Tennessee Titans: Closing Thoughts About Season after Week 17 Win
Dec 29, 2013; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans free safety Michael Griffin (33) intercepts a pass from Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub (8) (not pictured) in the second half at LP Field. Tennessee won 16-10. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Another meaningless Week 17 game. Yawn.
The Tennessee Titans ended their 2013-14 NFL season with a 16-10 victory over the Houston Texans. That win assured Houston of the No. 1 overall pick. It assured Tennessee that they wouldn’t have a top-10 pick. The Titans will draft No. 11. Two of their divisional rivals (Jacksonville Jaguars, Texans) will draft in the top three.
Not much to say about this game. Chris Johnson had 27 carries for 127 yards. That may end up as his final game in the two-toned blue. Brett Kern had a phenomenal game where he pinned all six of his punts inside the 20-yard-line. Rob Bironas made all three of his field-goal attempts. That included a 55-yard kick. The Titans forced four turnovers.
What’s important is what happens this week. Will this game have any impact on Tommy Smith and/or Ruston Webster‘s decision to retain/fire Mike Munchak? Will management make the announcement on Black Monday (Dec. 30) or during the first week of January?
Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean shared many different and interesting observations via Twitter. Here were some of the best ones:
All indications are a decision on Mike Munchak's fate won't be made until late in wk, which could be viewed as a good sign 4 Munchak #Titans
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) December 30, 2013
My thinking is: If #Titans president/CEO Tommy Smith planned on firing him, he wouldn't wait while other teams with openings got a jump
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) December 30, 2013
If Munchak does come back, I'd expect him to try and hire Gregg Williams as his DC, instead of Jerry Gray. And it would be a popular move
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) December 30, 2013
#Titans need to find a way to bring back S Bernard Pollard. He brought accountability and toughness to a D that lacked it in 2012
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) December 30, 2013
Don't buy David Stewart or Kamerion Wimbley jerseys this offseason -- can't see either of those guys back in 2014 #Titans
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) December 30, 2013
Jake Locker fans better hope Munchak is back. He doesn't need his third OC in 4 years. Was just starting to get on track #Titans
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) December 30, 2013
I'm skeptical about Verner's chances of coming back for 2 reasons: Sensabaugh and Wreh-Wilson. Both young, talented, and cheap now #Titans
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) December 30, 2013
One of the top priorities in the draft should be right tackle. #Titans banked on David Stewart 1 year too many. He's just too banged up now
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) December 30, 2013
Nate Washington has a big $ in 2014- about $4.6 mil. But he's surrounded by affordable deals at WR. He's worth keeping for play & leadership
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) December 30, 2013
The longer Tennessee waits on Coach Munchak, the more likely he returns. Not only does waiting to fire him put Tennessee at a disadvantage but it’s completely unfair to Munchak. Teams are supposed to make immediate decisions so coaches have more time to find job openings. Jeff Fisher had to sit out the 2011 season because he was fired after everyone had set their staffs. His only option would’ve been to take a job that was far beneath him.
If Munchak stays, then don’t expect many coaching changes. Everyone knows that Munchak is a lame duck. He’s not in position to get the best available position coaches. Despite that, Munchak should strongly consider a new linebackers coach (Chet Parlavecchio). Promoting his friend from assistant special teams coach to linebackers coach…hasn’t worked out. The linebackers regressed from one season ago.
The Titans need a backup quarterback who can play behind the center. Why did they bring in Ryan Fitzpatrick if they knew he was better in a spread offense? It doesn’t fit into the run-heavy offensive style that they were using with Jake Locker, a style that was winning games when he was healthy. Live and learn.
It’s funny to look at this team and realize that many of the decisions that fans/media members questioned…were rightly questioned. Some of these include:
- Firing special teams coordinator Alan Lowry (why?)
- Promoting Lowry’s assistant (Parlavecchio) to linebackers coach (strange)
- Almost replacing Alterraun Verner with Tommie Campbell
- Keeping Rob Turner instead of Fernando Velasco
These types of decisions don’t help my confidence in this coaching staff. With all the changes they made this past offseason, this team was bound to whiff on a few, I suppose.
What do our readers think? What are your major takeaways from this Texans game and the entire season? Discuss in the comments, Twitter or Facebook.