This is a long one, so pour yourself a cup of coffee. 

 

As some fans have stated, it's time for a fresh start with our beloved Titans.  Now, I'm not one that thinks we are in complete rebuilding mode and will wind up 4-12 next season.  However, in light of recent events... now does seem like as good a time as any to rethink the way this organization does business.  I've taken a hard stance recently on player and personnel decisions, and this post will further those thoughts.  A lot of this may seem like common sense, or maybe, "easier said than done."  Even so, I feel like it needs to be stated... as I have been unable to figure out our team strategy over the last few years. 

So clean slate, right?  New head coach.  New quarterback.  New defensive coordinator.  8th pick in the draft, and a lot of questions about who we need to re-sign and where we need to upgrade.  Obviously we are going to build something new for next season and future seasons to come.  How can we make sure we build this foundation properly?  I would like to propose that we lay, as a cornerstone, guidelines as to how we would like this franchise to be run going forward.  A list of rules, if you will.  A business model.  A mandate that we can go back to as player/personnel decisions arise throughout the years, to remind ourselves of our long term goals.  So how do we go about creating this mandate?  I'd like to start by making a few suggestions as to what I would like to see from this organization going forward.  This is not meant for just this off-season and 2011.  This is a model I'd like to see for many years to come.

Here is what I would like to see from this franchise going forward.  Ten steps to a consistent and competitive franchise... year after year.

10.  Know who we want to be.  Ground and pound?  Air it out?  Whatever our scheme of choice is, we need to stay focused on it.  Draft and sign players that fit the mold of our scheme.  In most of Jeff Fisher's tenure here, we were a run first team.  In the last few seasons we began bringing in players that were more explosive... more dynamic.  Yet, we kept the run first mentality.  It was a contradiction in my opinion and does not breed consistency. Pick a plan and stick with it.  Give the fans a sense a pride in knowing, this is who we are and this is what we do.

 

9.  Do not settle for mediocrity.  I do support giving a player a fair chance to prove his worth on the field.  However, if a player shows no signs of becoming a standout; then giving a younger player a chance to play can sometimes be a wise move.  You may find that the younger player does have what it takes to be a play-maker.  Or, you may push the original starter to better himself by competition.  Settling on the mediocre player gets you to 8-8.  Not good enough.

 

8.  Draft players not projects.  I'm of the mindset that it is beneficial to draft NFL ready players, and not players that could be NFL ready someday.  This sounds like common sense, but it's not always followed.  In the first two rounds of the draft we should look for players that can fill a specific need on the roster. After that, I propose only drafting players with a good amount of experience and have the size and skill sets needed to make it in the NFL.  Draft regardless of roster need at this point. Build stronger depth all around.  Personally I would like to take only 4 year college players... for maturity reasons.  But this is debatable and probably not very realistic.

 

7.  Trade down.  In my opinion, early first round draft picks are very high risk.  You will need to pay whomever you draft a lot of money before ever even seeing how well they fair in the league.  If they are a bust, you've wasted money and leverage by not getting value for your early pick.  For me, it's too much of a gamble.  I'd like to mandate that when having a pick in the top 15, we trade down for multiple later picks.  I would actually like to trade our first rounder each season for a teams second round of that year and second or third of the following year.  Imagine having two second round picks each year?  We would save a ton of money, and still be able to bring in talent.  This is just my opinion however.  Hey... the Pat's do it all the time, why can't we.

 

6.  Designate true captians.  One on offense, one on defense.  By this, I mean a player who will grab a teammate's face mask after a bad play and tell them what they thought of it.  After yelling at said player, they will then motivate.  I know these aren't leadership skills you can just expect anyone to possess... so it's important to look for these qualities in free agents and when drafting.  I don't care about seniority, or lockeroom respect.  I want someone on the field holding other players accountable, and being looked to for encouragement and motivation at critical points in the game.

 

5.  Position priorities.  The team needs to define which positions are most important to their overall success.  This would depend on the actual offensive and defensive schemes that have been agreed upon.  If it were up to me, I would prioritize as such... 1. QB.  2.  DT.  3.  MLB.  4.  C.  5.  CB.      Again, just my opinion. You could has 100 different people to prioritize and come up with 100 different responses.  Maybe it doesn't have to be exact... but there should be some sort of internal position ranking system. 

