2009 NFL Picks Tennessee Titans AFC South Betting Odds: The Tennessee Titans (13-3) were perhaps the biggest surprise of the 2008 NFL season. The Titans reminded fans that supremacy is never inherited when they raced out to a 10-0 start. The league is a volatile melting pot of constantly-changing rosters bunkered down only by a few franchise faces, so every team is capable of making a run to the playoffs in 2009. Unfortunately for the Titans, they won’t be one of them. Ironically, the league’s constant fluidity, the very thing that catalyzed Tennessee’s run last season, will play a major part in their fall from grace in 2009. The loss of defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth to free agency (Washington Redskins) and the battle for quarterback between last year’s veteran hero, Kerry Collins, and the explosive, yet instable Vince Young, will prove spiritually draining to an inexperienced team that lacks real leadership. The 2009 NFL Picks experts at online sportsbook SBG Global have the Tennessee Titans +2000 odds to win the 2010 Super Bowl.
TENNESSEE TITANS – AFC SOUTH
2008 Season Record: 13-3, first in AFC South.
Offense: 5
Defense: 7
Special Teams: 8
Coaching: 8
2009 NFL Picks: 8-8
OVER 9 WINS: –125 odds
UNDER 9 WINS: –105 odds
Pros: The Titans’ engine moves behind the running back tandem of the speedy Chris Johnson and the burly LenDale White. Together, the pair makes up a thunder-and-lightening ground game that is sure to keep opposing defenses off balance. Tennessee’s ability to rush situationally keeps the chains moving, and makes Head Coach Jeff Fisher’s attack a multi-dimensional monster. Defensively, the Titans are coming off a season that ranked them second in the NFL in points given up per game (14.6). Although the loss of Haynesworth will serve as a major obstacle for Defensive Coordinator Chuck Cecil, the Titans can rest on their laurels until 2009 proves otherwise. In any event, Tennessee’s secondary, which features cornerback Cortland Finnegan and Michael Griffin (third in the NFL with seven interceptions in 2008) at safety, will see added pressure in the absence of Haynesworth, but the athletic duo has proven its merit. The return of safety Chris Hope from Pittsburgh also provides added cavalry for the Cecil-led crew.
Cons: A team with two “starting” quarterbacks is one without a true “starting” quarterback. The battle between Collins and Young accentuates the fact that the Tennessee offense still has yet to find a consistent gunslinger. The scarcity of explosive targets (Justin Gage led the team receiving yards with 651 on 34 receptions in 2008) makes the passing game even less threatening. The loss of Haynesworth already leaves Tennessee’s leadership reeling, so the additional drama could be a source of major issue in 2009. As far as Haynesworth’s departure concerns on-field matters, Tennessee’s run defense (ranked sixth in 2008) will be burdened with the task of filling a six-foot-six-inch, 320-pound void at defensive tackle. In his absence, the 275-pound Jason Jones, who started only one game in 2008 – but recorded 3.5 sacks – will be thrown into the fire and asked to pick up the slack. Unfortunately for Jones, the right tackle will have some pretty big cleats to fill. Tennessee’s run defense, which was such a big part of their surprise run last season, won’t be nearly as stifling in 2009.
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Outlook: Much of the burden will rest on the shoulders of Tennessee’s running back tandem of Johnson and White. Assuming that Collins doesn’t return to his aberrational 2008 form, the duo will be tasked with producing even more offense this fall. Off-season changes to the defense will leave even more onus on the offense because the Titans can no longer rely on low-scoring contests for wins. Fisher will have his hands full with a team that lacks leadership, especially once the Young-Collins drama begins to unfold, but the free agent acquisition of former Steelers wide receiver Nate Washington should ease the tension. On the other side of the ball, defensive ends Jevon Kearse and Kyle Vanden Bosch are returning with loads of experience. The question remaining, however, is whether or not the 31-year old and 33-year old respectively have too much of it. Their ability to maintain the rigors of a16-plus game campaign could make or break the Titan’s season. Ultimately, the loss of Haynesworth and the constant double-teams that he commanded will have a ripple effect on the entire defense, and the Titans will suffer in 2009.
Draft Overview: The Titans wasted no time in proving that their biggest priority for the 2009 NFL draft was to surround their starting quarterback, whoever that may be, with capable targets. That is why the team selected wide receiver Kenny Britt (Rutgers University, draft No. 30) slightly ahead of schedule. While the wide receiver is fully capable of making noise at the next level, the Titans clearly drafted for positional need, not value, with their first overall selection. Tennessee’s selection of defensive tackle Sen’Derrick Marks provides the Titan with more depth on the line, something that will prove vital in the absence of Haynesworth. While the rookie can’t be expected to fill in for the departed All-Pro, the former Tiger does possess the skills to be successful at the next level. The Titans stole tight end Jared Cook (University of South Carolina, draft No. 89) when they selected him with their third pick.
Overall Outlook: The loss of Haynesworth at defensive tackle makes a much bigger difference than a lot of the NFL realize. His mere presence demanded double-teams every game in 2008, and his loss will be felt by the remaining Titan defensive core. The Titans made some great selections in this year’s draft, especially stealing Cook with their third pick, so they should have a bright future. Adaptation to the NFL takes time, however, especially for receivers like Britt and Cook, and their presence won’t offer Collins or Young the help they desperately need. Look for the Titans to compete in a lot of close games, but fall short due to a lack of passing game and struggles in getting to opposing quarterbacks.
Intangibles: A major key to Tennessee’s season will be their ability to continue winning at home. Historically, the Titans are very stubborn when it comes to protecting the Adelphia Coliseum and in 2008, the squad went 7-2. For a team that leaves a lot to be desired at quarterback, the Titans will find themselves in a lot of tight, grind-‘em-out ball games, and whether or not Fisher’s crew has the mental capacity to succeed in close games will also make a major difference.
SBG Global has posted their 2009 NFL Picks odds to win the 2010 Super Bowl:
Arizona CARDINALS: +2900
Atlanta FALCONS: +2000
Baltimore RAVENS: +2500
Buffalo BILLS: +8500
Carolina PANTHERS: +3950
Chicago BEARS: +2000
Cincinnati BENGALS: +8500
Cleveland BROWNS: +7500
Dallas COWBOYS: +1400
Denver BRONCOS: +6000
Detroit LIONS: +15000
Green Bay PACKERS: +2500
Houston TEXANS: +2000
Indianapolis COLTS: +1000
Jacksonville JAGUARS: +4500
Kansas City CHIEFS: +7500
Miami DOLPHINS: +3000
Minnesota VIKINGS: +800
New England PATRIOTS: +300
New Orleans SAINTS: +1700
New York GIANTS: +850
New York JETS: +3500
Oakland RAIDERS: +5500
Philadelphia EAGLES: +650
Pittsburgh STEELERS: +700
San Diego CHARGERS: +500
San Francisco 49ERS: +6500
Seattle SEAHAWKS: +3000
St. Louis RAMS: +8500
Tampa Bay BUCCANEERS: +10000
Tennessee TITANS: +2000
Washington REDSKINS: +4850
