Kyle Vanden Bosch, with the help of a trio of LBs, will fill the gap on Tennessee's defense left by traded Albert Haynesworth. (By Kevin Cox -- Getty Images)
Same Formula Should Produce Same Results
Coming off last year's 13-3 regular season, expectations are running high for the talented Titans. That's because Tennessee has back a host of key components.
Although the defense loses space-eating tackle Albert Haynesworth, who signed with the Washington Redskins, it should hold up with a line that includes Kyle Vanden Bosch and linebackers David Thornton, Stephen Tulloch and Keith Bulluck.
The Titans have relied on a ground game to drive their offense, with the dynamic Chris Johnson and the bruising LenDale White running behind one of the league's top lines. But Tennessee still appears thin in the passing game, lacking talent at wide receiver and with quarterback Kerry Collins asked simply to manage the game.
Still, that defense-first, run-first formula worked last season for the Titans en route to the AFC semifinals. It could be their key to success again this year.
-- Mark Viera
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