Unchaining the Titans

There's hope for ex-Oilers -- but we've heard that before

He sputtered late last season, but the Titans are hoping Eddie George can help make Tennessee's debut sparkle. Tom Pidgeon/Allsport

The Tennessee Titans, who finally move into their new stadium this season, opened their camp July 27 in Nashville, Tenn. Here are a few questions from Sports Illustrated's Dr. Z, followed by CNNSI.com's perspective on some of the issues facing the Titans this season. SI's season preview will be posted August 24.

Dr. Z wants to know : 1) Is this a graveyard for wideouts? They come with high expectations, then they fade.

2) Eddie George off-tackle. Eddie George up the middle. Frank Wycheck catches a five-yard hook pass. Do we call this an offense? Now they've got Tampa Bay import Lorenzo Neal, a booming blocker at fullback, to lead the way. So can we expect more of the same?

3) Can you name one guy on the defensive line? "Kenny Holmes," say the hotshots out there. Let's hear you name another.

4) Are we asking too much of top draft pick Jevon Kearse, an outside rusher, to boost a sack total (30) that was two more than the lowest in the league in '98?

The Titans can make the playoffs if : They can scrap that offense. Quarterback Steve McNair had only two passes over 40 yards last season. With a healthy Yancey Thigpen and second-year wideout Kevin Dyson -- and Eddie George in the backfield -- the Titans could be so much more. And that defensive line, due for a big shake-up in camp, has to at least pretend to rush the passer.

Titans Facts 1998 record: 8-8 (second in AFC Central) Coach: Jeff Fisher (32-38 with Oilers-Titans) Stadium: East Bank Stadium (67,000, natural grass) 1998 rankings: Offense -- 9th run, 15th pass, 9th overall. Defense -- 9th vs. run, 20th vs. pass, 16th overall. Depth chart 1998 results 1998 player statistics 1999 schedule CNN/SI Projection: 8-8

Pivotal games : Sept. 26 at Jacksonville, Dec. 19 vs. Atlanta. The Titans should be 2-0 heading into Week 3 -- with the Bengals and Browns up first -- so the game against the Jaguars will be their first real test. That game at their new stadium against the Falcons will show them how far they've come in their first season as the Titans.

On the hot seat : Eddie George, the bruising and sometimes-brilliant running back, has been inconsistent and had his share of injuries. He ran for nearly 1,300 yards last season, but didn't have a 100-yard game in the last six weeks -- and managed only one touchdown as the Titans went 2-4. He also averaged a so-so 3.7 yards a carry. For the Titans to go, George has to stay healthy and get into the end zone.

Up-and-comer : Dyson. If the Titans are to let loose this year, he has to be a threat to complement Thigpen. And McNair has to quit dinking and go deep to him. The Titans like the look of Dyson -- what little they've seen of him, anyway. They may take the wraps off him completely this season.

Player Movement Unrestricted Free Agents Restricted Free Agents Players Lost Jason Fisk, DT, from Min. Mike Jones, DE, from Stl. Bruce Matthews, G, re-signed Eddie Robinson, LB, re-signed Anthony Dorsett, CB, re-signed Terry Killens, LB, re-signed Steve Matthews, QB, re-signed James Roberson, DE, re-signed Jon Runyan, T, re-signed Mark Stepnoski, C, Dal. Gary Walker, DT, Jax. Anthony Cook, DE, Wash.

1999 Draft Picks Round Overall Pick Player Pos School 1 16 Jevon Kearse DE Florida 2 52 John Thornton DT West Virginia 3 81 Zach Pillar OG Florida 4 114 Brad Ware S Auburn 4 117 Donald Mitchell S SMU 5 151 Kevin Daft QB UC Davis 6 186 Darran Hall WR Colorado St. 7 222 Phil Glover OLB Utah