Don Pierson

Vince Young was so effective as a rookie quarterback that the Titans took away his two leading receivers and leading rusher to see what he can do for his next trick.

It seems like a cruel way to treat the future of the franchise, who only seemed like a one-man gang after taking over for Kerry Collins and compiling an 8-5 record. After an 0-5 start, the Titans finished 8-3 and nearly made the playoffs, thanks so much to Young that a better encore is hard to imagine.

Living up to the hype seems to come naturally for Young and it's a good thing because coach Jeff Fisher is starting over again. Although Young had the advantage of working his offseason as a starter, the Titans let 1,200-yard rusher Travis Henry as well as receivers Drew Bennett and Bobby Wade get away without adding proven replacements.

They can only hope last year's second-round running back, LenDale White, and this year's second-rounder, Chris Henry, can combine to give Young help running the ball, although Young's 552 rushing yards and seven touchdowns demonstrated that his unique talents indeed serve him well.

If White and Henry aren't ready for the challenge, the Titans will turn to holdover Chris Brown, limited to only five games last season after more promising performances in 2004 and 2005.

At receiver, the Titans added draft choices Paul Williams, Chris Davis and Joel Filani and free agent Justin Gage from the Bears to join holdovers Roydell Williams and Courtney Roby. Last year's free agent pickup David Givens missed 11 games with a knee injury and his availability for this season remains in question. The Titans also are expecting much more out of third year prospect Brandon Jones, who was sidelined by a knee injury as a rookie and came back to start 10 games and catch four touchdown passes. If there's a go-to target in that group, he'll have to emerge in camp.

There are enough issues on offense and defense for the Titans to avoid continual questions about the future of suspended cornerback ‘Pacman’ Jones, who is out of football for at least this season and possibly gone forever from the Titans. His four interceptions, three touchdowns on punt returns, and prowess as a kickoff returner will be difficult to replace, but Fisher will be happy to put him in the rearview mirror as quickly as he can.

Somebody has to line up at the two cornerback spots and the leaders are incumbent Reynaldo Hill and ex-Colt Nick Harper, but the Titans also signed the Seahawks' Kelly Herndon and used their first draft pick on Michael Griffin. Although Griffin played safety for Texas, the Titans have him at cornerback for far. The Titans like second-year prospect Cortland Finnegan and also have former No. 1 pick Andre Woolfolk, who will never have a better chance than now to show he can play.

Losing both Jones and Wade will hurt in the kick return game, but it is unlikely Fisher will ask Young to do that, too. The Titans had the highest-rated special teams in the AFC last year and are likely to suffer in that area, because they also lost top special teams tackler Colby Bockwoldt in free agency.

Hotseat
LenDale White was not happy when he got passed up in the first round of the 2006 draft after sharing playing time at USC with Reggie Bush and flashing big-league potential. But his work ethic and minuscule rookie production of 244 yards on 61 carries have so far justified the skeptics. He has more to prove now and more opportunity to prove it with Travis Henry gone to Denver. Without a bonafide rushing game, defenses will gang up on Young and quickly bring him down a notch.

Overheard
The Titans would like to improve their safety position, with Calvin Lowry challenging incumbent Lamont Thompson at free safety opposite strong safety Chris Hope. Griffin would be the obvious choice had the Titans not lost Jones, and if others can hold up at corner, Griffin will slide to safety. The Titans also are hoping another ex-Colt linebacker, Gilbert Gardner, can help as David Thornton did last year. Ex-Cowboys linebacker Ryan Fowler and second-year prospect Stephen Tulloch will compete for the starting job in the middle.

Outlook
Obviously a team rebuilding around Young, the Titans have a roster full of unfamiliar and unsung names looking to make their marks. Fisher is certainly not afraid to pin his hopes on youth, but he must rely on leading tackler Keith Bulluck and leader sacker Kyle Vanden Bosch to provide veteran guidance for a defense that gave up more yards and the second-most points of any team in the league. Young can't be expected to overcome everything.

Prediction
Third.

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