 

4.  Bench em, trade em, cut em.  I would like the franchise to develop a team first attitude.  Like ants or bees... you know, doing everything for the colony/hive.  The front office should set a precedent that any kind of me first attitude will not be tolerated.  You want to hold out during camp?  GONE.  You want to make a scene on the sidelines or during practice?  GONE.  Get some draft picks for them and continue to strengthen the team that way.  In time, if the team is successful, players around the league will get the message.  If you want to worry about your own stats and constantly angle for money... don't go to the Titans.  If you want to be part of true team football and have a chance at winning a championship... go play for the Titans.  I know some people will say this isn't fair to the player, but I don't really care about what's fair.  I care about the success of the franchise.  Others would say this could dilute our pool of talent, but I disagree.  I think this would bring in exactly the type of players needed to win championships in this league.

 

3.  Leadership starts at the top.  And I don't mean Bud Adams.  NFL owners should be seen and not heard.  Better yet, not even seen.  Whomever we hire as head coach needs to be the champion for this franchise.  Always taking a firm stand on his decisions, sticking up for his players, never revealing too much to the media, and leading by example.  Whatever virtues we would like to see in the players on the field, the head coach needs to embody these same ideals.  WWHCD.  What would head coach do?  That's what our players should be thinking when taking interviews or making decisions about their careers.

 

2.  Mentally tough, not just physically tough.  No more stupid penalties.  Limit careless turnovers.  No pouting, no giving up.  Always know your role and do it to the best of your ability.  This should be a mindset instilled on all players from the first day of camp.  Make it a point of pride within the team... we want people on EAPN to say things like, "The Titans are one of the smartest defenses in the league... and the team as a whole is so well disciplined."

 

1.  Game plan flexibility.  We need coaches who are up to the task.  Willing to change the game plan dramatically each week, to give us the best chance to win.  Willing to re-work the game plan during the game to give us the best chance to win.  Far too long have we been stuck in the mindset that we will make other teams adjust to our plan, but not adjust to theirs.  If something isn't working, don't do it anymore.  If something is working, do more of that.  Take chances and give this team the opportunity to go win the game.  Never take the foot off the pedal.  I want this team to be aggressive and try to win games early and decisively.

 

So there you have it.  My ten steps to creating a culture and mindset of winning football for this franchise.  There are so many more things that could go onto this list, however the post is already getting rather long. Please, comment on what you may agree with or disagree with... and by all means add some rules/guidelines of your own.  What would you like to see as a long term strategy for this franchise?  Are my ideas too simple?  Do we need to get more specific?  Put yourself in the seat of ownership.... This is your baby... whatchagonna do with it?

The 2010 Titan's season is coming to a close.  It's been a strange ride.  Roller-coaster go up... roller-coaster go down.  With all of this season's highs and lows and it's on and off field drama; I can admit that I've never been more exhausted as a fan.  I mean it.  I'm literally drained.  There is so much I could complain about, but I just can't find the strength anymore.

 

It's all the same arguments, all the time.  It's the usual suspects.  Quarterbacks and coaches... flashy receivers, feisty cornerbacks and crazy owners.  We've turned into a genetic hybrid of the Oakland Raiders and the Dallas Cowboys.  We're the Oakllas Raidboys!!  The sentiment behind this gene splicing comment sums up our current state of affairs.  A joke.  A comical farce of a football team.  We're only lucky that Tennessee is a small market; otherwise we would be subject to national ridicule on a daily basis.  The sad part is this franchise really does deserve it.  We've put ourselves in this hole.

 

So what do we do as fans now?  How do we cope with the events of this past season and what they may mean for the future?  How do we face our friends and defend this franchise?  I've already stated that I have no more strength left for arguing.  Even if I did, I'd have a hard time finding solid footing to stand on.  So I need MCM's help.  I need everyone's advice on how to handle the inevitable questions and snarky comments that I'm sure to face this upcoming off-season, and especially at this year's Super bowl party.  A few canned phrases that I can look to when the bright light of, "friendly smack talk" finds my face.  It's always good to be prepared.  So, when I need to go to the well this off-season... when my back is to the wall... when they are all closing in around me... how will I respond to this garbage?

 

I'm sure I will get most if not all of the below questions thrown my way at this year's Super bowl party.  It will come from Eagles fans, Giants fans, Patriots, Bears, Colts and Packers too.  Please, MCM, fill in the blanks for me.  I would appreciate serious responses and funny ones too.  My answers will slowly go from real solutions to obnoxious, "yo mamma" jokes as the night progresses and more alcohol is consumed.

 

So here goes... help a brother out...

 

Obvious question number 1.

Q. Dude, your QB is such a whiny brat.  You seriously think your team is going anywhere with him?

A. Yeah but, _______________________________  (maybe I'll just say that Vunce just winz!!!1!!!)

 

Obvious question number 2.

