Post by Juggs on Dec 15, 2013 23:03:36 GMT -5
Six weeks ago the Titans were 3-1 with the best turnover differential in the league, a feisty defense, high level QB play, and great coaching. None of those can be said where we stand now with the Titans at 5-9 with losses to Jacksonville and Houston already on the record. Unfortunately, it's time for a rebuild.
Steps to Success:
1. Fire Mike Munchak, and promote Gregg Williams to be the Head Coach.
I've been one of Munchak's biggest fans, and I still think he's a very good coach, but he hasn't shown any evidence that he can get us to the playoffs. The talented Titans have played undisciplined, and they can't win in the fourth quarter or the second half of the season. Munchak is a HoF player, a great guy, and a good offensive line coach. If we could bring him back to coach a position group, I'd be all for it. Gregg Williams, of bountygate fame, has turned 2012's NFL's worst defense into one of the best. His agressive style favors the Titans great playmakers on offense, and his promotion will ensure that defensive talents Bernard Pollard and Alteraun Verner stick around in the offseason. Munchak is going to be let go, and Williams would be the smart hire.
2. Honor Jake Locker's two year option.
Jake Locker is the best, or second best player on this team when healthy. If we let him go, there is ZERO guarantee that we will have a talented QB on the roster who gives a shot at the playoffs. That scenario would mean a wasted year in the primes of many talented players such as Jurell Casey, Chris Johnson, ATV, Akeem Ayers, and Bernard Pollard. Not utilizing the primes of those players would be down right criminal. Keeping Locker is worth the money because he's proven that he can be a franchise quarterback when healthy. If he gets injured, we're fucked, but that's ALWAYS the case when the starter goes down. Look at the Packers and Redskins this season. This point leads me to my next one though.
3. Draft a quarterback.
Fitzpatrick had maybe the best season of his career backing up Locker, and he still failed to bring an otherwise playoff bound team to the postseason. He is not a quality NFL player, he is a reserve quarterback who can make a "magical" drive happen. The Titans should draft a top quarterback in this years draft. If that player (Bridgewater, Manziel, Carr, Mettenberger, Garrapollo, Bortles), hits his upside and beats Jake Locker for the starting job, excellent! Then we trade Jake Locker and get a mid round to high pick and don't pay his 2015 salary anyway! And if Locker carries us to the playoffs, then he'll be worth that 2015 salary! It's a motherfucking win-win scenario!
4. Fire Offensive Co-Ordinator Dowell Loggains and promote WR Coach Shawn Jefferson.
Loggains is a really great guy, but at 33, he's the youngest OC in the NFL. He can't command the respect of a physically dominant team like Tennessee and he isn't he right guy for the job. I think he's a very good quarterback coach, but it was wrong for Munchak to promote him so early in his career. Shawn Jefferson has created a huge improvement in performance out of the Titans wide receivers. He's the right guy for the job.
5. Negotiate with Kenny Britt, bring him back if he agrees to play for less than $1 mil average on a short deal.
This is pretty self explanatory. Britt has a ton of potential, and he stayed healthy all year, knock on wood. He has been such a non factor that a trade would be unlikely, and Britt can now be brought back on an ultra low veteran salary. Britt is a leader on the team and a good friend to have in the locker room. He also has chemistry with Jake Locker. It's a little thing to keep him, and he's got good potential.
6. Give Chris Johnson an ultimatum: perform or you are gone.
Unless the Titans are going to go on a free agency binge, then the 8 Million Chris Johnson is due next year won't be spent any better than on a few long bomb touchdowns and explosive game changing production. Johnson's numbers were down in the run game, but they were way up receiving so far, and he'll likely pad both with upcoming games against Jacksonville and Houston, while playing for his $$$. It wouldn't be the end of the world if CJ is released, unless he signs with Indianapolis, in which case we're fucked. As long as I'm the GM I'm keeping our top jersey sale and our most exciting playmaker. I really enjoyed the three prime-time slots the Titans got this year in a tiny market.
7. Emphasize a vertical passing attack with Kendall Wright and Justin Hunter.
The Titans have found an identity ladies and gentleman. Speedy talented targets like Wright and Hunter could turn Matt Lienart into a winner every once in a while, and they need to be the focal point of the offense for the next DECADE. Delanie Walker has been a nice surprise as well.
8. Continue the work on defense to hit hard and not apologize.
This will go without saying no that Greg Williams is the head coach. I'm not worried about bountygate 2.0. The NFL has made it very clear that if Williams steps out of line just once, he will never coach again. Williams, Pollard, Casey, and Verner are the ultimate combination of fear that make the Titans playmakers.
9. Trade a late pick to Indianapolis for WKU tight end Jack Doyle.
I WANT THIS GUY. I can't exactly tell you why, but the Titans brought him in as a UDFA, and if they sign him, in combination with Delanie Walker and Taylor Thompson, the Titans could be looking at a New England Patriots 2011 type core.
