Jim Wyatt

jwyatt@tennessean.com

Tommy Smith is upset and embarrassed.

His team is 2-10 and he needs no reminders it hasn't been competitive most Sundays.

The Titans president and CEO is confident coach Ken Whisenhunt and general manager Ruston Webster are the right men to haul the franchise out of a terrible rut. What needs to change, according to Smith, is a roster that lacks quality depth — something that was exposed as injuries mounted in recent weeks.

He hopes to see some positives in the final month of the season, beginning with Sunday's game against the Giants at LP Field. Regardless of what transpires, however, he promised that changes are coming.

"The roster is going to look a lot different next year," Smith said Wednesday. "Players need to be playing to the best of their abilities right now, and that will determine their future. There may be some players whose contracts might be up, but that doesn't mean they're not going to be here. There may be some players with multiyear contracts, but that doesn't mean they're going to be here.

"I can assure you this: I am committed to making this thing right. And we are going to build a team that this town and the fans can be proud of. I am going to build an organization and a team that is going to be known for winning, not losing. People will say, 'How can you say that with a 2-10 team?' I know there is a lot of work to do. It's taking longer than I hoped. But this thing is going to get fixed."

Smith used his private plane to bring Titans wide receiver Justin Hunter and his family from Houston to Nashville on Wednesday. Hunter spent three nights in a Houston hospital after suffering a lacerated spleen during last Sunday's game against the Texans.

Smith spoke to The Tennessean while in Nashville and expressed plenty of frustration about his team, which has lost six games in a row and has been outscored by at least two touchdowns in seven games this season.

"I am terribly disappointed for the fans. I know they're not happy, and I am right there with them. I am disappointed, I am angry. I want to win, and I want to win now," Smith said. "I want the fans to know I appreciate their support, and I know in these economic times money comes dearly and they have other options. But I am committed to getting this right for them, and sooner rather than later. ...

"We understand the problems, we regret it. The reality is this is where we are right now. But trust me, we all want to carry the trophy and we are going to get there."

So how will the problems be fixed? Making big changes at the top isn't the answer, he said.

Smith expressed faith in Whisenhunt, hired in January to replace Mike Munchak and put under contract through 2018. Webster, who replaced Mike Reinfeldt as GM in 2012, has "several years" remaining on his contract and "doesn't have anything to worry about," Smith said.

"They are my guys. Believe me, there's no one who is more disappointed than I am, but I can tell you Ruston and Ken share as much disappointment as I do if that's possible. Ruston had a very good draft this past year. He knows what he's doing. Ken is a proven winner. When we get to the Super Bowl, it is not going to be his first time there. And we are going to get there."

Smith said "the talent pool" simply isn't deep enough on the current roster: "If we are honest with ourselves and understand where the deficiencies are, you know it is not simply a coaching matter."

The Titans have 10 players, including six starters, on injured reserve. There are plenty of healthy players who have underperformed, however. Smith said the biggest needs appear to be on the offensive line, but stressed that the defensive line, linebackers and receivers also need upgrades.

"When you're in the situation we're in," he said, "the list goes on and on."

As for rookie quarterback Zach Mettenberger, who started the past five games and displayed flashes of potential, Smith said: "We have four weeks left, and Zach has to get some work done. But he is developing and he is making progress."

Smith has seen some signs for hope, however. He mentioned rookie tackle Taylor Lewan, center Brian Schwenke, defensive lineman Jurrell Casey, linebacker Avery Williamson, tight end Delanie Walker, wide receiver Kendall Wright and safety Michael Griffin.

"He came back in and played after dislocating his shoulder," Smith said of Griffin's effort in the Nov. 23 loss to the Eagles. "We need more guys like that. I told him he is the heart and soul of the team. He sets a good example of commitment and toughness. We need that."

At the end of the season, Smith said he plans more extensive discussions with Whisenhunt and Webster to evaluate every player and coach. Whisenhunt will make decisions about the coaching staff, Smith said.

In an interview with The Tennessean last month, Smith envisioned the Titans playing in Super Bowl LI, tentatively scheduled for Feb. 5, 2017 — in Houston.

"I am not going to point fingers. We are where we are," Smith said. "But the fact of the matter is the depth is not there and we have to upgrade the talent. We have to be active in free agency. We will be active in free agency. And we expect to have a very good draft, too.

"This year has taken a toll. We want to finish strong, and I expect to finish strong. But we are all committed to the long-term objectives, and we're going to get it right."

Reach Jim Wyatt at 615-259-8015 and on Twitter @jwyattsports.