FanPost

Pride in the Two Tone Blue




When the Titans first got here, we were all excited just to have a NFL franchise. Over the years the Oilers had stockpiled on players such as Steve McNair, Eddie George, and Frank Wycheck. Jeff Fisher was listed as being on the hot seat before the first snap in Adelphia had ever taken place, mostly due to his previous seasons. To top it off the team bet big time their pass rushing woes would be solved by a kid everybody called "the Freak" from the University of Florida. The thing is...it worked.

Then the Titans took the field and it was like they were shot out of a cannon. Everybody loved going to the games, everybody had pride in the team, even the team had pride in the uniform. When you put on that two toned blue you were going to give your all on that football field, because half assed just didn't cut it for Titans fans. We enjoyed several successful years, most of which were 13-3, 12-4, 11-5, etc. Then the purge happened. We lost Rolle, we lost Mason, we lost Kearse a year before that. We had gambled big by bringing in Kevin Carter, and now it was time to pay the piper. We had a rebuild in the works.

Along came Pacman Jones, along came Vince Young, along came Chris Johnson. Arguably all of them had massive character flaws. None of them panned out here, because they didn't do what the previous Titans did. What is it they didn't do? Win? No...they didn't give the effort or have the pride like the previous Titans did. Say what you will about those who left, but the reality is...most of them didn't want to go. McNair didn't want to go, but that hand got forced by Bud Adams. Eddie George didn't want to go, but his numbers had hit a decline. Kearse didn't want to go, but his injuries were a concern for us and he had to do what was right for his family.

Don't get me wrong, we had guys who wanted to win and played hard for us. Kyle Vanden Bosche is one, Keith Bulluck is another. Rob Bironas can be added to that list, as now can Nate Washington. But the reality of it all was we didn't have the group that wanted to win as badly as the first group did. We didn't have the heart, or the effort that the first Titans team in 1999 had. Let's be real, Chris Johnson got to run behind one of the best offensive lines for years, and since he got his payday we've seen the real CJ come out. Pacman couldn't stay out of trouble, and Vince Young was a headcase. We hit a home run with Michael Griffin...but now it looks like his career could be winding down.

From 1999-2003 the Tennessee Titans were 56-24. The fans were packing what is now LP Field. They were in support for the team, they loved the Titans, and would make Nashville one of the loudest football cities. Since 2004-2014 we have went 77-86. Outside of 2008 we didn't have a season where we went on and destroyed people. We didn't have people who felt the logo on the side of the helmet was more important than the name on the back of it. We were selfish, and had two of our worst losses ever 59-0 and 55-7 (Patriots and Packers). The sad thing is, I think the fans are finally fed up. The apathy has been rooted by the players and continued into the fanbase.

Don't get me wrong, we have guys who want to be here and succeed. Pollard and Woodyard make our defense watchable, as does Casey. Delanie Walker and Nate Washington have been the only consistent pieces of the team in recent memory on offense. I believe Woodyard, Pollard, McCluster, Wilson, and Walker all came here to be closer to home. But Levitre has been an absolute bust since signing here. There lies the problem, we've filled a locker room with guys who came for the cash more than the team itself. If we had guys who put that T and those colors before themselves we would content year in and year out.

That's part of the reason I wanted Locker to pan out. He was happy to be here. He tried fixing his mechanical flaws in the offseason(s), but he couldn't find a way to stay healthy. It's probably time to move on from him now. Unfortunately, we need a massive talent purge this offseason. It's so rare to say that we need to dump 2/3rd of the roster, but the sad reality is...we need to dump 2/3rds of the roster. We need to get guys who will go that extra mile, either through free agency or in the draft. Talent is great, but I'd much rather have a player with a 7 talent level and a 9 effort level than a player with a 9 talent level and a 5 effort level. So you tell me...how do you feel about the pride shown by the players of recent years as compared to the pride shown back in 1999? What are things the Titans can do to change their reputation? Do you have an ideal roster? An ideal coaching staff? Let's see it below. Thanks for reading.