Tennessee Titans: Is 2015 Ruston Websters Last Stand?
By Les Bailey
Tennessee Titans General Manager, Ruston Webster has been in charge of the last three NFL Drafts, and unless you are a die-hard fan in Music City, I challenge you to name a player other than Jake Locker who is on this team.
I’m a firm believer that there is no identity on any NFL team until said team has a franchise quarterback.
Due to frustration and injuries, even Jake Locker is no longer with the Titans organization. The former first round selection(8th overall) in 2011 has decided to retire at the ripe old age of 26.
If the embattled general manager doesn’t get it right in the 2015 NFL Draft, I’m pretty sure it will be his last. Probably the last for head coach, Ken Whisenhunt as well.
ESPN’s NFL Insider Field Yates spelled it out in an article entitled “NFL GM’s facing make-or-break drafts” (in 2015) and included Ruston Webster along with the Raiders Reggie McKenzie and others.
"There’s a talent dearth in Tennessee right now, something that can be traced to the past three drafts that were orchestrated by Webster. While the story on these draft picks remains incomplete, Webster’s 21 selections have yielded a below-average return so far, part of the reason why Tennessee owns the second pick in the forthcoming draft.Whatever Tennessee opts to do with that pick — trade it or use it on one of the coveted players in this year’s class, and possibly Oregon QB Marcus Mariota — it has to bring back some immediate utility. While the team seems open to sticking with second-year quarterback Zach Mettenberger as its starter, adding a quarterback at Pick 2 (or using it in a trade for a quarterback, as has been widely speculated upon), would be wise for a franchise that needs a player to build around. This is a franchise and fan base desperate for a turnaround, as it’s been 11 years since the team last won a postseason game."
I’m a firm believer that there is no identity on any NFL team until said team has a franchise quarterback.
Whether Zach Mettenberger is that guy, the Titans trade for a quarterback like Philip Rivers, or draft Marcus Mariota(providing the Bucs draft Jameis Winston), Ruston Webster MUST have a franchise quarterback or the makings of one when the 2015 season starts against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on September 13th.
It’s also my opinion that if there is no block-buster deal on the table when the Titans get on the clock, they need to sprint the card with Mariota’s name on it to the front of the room.
If Marcus Mariota is not the guy, they will at least have control of the Oregon star and be able to control their own fate.
This is a once-in-a-decade position for the Titans, and drafting Leonard Williams, Amari Cooper or Dante Fowler Jr. with this pick will be the beginning of the end for Ruston Webster, Ken Whisenhunt, and maybe the ownership group in Nashville.
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