Wiedmer: We will learn a lot about Titans tonight

NASHVILLE -- The handwritten note hangs in Nate Washington's locker at the Tennessee Titans' training complex.

Penned to him by Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin in June of 2007 as Washington was entering his third season with the Steelers, it read, in part, "Where's your head at? ... What are you willing to do? ... See you soon, Mike T."

Two years later, the swift wideout now about to face his former teammates for the first time tonight (8:30 p.m. on NBC) as a member of the Titans, it may not be so much what he's willing to do as what he's able to do that could make the difference in his new team claiming the title currently held by his old team -- defending Super Bowl champs.

Washington has spent the past three weeks attempting to shake off a hamstring injury. Though he rarely started for the Steelers, he caught seven passes during last year's playoffs for an average of 8.9 yards a catch. His career average over his final three seasons with Pittsburgh was 16.4 yards a grab, long a Titans shortcoming.

So while much of the concern for Tennessee's ability to duplicate last season's AFC-best regular-season record hinges on its ability to replace All-Pro defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, Washington's health may also play a key role on a team that lost but two of 22 starters.

"I'm definitely encouraged," Washington said on Tuesday after a limited workout. "I think I'm ready to play. But it will ultimately be up to our coaches and doctors."

As if to hammer home that point, Titans coach Jeff Fisher said, "Nate will probably be a game-time decision. He has the potential to not play at all. He has the potential to play 60 plays."

But do the Titans have the potential to match or better last year's 13-3 mark? Can quarterback Kerry Collins continue to be productive at the age of 36? Can slimmer fullback LenDale White maintain the focus he has sometimes lost at crucial times, such as a key fumble in last year's playoff loss to Baltimore?

And can the defense remain one of the AFC's elite without Haynesworth, who took $100 million to join the Washington Redskins?

"Last year hurt, it still hurts," said linebacker Keith Bulluck. "But I think that's made all of us want to come back this year and take care of business. I think we'll be fine."

Added defensive back Chris Hope, "We return three starters. We won three games without Albert last year, including Pittsburgh. Last year's over. We're going to do what we always do here -- focusing on the next game we play."

They have done that remarkably well during Fisher's 15-year tenure, the longest active streak in the NFL. Only the Patriots' Bill Belichick has more victories (153) among active coaches than Fisher's 133.

So the system clearly works. But a quote from tight end Alge Cumpler to the Tennesseean newspaper earlier this week bears repeating: "Last year we went into the season knowing that we were going to surprise people. This year, everybody expects us to be good, and we will be."

If that's to happen, the defense must replace Haynesworth's brute force inside and the offense must do more to keep it off the field with a ground game led by White and speed merchant Chris Johnson and a passing attack that makes routine use of Washington and Justin Gage.

Again, Crumpler: "We're better on offense than we were at any point last season."

The hunch here is that the Titans are indeed better for that reason. But the schedule, beginning tonight, is also tougher. Tennessee must also play at New England, must host San Diego, must face Peyton Manning twice and must make two trips to the Left Coast to play San Francisco and Seattle.

So make them AFC South champs with an 11-5 record.

But whatever happens down the road, Mike Keith, the Voice of the Titans, made an inarguable point on Tuesday, "We'll start to learn the truth this week."