CURSED?
by Matt Gardner


This can't be good for Tennessee


Vince Young, Madden NFL 08's cover star, had an amazing rookie season: NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and his first Pro Bowl, 552 rushing yards, which probably makes him the most mobile quarterback in the NFL at present, and for the first time in a long time in Tennessee, a quarterback was leading the Titans to a few wins. Using a rare talent like Young's, the Titans hope to improve upon that record this year as their star quarterback continues to grow.

With two competent tackles in Roos and Stewart, Head Coach Jeff Fisher, alongside Norm Chow, will no doubt play upon Young and WR Brandon Jones' rappor. If they know what's good for them. After all, what other passing choices has Young got? Orr was shunned last season regardless of his high rating in practice, and two additions in the draft in this position make it clear which area is of certain weakness. Of course, Vince Young is still passing at under 50% completion. Jeff Fisher, who turned a 0-5 team into an 8-8 finish, will have to prove his worth.

With Peyton Manning's Colts no doubt storming the AFC South in 2007, the Titans will need to use all of their talent to secure a spot in the playoffs. One player who won't be helping them, for the most part at least, is the very, very silly Pacman Jones. Pacman's strip club antics and his run-ins with the police since joining the NFL outnumber his interceptions and served him with a highly-publicized season-long ban and him apologizing to fans, saying he "will do everything in [his] power to regain (the fans') trust and respect".

Luckily, with a strong linebacker corps (hello, Keith Bulluck) and experienced players such as DE Kyle Vanden Bosch, the Titans are relatively well equipped defensively. They're going to need to be; if you've ever watched the Titans' defensive line, you'll know that they're hit-and-miss.

Even more worrying is looking at the Titans’ schedule, which includes the Broncos, Bengals, Saints and Colts. Uh-oh. Who thinks it's pain time for Nashville's finest?

BEST-CASE SCENARIO:
Young improves on accuracy and the WRs actually catch. With the Jaguars and Colts in the same division, it seems a slim chance that the Titans could make the postseason; 9-7 would be a success, giving the Titans their first winning season in four years.

WORST-CASE SCENARIO:
Young still remains unreliable in the passing game and becomes the latest victim of the Madden Curse. Rushing and passing lines dissolve into the ground, with the defense crumbling alongside them (spending most of every game on the field). The Titans rename themselves the Oilers due to “Titans” being false advertising. Then they'll probably move to Los Angeles. I mean, SOMEONE has to.