Titans need answers to these questions down the stretch
Ten games into the season, the Titans are anything but a perfect 10.
With six games remaining, and a 2-8 record, they have at least four goals: finish the season strong, identify which players should have prominent roles in 2015, identify which players won't be in the team's plans for 2015, and avoid injuries.
Players will be playing for their jobs. With an eye on next season, here are some of my biggest unanswered questions as the Titans (2-8) head to Philadelphia for Sunday's game against the Eagles (7-3):
1. Can Zach Mettenberger be the guy?
This is what everyone wants to know, and it's why the Titans bumped Jake Locker from the lineup last month. So far, I've been impressed with Mettenberger. He's shown poise, accountability and some moxie in addition to the strong arm everyone already knew he had. If he keeps improving, the Titans won't have to draft a quarterback with their first-round pick. Looking at the 2015 quarterback class, I don't think the Titans want to.
2. Can the running game show some promise?
It's been underwhelming. I thought Bishop Sankey would be more productive, but the rookie has just 395 yards and a 3.9-yard average. It's not all on him, of course. The Titans have been forced to abandon the run too many times, and the offensive line hasn't played well enough often enough. Still, I believe Sankey will be the primary back heading into next season. I don't expect veteran Shonn Greene to be back on the roster sharing reps with him.
3. How much different will the offensive line look next season?
The Taylor Lewan pick has proven to be ingenious and not just because Michael Roos was lost with an injury early in the season. Lewan has brought attitude while playing well at left tackle. The Titans want guard Chance Warmack to settle down and close out the season strong; he'll be back next season along with center Brian Schwenke. Right tackle Michael Oher doesn't have the same job security. I'm skeptical he'll be able to maintain his place on the roster. I'm also having a hard time seeing guard Andy Levitre back with a scheduled $6.5 million base salary in 2015.
4. Can the Titans find a game-changing player on defense?
The Titans were smart to lock up defensive lineman Jurrell Casey with a contract extension. I really like what I've seen out of rookie linebacker Avery Williamson. But the Titans need more impact players on defense, guys who can record double-digit sacks and cause headaches for offensive coordinators. Seeing Jevon Kearse on the field Monday night in an honorary role was another reminder of what the Titans has been missing for so long. They desperately need a game-changer at outside linebacker. The Titans should re-sign Derrick Morgan, let their other OLBs walk and make finding a pass-rusher priority No.1.
5. How early is the first-round pick going to come?
The way the Titans are going, they could end up with their earliest draft pick since 2006, when they selected quarterback Vince Young third overall. Only the Raiders (0-10 heading into Thursday night) and Jaguars (1-9) have a worse record. Looking at the upcoming schedules, I can't see either of them passing the Titans in the win column. With teams like the Jaguars, Jets (2-8) and Giants (3-7) still on the schedule I could see the Titans getting to five wins. And even that might be optimistic for a team that's lost eight of its last nine games.
Reach Jim Wyatt at 615-259-8015 and on Twitter @jwyattsports.
NEXT GAME
TITANS (2-8) at EAGLES (7-3)
When: Noon Sunday
TV/radio: WTVF-5/104.5-FM