01/05/10
The road ahead in Nashville may be under construction until next September, but it is paved with bright futures and great expectations. After an 0-6 start under Kerry "Grandpa" Collins, Vince Young, Chris Johnson, and the rest of the 2009 Titans salvaged an 8-8 season. The second half of the year CJ had the NFL Universe wondering "2K or not 2K?" until he joined the exclusive Club 2,000. They have finished last in the division for only the second time since the 2002 restructuring of the league but I am beyond confident that they can compete next year for a division title and more. It stings a little to see them fall short of their playoff hopes this season after an early departure from what was supposed to be "their year" last year. But I understand the circumstances and Coach Fisher has regained his faith in Vince Young, already naming him the 2010 starter. There will be no quarterback controversy. It was a smart move by Fisher. He knows Young is a guy who needs that positive reinforcement. Telling the entire viewing audience, including Young himself, will boost VY's confidence going into a critical offseason for this team.
As long as VY can continue his progression into a solid starting quarterback in the league, the Titans are in good shape. When you have a runningback, who in his second year in the league, breaks the record for total yards from scrimmage in a season, you know you are in good hands. The record was previously held by Marshall Faulk dating back to the '99 season. It's interesting to note that was the year Faulk and the Rams beat the Titans in what was one of the most exciting Super Bowls ever. Everyone remembers how prolific and downright scary that offense was, so for CJ to break that record is something to be noticed. He also became the sixth player to rush for 2,000 yards in a season, capping off at 2,006 with an additional 503 receiving yards, making him the very first player in league history to rus for 2,000 and receive another 500 yards in a single season. It must be scary to believe that CJ may contend to beat his own records next year. If you view his '09 stats, you'll see he got off to a slow start, posting only two 100-yard games in the teams bumbling 0-6 start to the year, but finished the year posting 11 consecutive such games. That ties him for second place for 100-yard game streaks. With VY adding a running threat, himself, lanes became more available for CJ as the year progressed and Johnson was rewarded with many opportunities to showcase his blazing speed, tremendous cuts, and superior vision as a RB, as well as a receiving threat out of the backfield. I think if you replace Collins back in week one, Johnson would own Dickerson's rushing record. He would have only needed 20 additional yards in each game. I 'd say if it was VY under center, those yards would have come. Johnson, who was labeled a horrible pick by most every NFL "expert" is gonig to his second Pro Bowl in his two year career and is now the most dangerous player in the league every given Sunday.
2009 can be viewed in two different perspectives. You can say it was a season of disappointment, mediocrity, and failed expectations. And in many of my articles I did say that, using all three of those terms. But as I look back at the year that could have been, I also notice all of the bright spots on this team. My favorite player, Vince Young, is back to playing football full time, Tennessee is now home to the best player in the NFL and potentially the scariest RB-QB combo. With VY becoming a legitimate passer this year, he has added a threat defenses previously didn't have to prepare for much. Add in Offensive Coordinator Mike Heimerdinger's option play calling and VY is as comfortable as he was back at Texas. For me, when it was all said and done I will look at 2009 as a letdown. But it's a letdown with high hopes and bright futures.
GO TITANS!