{"id":20440,"date":"2017-05-09T12:51:22","date_gmt":"2017-05-09T16:51:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/?p=20440"},"modified":"2021-03-20T12:42:06","modified_gmt":"2021-03-20T16:42:06","slug":"3-biggest-questions-for-titans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2017\/05\/09\/3-biggest-questions-for-titans\/","title":{"rendered":"Biggest Tennessee Titans Questions Ahead of Training Camp"},"content":{"rendered":"

With a revamped offense\u00a0<\/a>and a different looking defense, thanks to the 2017 NFL draft<\/a> and free agency the Tennessee Titans\u00a0look like\u00a0contenders\u00a0to win the AFC South. But, despite the new additions on both sides of the ball, the Titans still need three things to go their way early on to reach the postseason and challenge for the AFC South title.<\/p>\n

Biggest Tennessee Titans Questions Ahead of Training Camp<\/h2>\n

Marcus Mariota Stays Healthy<\/h3>\n

Marcus Mariota<\/a><\/strong>‘s\u00a0<\/strong>first two years\u00a0in the NFL have both ended early due to injury.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Bt8_gLh3lcE<\/p>\n

The Titans have done their due diligence by cutting down on sacks allowed by almost half<\/a>, thanks to their killer offensive line.<\/a> Less pressure on Mariota and the addition of\u00a0new weapons in the passing game should\u00a0help keep Mariota from getting hit. It should also help\u00a0keep the former Oregon signal caller from having to run into more high-risk situations, which should help\u00a0reduce the chances of Mariota sustaining a potential injury. Mariota’s mobility is a huge asset to his game and he will continue to utilize it. But him\u00a0not having to depend on it will just make him even more dangerous and help keep him healthy and on the field.<\/p>\n

If the Titans quarterback can have his first healthy season and has time to mesh with his new ‘toys’ Tennessee will have one of the more exciting offenses in 2017.<\/p>\n

Kevin Byard Makes Good on Promise<\/h3>\n

Titans second-year safety\u00a0Kevin Byard<\/a><\/strong> didn’t hold anything back at the end of last season, saying the team’s goal is the playoffs, and\u00a0that he wanted to be named to the Pro Bowl.<\/p>\n

Byard was drafted from Middle Tennessee because of his nose for the ball while passes are\u00a0in the air. The Titans third-round pick from 2016 piled up 19 interceptions in his four-year collegiate career and will need to bring that to the Titans this year to help them get through the AFC South.<\/p>\n

Tennessee was utterly shameful\u00a0against the pass last year, ranking 30th<\/a>. But, after signing cornerback\u00a0Logan Ryan<\/a><\/strong> and strong safety\u00a0J<\/strong>ohnathan Cyprien<\/strong><\/a>, Byard will have the chance to show off those ball\u00a0hawking skills.<\/p>\n

If 18th overall pick\u00a0Adoree’ Jackson<\/strong> <\/a>can be the cover corner he was at USC, it will give Dick LeBeau<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>the ability to play a single high safety. Cyprien is great against the run\u00a0and lives for meeting running backs at the line of scrimmage; this will allow Byard to sit back and cover anything over the top.<\/p>\n