2016 Lions Opponents: Did They Improve?
By Al Stahl
Tennessee Titans
Mike Mularkey is still in charge in Tennessee but a lot has changed. The team hired a new GM in January and added some new players that could have a positive impact on second year QB Marcus Mariota.
A look at the offense:
| 2015 Offensive Starters | Proj. 2016 O Starters | |||
| Pos. | Player | Pos. | Player | |
| LT | Taylor Lewan | LT | Taylor Lewan | |
| LG | Jeremiah Poutasi | LG | Jeremiah Poutasi | |
| C | Brian Schwenke | C | Ben Jones | |
| RG | Chance Warmack | RG | Chance Warmack | |
| RT | Byron Bell | RT | Jack Conklin | |
| TE | Delanie Walker | TE | Delanie Walker | |
| WR | Kendall Wright | WR | Kendall Wright | |
| WR | Dorial Green-Beckham | WR | Dorial Green-Beckham | |
| TE | Craig Stevens | WR | Tajae Sharpe | |
| RB | Bishop Sankey | RB | DeMarco Murray | |
| QB | Marcus Mariota | QB | Marcus Mariota |
Lions fans will recognize rookie OT Jack Conklin. The Michigan St. product was selected in the first round to protect the edge opposite Michigan product Taylor Lewan. The team also signed C Ben Jones from Houston. He’ll battle it out with incumbent starter Brian Schwenke to see who tops the depth chart. All things considered, the Titans improved their offensive line this offseason and have what looks like a solid group for the future.
Additionally, Tennessee added receiver Tajae Sharpe who should operate out of the slot for the Titans. They also drafted RB Derrick Henry and signed DeMarco Murray in free agency. If the Titans can wear down defenses running the ball, they may be able to improve an offense that was 30th in yards and 28th in points scored last year.
On defense, the Titans look very similar:
| 2015 Defensive Starters | Proj. 2016 D Starters | |||
| Pos. | Player | Pos. | Player | |
| DE | DaQuan Jones | DE | DaQuan Jones | |
| DT | Al Woods | DT | Al Woods | |
| DE | Jurrell Casey | DE | Jurrell Casey | |
| OLB | Derrick Morgan | OLB | Derrick Morgan | |
| ILB | Avery Williamson | ILB | Avery Williamson | |
| ILB | Zach Brown | ILB | Wesley Woodyard | |
| OLB | Brian Orakpo | OLB | Brian Orakpo | |
| CB | Perrish Cox | CB | Perrish Cox | |
| FS | Michael Griffin | FS | Rashad Johnson | |
| SS | Da’Norris Searcy | SS | Da’Norris Searcy | |
| CB | Jason McCourty | CB | Jason McCourty |
Last year Tennessee was ranked 12th in yards allowed, but 27th in points allowed. Part of that stems from the tied-for-1st 33 giveaways the offense had last year. So in part, a better offensive line can actually play a role in indirectly improving the defense. Or at least that’s what it seems the Titans are hoping for.
Tennessee released FS Michael Griffin in February, choosing to replace him with Rashad Johnson who they signed in free agency from Arizona. While that is a notable addition, and an improvement, it’s about the only worthwhile addition the team made this offseason. The team also brought in ILB Wesley Woodyard to replace Zach Brown who signed a one year deal with the Bills. And that was it.
Verdict
This is a team that went 3-13 last year. The Titans are a bad team. Did they improve? Sure. The offensive line should be better, they added new running backs and a receiver on offense, and they upgraded FS on defense. Will the Titans be better in 2016? No. There’s a good chance they could start 0-4 and it isn’t easy to pick two winnable games in their first 8. If Tennessee can get to 5 wins this year it would be a Music City miracle.
Lions’ chances for a home victory: 89%
Be sure to keep an eye out for the next installment on the NFC East!