With the Tennessee Titans sitting at 2-8, the 10,000-foot view of the organization can be described with just one word: Bad.
Neutral NFL observers are understandably dismissing the Titans as a bad football team that lacks direction for the immediate future. Who can blame anyone for feeling that way given how much money the Titans spent int the offseason and how messy the games have looked?
But Titans head coach Brian Callahan is seeing something beneath the surface that the rest of the NFL isn't. That's the development of talented young players that are laying the foundation for the team's future.
In Monday's press conference, Callahan spoke to Titans media about the ups and downs of a 23-13 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. While disappointed in the 13 penalties that cost his team the game, Callahan came away excited by how Tennessee's younger players performed.
"I know I talked about the things that happen under the surface, things that necessarily aren't out there for everyone in the world. But I look at guys like Jarvis Brownlee Jr. and JC Latham and T'Vondre Sweat, even Jack Gibbens. Even Darrell Baker coming in, and guys that are playing well, that are growing and developing and putting really good performances—quietly because we're not winning the games—but are quietly putting together good football for us and getting better every week," said Callahan.
"Those are the things that I like to look at and point to when people ask about the things that are happening underneath the current. That's what I look at and that's what I see with some of these young players really ascending and guys that are stepping up in roles. Even Mike Brown, just the way that he's stepped in and played at the safety spot for us, there's a lot of guys doing really good things for us right now. And again, not enough to win some of these games that we've played in. But guys that I'm excited about their development."
If the Titans were winning more games, I'm sure a greater deal would be made about the young talent on the roster that has stepped up at key positions. Callahan named six guys right there, and he didn't even include second-year offensive lineman Peter Skoronski or the improvement of quarterback Will Levis.
If there's one reason for Titans fans to be excited about the future of the organization, it's the players that Callahan just listed. More specifically, it's the positions that those guys play.
JC Latham has been a gem at left tackle as a rookie. He has made the transition from right tackle look seamless and is well on his way to being a future Pro Bowler at a critical position. Latham can anchor this offensive line, and next to SKoronski, Tennessee is close to having a really solid unit for whoever the quarterback of the future is.
Darrell Baker Jr. and Jarvis Brownlee Jr. have looked like solid, starting-caliber cornerbacks. Which is especially intriguing when you realize Tennessee could still have Chidobe Awuzie and L'Jarius Sneed returning from injury. I'm not sure what Dennard Wilson does with these dudes moving forward, but depth is definitely not going to be an issue.
T'Vondre Sweat next to Jeffery Simmons is a problem for opposing running backs. They disrupt the run game and collapse the pocket from the inside. With better edge rushers, this front can be formidable for years to come.
I know fans don't really want to hear about silver linings when the team is sitting at the bottom of the NFL...Frankly, neither do I. But objectively, there are some things to like about the way Tennessee has played the last 2-3 weeks. Now the question remains - Is Ran Carthon capable of building a complete team around this young talent and can Brian Callahan lead them to victories?
