That said, much of this training camp will be spent on finding ways to upgrade an offense that finished 21st overall a year ago and was 27th in passing.

Key among that is figuring out how to turn around quarterback Vince Young, who regressed after being named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2006. Young threw just nine touchdown passes and 17 interceptions. New offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger spent a good portion of the offseason working on his footwork and getting a strong base under him before he releases the football.

Heimerdinger, who developed Steve McNair from a raw talent into a co-NFL MVP in 2003 with the Titans, also brings a new offense and new approach for Young to learn. The Titans will now ask Young to make most of his defensive reads pre-snap, rather than surveying the field with progressions as he did in Norm Chow's system.

Also, Heimerdinger will incorporate the deep pass back into the Titans' scheme, something that Young likes the sound of, entering training camp.

"We're going deep, I know that. That's one of the things he loves to do is go deep," Young said. "He's aggressive, because he's been in the NFL for awhile."

Young appears to be taking hold of the new system and techniques, but there is still room for improvement in his passing.

But Titans coach Jeff Fisher has noticed an improvement in Young even this early into training camp.

"He's much more comfortable with what he's doing even though we've put in some significant changes this offseason," Fisher said. "He's worked at it, he came in this week and was eager and anxious to get started and we had a good first day. We're going to continue to add and he's going to continue to learn. But the subtle things and the work that he's done with both (quarterbacks coach) Craig (Johnson) and Mike are carrying over now and on the practice field and it's showing with the production."

Beyond Young, the Titans are hopeful that several new additions can spice up a moribund offense that ranked last in red zone efficiency and settled for 35 field goals from Pro Bowl kicker Rob Bironas last season.

Key among those additions is first-round pick Chris Johnson, who missed the first day of camp because his contract was not completed in time. Johnson, who signed a five-year, $12 million deal ($7 million guaranteed) is the type of change-of-pace back who will be used not only to complement LenDale White, but also could get 10 to 15 touches a game between carrying the ball, catching it out of the backfield and as a slot receiver and as a kickoff or punt returner.

Elsewhere, the Titans hope veteran tight end Alge Crumpler will provide Young with a big red-zone target and a receiver to catch passes down the seam. They are also confident that receiver Justin McCareins, in his second tour of duty with the team, can succeed because of his familiarity with Heimerdinger's system. McCareins has already jumped to the top of the depth chart in a crowded receiver pool, along with holdover Justin Gage.

Still, receiver is a major question mark, as no Titans receiver would appear to be a game-breaking outside threat at this juncture, and Heimerdinger will sift through Brandon Jones, Mike Williams, injured Roydell Williams, Biren Ealy and rookie Lavelle Hawkins trying to find capable backups in camp.

CAMP CALENDAR: The Titans will host the St. Louis Rams for two days of joint practices Aug. 6 and Aug. 7 before the preseason opener at LP Field on Aug. 9. Training camp breaks Aug. 20.

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