Q. What's up with Fisher?  Remember when he had a cool mustache?  I would love to have him coaching on my team.  Is he gone or what?

A.  Well, it seems like ___________________________________

 

Obvious question number 3.

Q. What the hell did you guys do to Randy Moss?

A. You see, ____________________________________________

 

Obvious question number 4.

Q. What happened to CJ2K?  Thought he was going to be a beast this year?

A. Well it all starts with the O-line so _______________________________________

 

Obvious question number 5.

Q Looks like it's time to rebuild, eh?

A. Nah man, we just gotta ____________________________________________

 

Obvious question number 6.

Q. Dude, you guys sucked this year.  (more of a statement than a question)

A. Oh yeah, well at least ____________________________________________

Dust off the old family piano.  Warm up some hot chocolate.  Gather the children around.  It's time to be festive and bask in Holiday joy.  Tonight, my wife, my 2 month old and myself will be singing the following verse.  I urge you all to do the same.  Hopefully the magic of the season will lift our voices through the air and carry them all the way from wherever you are to wherever the heck Bud Adams is.  Bud... this one is for you.

Ahem....mi mi mi mo... (blows into a tuning harmonica)  A one clap, a two, a one two three...

 

On the first day of Christmas Bud Adams gave to me...

A brand new franchise QB

 

On the second day of Christmas Bud Adams gave to me...

Two new coaches coaching

And a brand new franchise QB

 

On the third day of Christmas Bud Adams gave to me...

Three extra picks for drafting

Two new coaches coaching

And a brand new franchise QB

 

On the fourth day of Christmas Bud Adams gave to me...

Four DBs tackling

Three extra picks for drafting

Two new coaches coaching

And a brand new franchise QB

 

On the fifth day of Christmas Bud Adams gave to me...

Five Super Bowl Rings!!!!

Four DBs tackling

Three extra picks for drafting

Two new coaches coaching

And a brand new franchise QB

 

On the sixth day of Christmas Bud Adams gave to me...

Six divisional wins a winning

Five Super Bowl Rings!!!!

Four DBs tackling

Three extra picks for drafting

Two new coaches coaching

And a brand new franchise QB

 

On the seventh day of Christmas Bud Adams gave to me...

Seven less stupid flags a throwing

Six divisional wins a winning

Five Super Bowl Rings!!!!

Four DBs tackling

Three extra picks for drafting

Two new coaches coaching

And a brand new franchise QB

 

On the eight day of Christmas Bud Adams gave to me...

Eight wins a streaking

Seven less stupid flags a throwing

Six divisional wins a winning

Five Super Bowl Rings!!!!

Four DBs tackling

Three extra picks for drafting

Two new coaches coaching

And a brand new franchise QB

 

On the ninth day of Christmas Bud Adams gave to me...

Nine jersey retiring

Eight wins a streaking

Seven less stupid flags a throwing

Six divisional wins a winning

Five Super Bowl Rings!!!!

Four DBs tackling

Three extra picks for drafting

Two new coaches coaching

And a brand new franchise QB

 

On the tenth day of Christmas Bud Adams gave to me...

Ten play drives a rolling

Nine jersey retiring

Eight wins a streaking

Seven less stupid flags a throwing

Six divisional wins a winning

Five Super Bowl Rings!!!!

Four DBs tackling

Three extra picks for drafting

Two new coaches coaching

And a brand new franchise QB

 

On the eleventh day of Christmas Bud Adams gave to me...

Eleven Moss plays calling

Ten play drives a rolling

Nine jersey retiring

Eight wins a streaking

Seven less stupid flags a throwing

Six divisional wins a winning

Five Super Bowl Rings!!!!

Four DBs tackling

Three extra picks for drafting

Two new coaches coaching

And a brand new franchise QB

 

On the twelfth day of Christmas Bud Adams gave to me...

Twelve wins a season

Eleven Moss plays calling

Ten play drives a rolling

Nine jersey retiring

Eight wins a streaking

Seven less stupid flags a throwing

Six divisional wins a winning

Five Super Bowl Rings!!!!

Four DBs tackling

Three extra picks for drafting

Two new coaches coaching

And... a... brand... new... franchise... QB!!!

Well thank goodness.  We may now be, as a franchise, at a place and time where clarity settles in and a new perspective can take over.  Rock bottom.

It's not always a quick ride to this place.  It's never comfortable.  But it never gets any worse.  Rock bottom is the lowest of lows, and as the cliche goes... we can only go up from here.  Let's face it, we've been in a slow free fall for quite some time now.  There have been flashes of hope, but always fleeting.  The flashes have made us blind to the truth.  The truth that this team has been in steady decline since the nightmarish loss to the Ravens in 2008's playoff run.  More on that later.

