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2009 Offensive Line Analysis - Tennessee Titans

2009 Projected Starters:
Left Tackle: Michael Roos
Left Guard: Eugene Amano
Center: Kevin Mawae
Right Guard: Jake Scott
Right Tackle: David Stewart

2008 Injuries:
Kevin Mawae: Week 17

2008 Statistics:

ALY (Adjusted Line Yards): It is an alternate measure for yards per carry developed by Football Outsiders that takes into account various factors including down, distance, situation and opponent.
Source: www.footballoutsiders.com

Overview:
The Titans had a tremendous regular season in 2008 but unfortunately were unable to get past the Baltimore Ravens in the divisional playoffs. The Titans weren’t spectacular ranking only 21st in yards of offense but that offense turned the ball over only 17 times last season. Part of that is due to the impressive play of the offensive line which allowed only 12 sacks as opposed to 30 in 2007. Moreover, the running game improved with an average of 4.3 yards per carry, an improvement of 0.4 yards over the previous year.

At left tackle, 2005 second round pick Michael Roos will be playing his fifth season as a starter. Since being drafted, Roos has not missed a single start at tackle playing both on the left and right side in his first four seasons but the left tackle position is definitely his now. Roos is a perfect fit for the left side because of his 6’7” and 315 lbs frame and his excellent mobility and footwork. Those skills make him one of the elite pass protecting tackles in the NFL. He used to be known as an average run blocker but he greatly improved in the past year. Roos is underrated around the league because he is not the most explosive lineman but his pass protecting abilities definitely make him one of the best tackles in the league. Starting on the right side is another good tackle in David Stewart. Stewart has a very similar frame at 6’7” and 320 lbs and has started every game at right tackle in the past two seasons. He is a much better fit on the right side because he does not have great lateral mobility but he is very strong and intense. Stewart is definitely an above average run blocker but remains average at best in pass protection despite allowing only 2.0 sacks in 2008. Although he will never be a Pro Bowl caliber tackle, he will continue to improve and will be a good tackle in this league for several years. The top backup at tackle will likely be 2009 fourth round pick Troy Kropog. Kropog has quick feet and pretty good technique in pass protection but despite his 6’5” and 310 lbs frame, he needs to get stronger to be effective in the NFL. Mike Otto, seventh round pick in 2007, adds depth at the tackle position.

The Titans guard positions were a question mark last season with the departure of Jacob Bell and the retirement of Benji Olson. Replacing Bell at left guard was Eugene Amano, now a sixth-year veteran who had only started eight games before the 2008 season. However, Amano started all 16 games last season and ranked 10th amongst left guards with only 2.0 sacks allowed. He is still the weak link on this offensive line but he is a serviceable guard because of the players surrounding him on the line. Amano will continue to improve but he is a player the Titans may look to replace in the next few years. The right guard position is in much better shape with Jake Scott who was signed from the Indianapolis Colts in the 2008 off-season to replace Olson. Scott had not missed a game in three seasons for the Colts and last year started all 16 with the Titans. Scott is excellent in pass protection because of his footwork and technique but is not very strong at 6’5” and only 295 lbs so his run blocking is slightly below average. His great intensity makes up in part for his lack of strength and also allows him to pull to the outside to block. Overall, Scott is a very smart and dependable player who will make few mistakes but who is an above average NFL guard. Seventh round pick in 2009 Kevin Durand provides depth at guard.

Starting at center for the fourth consecutive season with the Titans will be the 6’4” and 290 lbs Kevin Mawae. Mawae is a veteran who spent most of his career with the New York Jets until he was released in 2005. He was named to six Pro Bowls from 1999 to 2004 but he is now 38 years old. Mawae is pretty good both in run blocking and pass protection and has missed only three regular season games in the past two years despite his age. He suffered an elbow injury late last year and missed the playoff game against Ravens. Mawae had surgery on his elbow and will be ready for the regular season but you have to believe that injuries will catch-up with him soonr rather than later. Leroy Harris was the Titans fourth round pick in the 2007 NFL Draft and started his first game in week 17 against the Colts. Harris has the versatility to play the guard and center positions but has been prepared as Mawae’s successor as starting center. He is tough and hard-working but has very little mobility so will have trouble pulling to the outside. Many believe that Harris is ready to take over for Mawae but we won’t know for sure until he has to step-in for a longer period of time.

2009 Outlook:
The Tennessee Titans had an excellent season in 2008 in part because of this offensive line which gave Kerry Collins all the time he needed. All five starters are back this season and should be as good as they were last year especially with one more off-season to build chemistry. The one question mark is Kevin Mawae at center but the Titans had 391 yards of offense against the Ravens with Harris replacing him. Many might say that this line was lucky to stay healthy in 2008 but Roos and Scott have not missed a start in four seasons, Stewart has not missed a start in two seasons and Amano played all games in his first season as starter. Leroy Harris is the only backup with experience so there’s no doubt that this line would be in trouble if either of the tackles went down. However, this line is young and durable so should be able to perform as well as it did last year and Harris should be able to replace Mawae when he is required to do so.

See all of our 2009 Offensive Line Analysis Articles