Professor

http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs....801090412/1027

Titans running back LenDale White proved a lot of things to a lot of people in his second NFL season.

He showed durability, playing in all 17 games when injuries limited him during the practice week

He was successful, piling up 1,110 yards during the regular season, and his 69 yards in Sunday's playoff loss at San Diego were more than any other running back on wild-card weekend.

Now he has to prove he can come back and do it again.

"That's part of playing running back in the National Football League. You have to go out and do it each year,'' Coach Jeff Fisher said. "Last year LenDale got a taste of the length of the season. This year he knows the type of toll the season will take on you. When you go through those experiences as a younger player, you can adjust your offseason program and adjust your training to better prepare yourself.''

White didn't return to Nashville with the Titans following the loss at San Diego, instead heading back to Denver to be with family following the death of his grandmother last week.

Fisher and White had a conversation before the Titans departed, however, and the coach sounded encouraged by what he heard.

"He's very, very committed to the offseason and to trying to do everything he possibly can to remain that back and be even more productive,'' Fisher said.

Big offseason

Last offseason, White's weight became an issue. He put on about 20 pounds and struggled to get in better shape when the team began its offseason workout program.

White played in the 245-pound range this season and said he wants to come to training camp next year around 230 or 235.

"I am excited about where he is going to go if he is committed to getting better,'' Titans running backs coach Sherman Smith said. "Physically, is he going to commit himself into getting in top-notch condition?''

White got back into good graces of some teammates who questioned him a year ago. Now he has to stay there.

"LenDale is going to be a great back in this league,'' fullback Ahmard Hall said. "I believe this is going to be the first of a lot of 1,000-yard seasons for him.''

Like many Titans, White refused to blame the team's offensive shortcomings on any teammates. The running game seemed to be the only thing that worked on a consistent basis, and sometimes it sputtered.

"We could have scored a lot more points. It is not that we don't have the firepower,'' White said. "We shot ourselves in the foot a lot. I fumbled sometimes in the red zone. We had some other turnovers. I don't think it is nothing to do with firepower, I think we are more than able to get the job done.''

Chances are the Titans will look to add weapons at receiver, however, and White could get some new company in the backfield.

Potential changes

Running back Chris Brown is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent, and following a season when he missed four games with injuries and lost two fumbles in key situations, he probably won't be back.

Rookie Chris Henry showed promise early then struggled late, reaffirming beliefs that the Titans can't yet count on him.

A year ago, the Titans discussed a trade with the Chargers for running back Michael Turner, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent. The Titans could make another run at him.

"We need people to score touchdowns. We like game-breaking type players,'' Fisher said. "Chris Henry's certainly going to improve from year one to year two. Chris (Brown) was very productive for us.

"I'm disappointed in the ball security the last couple weeks, but Chris (Brown) has gotten us out of a lot of jams. … We're going to look at a lot of things.''

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