Who'd have thought we'd end up here - with the top pick in the draft for the first time in my stint as a Titans backer. With only one more win than we mustered in the previous season, you'd imagine that I would be feeling just as bitter as I did this time last year. But I'm really not, and you'll find out why shortly (or you could make an inference from the header image, I guess).
Am I convinced that the Titans are better than their 3-13 record indicated? Not as a whole, no. They have more gaps to fill than the Titanic. But they have enough promising prospects here and there peppered about the roster, that with one really solid offseason, they could jump atop the weak AFC South. The opportunity is there for the taking, just ask yourself objectively: were they to somehow land Joe Thomas, Alex Mack and a strong CB in free agency, then bolster their trenches with Joey Bosa, how could they not be a threat?
Quarterback
#3 Matt Hasselbeck (2011-2012)
Matty Ice has slipped! What could this mean? And where on earth is Vince the Prince? Gadzooks...!
#2 Marcus Mariota
2015-present
All-Time Career
230-370 for 2,818 yards, 19 TDs, 10 Ints, 91.5 rating
34 rushes for 252 yards, 2 TDs, 10 fumbles, 7.4 Avg
Jump on this bandwagon while you still can kiddies, because it's going to get crowded real fast. Though it may appear presumptuous to the point of foolishness for me to anoint Mariota the real deal after only one injury-shortened season and a personal record of 3-9, but it's clear to anyone watching that this kid has it. Remember how I was drooling at the mouth about the idea of stealing Vince Young in the draft and watching him become legendary? This is the same thing, except with key intangibles that Vince lacked. Mariota is quiet, heady and determined. He will learn from his mistakes and improve his game with each season.
The biggest hurdle he faces, and it is indeed one that terrifies me, is his offensive line. They were so terrible in 2015, they couldn't even block a spambot. Mariota hit the turf 38 times officially, and countless times beyond that without the ball in his hands. This is simply unacceptable. David Carr never got a chance to succeed in the NFL because of dismal protection stunting his growth, and if the same were to happen to Mariota, it could be a deal breaker for me. I wouldn't jump teams, of course, but the Titans would find themselves at the back of the Tony fandom line, reserved for such oddities as Liverpool and the Sydney Swans.
To put it simply: DO NOT MESS THIS UP, TENNESSEE. My occasional merchandise dollars depend on it!!
#1 Steve McNair (1995-2005)
Hello Mac, my old friend. You look down on us from the heavens, smiling warmly and shaking your head at this hapless little team you so loved. Then, you probably crash into something and break three bones, but shrug it off anyway. That's just the kind of fella you are.
Running Back
#3 Chris Johnson (2008-2013)
#2 Chris Brown (2003-2007)
#1 Eddie George (1996-2003)
Strangely enough, though these rankings are populated entirely by guys who no longer have any relevance to the success of the Titans (unless CJ gashes them when they play Arizona), they are more fluid and evolving than you'd think. I am actually liking Johnson better in hindsight than I have in prior years, further removed from his grotesque verbal skills and more fondly remembering the way he would gallop across the field. Maybe he'll grab the second spot back from Chris Brown soon, who in all honesty is more beloved for his Madden contributions than anything he actually did in real life. Meanwhile, steady Eddie becomes more of a favourite for me with each passing day. He's on Broadway now, man. Eddie, you are the freaking KING.
Fullback
#1 Ahmard Hall (2006-2011)
Nothing to report here. Just a badass dude who deserves recognition for his solid contributions over the years. With the fullback position being reduced more and more each year, I wouldn't be surprised if he hangs onto his spot for a long time yet.
Wide Receiver
#5 Tyrone Calico (2003-2005)
#4 Kendall Wright (2012-present)
#3 Nate Washington (2009-2014)
#2 Derrick Mason (1997-2004)
#1 Drew Bennett (2001-2006)
Meh. This could have been an opportunity for Kendall to leapfrog Nate, but alas, there wasn't enough success on the field to warrant it. Kendall is built more like a slot guy than a true #1 receiver; if he were properly utilised he could really do some damage. Down in the 5 hole, Tyrone Calico sees another threat approaching - the unknown Dorial Green-Beckham. Could he be the next big thing in Tennessee? Or another uber-talented guy who couldn't put it together, not unlike Calico himself? Hard to say, really. Fun fact: though Drew is locked in at #1 in the Tony's Titans rankings, were I to actually field this team competitively, Mason would be the go-to guy. D-Mase quietly eked out a really fantastic career, and nobody really noticed for some reason.
