2003 TITANS
	Steve McNair threw 22 TDs and 15 INTs last season.
	Head coach: Jeff Fisher (9th year). 2002 record: 11-5. AFC South finish: 1st. Season opener: Sept. 7 vs. Raiders. Schedule | Depth chart

The Tennessee Titans looked to have had a good draft in April, which is a good thing, because it's the only avenue the team used to add players.

Determined to keep together the bulk of the team that lost the 2002 AFC championship game while sorting out severe salary-cap issues, the Titans still lost more than they gained.

John Thornton, a solid defensive tackle, went to Cincinnati. Donald Mitchell, who got rave reviews and was considered a starter as the team's nickel back, went to Dallas. Safety Rich Coady, who did solid work as the dime back, went to Indianapolis. Middle linebacker Randall Godfrey was let go and wide receiver Kevin Dyson and center Gennaro DiNapoli were not re-signed.

The 2003 Titans are counting on younger players getting better balancing out older players getting worse. They may be able to match last year's team, but only if they don't have to call often on limited depth.

The wrong injury on either line, at safety or to Steve McNair could derail the season, though the quarterback has proved capable of playing through just about anything.

Offense
Quarterbacks: McNair took a huge step up in national recognition last season, finishing third in MVP voting as he gutted out injuries and showed off an amazing degree of leadership. This is completely his team now, so much so that he's expected to help lift the games of middling receivers who fill the roster after Derrick Mason. His knack for moving around a collapsing pocket and either running for a big gain or pulling up to throw downfield is better than ever. But he has not altered his style of play to avoid the kind of hits and injuries that he generally suffers during a season. His health is of primary concern. Neil O'Donnell was waived, making Billy Volek the backup QB.
Grade: A-minus.

Running backs: Eddie George is determined to prove he's still got it, and the Titans have made changes to some of his paths and urged him to take what's there rather than hesitating or dancing. Clearly, he is not the back he used to be. But behind a quality offensive line and with a coaching staff determined to show balance, he will get his carries and his touchdowns. Third-round draft pick Chris Brown missed most of training camp with a hamstring injury. Still, insiders expect him to be a great changeup with the sort of home-run potential George lacks. If Brown does well with his early carries, distribution could be a season-long issue.
Grade: B-minus.

Receivers: Though he is not exceptionally fast or exceptionally big, Mason is exceptionally good. He finds open spaces, makes clutch catches and is as reliable as anyone for McNair. Mason's supporting cast is one of the team's question marks. No. 2 WR Drew Bennett played well after Kevin Dyson went down last year but still has a ways to go to be considered an established player. Justin McCareins is also due to move from potential to production, and he's got the size and speed to do so. Second-round draft pick Tyrone Calico shined often in training camp practices, but did not play nearly as well in his first two preseason games. He has the speed to be explosive, but needs time.
Grade: C-plus.

Offensive linemen: OGs Benji Olson and Zach Piller have evolved into the tone-setters, while Brad Hopkins and Fred Miller remain solid and capable of excellent play at the OT positions. Perceived run-blocking troubles last year proved to be more of a RB problem, and this group does a good job of protecting McNair, who often helps them out of trouble. Converted OG Justin Hartwig may wind up the starting center. Whether the Titans go with Hartwig or Tom Ackerman, overall depth is an issue. OT Jason Mathews is a capable fill-in, but a bad back is always a concern. Seventh-round draft pick Todd Williams is raw and needs time to develop. Inside, the non-starter between Hartwig and Ackerman will be the frontline backup. There isn't much more the Titans would feel comfortable putting on the field.
Grade: B.

Defense
Defensive linemen: In his first year with the Titans in 2001, DLE Kevin Carter did not play to expectations. Last year DRE Jevon Kearse broke his left foot in the season opener. This fall, finally, Tennessee expects to see its bookends playing well simultaneously, which should mean big trouble for opposing quarterbacks. Carter will move inside and play some tackle too, allowing Carlos Hall to rush the passer. The fourth end, Juqua Thomas, has increased his value with a role on special teams. Interior depth is a concern. Starting DTs Albert Haynesworth and Robaire Smith get banged up a lot. Kevin Aldridge and Rien Long are unproven, and there isn't much talent behind them. When the Titans go with Hall, Carter, Haynesworth and Kearse, the rush should be something to behold if Kearse is able to return to form.
Grade: B-plus.

Linebackers: The Titans are as athletic and fast at linebacker as they've been since their relocation. Keith Bulluck has the game, and the swagger, to be an unquestioned star in the league, and he'll start to get some national recognition in '03. The other outside linebacker, Peter Sirmon, was a big surprise in his first year in the lineup, showing himself to be a consistent and durable playmaker. With Randall Godfrey gone, Sirmon could wind up in the middle on early downs, because the Titans may decide speedy Rocky Boiman is their third-best linebacker and stick him on the outside. With a healthy line in front of them and what should be a better secondary behind them, expect this group to shine.
Grade: B-plus.

Defensive backs: It took a while for things to come together for the pass defense last season, which was understandable when you consider the safeties were both new. SS Tank Williams got progressively better as a rookie starter, and should make a jump to an even better level this year. Lance Schulters is a near-perfect fit, in both skill and personality, as the Titans' free safety. He may wind up playing man-to-man pass coverage in certain nickel packages. Shutdown CB Samari Rolle may be in line for his best year yet, as he spent more time in Nashville during the offseason than ever before. His counterpart, Andre Dyson, knows youngsters like Tony Beckham are gunning for his job, and could benefit from being more consistent. Though first-round draft pick Andre Woolfolk missed most of camp with a bad toe, he should be the nickel, and his maturation will be an important storyline.
Grade: B.

Special teams
The return jobs are a little bit up in the air, and the Titans need a boost. It's risky to put Mason back to field punts, but it may be necessary. Calico didn't look great fielding kicks early in the preseason, but he may still be the guy. Tennessee was 31st in kickoff-return average and 25th in punt-return average last season. P Craig Hentrich got a new contract and remains a superb directional punter with a major situational weapon in his knuckleball. PK Joe Nedney can be shaky in big moments — he was fortunate to get multiple chances at the end of the playoff win over the Steelers.
Grade: C.

Paul Kuharsky covers the Titans for The Tennessean.

Material from Pro Football Weekly.
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