2002 RECORD: 11-5 TEAM RANK (NFL): Defense (10th); Offense (17th) ADDITIONS: Free agents -- No major additions. Draft picks -- 1. CB Andre Woolfolk (Oklahoma); 2 WR Tyrone Calico (Middle Tennessee State); 3. RB Chris Brown (Colorado); 4. DT Rien Long (Washington State); 5. FS Donnie Nickey (Ohio State); 7. OT Todd Williams (Florida State). SUBTRACTIONS: DT Henry Ford (released), C Gennaro DeNapoli (released), S Rich Coady (Colts), DT John Thornton (Bengals), WR Kevin Dyson (Panthers), CB Donald Mitchell (Cowboys), FB Mike Green (Bengals), CB Dainon Sidney (Bills), S Aric Morris (Patriots), LB Randall Godfrey (Seahawks). Team news | Roster | More on Titans draft

		Thu., June 26 How much are the Titans counting on from their rookies this year? The only two rookies the Titans are counting on aren't necessarily starters. They need first-round choice Andre Woolfolk to be a good third cornerback and eventually take over for Andre Dyson as a starter. That would allow Dyson to fit in better as a third corner. But if Woolfolk isn't ready, they still could get by with Mike Echols or Tony Beckham, draft choices from 2002. What they are looking for from second-round choice Tyrone Calico is speed as a third receiver. Calico is a tall, big threat who can add excitement on passing downs. He showed he can give great cornerbacks such as Samari Rolle problems in practice, but he needs to convert that onto the field in games. The Titans are still a running team, so they need the receiving corps to take the pressure off the rushing attack by coming up with big plays and preventing eight defenders from crowding the line of scrimmage. They are solid enough with starters that they don't need rookies to step up unless there are injuries. The true value of the rookies will be felt on special teams. The Titans don't have a lot of depth, and rookies have to take over a lot of the coverage teams. If they fail, it will have an impact because the Titans could have problems stopping teams on punt and kickoff coverages. They may have as many as six to eight undraft players make the roster.

After struggling to a 7-9 record in 2001, the 2002 season saw the Titans re-emerge as one of the top teams in the AFC. Led by the grit of quarterback Steve McNair and steady production from running back Eddie George, the Titans finished 11-5 and made it all the way to the AFC championship game.

But so far, this offseason has played out like a sad country song for the team that calls Nashville home. First, the team's best wide receiver Derrick Mason broke his hand playing golf. Then McNair, the Titans' most popular player and their leader, was arrested in May on charges of drunken driving and illegal possession of a handgun. The final blow was the release of linebacker Randall Godfrey, a move that raised plenty of dismay in the Titans locker room.

However, it's not all bad news. The Titans just recently locked up coach Jeff Fisher to a contract extension that will take him through 2006. The move was expected, however, getting it done early in the offseason removed a potential distraction. The second-longest tenured coach in the NFL, Fisher has been with the Titans since taking over for Jack Pardee with six games remaining in the 1994 season, compiling a 80-61 record over that time.

What they've added?
This category might be more accurate if it was titled what they lost. Bogged down by salary cap problems, the Titans were unable to take part in the free agent market, unless you count releasing players into the market and then re-signing them.

The most recent loss came when the Titans were forced to release linebacker Godfrey late last week. The situation upset many Titans players because Godfrey had taken a pay cut early in the offseason to help the Titans with their cap situation. However, Tennessee needed to cut salary and Godfrey's release has already allowed the Titans to sign backup quarterback Neil O'Donnell and punter Craig Hentrich, who were both released earlier in the offseason. Tennessee is also expected to bring back center Gennaro DiNapoli, who was released, and it's possible that they'll bring back defensive tackle Henry Ford.

In terms of the draft, there are a few players who will be expected to make an impact this year. First-round cornerback Andre Woolfolk figures to have a good shot at the No. 3 cornerback job. Another player who could have an impact is wide receiver Tyrone Calico. While Calico is raw, he's big and fast and could provide the Titans with a legitimate deep threat.

Fantasy Focus

Sleeper No. 2 wide receivers like Buffalo's Josh Reed and San Francisco's Tai Streets are worth taking for their high upside. Yet a lesser-known wideout like Drew Bennett makes sense to take a chance on as fifth receiver for a fantasy team. The Titans are looking for a No. 2 wideout to complement Derrick Mason, and Bennett has impressed the most in the offseason. Bennett is a bigger target (6-foot-5) and runs better routes than the speedy Justin McCareins. Bennett has much promise to be an integral target for Steve McNair. Of course, Eddie George will be featured in the Titans' offense by receiving 300-plus carries, but Bennett, entering his third season, is ready to take an increased role in the offense. Pick him up in the late rounds as a fifth wideout and he can be inserted in the starting lineup when an elite receiver has a bye week. -- Roger Rotter, ESPN.com Fantasy editor

What they're missing?
Depth along the defensive line has to be a major concern for the Titans. With the releases of Ford and John Thornton, the Titans will have two new starters on the defensive line in second-year player Albert Haynesworth and Robarie Smith. Add in the injury concerns surrounding Jevon Kearse at defensive end and the Titans could be in big trouble if the injury bug bites their defensive line.

Kearse will the player with the most eyes on him during training camp. The Titans hope to have Kearse ready for drills when training camp opens July 25, but they will certainly be cautious with their franchise defensive end, who broke a bone in his left foot in the season opener of 2002 and ended up playing only four games. He had a second surgery in January to completely heal the foot. A healthy Kearse, along with Kevin Carter (10 sacks) and Carlos Hall (eight sacks), would give Tennessee one of the NFL's most feared pass rushes.

Another situation to keep an eye on involves starting left tackle Brad Hopkins, who suffered a knee injury late in 2002. Fisher criticized Hopkins' lack of attendance at offseason workouts and now it looks like the 10-year veteran will need to have surgery on the knee. The surgery isn't expected to be serious and officals hope Hopkins will be ready to play when the Titans open training camp on July 25.

What it all means?
This is a big year for the Titans. As difficult as this offseason was, next offseason could be even worse. The Titans will be more than $20 million over the salary cap in 2004, meaning their roster could look considerably different.

For all the bumps over the offseason, the Titans figure to be the favorite in the AFC South heading into the season. However, they can't be considered overwhelming favorites. The Colts figure to be better with a healthier Edgerrin James and another year under Tony Dungy, the Jaguars appear to have improved over the offseason, and the Texans should at least have a competitive defense. Part of the reason Tennessee won 11 games last season is that it went 6-0 within the AFC South -- that will be harder to do this year. Add in the fact that the Titans have to play every team in the tough AFC East, and Tennessee doesn't have an easy road.

Peter Lawrence-Riddell is the NFL editor for ESPN.com.