2015 NFL Preview: Have the Titans finally found their franchise quarterback?
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Tennessee Titans
| 2014 Record | 2014 Finish |
|---|---|
| 2-14 | 2nd in AFC West/16th in AFC |
If there's any silver lining to the Titans' awful 2014 season, it's that it probably didn't matter they weren't quite bad enough to earn the first overall draft pick - they still got their man.
In drafting quarterback Marcus Mariota at No. 2, the Titans have taken a third home-run swing on finding a face for their faceless franchise. Vince Young, the third overall pick in 2006, flamed out in fairly spectacular fashion. Jake Locker, eighth overall in 2011, simply couldn't withstand the physical punishment that accompanied his playing style. Neither player is still in the league.
If Mariota becomes the franchise quarterback the Titans believe he will be, bright days are ahead for this team. If Mariota busts as those before him did, several more years of darkness are ahead.
Highlight of 2014
It's hard to find a positive memory from the Titans' pathetic 2014 campaign. Let's watch Mariota's ridiculous college highlight reel instead.
Preseason Power Ranking - #32
It's lonely at the bottom, but Mariota gives this team hope moving forward. More...
2015 Season Outlook
Head Coach: Ken Whisenhunt
Asst. Head Coach: Mike Mularkey
Asst. Head Coach: Dick LeBeau
Whisenhunt returns for his second season with the team despite posting his worst record as an NFL head coach in his Nashville debut. With Whisenhunt's Arizona Cardinals finishing the 2012 season in a 1-11 slump, Whisenhunt-led teams are a remarkably terrible 3-25 in his last 28 games as a head coach. If he doesn't turn that around in a big way this year, Whisenhunt won't be back with the Titans in 2016.
The addition of LeBeau, longtime Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator and one of the most respected minds in football, could be a huge boon for the Titans. Ray Horton remains as defensive coordinator, but LeBeau outranks him on the organizational chart. The pair have worked together in the past and should have little trouble meshing.
Similarly, Mularkey's title of assistant head coach/tight ends coach places him a step above offensive coordinator Jason Michael. The Titans literally have so many coaches they have been forced to invent job titles for them.
Key Additions
- LB Brian Orakpo
- S Da'Norris Searcy
- CB Perrish Cox
- WR Harry Douglas
- TE Anthony Fasano
- QB Marcus Mariota (1st round)
- WR Dorial Green-Beckham (2nd round)
Key Departures
- QB Jake Locker
- OT Michael Roos
- WR Nate Washington
- S Bernard Pollard
- LB Kamerion Wimbley
The Titans are typically quite aggressive in free agency and this year was no different.
Orakpo, if he can manage to stay healthy, should boost one of the NFL's worst pass-rushing units. Searcy and Cox are immediate upgrades to one of the NFL's worst secondaries.
Green-Beckham is a first-round talent who fell to the second round of the draft because of off-field concerns. If he can develop alongside Mariota and reach his full potential, Green-Beckham's upside isn't far below Calvin Johnson's. But he has a long, long way to go before he gets there.
Bold Predictions
Ken Whisenhunt will be fired midseason. With a roster largely bereft of talent, the head coach wouldn't be entirely at fault for another dismal performance. Tennessee doesn't appear to have a solid infrastructure in place, and general manager Ruston Webster will be looking for a scapegoat to tread water in attempting to avoid the axe himself. - Arun Srinivasan
David Cobb will lead the Titans in rushing yards. Cobb was selected by the Titans in the fifth round of this year's draft and has been making some noise in training camp. Second-year running back Bishop Sankey has also looked good, but it will be Cobb that edges him out as the team's rushing leader this season. - Caitlyn Holroyd
Marcus Mariota will be benched during his rookie season. Mariota's transition to the pro game hasn't been as smooth as you would hope for a second-overall pick. Though the preseason isn't always a true indication of a quarterback's development, Mariota has struggled to maintain any sort of consistency. The Titans will sit their quarterback down in the second half of the year to give him a chance to learn from the sidelines. - Justin Boone