NFL Tennessee Titans

Top 5 Issues Facing Tennessee Titans After 1-4 Start

Top 5 Issues Facing Tennessee Titans After 1-4 Start

Charlie Whitehurst Titans
Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

At one point in the first half, the Tennessee Titans led the Cleveland Browns 28-3 in what looked to be their best game of the season. Fast forward to the end of the game and the Browns would win 29-28 in Nashville. The disappointing loss brings up several key questions about the Titans’ organization as a whole; here are the top five issues facing Tennessee after their 1-4 start.

5. Jake Locker Injuries

Jake Locker Injury
Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

5. Jake Locker Injuries

Jake Locker Injury
Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

It seems like every time Locker looks like he will live up to his draft status he gets injured. Most would put Locker’s “injury-proneness” as the top issue facing the Titans, but it’s not. Tennessee has a playoff ready defense, offensive line and receiving ability; the Titans should not lose a game when they’re up by 25. A healthy Locker is key to Tennessee’s success in the AFC South, but there are far more pressing issues.

4. Penalties

Andy Levitre Titans
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

4. Penalties

Andy Levitre Titans
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Probably the biggest reason the Titans lost to the Browns, Tennessee had two crucial turnovers called back due to cheap, avoidable penalties, including an interception taken to the one-yard line. Holding, false starts and other penalties hurt the Titans as well, but none more so than those two. Avoiding penalties has to be a major focus in this week’s practice, because it’s hindered the Titans all season long.

3. Backup Quarterback Issues

Charlie Whitehurst
Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

3. Backup Quarterback Issues

Charlie Whitehurst
Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

I like Charlie Whitehurst as much as the next guy, but when your defense is tired and the opposing team has all the momentum, a team needs a quarterback who can come in and win. He was injured this time, but even if Zach Mettenberger isn’t fully ready, next time I say they go with him. You need someone who can stretch the field; Whitehurst had way too many dump-off passes in third-and-long situations.

2. Play-Calling

Titans Coach
Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

2. Play-Calling

Titans Coach
Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

I don’t know what happened at the end of the game, but it looked like Ken Whisenhunt summoned his inner Mike Munchak. A lack of creative play-calling, as well as a far too conservative attitude led to several punting situations to give the Browns the ball back. It seemed as if Whisenunt and the OC panicked in crunch-time; these coaches are too talented for that. This is important to watch as the season progresses.

1. Cornerback Depth

Travis Benjamin Touchdown
Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

1. Cornerback Depth

Travis Benjamin Touchdown
Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

With Alterraun Verner leaving in the offseason, the Titans needed to address their lack of a true go-to No. 2 cornerback. They didn’t, and it showed in their losses to the Browns and the Cowboys. Marqueston Huff is a potential positive last-resort solution, but he’s very inexperienced. The rest of the Titans’ reserves at cornerback are not so good.

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