Remember the Titans. For whatever reason, the Titans forget what got them to the Super Bowl. Injuries caught up to the team last season, resulting in a miserable 7-9 finish. Management did a great job keeping together its young stars from their Super Bowl run and even added Kevin Carter at defensive end. Carter and Jevon Kearse were supposed to combine for more than 20 sacks. Instead, they had 12. It was that kind of season.

What killed last year's team was the pass defense. The Titans gambled that they could get by with Deron Jenkins as their only veteran addition at cornerback, but that move didn't work and the Titans finished 31st in pass defense, allowing 255 yards a game. Cornerbacks Dainon Sidney and Donald Mitchell have come back from major knee surgeries and will assist starters Samari Rolle and Andre Dyson as backups. Lance Schulters takes over at free safety for injured former leader Blaine Bishop, who left for Philadelphia. The biggest improvement could come along the defensive line if first-round choice Albert Haynesworth can revitalize the pass-rush.

	CAMP AT A GLANCE
	Eddie George, hampered by injuries, rushed for only 939 yards last season.
	Location: Baptist Sports Park, Nashville, Tenn. Rookies report: July 24 Veterans report: July 25 Preseason schedule:    Aug. 10: St. Louis    Aug. 15: Oakland    Aug. 23: at Minnesota    Aug. 29: at Green Bay

Another thing to watch will be offensive strategy. Last season, coach Jeff Fisher allowed Steve McNair to put the air back in the old Air McNair passing game. He was terrific, completing 61.3 percent of his passes for 3,350 yards and 21 touchdowns. The team is developing a couple of sleeper receivers in Drew Bennett and Justin McCareins, but the Titans have proven they can win with Derrick Mason and Kevin Dyson as starters.

Like the Colts, the Titans are thinking playoffs. Unlike last season, they have to deliver.

Man in the spotlight
From the opening week of the season, halfback Eddie George played with a toe problem that nagged him all season. The pain was incredible. What hurt more was his statistics (939 yards on 315 carries, a measly 3 yard average). The toe has healed and George's stride has returned. George worked in North California with Jerry Rice's trainer to regain his world class stride. The next mission is to regain his place among the league's elite workhorse running backs.

Key position battle
Virtually every starting position is set, but it will be interesting to see how long it will take Haynesworth to challenge Henry Ford for a starting job at tackle. John Thornton is set as the left tackle. Peter Sirmon takes over at right outside linebacker. Keith Bulluck finally gets a well deserved start at outside linebacker. Gennaro DiNapoli replaces retired Bruce Matthews at center.

Injury update
McNair is in his best condition in years. George looked great coming off his toe problems. The Titans believe that Sidney and Mitchell have their knee problems behind them. Middle linebacker Randall Godfrey had minor wrist and knee problems. No worry there.

Rookie report
Haynesworth could start as early as Week 1. Second-round pick Tank Williams could challenge Aric Morris for a starting job at strong safety later in the season. Mike Echols could challenge for the third or fourth cornerback job. Rocky Calmus could become one of the top backup linebackers.

John Clayton is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.