There is still a ton of young talent on this team, and most of it will be sticking around next season. I'm going to assume at this point that the Titans finish out the year with wins over the Texans and Jaguars, and we finish at 7-9.
Steps to Success:
1. Fire Mike Munchak, and promote Gregg Williams to be the Head Coach.
I've been one of Munchak's biggest fans, and I still think he's a very good coach, but he hasn't shown any evidence that he can get us to the playoffs. The talented Titans have played undisciplined, and they can't win in the fourth quarter or the second half of the season. Munchak is a HoF player, a great guy, and a good offensive line coach. If we could bring him back to coach a position group, I'd be all for it. Gregg Williams, of bountygate fame, has turned 2012's NFL's worst defense into one of the best. His agressive style favors the Titans great playmakers on offense, and his promotion will ensure that defensive talents Bernard Pollard and Alteraun Verner stick around in the offseason. Munchak is going to be let go, and Williams would be the smart hire.
2. Honor Jake Locker's two year option.
Jake Locker is the best, or second best player on this team when healthy. If we let him go, there is ZERO guarantee that we will have a talented QB on the roster who gives a shot at the playoffs. That scenario would mean a wasted year in the primes of many talented players such as Jurell Casey, Chris Johnson, ATV, Akeem Ayers, and Bernard Pollard. Not utilizing the primes of those players would be down right criminal. Keeping Locker is worth the money because he's proven that he can be a franchise quarterback when healthy. If he gets injured, we're fucked, but that's ALWAYS the case when the starter goes down. Look at the Packers and Redskins this season. This point leads me to my next one though.
3. Draft a quarterback.
Fitzpatrick had maybe the best season of his career backing up Locker, and he still failed to bring an otherwise playoff bound team to the postseason. He is not a quality NFL player, he is a reserve quarterback who can make a "magical" drive happen. The Titans should draft a top quarterback in this years draft. If that player (Bridgewater, Manziel, Carr, Mettenberger, Garrapollo, Bortles), hits his upside and beats Jake Locker for the starting job, excellent! Then we trade Jake Locker and get a mid round to high pick and don't pay his 2015 salary anyway! And if Locker carries us to the playoffs, then he'll be worth that 2015 salary! It's a motherfucking win-win scenario!
4. Fire Offensive Co-Ordinator Dowell Loggains and promote WR Coach Shawn Jefferson.
Loggains is a really great guy, but at 33, he's the youngest OC in the NFL. He can't command the respect of a physically dominant team like Tennessee and he isn't he right guy for the job. I think he's a very good quarterback coach, but it was wrong for Munchak to promote him so early in his career. Shawn Jefferson has created a huge improvement in performance out of the Titans wide receivers. He's the right guy for the job.
5. Negotiate with Kenny Britt, bring him back if he agrees to play for less than $1 mil average on a short deal.
This is pretty self explanatory. Britt has a ton of potential, and he stayed healthy all year, knock on wood. He has been such a non factor that a trade would be unlikely, and Britt can now be brought back on an ultra low veteran salary. Britt is a leader on the team and a good friend to have in the locker room. He also has chemistry with Jake Locker. It's a little thing to keep him, and he's got good potential.
6. Give Chris Johnson an ultimatum: perform or you are gone.
Unless the Titans are going to go on a free agency binge, then the 8 Million Chris Johnson is due next year won't be spent any better than on a few long bomb touchdowns and explosive game changing production. Johnson's numbers were down in the run game, but they were way up receiving so far, and he'll likely pad both with upcoming games against Jacksonville and Houston, while playing for his $$$. It wouldn't be the end of the world if CJ is released, unless he signs with Indianapolis, in which case we're fucked. As long as I'm the GM I'm keeping our top jersey sale and our most exciting playmaker. I really enjoyed the three prime-time slots the Titans got this year in a tiny market.
7. Emphasize a vertical passing attack with Kendall Wright and Justin Hunter.
The Titans have found an identity ladies and gentleman. Speedy talented targets like Wright and Hunter could turn Matt Lienart into a winner every once in a while, and they need to be the focal point of the offense for the next DECADE. Delanie Walker has been a nice surprise as well.
8. Continue the work on defense to hit hard and not apologize.
This will go without saying no that Greg Williams is the head coach. I'm not worried about bountygate 2.0. The NFL has made it very clear that if Williams steps out of line just once, he will never coach again. Williams, Pollard, Casey, and Verner are the ultimate combination of fear that make the Titans playmakers.
9. Trade a late pick to Indianapolis for WKU tight end Jack Doyle.
I WANT THIS GUY. I can't exactly tell you why, but the Titans brought him in as a UDFA, and if they sign him, in combination with Delanie Walker and Taylor Thompson, the Titans could be looking at a New England Patriots 2011 type core.
There is still a ton of young talent on this team, and most of it will be sticking around next season. I'm going to assume at this point that the Titans finish out the year with wins over the Texans and Jaguars, and we finish at 7-9.