The View From The Voice: Time To Turn The Page
By Mike Keith December 31, 2001

Sunday marks the end of the 2001 season for the Tennessee Titans, even though it will be played during the first weekend of 2002. In a bit of cruel irony, Tennessee's game with the Cincinnati Bengals occurs exactly 52 weeks from the date that Baltimore upset Tennessee 24-10 last year's playoffs (Jan. 7, 2001).

2001 just wasn't the Tennessee Titans' year.

Obviously, that playoff loss to the Ravens got the year off on the wrong foot. Then in February, quarterback Steve McNair (shoulder) and running back Eddie George (toe) both had to undergo serious procedures that would drastically limit their off-season and training camp work.

In early March, the Titans had to make several personnel decisions because they were over the salary cap. For that reason, veteran stalwarts like Marcus Robertson, Al Del Greco, Rodney Thomas and Lorenzo Neal were let go. Necessary moves, yes, but painful nonetheless.

Training camp went pretty smoothly, except for Pro Bowl cornerback Samari Rolle's hip injury and subsequent walkout over his desire for a new contract. Eventually Rolle got his deal, but with the injury keeping him out for two weeks and the four-day departure over the contract, he missed valuable training camp reps.

That problem aside, the Titans seemed to be in a very good place to make another Super Bowl run as the season began. The season opener against Miami would, however, tell a very different tale.

With McNair and George rusty, the offense sputtered and jerked. The defense didn't perform badly, but did give up some big plays to the Dolphins. The end result was a 31-23 Miami win in Nashville.

It was bad to lose the season opener, but especially bad because it was a home game against an AFC foe. Just like holding serve in tennis, winning these kinds of games is a must if you hope to have a good season. The worst news was yet to come.

Nickel cornerback Dainon Sidney and free safety Bobby Myers both injured knees in the game and were lost for the season. Two of the Titans' top five defenders were suddenly lost after Week One.

McNair also took a shot to the shoulder which would keep him out of practice for three weeks - exactly what both he and the Tennessee offense did not need. While McNair would only miss one game, the injury affected him for five or six weeks.

The 0-1 start became 0-3 as the injuries mounted. Rolle hurt his neck and missed two and a half games. George hurt his ankle and then his knee and was unable to finish two games. Wide receiver Derrick Mason suffered an ankle injury that caused him to miss two games and to be used only as a decoy in another.

Four-time Pro Bowl safety Blaine Bishop suffered a foot/ankle injury in the season's fourth game that would sideline him for the rest of the season - except for one play at Pittsburgh. In another cruel twist that typified the Titans' 2001, Bishop broke his hand on that one play against the Steelers.

The most telling stat on Tennessee's injuries in this campaign goes as follows: of the nine Titans who made the Pro Bowl in 2000, every one missed time with injury in 2001. The nine '00 Titan Pro Bowlers averaged to miss over three games apiece (when quarters missed are added up).

The effect of the injuries reared its ugly head at key moments in ballgames. A blown coverage, a key penalty, a dropped interception or reception - you name it and it seemed to happen to the Titans. One bad mistake seemed to undo a good series of plays. Those bad mistakes kept Tennessee under .500 until Dec. 22.

But things got better as November wore into December. McNair fought off injuries to post the best numbers of his career. Mason and Kevin Dyson gave the organization their best pair of receivers since the team was in Houston. Many of the young players, having gained experience and cohesion with their teammates, started to make smart plays. For all of the woes that the Tennessee Titans experienced early-on, they kept on playing and simply got better.

But just when you thought things were getting considerably better, the Titans lost a 14-point fourth quarter lead to the Browns and fell at home for the fourth time, 41-38.

The roller-coaster ride continues. The Titans hope their season comes to a smooth end at 8-8.

Tennessee's 2001 season is by no means a disaster. That's what the Detroit Lions have dealt with. And as soon as you make a comment like, 'It could not get any worse...', you find that it certainly can. Detroit did.

But clearly, Jeff Fisher and everyone associated with the Titans would love to quote the legendary Bob Seger when it comes to the calendar...

'Turn the page...'

The Tennessee Titans wish a hearty goodbye to 2001 and hope to start 2002 with a win over the Bengals.