Tony's Titans: Special Teams

After what has surely been a roller coaster of an undertaking, today we reach the final installment of my favourite Titans from 2002-today. As such, you won't have to hear that phrase anymore. I'm tempted to repeat it multiple times to stretch its shelf life, but I'll refrain.

Now we look at the only men in football who actually use their feet on the ball. They bring the sport that much closer to authentic 'football'. And no, I don't mean soccer. Though sometimes their theatrical flops to gain a penalty is akin to the pathetic tumbling of that lesser sport...

But I digress. First, we take a look at the kicker. Careful, he kicks!

#1 Rob Bironas
2005-present

All-Time Career
160 of 187 FG (85.6%), long of 60, 205 of 207 XP (99.0%)
458 kickoffs for 29,962 yards, avg 65.4, 83 TB

Come on. It's a gimme. The only other kickers I've known for this franchise were Joe Nedney, who was on his way out by the time I'd arrived, and Gary Anderson.

Gary Anderson was indeed one of the greatest kickers of all time, but nowhere near as prolific for the Titans. He does however nab the unlisted second place position for one okay year with us, plus his Randy Moss-like mystique.

I've been a Bironas backer for a while now. I'm pleased as punch with him as our kicker, and the only time I wasn't pulling for him was when he was fighting for a roster spot. My money was on Ola Kimrin, the Swede who technically owns the record for longest ever field goal, a 65-yard bomb in a preseason game.

Bironas beat Kimrin out in camp, and though I felt sad to see the possibly record-setting kicking of Kimrin depart, what I got in return was one of the league's very best, who has himself made the record books.

Though statistics often don't show the whole story, Bironas' almost certainly do. Nearly 86% success rate, a game-winning long of 60 (against the Colts!!), and the most field goals in a single game. Eight. I mean, come on!

That last one might be one of the most futile records to hold (along with most punts, or most turnovers against), but it's ours dammit, and we have Rob to thank, along with our anemic offense.

Speaking of anemic offense, we featured one fairly often. As such, I became well-acquainted with my all-time favourite punter...

#1 Craig Hentrich
1998-2009

Titans Career
861 punts for 36,926 yards (32,084 net), 42.9 avg, 78 long, 295 in 20, 95 TB
412 kickoffs for 25,035, avg 60.8, 42 TB

All-Time Career
1,150 punts for 49,281 yards (42,456 net), 42.9 avg, 78 long, 399 in 20, 142 TB
559 kickoffs for 34,367, avg 61.5, 57 TB

In the turmoil that has been my fandom over the last nine years, there was always one constant. And really, I can't think of a more appropriate way to cap off my list of favourite Titans than with Craig Hentrich, who up until last season, went into each season locked in as our punter.

As the faces around him changed, Hentrich just kept coming into work and doing his job. And he did his job well, hence sticking around with the Titans for a very long time. Meanwhile, Green Bay have struggled to replace him ever since they cut him all those years ago.

It's unfortunate how being a punter basically encapsulates the failure of your team. He's like a bright pink inflatable life jacket. You're embarrassed that you have to rely on him, but he's there to save your life when you would have otherwise drowned. So unless your name is Brian Moorman, people aren't usually happy to see you take the field.

I've already expressed my discontent for the apathy directed towards punters, but I love 'em. I would have been happy to wear a Craig Hentrich jersey, if it didn't suggest feelings of futility about the rest of the roster.

I'm immensely happy that Hentrich was able to take home a Super Bowl ring (back with the Pack), and I was sad to see him go, but Brett Kern has picked up the slack, and I look forward to a decade of service with him. And possibly some fake plays by A.J. Trapasso in the preseason. Seriously, that was awesome.

Tony's Titans: Safeties

There's a lot that rides on the term 'safety'. One dictionary describes it as 'The condition or state of being safe; freedom from danger or hazard; exemption from hurt, injury, or loss.'

Which is funny in one instance of football, where having a safety recorded against you is the antithesis to that description. I can't think of much that's less safe than having your ball carrier slammed mercilessly to the turf in your own endzone. And you know for sure it's merciless, because everyone on that defence wants to score that elusive safety.

It is much more appropriate in the other instance, of the free and strong safeties. Because often enough, you need them for just that. Safety.

Without them, you're watching 70% of passes whizzing over your head, or running backs breaking through the front seven with nothing standing between the endzone. With them, you can turn the tables and lay the wood, or at least prevent the big gain. Unless you're a Titans fan, in which case you'll often see the former happen, even with them on the field.

We've had a fair few head through the revolving door since 2002. Who makes my list? Be prepared to be shocked. Hold your noses, for we're heading into smelly territory...

We begin with the free safeties. Why? Because they're free, of course!

