Mike's 5 "Bold" Predictions: Predictions 1-2




Photo taken June 9 at Titans minicamp, courtesy of

titansonlime.com

Titans finally get a 1,000 yard rusher

     That's right, folks! For the first time since Chris Johnson, a Titans running back will rack up 1,000 yards on the ground. However, it won't be DeMarco Murray. Former Alabama great Derrick Henry is going to carry this offense on his back- much like he did with the Tide last season.

     I'm not saying DeMarco Murray will be the disaster he was in 2015 with Philadelphia, but his finest days were certainly in Dallas. He will be a serviceable running back for us, no doubt; if Henry wins the starting job at some point, Murray would arguably be the best backup in the league.

     No one is going to outwork Derrick Henry, though. In 2015, Henry ran the ball almost 400 times for the Tide, averaging over 26 attempts per game. Even more impressive, he maintained a 5.62 yards per attempt average with the vast majority of his rushes coming against elite defenses. The reigning Heisman trophy winner has the makings to be a star in this league, and as the last several years have shown us, it doesn't necessarily take years of grooming for a running back to step into that star role.

Taylor Lewan becomes elite left tackle

Photo taken August 22, 2014, courtesy of
profootballtalk.com

     Running backs aren't all it takes to build a strong ground game in the NFL, however. The Titans did a lot to bolster a weak offensive line this offseason. In March, the team signed a solid center from Houston in Ben Jones. In May, the team spent two draft picks- including the 8th pick overall- on potential starters up front. Despite all the resources spent in the offseason, though, the offensive line is still a huge question mark.

     Taylor Lewan's development could be the key to how the O-line performs this year. Lewan has been a vocal leader since day one, and is learning to lead by example in workouts, practices, and other team activities. Assuming that Lewan can continue to evolve from a skill-set perspective, the sky's the limit for this kid.

     Lewan's most considerable struggle this year- as it has been his whole career- will be penalties. Last year, Lewan led the team in penalties and penalty yards- something Mike Malarkey and the coaching staff do not want to see a repeat performance of. While trying to prevent sacks he cost his team 15 yards off of stupid penalties game after game.

     All-in-all, though, Lewan is poised to have a breakout year for the Titans. His physical skill-set is as strong as the Titans have seen on the O-line in a while, and he has leadership abilities that few at his position posses. He just needs to keep the penalty markers down and perhaps take a back seat to Ben Jones as the primary leader of his unit. If he can do those things, Taylor Lewan should have his best year in the NFL so far and get serious consideration for Pro-Bowl honors.

     My next "Bold" predictions should be coming at you within the next week, so keep an eye out! And in the meantime, Titan Up!

-Mike