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Larry Stone: Comparison Time
A great friend called Saturday afternoon to talk about the holidays, the playoffs, life, the playoffs, work and, what else, the playoffs.
What else does a gameday host talk about?
She asked a great question that as I have thought about more this afternoon continues to intrigue me. Does the 2002 Titans team preparing for its playoff debut next weekend remind me more of the '99 Super Bowl team or the 2000 one- and-done squad?
Let's start with the statistical comparison.
Interesting that the Titans passed for more yardage (3,479) in 1999 and in 2000 (3,430) than in the more-open 2002 season (3,320). You do, however, see the big play ability more in the receiving numbers where the top three catch totals belong to wide receivers -- 153 total catches for Mason, Dyson and Bennett for 1950 yards (12.75 yards). In 1999, Wycheck, Dyson and George totalled 170 catches for 1757 yards (10.34 yards). In 2000, Mason, Wycheck, and Sanders combined for 166 catches, totalling 2067 yards (12.45 yards).
The rushing yardage also looks fairly similar though the 2000 team ran the ball 546 times compared with 511 times this season and 458 in 1999. The per rush average stands at 3.8 this season and in 2000, 4.0 yards per rush in 1999. That leads, as expected, to more than 31 minutes time of possession in each of the three seasons.
The current Titans have done a better job of getting offensive touchdowns -- 38 -- compared with the 2000 squad which tallied 32. The 1999 team totalled 42.
Third down conversions favor the 2002 team -- a 44 percent conversion rate -- compared with 43 percent in 2000, 38.2 percent in 1999.
The offensive line has done its best job in 2002 of protecting Steve McNair, giving up just 21 sacks. That, in part, has allowed McNair to produce his best stats of the three teams. He's passed for more than 3,300 yards, 22 touchdowns to 15 interceptions. His 440 yards rushing in 2002 rank best of the three seasons.
On defense, the 2000 Titans obviously lead the way, finishing the season as the top-ranked defense. However, despite its early struggles, the 2002 defense still rates better in many areas than the Super Bowl defense of 1999 including less total yardage given up, less yards per play given up, and fewer rushing yards per game given up.
On special teams, the stats look similar though the 1999 and 2000 units both came up with scores, something the 2002 team has been unable to do.
All that's statistical -- which probably does not get to the heart of my friend's question. Her question more centered on the feeling surrounding this team as compared to 2000 and 1999. The 2000 team probably ranks as purely the most talented of the three teams, yet it never had a good vibe about it. There was no infighting, no lack of desire, no 'big-head syndrome', rather, something was just missing. Did the '99 team have that? Yes. Does this 2002 team have it? It seems to.
Because of its 1-4 start, the 2002 team has a special hunger that the 1999 team also had. In retrospect, the Super Bowl team seemed to feed off the enthusiasm surrounding the new Titans as well as the built-up lack of respect that the franchise endured during its lame duck '96, '97 and '98 seasons. This season's squad seems to have the same type of hunger -- if not more of it. The loss to Washington brought calls from everyone for changes to the starting lineup, to the roster, and to the coaching staff. That seemed to bring this team together.
What separates this team from the '99 version? The 2002 Titans enter the playoffs with their eyes wide open as to what can happen. Four years ago, just making the playoffs made everyone happy. Beating Buffalo with a Miracle gave you more than you bargained for. Go to Indianapolis and win? OK. A three-peat against the Jaguars? Sure, why not.
The leadership of the 2002 team have been to the playoffs. Guys like McNair, George, Schulters, Bulluck, Mason, Carter, Kearse, Hopkins, and Hentrich can help the newcomers understand what's coming. The Titans understand the goal and what's at stake.
Add that to a positive vibe and a football team playing great football late and things would seem to add up to make the Titans a post-season player.
The 2002 Titans seem to embody the spirit of the 1999 team and the weapons of 2000.
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