#2 Lamont Thompson
2003-2006

Titans Career
236 combined tackles, 1.0 sack, 2 forced fumbles, 11 deflections, 8 interceptions (91 yards, 1 TD)

All-Time Career
259 combined tackles, 1.0 sack, 2 forced fumbles, 11 deflections, 9 interceptions (95 yards, 1 TD)

Is your mind boggled yet? Are you burning down Tony-shaped effigies? Has seeing the dreadlocked visage of Lamont appropriately filled you with dread?

Allow me to explain, if I possibly can. Also, how is a Tony-shaped effigy different from any other person?

To be frank, Vincent Fuller really should be here in this spot. I mentioned before, I think Fuller is the most under-appreciated and consistent player on the Titans' current defence. I remember the period of three games in 2009 where he was injured. The moment he came back, I said to myself, wow, I never realised how important Fuller is.

He got demoted last year, through no particular fault of his own, and I feel guilty mirroring that demotion on my list. My reason is unfair, but simple.

There was a period in 2004 where Lamont Thompson was my boy. Yes, the same Lamont Thompson who was a second round draft pick the Bengals cut after only one season. Yes, the same Lamont Thompson who was routinely on highlight reels, chasing a defender into the endzone, before throwing his arms into the air in confusion. Indeed, the same Lamont Thompson whose very mention causes chafing amongst the Titans community the likes of which is usually reserved for Pacman Jones, or Nick Harper.

You must realise, these were the fledgling days of my Titans fandom, confusing and prickly, like awkward teenage years. (Come to think of it, they were awkward teenage years. Most appropriate!) Titans coverage was, and still is really, hard to come by, so on the rare occasion where I could catch a glimpse of a Titans game, it weighed in mightily on my impressionable young mind.

That glimpse came in week 5 of the 2004 season, against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.

Both teams were struggling unexpectedly to open their season, and this Monday night showdown seemed crucial at the time. And though the Titans were sharp in a decisive 48-27 victory, the man who stood out was Lamont Darnell Thompson. 5 tackles, 1 assist, 2 deflections, 2 picks for 31 yards and a forced fumble.

I was sold.

Lamont went onto great things the rest of the season, going to the Pro Bowl and being a crucial member of the Titans' defence. He was rewarded with his efforts with a championship in Super Bowl XXXIX, a commanding 21-61 victory over the San Francisco 49ers.

At least, that was the case in my Madden season. If only life were more like that Madden season. If it were, we would have seen championships won by McNair, Mason, Rolle and Akbar Gbaja-Biamila.

Alas. Also, I have an inkling that this might be the longest player description of all. This is mighty suspect. In all fairness though, I suppose I don't get many chances to talk about my former Lamont Thompson fandom. A part of me likes to think his legacy lives on in Chris Johnson, primarily because he is also #28 and has dreadlocks.

...Right.

#1 Michael Griffin
2007-present

All-Time Career
314 combined tackles, 2.0 sacks, 6 forced fumbles, 37 deflections, 15 interceptions (228 yards, 1 TD)

Will you forgive me now? I hardly forgive myself.

Though he had a massive setback in 2009, Griffin has otherwise been one of our best defensive players, a game-changing safety whose first round selection surprised me back in '07, and has otherwise satisfied me since then.

2010 was a busy year for Griff, who suddenly ascended to a leadership role. And in my book, he did great, forcing fumbles, picking off passes and flying around the field like the Griffin of old. Of miscellaneous credit, he was also the one who tried to stop Vince Young from walking out on his team, chasing Vince out into the parking lot in little more than his jocks. You could say that part of this was due to his Longhorns association, but Bo Scaife shares that link. He wasn't out there, was he?

Griffin has been everything I had hoped for from Lamont Thompson. He can make a difference and turn the tables. He's also got dreadlocks and an awesome surname, which is very important if you want to get a mention on this vaunted list.

About the only thing I don't like is his number. The only repeating numeral I like in football is 99.

You know what? Looking at those facts there, I renounce the claim that this list is in any way 'vaunted'. What a train wreck it has turned out to be.

So let's see if we can stop the bleeding by moving onto strong safeties I like. On the plus side, there are no dreadlocks to be found. Unfortunately however, the name game doth continue. Tarry, rash wanton!

#2 Myron Rolle
2010-present

No NFL statistics. Imaginary statistics pending.

Back in 2005, I was paying attention to the NFL draft for the first time. I read the draft books, I scoured through the list of prospective college players, and I concluded that the popular opinion was the correct one: the Tennessee Titans would draft a cornerback.

And I knew exactly who it was, too. He was a shutdown corner, productive through his college career, and a first round lock.

His name was Antrel Rolle.

