| Prior to Tennessee’s final game last season, the light
went on for rookie WR Kevin Dyson. Click. Suddenly he could see past the darkness of a
quiet statistical campaign. Suddenly he was struck by a realization the Tennessee
organization hopes will lead him to shine under the bright lights of the upcoming season. Maybe
this new insight came from what he heard from reporters and fans throughout the season.
Maybe it had to do with the increased competition of the NFL. Maybe it was a combination
of a lot of things.
Whatever it was, Dyson said he needed to take better care of himself during the 1999
offseason than he did before his rookie season in 1998.
Of course, maybe the realization also had to do with what he knew he would see in the
season’s final game — WR Randy Moss and the Minnesota Vikings.
As the only wide receiver selected ahead of Moss in the 1998 draft, Dyson spent the
entire season hearing comparisons between him and Moss.
In that final game, Moss caught his 17th touchdown pass of the season while
Dyson finished the season with just two.
When all was said and done, Moss carried home various Rookie of the Year awards whereas
Dyson was left empty-handed.
But as the newly renamed Titans head into training camp, the coaching staff expects to
see some better things out of Dyson. He spent the offseason training and eating better,
and the coaching staff sees this season as a chance for Dyson to have a breakout campaign.
"He told me he’s felt as good as he’s ever felt in his life,"
offensive coordinator Les Steckel said. "He’s in the best shape of his life and
has learned a lot about nutrition. He’s been running and riding the bike. I just hope
it will carry over to the football field."
Steckel said Dyson would have an expanded role in the offense this season.
Dyson is listed as a starting wide receiver and as one of QB Steve McNair’s main
targets this season.
As a rookie, Dyson was neither of those.
"He kind of did what we do with a lot of rookies," Steckel said. "We
allowed Kevin to learn slowly. We kept seven wide receivers on the team. But what usually
happened was people would compare him to Randy Moss. But we believe he will become a very
good player. He has come along pretty well."
Dyson spent parts of last season on the sideline. He played in 13 games and started
nine, catching 21 passes for 263 yards and two touchdowns on the season.
Because Tennessee routinely dressed only five out of the seven wide receivers on the
roster last year, Dyson was forced to watch the first two games of the season in street
clothes. An injury to WR Yancey Thigpen in Week Six, however, gave Dyson his first pro
start the following week against Cincinnati. He caught four passes for 82 yards and a
touchdown, all season highs for Dyson.
With a year of pro experience under his belt,
Dyson will have every opportunity to better his statistics of a year ago. Can he do it? He
already has one vote in his favor.
"I think he can make a big jump from what he did last season," Tennessee WR
coach Steve Walters said. "If he starts well, gains confidence, he’ll have
better numbers (this season)."
Improved numbers are one thing. Becoming a major contributor will be an even steeper
hill to climb.
"That takes a little time," Walters said. "The quarterback has to gain
confidence out there and make plays. I’m not saying he isn’t the guy now, but he
hasn’t caught enough balls. I think he has the ability. He just has to get out there
and stay healthy.
"He has a lot of personal pride and professional pride. He has realized what he
needs to do to make himself better."
If he does those things, perhaps he’ll start to close the gap between himself and
Moss. |