I say thank goodness because we can finally see that what we are doing is not working.  We have no more excuses.  We are exposed, and all the safety nets we have been used to over the past few seasons have been taken down.  The illusion is over.  The Kerry Collins controversy has run it's course.  The Vince Young controversy has met it's end.  The Jeff Fisher story will be determined once and for all, on how he pushes this team over the remainder of the season.   We have a great running back, a great young wide receiver (when he gets healthy) and Randy Moss.  That's it.  It's a clean slate after those three players.  It's an opportunity to build the team into something new, and hopefully something better.

Now back to 2008.  That 13 win season may have been the worst thing that could have happened to this team.  Sure, it was a great ride at the time; but with the good comes the bad.  Here me out on this.  I understand that 13 wins is exciting.  It's what we root for.  But without making a Superbowl appearance, season's like that get lost in history.  Let's look at the ripple effect, and what has taken place since that season. 

Thirteen wins in a season turn defensive coordinators into head coaches.  We've been running Jim Schwartz's defense for the past two years, without Jim Schwartz.  Thirteen win seasons make free agent defensive tackles seek out huge contracts.  We've been rushing the front four like we did with Fat Albert for the past two years, without Fat Albert.  Thirteen wins out of a backup quarterback means you have two starters and no backup.  Having essentially two starting quarterbacks means that the players and the fan base will become split and everyone will lose faith in the head coach.

And so here we are.  We have no answer on defense.  We have no quarterback.  We have no idea what to make of our head coach.  The only thing we do know is that next week at Houston, we will see something new from this team.  Something different.  Something we haven't seen for the past two years.  For me, that is refreshing.  We're 16-16 since starting off 10-0 in 2008.  In my opinion, losing the same number of games as you win, over 32 games, signifies that you don't know what kind of team you really are.  A team like that has no identity.  Maybe we can finally begin finding out our true identity.

I have no idea what the future holds, and I hate to surrender the season when we are only one game out of first place in our division.  However, no matter what we do in these final six games, I think we need to be honest with ourselves and look towards the future.  This team will need some upgrades to continue to compete in the AFC South.  To that end, I have some ideas.  All free agent suggestions are dependent upon the collective bargaining agreement and salary cap situation in the league next year.

1. Get a QB that quietly gets the job done - Someone like Kyle Orton.  He may be available

2. Bring some smash back to the smash and dash.  Leron McClain may be available

3. Get a veteran presence on defense.  Champ Bailey may be available

4. Get a tight end who can block for the run and make an occasional play.  Kevin Boss may be available

5. Have Chuck Cecil formulate his own style of defensive play instead of trying to be Jim Schwartz Junior.  If he can't do that, then find someone else who can.

 

Quick side note:  Though I hold the position that I'm glad we may have hit rock bottom, in no way am I saying that I'm happy that Vince Young has been injured.  I would never wish injury upon anyone.  I hope he has a quick recovery and I still wish him success in his career whether it be in Tennessee or somewhere else.

Deception is the name of the game in the NFL.  To win, you need to make the opposition think you are doing one thing, but then you actually do something completely different.  Example:  every time I see a wildcat formation with the QB spread out wide, I think to myself, "Oh man this is gonna be great.  Deep route to the QB!  Unstoppable."  But, time and time again, I am deceived.  It always ends up being a run play.  To this end, I say that Jeff Fisher and the Titan brass are doing a fantastic job.  Hear me out on this.  Everything they do is a deception.  A miss-direction, if you will.  Whatever you think about the Titans... think again, because the truth is always the opposite.  Let me explain.

Vince Young is fast for a QB.  Chris Johnson is fast for a human.  Randy Moss and Kenny Britt are fast for WR's and Nate Washington is probably even faster than they are.  Logic would say that since we have built an offense around speed, we would spread the field and use that speed to our advantage.  NOPE.  That would be too predictable.  The opposition would never expect us to keep our QB in the pocket, run the ball up the gut, and play a conservative and basic offensive scheme.  They'll never see it coming.

On defense, we have a great front four.  No question.  Our LB crew is good but not great.  They don't cover well.  Logic would state, if our LB's don't cover well then we should blitz often with them instead of keeping them in coverage.  NOPE.  Again, too predictable.  Opposing offensive coordinators would never expect us to put poor coverage players one on one vs someone like Antonio Gates.  Since they won't expect it, we'll do it.  They won't be ready for it and will have no answers.

