FanPost

On the Mike Munchak Issue

Unless you've been living under a rock for the past year, you’re aware of the situation with Mike Munchak. That won’t stop me from telling you anyway, though, because it builds narrative.

The Munchak era started off in 2011 with an inconsistent team, but one that showed flashes of promise. Chris Palmer’s scheme resulted in a solid passing game and the Titans had their first 1,000 yard receiver in years. Matt Hasselbeck was at the helm, with just enough left in the tank to help lead the Titans to a 9-7 record, including destroying the Ravens. It could have been a 10-6 record and a playoff birth, but a head-scratching loss to the winless Colts kept that from happening. The two seasons that followed were complete messes, and the team started looking less and less professional. Unfortunately, the flashes of promise that Munchak and his version of the Titans showed were just that. Flashes.

While Munchak’s strong character and respect within the franchise got him the job, his inability to field a consistent football team and his failings in building a competent coaching staff might result in him losing it.

Even though many of us here at MCM have stated that Munchak will come back next season, I feel like that sort of talk is just cynicism getting the best of us.

When Tommy Smith and Ruston Webster review Munchak's three years with the team and see his record when facing the AFC South (5-13 or 6-12; pending next game), and when facing winning teams (5-20), what do you think that will tell them? What does that tell you about Munchak?

Keep in mind, neither Tommy Smith nor Ruston Webster were responsible for the hiring of Mike Munchak. His hiring was the act of Bud Adams (RIP) and Mike Reinfeldt, neither of whom are with the team anymore. Both Tommy and Ruston have seen the two straight seasons of embarrassment and failure, and have no connection to the hiring of the head coach that coached during those seasons. Looking at that alone can tell you that his time with the Titans should be coming to an end.

Now, don't get me wrong about what I said about cynicism getting the best of us. The cynical outlook on the team isn't unfounded at all, and it certainly tends to be the outlook that's accurate when judging what comes next with the Titans, unfortunately.

However, I really don’t think that outlook will be accurate this time. With Ruston Webster and our new owner Tommy Smith, there's a chance for a positive shift in the direction of this franchise. If Ruston and Tommy stick to logic and smart business, rather than sentiment and sympathy, that shift will certainly happen.

In reality, though, none of us have any idea what will happen. Even if we pretend we do.

So no matter what you believe will happen next, there’s an undeniable fact we should all realize. What they do with regards to the Munchak situation will tell us about how things will go from here on out. It will set the path of this franchise for a long, long time. Let’s all hope that they feel the weight of how important this decision is, and that they' will make the smart and correct choice for the sake of this franchise.

The correct choice being the firing of Mike Munchak, and the hiring of a coach that can remake the Titans into a well-coached professional football team that wins games.

We’ll have to see how this unfolds soon. Prepare yourselves, MCM'ers. This off-season is going to be an emotional thrill ride, no matter which way it goes.

Here’s hoping it goes up, not down.

Now, at the time of writing, it’s still December 25th here, so even though you're probably reading this on a different day, allow me to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Please, leave me presents below; Comments, rec's, insults, memes, whatever you can offer!

Thanks for reading.