Oops. My reasons were quite juvenile. I thought the Miami Hurricanes had a pretty slick-looking uniform, and who could be better in replacing Samari Rolle than a man with the same surname? Perhaps he'd even don the same number, allowing us to stretch the value on our Samari jerseys by another five years or so?

Instead, we went Pacman. He outperformed Antrel as a cornerback in his short Titans span, but failed mightily as a human being. Plus, Antrel would get the last laugh, having a much better overall career at safety.

In the 2010 draft, there was a lot of hype surrounding a kid called Myron Rolle. I was on the bandwagon, and you all know why.

Beyond that though, Myron's another human interest story, the kind I love. I mean, for crying out loud, he earnt an M.Sc. in medical anthropology at Oxford. What's not to like about him? He's also one of the more pleasant Titans to follow on Twitter, his thoughts coming across as much more legible.

Will Myron make the cut and become a productive Titan? Who knows. Robert Johnson seems to be more likely to ascend into an active role, and Rolle might not ever get past the practice squad.

But frankly, if he turns out to be nothing more than a good special teamer, I'll just be happy to have him on the team. He's one of those guys you want to succeed, and you're just glad to have him around. If only Colt Brennan could have played special teams in Tennesee, my world would be complete.

#1 Chris Hope
2006-present

Titans Career
430 combined tackles, 4.0 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 33 deflections, 15 interceptions (259 yards, 1 TD)

All-Time Career
665 combined tackles, 4.0 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, 38 deflections, 19 interceptions (360 yards, 1 TD)

I bet you were expecting to see Tank Williams here? In actuality, he was originally slated for the slot Myron Rolle occupied, but Tank gave me little more than a few good games and a cool nickname (real name was actually Clevan). I asked myself, who do I actually like more? The answer was Myron.

Anyhow, Chris Hope gets a lot of fingers pointed at him nowadays for being a liability in coverage, and be that as it may, I see it as reasonable wear and tear on a guy who has been nothing short of a thumper for us for five seasons.

And frankly, he was a steal to begin with. He had only been starting for two years in Pittsburgh, so he lacked the wear and tear of a longtime starter, while still possessing all of the know how of his four years of league experience. He came onto the scene in Tennessee with a bang, opening his Titans career in '06 with 121 combined tackles, 5 interceptions for 105 yards and a touchdown.

It's unfortunate to see the fanbase turn on him so quickly as he's just been another poor piece of a flawed Titans machine over the last few seasons, but it's nothing new. Same thing happened to Kerry Collins. Eddie Murphy once expressed his fear of the term 'what have you done for me lately?', and Titans players should feel the same.

Hope's days may be numbered, but I for one certainly appreciated his efforts. Plus, by using the particular picture I did, I managed to sneak in an appearance by Fuller. Sweet.

Tony's Titans: Cornerbacks

NFL draft over, Greg Salas is not a Titan. We mourn, but we move on. In fact, we move onto the group that find themselves opposing receivers like Salas. I refer, of course, to my favourite Titans cornerbacks from 2002 to today.

I'm still repeating that 2002 shtick. Yeah, don't worry, I'm getting sick of hearing it too, but we only have to wade through it for another three or four entries. Soldier on, my legion, soldier on...

#5 Chris Carr
2008

Titans Career
31 combined tackles, 5 deflections, 1 interception (0 yards)
67 returns for 1,307 yards, 52 long, 19.5 Avg

All-Time Career
190 combined tackles, 1.5 sacks, 7 forced fumbles, 21 deflections, 6 interceptions (137 yards, 1 TD)
394 returns for 7,201 yards, 62 long, 18.3 Avg

Chris Carr is a unique bit of favouritism on my part in the sense that I was on a very sparsely populated bandwagon before he arrived in Tennessee, and by the end of 2008, everyone was sold on Carr as being a solid offseason acquisition.

His main asset was as a return man, a position that had been miserably lacking since Derrick Mason left town. He wasn't the electric kind of returner who would bust the long one for a TD, but he was wonderfully consistent. Whereas we had been suffering from poor starting position pre-Carr, with him on board we were finally seeing less field between us and the endzone.

Throw in his occasional work as a cornerback, a stint that featured a game-sealing pick against the Jaguars, and he was an all-around, solid contributor to our 13-3 season.

Of course, it meant marvelous bragging rights for me, a Carr fan since his 100-yard pick six against the Steelers in '06, back when he was a Raider. Put simply, Carr came to us cheap, and paid off big.

Tragically, it was a short-lived marriage. Carr jumped ship to Baltimore the very next year, supposedly under the pretense of more time at DB, and the Titans' return game returned to mediocrity.

Indeed, poor return skills cost us at least one game in '09, primarily at the hands of my boy from Hawaii, Ryan Mouton. In case you were wondering, he won't be appearing on this list.