Tight End
#2 Erron Kinney (2000-2006)
#1 Frank Wycheck (1995-2003)
So Delanie Walker puts together the most prolific season for a tight end in Titans history, yet still can't breach the compound? How is this fair, exactly? The answer is simple: it doesn't have to be. Maybe one more season and some actual success in the W-L column will be enough to stamp his ticket. In my defence, I actually really like all of the guys I mentioned last year (Cook, Crumpler and Troupe), whereas Walker hasn't endeared himself to me in the same way somehow. If you don't like it, make your own damn rankings!! ...And link to my blog please, because I need the clickz.
Tackle
#4 Jon Runyan (1996-1999)
#3 David Stewart (2005-2013)
#2 Michael Roos (2005-2014)
#1 Brad Hopkins (1993-2005)
Your time will come, Taylor Lewan. Just keep on keepin' on, and you will know the glory and majesty that is Tony's Titans rankings (an illustrious place in history that has contained such luminaries as Roydell Wiliams and Lamont Thompson). Much like Delanie Walker, Lewan is a viable building block towards success, but without collecting actual victories, he falls short. Call me a hypocrite for not applying this same stigma to Mariota, if you will, but I just love the guy that much. So much so that he's actually one of only four players that I've ever bought a jersey for (the others being McNair, George and a little-known special teamer named Anthony Cocking. Yes, I'm that lame).
Guard
#4 Jacob Bell (2004-2007)
#3 Jake Scott (2008-2011)
#2 Benji Olson (1998-2007)
#1 Bruce Matthews (1983-2001)
For a third straight time, I must allude to the possibility of a new entrant in the near future, this time in the form of Chance Warmack. He shed a lot of weight last offseason and looked to take the leap, but somehow, he just... didn't. Whether the poor performance of the line as a whole has sullied his image, or if he simply couldn't put it together as I had hoped, he's definitely stalled. I can entirely see a future (perhaps the one I alluded to with Thomas and Mack) where Warmack jumps straight into third place, but we'll have to wait and see. Also, how fantastic would it be to have Mack and Warmack on the same team? Like Alex is Mack, and Chance is the Mack of War?!
Center
#2 Kevin Matthews (2010-2012, 2013)
#1 Kevin Mawae (2006-2009)
I really don't like having Kevin Matthews in my rankings, if we're being honest. I love him simply because he is a Matthews, and his presence merely makes my rankings look pitiful. Have you ever googled Kevin Matthews? He's so anonymous that most articles are actually about a serial killer. I don't think that's him. Anyway, Kevin Mawae was such a beast for Tennessee, I've somehow convinced myself that he was actually there during the glory years of the late 90s and early 00s. Take that, Justin Hartwig!
Defensive End
#4 Kenny Holmes (1997-2000)
#3 Kevin Carter (2001-2004)
#2 Kyle Vanden Bosch (2005-2009)
#1 Jevon Kearse (1999-2003, 2008-2009)
On that note, I'm so glad the DE rankings actually resemble a real, credible thing. Two solid contributors in Holmes and Carter, led by the beasts that were KVB and Kearse - two very different types of players who got results.
Defensive Tackle
#3 Albert Haynesworth (2002-2008)
#2 Tony Brown (2006-2010)
#1 Jurrell Casey (2011-present)
Wowsers trousers! Jurrell's done it at long last, not only using a swim move to surpass Albert Haynesworth, but bull rushing Tony Brown to the ground en route to the #1 ranking he truly deserves. It shouldn't be that much of a surprise, I guess, if you've been reading this blog. Casey made an appearance most recently in my top 10 favourite current athletes, it was bound to translate to results in the rankings. Welcome home, Jurrell. I hope now you can get the recognition you really deserve for quite honestly being one of the most dominant d-linemen in the league.
