It took the Titans four years to reinvent themselves, and all that they have waited for has finally arrived: a new name, new uniforms, a new practice facility, a new stadium, a new chance to win over a city and state and, at last, the chance to contend.

TITANS AT A GLANCE

Eddie George Last year: 8-8, second place in AFC Central

Key returnees:: QB Steve McNair (289-for-492, 3,228 yards, 15 TDs, 10 INTs); RB Eddie George (348 carries, 1,294 yards, 5 TDs)

New faces: DE Jevon Kearse (first round), FB Lorenzo Neal (Bucs), DT Jason Fisk (Vikings), DT Mike Jones (Rams)

New places: C Mark Stepnoski (Cowboys), DT Gary Walker (Jaguars), DE Anthony Cook (Redskins)

Watch out: Titans have a new name and a big chance to rid themselves of negative Oilers image.

Better than '98: New stadium should alleviate home-field disadvantage.

Worse than '98: There's pressure on Jeff Fisher to make the playoffs.



-- Scripps Howard News Service

Since he took over as team president and chief operating officer, Jeff Diamond has said it repeatedly: "Now is the time for this team to flourish." If it does not, it will lose its best window of opportunity to become ingrained in middle Tennessee. Owner Bud Adams has indicated that another playoff miss would kick-start serious, wide-ranging changes.

"Obviously, everything is at stake," linebacker Barron Wortham said. "We have to win, no ifs, ands or buts. We have to stick together and have a winning season -- 8-8 is not going to do it. It's obvious, and everybody knows it."

The message is clear, not just in the locker room, but among the coaches and in the front office.

"I think it's understood what we have to do this season," general manager Floyd Reese said. "There's not a lot of wiggle room."

The moves the Titans have made since last year all address their big-play deficiencies. The defensive line has been rebuilt, with stud rookie Jevon Kearse at one end and two free-agent veterans, Mike Jones and Jason Fisk, set to lead the way in the middle. They are overseen by fiery new defensive line coach Jim Washburn, who seems to have altered the position's personality.

On offense, they added blocking back Lorenzo Neal to pave the way for Eddie George, and they expect to open up the passing game, shedding the conservatism they've pinned on Steve McNair.

Yancey Thigpen is healthy, and Kevin Dyson has shown the explosiveness they expected from him when they drafted him ahead of Randy Moss last year.

With a true home-field advantage, there is a great deal of promise. But in their debut as the Titans, they have to win early and not dig themselves the September hole they've spent the last two seasons climbing out of.

Here's a position-by-position look at Tennessee's roster:

Quarterbacks

In the eyes of some fans, the presence of Neil O'Donnell might seem like pressure on McNair, but it's just not so. This is McNair's team, and barring a serious injury or calamitous failure, he will be in the middle of the huddle. He's shown in two seasons as a starter the ability to change the face of games with his improvisational throws and runs.

McNair's at his best on the move and could spend more time in the shotgun than in the past. But he has played far too carefully in the passing game, for which the coaches were largely at fault. If they convince him it's OK to take some chances, and if he improves at finding his first or second read -- a wide receiver -- instead of quickly dumping off to the tight end, the offense could be significantly improved. Grade: B-

Running backs

Should the passing game improve and stretch the defense, George will find more room to run. He'll also have Neal on the field with him sometimes, and with Adelphia Coliseum's grass, George will play just three games all season on artificial turf. The team will likely be more left-right balanced in its running game with the changes on the offensive line. Rodney Thomas is an able change-of-pace backup whose hamstring injury last year had a bearing on George's second-half difficulties. Grade: A-

The biggest issue for Tennessee is the play and development of quarterback Steve McNair. He has to rise to the next level, making plays and being responsible for winning games. The Titans have the weaponry around him, from Eddie George at running back to Yancey Thigpen at receiver to Frank Wycheck at tight end. McNair just needs to let his abilities take over and carry the Titans like he's capable of doing. Tennessee should be a 10-6 team. The Titans aren't nearly as good as the favored Jaguars, but I believe they will make the playoffs as a wild-card team.

Receivers

The fate of the group as a whole could rest with Chris Sanders, who once again has looked good in practice, but will have to show something as the No. 3 receiver early in the season. If he doesn't, dependable Isaac Byrd could force his way onto the field.

The Titans feel good about their top two receivers: Thigpen, who usually produces big in odd-numbered years, and Dyson, who's more confident and explosive the second time around. Frank Wycheck is one of the best pass-catching tight ends in the league. Jackie Harris has less reliable hands but is a better blocker. Grade: B-

Offensive linemen

With Bruce Matthews moving to center, no one will play too far from the line's best resource. The slimmed-down Matthews will be very effective in his new spot and will get the team in and out of the huddle more quickly. Tennessee's tackles, underappreciated Brad Hopkins on the left and mammoth Jon Runyan on the right, form one of the league's top tandems.

Benji Olson hasn't looked back since being plugged in at right guard, which opened when Jason Layman switched to left guard. He's the question mark, but early on Layman has shown a new commitment and resolve to battle through nagging injuries and play better. Grade: B+

Defensive linemen

This unit is definitely better. Kearse shows the potential to be the stud pass rusher the team so badly needs. His counterpart, Kenny Holmes, is determined to be less predictable and more effective in his pass rush. New DTs Jones and Fisk are helping reshape the personality of the group and will rotate heavily with standout rookie John Thornton, Josh Evans and Joe Salave'a. The Titans should have few problems stuffing the run, but adding 15 sacks or so, which is what they really need to do, won't be easy. Grade: B-

Linebackers

A lot of pressure falls on this group, with preseason indications pointing to it as perhaps the defense's weak link. However, with the expected improvement of the pass rush in front of them and the coverage behind them, the linebackers should be in position to make more plays. MLB Barron Wortham, RLB Joe Bowden and LLB Eddie Robinson are all nice, workmanlike players, but they all need to deflect passes, connect on blitzes and force and fall on fumbles. Bowden needs to lead the way, and he's in a better position to do so now, having moved back outside. Depth is a problem. Grade: C

Defensive backs

If FS Marcus Robertson and SS Blaine Bishop stay healthy, the Titans have the CB depth to play some serious pass defense. New DB coach Jerry Gray has resurrected the aggressive man-coverage attitude head coach Jeff Fisher wants.

Samari Rolle was challenging Darryll Lewis for the RCB job. But even if Rolle winds up as the nickel back, he will make plays. LCB Denard Walker has quietly developed into a reliable and effective cover man. Grade: B+

Special teams

Kicker Al Del Greco and punter Craig Hentrich are a great tandem, and the team has no concerns with them. But the coverage units and the return game are an entirely different story.

Rookie Darran Hall spontaneously combusted in his second preseason chance to settle the team's return-specialist situation and was subsequently cut. The Titans are due to return a punt or a kick for a touchdown just by accident. (The last time it happened was 1994, when Ernest Givins brought a punt back 78 yards.) As for coverage, it's probably time the Titans include a few more front-liners. Grade: C