The Titan's ability to play mind games with the world is not restricted to the playing field only.  It's an over-arching theme within the organization.  Think back to this time last year.  I would have said, "there is no way this franchise will ever let Keith Bullock leave.  He is a leader, and the heart and soul of this defense."  WRONG.  It would have made too much sense.  If it makes sense, then it's not a good plan.  Similarly, nobody thought we would have any chance at getting Randy Moss.  But, we fooled them all once again.

I will even admit that in terms of season success, Fisher often times puts on a ruse for his own fan base.  In 2008, most fans including myself felt like we had an ok team to start the season.  Not a great team, but respectable.  After VY's injury in week one, I figured 8 wins at best.  NOPE.  13 wins on the season.  Fisher stuns me again.  The following year, 2009, I figure we are again a 12 win type team.  NOPE.  We start off 0-6 and even though we have a good second half, for the most part we stink.  Again, we were deceived.  Fisher teaches us all a lesson in the law of opposites.

Speaking of opposites, let's look at this season in terms of wins and losses.  With Fisher, always expect the unexpected...  If that is even possible.

1. Raiders.  I expected a win.  CORRECT.  Fisher must have messed up.

2 Steelers.  I expected a win.  WRONG

3. NY Giants.  I expected a loss.  WRONG

4. Broncos.  I expected a win.  WRONG

5. Cowboys.  I expected a loss. WRONG

6. Jags.  I expected a win.  CORRECT.  Something went wrong.  Unexplained mystery

7. Eagles.  I expected a loss.  WRONG

8. Chargers.  I expected a win.  WRONG

10. Dolphins.  I expected a win.  WRONG

 

In summation... We are probably going to lose to the Redskins this weekend.  Although, now that I said that, Fish will do the opposite and maybe we'll win.  Either way, I guarantee that whatever sort of game plan you or I would put together, Fisher will not.  It's part of his genius.

 

The year was 2010.  The Tennessee Titans had just lost to the Miami Dolphins in week ten of the National Football League season.  For Tennessee, the loss had been demoralizing.  The roller coaster ride of a season had reached a dizzying height the week before when it was announced that Randy Moss had been claimed on waivers and would be joining the team.  The euphoria was quick to dissipate as the Dolphins, lead by three different quarterbacks, handed the Titans their fourth loss of the season, and second in a row.

Realizing that the team had been spinning it's tires all season long, owner Bud Adams decided on a change.  Much to the league's surprise, the long tenured head coach Jeff Fisher, was replaced by a young up and coming blog troll named Gas-House Gorilla.  The football world was stunned.

Gas-House wasted no time in creating an atmosphere of change, quickly firing then offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger, and replacing him with the first person he could find that showed some seblance of creative play calling.  In his press conference, Gas-House was quoted as saying, "I'm a gambler.  Always have been, always will be.  It's to the Superbowl or die trying for us.  Straight cash."

The next week brought forth a new era in the NFL.  One which has been dubbed, the Straight Cash Offense era.  Coach Gas-House had dropped all tight ends from the roster, leaving some to wonder how would the offense survive without Bo Scaife's incredible play making skills.  The question was answered quickly in the dismantling of the Washington Redskins at LP field.  The titans, under coach Gas-House brought back the old Houston Oilier run and shoot offense.  Play after play, they lined up 4, sometimes 5 wide receivers.  The highly touted Chris Johnson caught passes in and out of the backfield all day long.  The agile Vince Young glided in and out of the pocket with ease, as there just weren't enough defenders to put any pressure on him whatsoever.  The game ended with the Titans claiming victory by a margin of 49-24.  Vince Young threw five touchdown passes and ran for two more, as he racked up over 400 yards of total offense.  Chris Johnson, though only rushing the ball six times, piled up over 175 yards of total offense both rushing and receiving.  Thus the legacy was born.

The Titans continued to use this same philosophy for the remainder of the season, winning easily each week.  By the season's end, opposing team's defensive cooridnators began to theorize that there was no way mathematically to defend a spread offense consisting of, Young, Johnson, Moss, Britt, Washington, Williams and Hawkins.  This theory became law as the Tennessee Titans were crowned Superbowl champions in 2010.

Over the course of the next three seasons, the Titans as a franchise broke offensive record after offensive record and solidified their position as a dynasty by winning each Superbowl, giving them four straight championships.

The story doesn't end there my friends.  The NFL is a copycat league and as more and more teams began to utilize the Straight Cash Offense approach, coach Gas-House made another change.  When asked what he thought about teams adopting his offensive approach, he was heard remarking, "Played out, homey."  He subsequently traded away all offensive play makers for draft picks and began creating a smash-mouth ball control type team based around a four headed running back system called, "The Hydra."