The Tennessee Titans went just 6-10 last season while working in a new quarterback and as the 2013 season approaches, there is some hope in the heartland as the team looks to improve with Jake Locker under center.
Chris Johnson is looking to have another big year and the Titans are looking to get more balanced on offense and one way to get that done is to have Locker be more in step with his receivers in Kenny Britt, Nate Washington, Kendall Wright, Damian Williams and Justin Hunter. The team ranked in the bottom half of the league in passing yards per game last season and having a full training camp should help Locker get more comfortable with those players.
Last season Locker threw for 2,176 yards and 10 touchdowns with 11 interceptions while competing fewer than 60 percent of his passes and the Titans are hoping that all those numbers will improve this season. The team hasn't been able to get too much production over the past two seasons from their wideouts and they are hoping that players step up and one way that will happen is through work with backup Ryan Fitzpatrick, who signed after being released from the Bills.
Fitzpatrick gets to work with some of the receivers during training camp on the second team and those players will need to contribute. Last year Britt was down on the list for the team with 45 catches for 589 yards and four scores while Nate Washington was tops with 746 yards and four scores. Wright led the team with 64 receptions and the Titans are hoping he can add to those numbers this season as well as the four touchdowns and 600-plus yards.
"It's having a better understanding of what Jake likes from the receivers that go before me or just talking through routes with him when we are doing one-on-ones or pat-and-go drills," Michael Preston said. "Ryan does good job directing me where I need to be as well, being a veteran.