"That sound heard across the professional football landscape last Wednesday was one of two things. Either the Tennessee Titans set sail on what will be one of the most memorable eight-game voyages in franchise history, or they took the first turn toward drowning in a sea of rancor and locker room unrest.

One way or another, the addition of veteran wide receiver Randy Moss through waivers was a headfirst dive that will send ripples throughout the AFC over the next two months.

"The Titans aren't really known for making too many big splashes," fullback Ahmard Hall said. "I think it's going to bring a lot of energy to this town, a lot of energy to this team."

At the time of the addition, the Titans were ranked just 24th in the league in passing offense but first in scoring. Of the eight remaining games on their schedule, four are against teams ranked in the bottom five of the league in pass defense, including three against the two teams that had allowed more passing touchdowns than anyone else through the season's first eight weeks.

Most analysis initially focused on the effect Moss could have on Tennessee's running game, as he would discourage defenses from overloading the line of scrimmage to try to stop running back Chris Johnson. He ought to have plenty of opportunity to make the passing game more effective in its own right and expand all offensive options.

"I'm very excited about the situation, to play with a guy like that, and I'm very excited that he'll back some of those guys out of the box," Johnson said. "I know for a fact they can't put all those guys in the box with that guy out there.""