2002 Results

Coach: Jeff Fisher Record: (11-5) Passing Offense: 20th, 207.5 yds/gm, 22 TDs Rushing Offense: 11th, 122.0 yds/gm, 16 TDs Scoring Offense: 13th, 22.9 pts/gm Team Leaders Passing Att Comp Yds TDs INTs Rating Steve McNair 492 301 3387 22 15 84.0               Rushing Att Yds Avg TDs Long   Eddie George 343 1165 3.4 12 35   Steve McNair 82 440 5.4 3 26   Robert Holcombe 47 242 5.1 0 39   Mike Green 21 71 3.4 0 12   Receiving Rec Yds Avg TDs Long   Derrick Mason 79 1012 12.8 5 40   Drew Bennett 33 478 14.5 2 53   Kevin Dyson 41 460 11.2 4 40   Frank Wycheck 40 346 8.7 2 19   Justin McCareins 19 301 15.8 2 55   Eddie George 36 255 7.1 2 14   Erron Kinney 13 173 13.3 0 31

2003 Results

Coach: Jeff Fisher Record: (12-4) Passing Offense: 5th, 242.4 yds/gm, 30 TDs Rushing Offense: 26th, 101.4 yds/gm, 11 TDs Scoring Offense: 5th, 27.2 pts/gm Team Leaders Passing Att Comp Yds TDs INTs Rating Steve McNair 400 250 3215 24 7 100.4 Billy Volek 69 44 545 4 1 101.4               Rushing Att Yds Avg TDs Long   Eddie George 312 1031 3.3 5 27   Chris Brown 56 221 3.9 0 28   Robert Holcombe 63 201 3.2 1 21   Steve McNair 38 138 3.6 4 23                 Receiving Rec Yds Avg TDs Long   Derrick Mason 95 1303 13.7 8 50   Justin McCareins 47 813 17.3 7 73   Drew Bennett 32 504 15.8 4 48   Erron Kinney 41 381 9.3 3 28   Tyrone Calico 18 297 16.5 4 45   Frank Wycheck 17 165 9.7 2 25   Eddie George 22 163 7.4 0 22   Shad Meier 13 159 12.2 0 27

2004 Fantasy Outlook
Coaches: Jeff Fisher (HC), Mike Heimerdinger (OC), Jim Schwartz (DC)
Passing SOS: 7th (1 = Easy, 32 = Difficult)
Rushing SOS: 4th (1 = Easy, 32 = Difficult)

The same but different. Offensive Coordinator Mike Heimerdinger said it best...“I expect the same thing that happened last year, just going out there and producing. We did it last year. There is no reason why we shouldn’t this year.”

Over the past couple years the Titans have shifted to a passing style of offense with Eddie George and the running game serving mainly as a compliment to Steve McNair. That basic philosophy is not going to change. What will change are the pieces McNair has to work with. Eddie George remains in limbo, Justin McCareins was traded away to New York, and Frank Wycheck has retired. In their place comes a promising rookie running back, Chris Brown, elevated roles for wide receivers Drew Bennett & Tyrone Calico and tight ends Erron Kinney & Ben Troupe. The key question still hanging over this team is Eddie George. Should the two sides fail to reach an agreement on a new contract, George will likely be released which elevates the fantasy value of Chris Brown.

Quarterbacks: Steve McNair, Billy Volek, Jason Gesser
McNair is finally starting to get the fantasy respect he deserves. I guess if you keep putting up numbers like he has you're bound to get noticed. He's averaged 20+ FF Pts per game (standard performance scoring system) the last three years and his average of 8.04 yards per attempt was the league's best last season; a direct result of the Titans making a conscious effort to get the ball downfield. His rushing yards took a dip last year (138) which is a far cry from the 400-yd seasons in '02 & '01. Are the injuries starting to take their toll? McNair missed two games last year and had a bone spur removed from his left ankle early in the offseason. He did make it back for the final mini-camp and is considered one of the toughest players in the league. For those reason's he's more than capable of being your starting fantasy QB and should easily finish in the top ten (barring injury) in most scoring systems.

Backup Billy Volek did an adequate job filling in for McNair last season (545 yds, 2 TDs, 1 INT) and will be a nice handcuff or a good late-round prospect that could have great value should McNair go down for an extended period of time.

