This is why Mike Heimerdinger is back.

That’s what I thought as I reviewed the Titans passing game performance against Oakland. Notice the term ''passing game'', not just the name Vince Young.

Yes, Young did not throw the ball well against the Raiders. But Young’s accuracy wasn’t the only issue. The Titans receivers were also guilty of mistakes that caused them to not always been in the proper positions to make plays on the football.

In other words, it was a collaborative effort. It always is.

That’s where Heimerdinger comes in. And he’s been through this---in a similar way---in Nashville before.

In 2000, Heimerdinger inherited sixth-year quarterback Steve McNair. McNair was very experienced, but had spent the previous five seasons hearing the phrase, “Don’t make a mistake” over and over again. Because McNair was so programmed to believe that, he had become incredibly careful. Maybe too careful.

McNair was rarely taking a chance.

Remember: McNair threw for a TOTAL of 300 yards in playoff wins over Buffalo, Indianapolis and Jacksonville in 1999. He cut it loose in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl XXXIV (finishing with 214 yards passing), but he didn’t have much choice then.

When Heimerdinger arrived in Nashville to take the reins of the Titans offense, he knew McNair was capable of more. Heimerdinger didn’t have to convince Jeff Fisher of that; he had to convince McNair.

Mike Heimerdinger had to convince Steve McNair to take chances, to throw the football deep, to look downfield one more time as he was about to run, to throw the football into a crowd. Heimerdinger had to convince McNair to let it rip some times.

Part two of that story had to do with the Titans receivers. If Steve McNair was going to take chances, his receivers had to be reliable. They had to be in the right spots and come through for McNair. And when Heimerdinger arrived in 2000, only Frank Wycheck was totally reliable.

And---no offense to my partner---he wasn’t going deep a lot.

Fortunately, wide receiver play was no mystery to Heimerdinger. He had spent 11 years of his career as a receivers coach. He knew what he wanted done and asked for it specifically. And he really wasn’t “asking”. Heimerdinger DEMANDED that the Titan receivers do things properly, make the right reads and, most importantly, win. He expected the receivers to make every play on a ball thrown their way.

Under Heimerdinger, Derrick Mason came out of nowhere to become a star. Kevin Dyson was on his way to becoming a star until he got hurt. Drew Bennett became a very efficient wideout. Justin McCareins became a deep threat.

And Steve McNair became an elite quarterback. McNair took off in 2001, could have been MVP in 2002 and won the award in 2003 (with Peyton Manning). And if #9 doesn’t pop a calf muscle at Atlanta on November 23, 2003, that Titans team might not have been stopped.

The improvement of the receivers and McNair clearly went hand in hand.

Now, Mike Heimerdinger is attempting to do it again in Nashville. The quarterback that he inherits is quite a bit less experienced than McNair, but the current receivers seem comparable on paper. Just like in 2000, Heimerdinger has a very good running game and a great tight end (Alge Crumpler). He also has a big-time speed back who can catch (Chris Johnson), which he never had in his first five years with the Titans.

One more important note: Heimerdinger is also coaching on a team that has a fine defense.

Just like in 2000, Tennessee does not have to throw it 40 times a game to win. But they sure would like to be able to throw it better.

That’s why Heimerdinger continues to praise Young for making the right reads and for limiting mistakes. He’s pleased that Young will take chances and that he is adapting to the new offensive mindset well. Heimerdinger is also pleased that like McNair, Young is willing to use his legs as a weapon. And Young is looking to run more than he was in 2007.

Heimerdinger expects more from Young, but he also expects more from the receivers. He knows that if they get into sync, the Titans will be able to throw it better as 2008 moves forward.

Jeff Fisher saw this in January. He knew that if Tennessee’s offense was going to improve, there was one guy who would force players to get better.

Mike Heimerdinger knows what he wants done. He wants the players to play with that same confidence. People have confidence when they know how to do their job well.

Heimerdinger has done this once before in Nashville. He’ll get it done again.