I mean, he's #6, but that's beyond the point.

As far as a return man goes now, however? In Marc Mariani we trust!

#4 Alterraun Verner
2010-present

All-Time Career
101 combined tackles, 1 forced fumbles, 11 deflections, 3 interceptions (41 yards)

This one is part Verner the player, and part Verner the person.

The result of a fourth round pick we got for sending LenDale White and Kevin Vickerson to Seattle, Verner the burner was thrust into action far earlier than expected due to injuries decimating the secondary.

For his part, he did admirably, providing some excellent highlight reel moments. Of course, the pinnacle was an interception against the Cowboys that he nearly took in for a touchdown.

The other aspect that makes me a Verner fan, as aforementioned, is how cool the dude is. He's humble, hard-working, and by far, the most interactive Titan I have ever seen. He answers pretty much any questions fans send his way, and writes articles mid-season, reflecting on games and his performance. Frankly, he's just the kind of guy you want to succeed. He's everything as a person that Pacman Jones wasn't, and we love him for it.

Will he ascend to a full-time starting role? He nabbed time in the slot from Vincent Fuller last year, though I personally believe that Fuller is possibly the most consistent and underrated member of our defence, and Verner should only get better.

We tend to have a rookie cornerback we fall in love with every year. In the case of Cortland Finnegan, it turns out well. In the case of Reynaldo Hill, oopsie.

#3 Andre Dyson
2001-2004

Titans Career
223 combined tackles, 1.0 sack, 3 forced fumbles, 44 deflections, 16 interceptions (260 yards, 3 TDs)

All-Time Career
317 combined tackles, 1.0 sack, 4 forced fumbles, 61 deflections, 22 interceptions (329 yards, 4 TDs)

Ranking the lesser-known Dyson brother here might seem like more unjust favouritism, but even I was surprised by how solid Andre's stats were.

Andre was never more than a number 2 cornerback, but last time I checked, there was almost always two receivers on the field, so it's still a starting position, just like the 10 other guys out there on defence.

His many deflections and interceptions (a muscular six in '04, with 135 return yards to boot) may have been the result of frequent targeting by QBs too afraid to throw in the direction of Samari Rolle, but stats are stats, bro. Don't hate.

#2 Cortland Finnegan
2006-present

All-Time Career
398 combined tackles, 5.0 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 57 deflections, 13 interceptions (349 yards, 3 TDs)

Some call him dirty. Others call him feisty. We're just glad to call him ours.

The product of small school Samford and a seventh-round pick, Finnegan brings intensity and tenacity on every play. Like many fans, I generally prefer a thumper to a finesse guy (see: George > Johnson), so Finnegan's play style is right up my alley. Teams hate playing against him, and in his career, he's quickly ascended to the league's top defensive backs, albeit with a year or two of setbacks.

Is he dirty? Oh yeah, probably. Does he get burned sometimes, targeted for his attitude, and flagged for dumb penalties? You know it. But does he bring everything he's got on every down, causing frustration and vexation for his opponent? Hell yes.

And frankly, if Finnegan needs to be a jerk on the field in order to maintain his high level of play, then I definitely say he should keep it up. We've seen enough players come and go who lack attitude, Finnegan is a breath of fresh air who might never change, and probably shouldn't.

Plus, off the field, he's another anti-Pacman. Always a winning quality!

#1 Samari Rolle
1998-2004

Titans Career
162* combined tackles, 8.5 sacks, 39 deflections, 23 interceptions (349 yards, 1 TD)

All-Time Career
298* combined tackles, 9.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 69 deflections, 31 interceptions (425 yards, 1 TD)

* Tackles since 2001

Accuse me of flip-flopping on my previous slander on finesse guys if you must, but the fact remains that Samari Rolle was probably the best Titans cornerback of all, and one of the top five, at least, in franchise history.

The dude was as close to a lock down corner as I've seen on this team; fast, athletic and smart. He was one half of the heartbreaking '05 offseason purge with Derrick Mason, and honestly, when the Ravens made a playoff push in 2006, I have to admit that I was hoping for them to win it all.

After all, if my Titans couldn't qualify for the post-season, why shouldn't I cheer for three of the most beloved pieces of my past in Rolle, Mason and Steve McNair? Especially when you consider the end result: a Colts victory in Super Bowl XLI.

Tragic ending, and Rolle's deteriorating health finally took him out of action after the 2009 season. To his credit, cornerback is definitely a young man's position, and he was able to play in a starting role for ten seasons, eleven years and 148 games in total.

It's certainly more games than I could have played, and I'm twelve years younger than him. Damn side more picks than I would have managed, as well, though I figure I could grab at least three if I was playing Rex Grossman. Just a thought.