Rob Bironas

Bironas is one of the league’s more competent kickers, but his value is somewhat diminished by a mediocre Titans offense. Bironas hit field goals at a 90-percent clip for the second straight season, six of which came from 50-plus. Neither Jake Locker nor Matt Hasselbeck is likely to provide Bironas with an abundance of scoring opportunities, but last year’s surprising success in the red zone (59.5-percent TD rate, fifth) is unlikely to be sustained, which should allow Bironas to tack on more short field goals this year.

Bironas is at the mercy of a team in flux. The Titans used their first-round draft pick on quarterback Jake Locker, but also signed free agent Matt Hasselbeck after letting Vince Young go. With a new quarterback unfamiliar with the receivers, a possible result is fewer scoring opportunities for Bironas. And it's not like Bironas had a bevy of scoring chances last season. He had a career-low 26 field-goal attempts, though he salvaged some value converting 24 on a career-high 92.3 percent kicking. His 38 PATs were middle of the pack. A decrease in touchdowns could mean more field-goal attempts for Bironas, though that could be wishful thinking. Bironas is a dependable long-range kicker even if his 50-yard attempts have fluctuated wildly the last few years. He made two from beyond 50 last season after converting five in 2009. His success, though, likely rests on Hasselbeck's chemistry with his new receivers.

Bironas had his worst scoring season since 2006 but still managed 118 points despite the Titans beginning the season 0-6. However, Bironas was one of the leading scorers in the league after Vince Young took the reins at quarterback on Nov. 1. In Young’s 10 games, Bironas made 20 field goals and 30 extra points, which projects to 144 points over a 16- game schedule. Bironas continued his trend in 2009 of being one of the best long-range kickers in the league, connecting on 5-of-6 from beyond 50 yards.

Chris Johnson broke 2,000 yards on the ground and should continue to lead the ball-control offense, while Young may finally be living up to his potential as he posted career bests in yards per attempt, TD percentage, INT percentage and quarterback rating. While Bironas has one potential bad weather game at Kansas City on Dec. 27, he was 8-of-9 in outdoor games in December last season. A full season of Young at quarterback should boost Bironas’ numbers this season.

Bironas had six less field-goal attempts in 2008 than during the previous year, but his team made up for it by scoring 12 more touchdowns. Kerry Collins should again be an effective game manager with running backs Chris Johnson and LenDale White spearheading the conservative ball-control offense and providing Bironas with ample scoring chances. Bironas is one of the league’s better long-range kickers (29-of-35 from beyond 40 yards the last two seasons combined), though he only attempted one from 50-plus last season after kicking five from beyond 50 yards in 2007. Also of benefit, Bironas gets two domed stadiums and two warm environs in Weeks 13-16.

Bironas'­ numbers soared last year. Quarterback Vince Young's expected breakout season did not materialize, which meant fewer extra-point attempts (28, T-21st in NFL) but more field-goal attempts (39, T-1st). Bironas made an NFL-high 35 field goals despite missing two kicks of less than 30 yards. He's one of the better long-range kickers, connecting on 4-of-5 from beyond 50 last season. Bironas also has a number of factors in his favor: a conservative offensive philosophy, a lack of playmakers, a favorable late-season weather schedule and a solid defense. Expect another top-10 scoring season.

Bironas was 22-of-28 last season, including a 60-yarder that beat the Colts in December. However, the Titans lost leading rusher Travis Henry and leading receiver Drew Bennett in the offseason and don’t appear to have adequately surrounded second-year quarterback Vince Young with enough talent to score many points. The Titans scored just 32 touchdowns last season, and it’s going to be hard for them to significantly improve that number this year.

The first-year kicker did a nice job for the Titans, making 23-of-29 last season, including two from beyond 50 yards, and a total of 99 points. Good enough so that the team isn’t bringing in any competition for the job. The club’s downward trend in TDs (44 in 2005, 39 in ’04, 28 in ’03) reduces his value.

Bironas was brought aboard to compete with K Ola Kimrin, and has an outside chance at becoming the Titans' starter in 2005.