Projected Stats
Steve McNair - 3,355 yds, 23 TDs, 14 INTs; 345 rush yds, 4 TDs; 318.3 FF Pts
Billy Volek - 282 yds, 2 TDs, 1 INT; 8 rush yds, 0 TDs; 22.9 FF Pts

Running Backs: Chris Brown, Antowain Smith, Ray Jackson, Vick King,
Fullbacks: Robert Holcombe, Troy Fleming®
The career may not be over but its getting close. The real troubling statistic is his yards per carry... 3.3, 3.4, 3.0 the last three years. He only broke the 100-yd barrier twice last season and scored a disappointing 5 TDs. His workload has been tremendous throughout his career and his durability cannot be questioned despite constant nagging injuries. However, the Titans feel (and rightly so) that his better days are behind him which is why the two sides are currently at odds over a new contract for the veteran RB. The Titans have asked George to cut his base salary of $4.25 million for 2004 to around $1.5 million, and haven't been willing to give George any assurances past 2004. George currently remains under contract through 2006 but if George doesn't agree to a restructured contract, the Titans will likely release him.

That brings us to Chris Brown who spent most of last season bothered by a hamstring injury; not a good sign. His upright running style (similar to George) could lead to unnecessary wear and tear and should be watched closely. However, when he got his chance last season he showed enough flashes to the coaching staff to warrant more playing which he is bound to get in 04' whether George returns or not. He will automatically vault to #1 status if George gets released but will only be a part-time player if George stays. Hopefully there will be a resolution to this matter soon. Its been my feeling all along that George will not be with Tennessee in '04 but time will tell.

Robert Holcombe is the perfect all-purpose back for this team. He can play a little fullback, he can play tailback, he can catch the ball out of the backfield. He's primary position will be fullback in '04 and he's been busy packing on the pounds in preparation.

Update: 7/21 - Eddie George has been released. Chris Brown will become the starting running back but will likely split time with Antowain Smith in a RBBC approach. If Brown can impress the coaching staff during camp it will increase his chances of becoming a featured back. Watch this situation closely and we should get a good read on his fantasy value by late August.

Projected Stats
Chris Brown - 805 yds, 6 TDs; 18 rec, 121 yds, 0 TDs; 128.6 FF Pts
Robert Holcombe - 315 yds, 4 TDs; 21 rec, 152 yds, 1 TD; 76.7 FF Pts
Antowain Smith - 300 yds, 2 TDs; 7 rec, 45 yds, 0 TDs; 46.5 FF Pts
Ray Jackson - 105 yds, 0 TDs; 4 rec, 29 yds, 0 TDs; 13.4 FF Pts

Wide Receivers: Derrick Mason, Drew Bennett, Tyrone Calico, Eddie Berlin, Jake Schifino, Darrell Hill
Three straight 1000-yd seasons for Derrick Mason and unless injuries stop him, he'll make that four in a row this year. Mason is the leader of the Titans receiving corps and the first option for McNair. His consistency was very impressive last year totaling at least 90 yds in nine games... not too shabby. He's a solid top ten fantasy wide receiver no questions asked.

With Justin McCareins having been traded to the New York Jets, Drew Bennett has a lock on the #2 wide receiver position. Bennett missed four games last season with a calf injury but is considered the best athlete on the team and should have no problem increasing his production from a year ago. Tyrone Calico should also see increased action as he moves into a more permanent role as the #3 wideout. He averaged 16.5 yards a catch and had four TD receptions last year and has that "look" of a talented young player. Both Bennett and Calico are good late-round fantasy selections with nice upside. You'll do well snagging either as your #4 wide receiver.

Projected Stats
Derrick Mason - 90 rec, 1,209 yds, 8 TDs; 168.9 FF Pts
Drew Bennett - 52 rec, 745 yds, 5 TDs; 104.5 FF Pts
Tyrone Calico - 34 rec, 466 yds, 4 TDs; 70.6 FF Pts
Eddie Berlin - 9 rec, 116 yds, 1 TD; 17.6 FF Pts

Tight Ends: Erron Kinney, Ben Troupe®, Shad Meier
With the retirement of Frank Wycheck the Titans will feature Erron Kinney and rookie Ben Troupe at the TE position. Kinney actually cracked the top 20 last year with 381 yards and 3 TDs thanks to Wycheck's concussion problems. The Titans have always involved their TEs in the offense so give Kinney consideration but be aware of the rookie... Ben Troupe is regarded as a better pass-catcher and while his blocking leaves something to be desired, the Titans are anxious to get the ball in his hands. This may be a case where Kinney has value early with Troupe having even greater value late in the season.

Projected Stats
Erron Kinney - 41 rec, 426 yds, 3 TDs; 60.6 FF Pts
Ben Troupe - 23 rec, 256 yds, 2 TDs; 37.6 FF Pts

Tennessee T.O.D Discussion on the FF Today Board