Chargers who put together a late run later in the season but was nothing special early in the season. Week 4 was a win against the New York Jets...need I say more?  These wins were gave the Titans some confidence, as winning should do, but the Titans may have been getting cocky. To be honest during these first few weeks I was impressed by Jake Locker. He stepped when he needed too and took control of the offense. I think the Titans were starting to buy into what the coaching staff was preaching. However, the next three games against the Chiefs, Seahawks, and 49ers, took that confidence away. Once they lost their confidence, they stopped believing in the coaching staff, and it was all downhill from there.

Like I said earlier some teams don't know how to respond to a loss. What I mean is after losing...some teams just don't know how to bounce back. It weighs in their mind and they dwell on it. When they continue to think about the past game, they don't focus on future games. For the Titans, their losses came in bunches. They would win a games, then lose a game, then lose another game, then win a game, then lose a game, and then lose another game. One loss was most likely accompanied by or accompanying another game. 

Maybe some times are not good enough. Well in the Titans case...there are making improvements each year to get better. they were better in 2013 then they were in 2012. However, they are not good enough to challenge the Colts for the division title yet. So how can they get better? First they need to decide how to handle Chris Johnson who has seen is numbers decrease ever since his 2000 yard season. Trading him seems to be the most attractive option. There will be teams who are looking for a running back. Trading him to a team who is just a running back away from being real contenders maybe their best option. Bringing in Ken Whisenhunt was a step in the right direction and getting Ray Horton to be defensive coordinator will be a great addition for the 20th ranked rush defense. Getting rid of Kenny Britt is something that also needs to be done. Resigning Bernard Pollard is also a good move. Finding a way to keep Verner is also a necessity but difficult. If the Titans can trade Chris Johnson, they should look into signing Donald Brown or Ben Tate. last but not least they need to a threat to an average wide receiver group. 

Titans are a few moves away from challenging the Colts. Let's not forget Jake Locker did get injured last year. Titans played well with Ryan Fitzpatrick, but it will be interesting to see how Locker will bounce back from injury.