Outside Linebacker
#4 Derrick Morgan (2010-present)
All-Time Career
215* combined tackles, 27.5 sacks, 5 forced fumbles, 20 deflections
Honestly, Derrick Morgan probably deserved to have made this list much earlier, but unfortunately I had such high expectations when he was drafted that he could scarcely live up to the hype. He slogged mightily in the trenches as a DE before the 3-4 shift, and now exists as an entirely solid OLB. He hit the shelf too early last year, but prior to that, he was a useful piece of a pretty good defence. If the Titans are to turn a corner next season, Morgan will definitely be a big reason, and the fact that he re-signed with Tennessee helps his cause, too. The only question mark is whether the rest of the backers can play up to his standard?
#3 Peter Sirmon (2000-2006)
#2 David Thornton (2006-2010)
#1 Keith Bulluck (2000-2009)
Just some good ol' boys who did some good ol' football. Keith Bulluck remains immortal.
Inside Linebacker
#3 Avery Williamson (2014-present)
#2 Randall Godfrey (2000-2002)
#1 Stephen Tulloch (2006-2010)
Well, shucks. I guess there really isn't much to say here. Williamson's sophomore season was unspectacular; the most noteworthy thing he did was the Hotline Bling dance after sacking Cam Newton. Newton later did a TD celebration dance that Williamson did not like. Newton is now bound for the Super Bowl, and I can't imagine Williamson liking that very much, either.
Cornerback
#5 Jason McCourty (2009-present)
#4 Andre Dyson (2001-2004)
#3 Alterraun Verner (2010-2013)
#2 Cortland Finnegan (2006-2011)
#1 Samari Rolle (1998-2004)
More of the same, really. McCourty gets knicked up, and the rest of the cornerbacks look like fools, by and large. While we're talking about the Panthers making the big dance, actually, let's give props to my man Cortland Finnegan: he is the biggest reason I will be cheering for Carolina to win. Because after all, I'm not one of these guys who gets bitter about guys running for greener pastures. Chris Bosh played his heart out for atrocious teams in Toronto, then finally took his rings with the Heat. Good on you, Chris Bosh! Munenori Kawasaki is on his way to Chicago, so of course, if the Jays aren't in the World Series, I hope the Cubs can take it all - Mune's celebration alone would make it worth it. I'd even be happy for Vince Carter to claim the title, as long as it isn't with Memphis.
Free Safety
#2 Vincent Fuller (2005-2010)
#1 Marcus Robertson (1991-2000)
Vincent Fuller was a backup to Michael Griffin. I liked him better. Daimion Stafford is a backup to Michael Griffin. I like him better, too. I hope he gets more playing time next season, I think they've really got something there.
Strong Safety
#2 Chris Hope (2006-2011)
#1 Blaine Bishop (1993-2001)
Of course, the issue is that Stafford actually plays strong safety, officially. So he's really the backup to DaNorris Searcy, who I like better than Michael Griffin, too. Poor Michael Griffin, I don't know why I dislike him so much - I guess it's just been too many years of maddening mistakes. Including some missed tackles when I was playing Madden - which you could call Maddening mistakes, if you were so inclined.
Kicker
#1 Rob Bironas (2005-2013)
Remember when Bironas kicked eight field goals against the Texans? That's either an awesome indication of how good he was, or a sad reminder of how pathetic the offense was in actually finishing drives. Either way, Bironas rocked.
Punter
#1 Craig Hentrich (1998-2009)
Like seriously, Craig is a punter, yet ranked in at #11 when I pitted all of the Titans against each other. That's some serious shit, man.
Head Coach
#1 Jeff Fisher (1994-2010)
Because he's certainly not Mike Mularkey.
Favourite Game
Steelers 14, Titans 31 (December 21, 2008)
Week 1 against the Buccaneers this year is also a contender, you know.
Tony's Year
- DISCONTINUED -
Because like we established last year, a guy like Kevin Matthews accounts for as much of a vote as Steve McNair, and that's just silly. Plus it was a pain in the ass to crunch the numbers. My guess is that the winner was probably still 2006, or something.
...Here's another picture of Marcus Mariota for your enjoyment.
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