As the Tennessee Titans go their separate ways for the bye week, let’s examine what we’ve learned about them thus far in this 2011 season.

Most people would agree that the Titans have been better than most people would have expected at 3-2.

Breaking in a new coaching staff, a new quarterback and new offensive and defensive schemes during a lockout situation put the Titans in a two-minute drill, preparation wise. Overall, the results have been positive.

Here is what we’ve seen:

Mike Munchak has been a breath of fresh air. No one really knew what kind of head coach Munchak would be when owner Bud Adams and general manager Mike Reinfeldt named an offensive line coach with no coordinator experience to replace Jeff Fisher. Thus far, the choice has been a good one.

Munchak has quickly established that he is in charge and that things will be done his way. As a Hall of Fame player, he has instant credibility among a new generation of players in the locker room. But it goes much deeper. Munchak has on a meeting room wall, the slogan: “Be a pro: Know what to do and do it.” And that has been the mantra he has imparted to the players, from dressing in suits and ties on the road to cutting out the loud music in the locker room.

He has restored needed discipline to a locker room that appeared to be controlled by the players during the final years of Jeff Fisher’s tenure.

While Fisher’s methods and message had become stale, Munchak has breathed life back into an organization that badly needed someone to take control and do things the right way.

Matt Hasselbeck is a serious upgrade at quarterback/leadership. As much as the coaching staff sets the tone and direction for the team, locker room leaders are just as important. The acquisition of Hasselbeck is a drastic improvement compared to the unstable era of Vince Young.

Young tried to talk himself into being a leader, and a few guys here and there followed him. But he missed meetings, pouted and had a self-centered attitude that defined his time as a Titan.

As important as it was to replace Fisher, Young’s departure was more vital.

Hasselbeck has Titans players believing in him and following his lead. His example has helped other players, such as Cortland Finnegan, be better leaders while creating a winning atmosphere in the locker room.

Jerry Gray has been as valuable as any off-season addition. The defense was in total disarray at the end of last season. Gray, in his short time as defensive coordinator, has brought back to the defense the swagger and confidence that had gone missing over the past couple of years. Gray’s value is in designing a scheme that maximizes his players’ strengths and implementing a game plan that, if implemented correctly, is good enough to win.

The players are buying in, knowing what he is preaching will work if they do their jobs. The scheme itself hasn’t changed nearly as much as the attitude and the confidence level, and it shows in the resurgence of guys like Finnegan and Will Witherspoon, who had slipped somewhat last year but now are integral parts of a confident and cohesive unit.

Chris Johnson just doesn’t look the same. CJ got his “playmaker” money – $30 million guaranteed over the first three years of a contract – but has yet to deliver.

The bang for their buck is off the charts – in the wrong direction. Frankly, Johnson hasn’t run with the same fervor since his historic 2,000-yard season two years ago. Yes, he is a marked man. No, the offensive line hasn’t played as well as it did that year.

But right now Johnson is a Mercedes in need of a new set of plugs.

Is it a lack of effort? No. But the truth is CJ isn’t moving as fast or as furious as he has in years past, and until he does, the Titans running game will be stuck in second gear.

Johnson got his big payday but still has to earn it.

The three games after the bye are critical for the team. The Titans return from the bye with three straight home games and a chance to take charge in an AFC South, which is more winnable this year with the Colts’ Peyton Manning out of action.

The Titans host Houston, Indianapolis and Cincinnati during that stretch and, if they can win all three games, would be in a great position to take the division, even as the schedule toughens in November and December.

Anything less and the road to a possible division crown and the playoffs becomes much harder.

As the 2011 season has unfolded, many at Baptist Sports Park have used the term “work in progress” to describe this team. As they enjoy the bye, they must come back knowing that that the real work is about to begin.

Terry McCormick covers the Titans for TitanInsider.com and is the AFC blogger for National Football Post.