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5 Reasons not to sleep on Titans

by Jermaine Lockett
CRR: Podcast Don't Sleep on Titans
CRR: Podcast Don't Sleep on Titans

CRR: Podcast Don’t Sleep on Titans

 

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5 Reasons not to sleep on the Tennessee Titans

Look, I am not the guy to overinflate a team just to meet an article requirement. Also, I will not fall into the love fest that is Andrew Luck in the AFC South either. If a team deserves some love, then I’ll show some. In my previous article where I predict the winners of the AFC South, I fully admit to being in the Jacksonville Jaguars corner. However, I see all three other teams as contenders. To say that Houston and Indy will both have bounce back years is just a layup. It’s too easy but to recognize teams that deserve real recognition for moves and growth is where I am looking today. I want to focus on the Tennesee Titans. They are not a team to sleep on and if they play their cards right, they could win….hahaha ok, ok I can’t even say that with a straight face. In all seriousness folks, they could be a steal for 2nd in the AFC South.

“But Jermaine why would you say that when Houston did this that and the other? But Luck is coming back healthy, and he’s got the potential to be great.” NOPE! I’m not hoping on the bandwagon and here are five reasons why.

 

8th Easiest schedule in football

Schedule strength is a significant factor when trying to project wins and losses. The Titans have just a .473 on schedule strength according to NFL.com. Having the Browns, Lions, Raiders, Dolphins, Bears in your program means there are possibilities for Ws with some effort and a decent gameplan. It’s not like they are the top of anything. If they win all of those games, they can end up with 9-7 which is leaps and bounds better than the dismal 3-13 record they had in 2015.

 

One of the better RB tandems in football

I won’t say best because the Eagles let Murray go for a reason, and Henry still has to play an NFL game. But you had better believe Murray has a chip on his shoulder after Philly basically “bye-Felicia’d” his services in preference of Matthews. Henry is a homerun hitting type of back and should Murray run into the injury bug again the team will not miss a beat.

 

Dick Lebeau has a second year and new toys

This is Lebeau’s second year with this unit and in my opinion, he is one of the best D-Coordinators in football. He will have fully installed his fire zone blitzing schemes and brought that Steeler mentality to the Titans in this his second year. Additionally, GM Jon Robinson brought him 6 NEW toys to play with from the draft in

 

DE Kevin Dodd Clemson

DT Austin Johnson Penn State

S Kevin Byard Middle Tennessee

CB Leshaun Sims Southern Utah

OLB Aaron Wallace UCLA

CB Kalan Reed Southern Miss

Incorporating these young bucks into his system should be easy since they haven’t developed any bad NFL habits yet. Look for the Titans D to be better than their 2015 12th ranking.

 

Receiving Corps looks like a formidable unit

Look there is no Antonio Brown in this unit, but there is a Kendall Wright and when healthy, this boy can flat out ball! Harry Douglas is coming out of the shadow of Julio Jones, and has a lot of upside. Additionally, Dorial Green-Beckham is another bright spot for this team. He lead the WRs last year, with 549-yards and four TDs. He actually didn’t start to catch on until late last year so cut him some slack. Lastly of the group, Delanie Walker is consistent, and while he may not be Gronk, he can move the chains.

 

Mariota Mariota Mariota!

When he’s not injured, he plays with his hair on fire, as displayed by his 87-yd TD run, 41-yd catch and a few other big splash plays we saw from 2015. This former Duck will be the key to this team flying in 2016 if he can just avoid the injury bug.

 

As I was saying, it’s no dream team, but they are a unit you cannot count the W on earlier in the season.

Jermaine Lockett is a Writer and CEO for Couch Rider Report. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or twitter.

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