A near 7 point difference can’t be completely explained away by merely stating that scoring was up across the league. The Titans were poorly coached and ran a passive scheme that let teams dictate everything to them, and saw major regressions in basically everyone except for Butler. Injuries piled up and the lack of depth was exposed. Even before that it wasn’t like they we’re rotating players like Landry or Clowney beforehand who played too many snaps.
With the offense the Titans had this season, an average defense would have made them more formidable opponent and a contender. The Chiefs would have been still the favorite, but the Titans wouldn’t have been a pushover. Didn’t happen, and I think by the end of the season, nearly all Titans fans knew this team want going anywhere.
Having said all that, Bowen being retained as DC is a terrible decision and probably will prevent the defense from improving enough to return to a legitimate contender. Maybe the man will improve with a year under his belt and someone like Crennel being brought in as an assistant to help him. He also needs a pass rusher as it wasn’t all scheme. I did notice that in the last few games of the season, the Titans sent a few more blitzes in more unique ways, so some hope.
Something to keep in mind is that the defensive coaching staff as whole is somewhat inexperienced (except for Haslett, who was Vrabels first DC when he was a player), and Vrabel has clearly implemented his version of bend don’t break. An outside DC wouldn’t run exactly what Vrabel wants, so Bowen, a person whose career is defined by following Vrabel, is Vrabel’s logical choice to implement what Vrabel wants to do
Defense is going to have to make tremendous strides next season as the offense shouldn’t be expected to be able to carry this team like it did this season. Without the offense putting up 30 points a game, the Titans would likely have been a below .500 team. Even with the offense, the Titans finished 6-6 after starting 5-0.
Going to be an interesting offseason for sure. Robinson and Vrabel have their work cut out for them. A positive is that the AFC south looks to only have the Colts as legitimate threats.