With the draft in the rearview mirror, the Tennessee Titans are now caravanning around the state….allowing fans to get up close and personal with the rookie and veteran players. The caravan is an annual event designed to drum up excitement, as well as new season ticket holders. It has come and gone without much fanfare in recent years, but something about this one feels different…..people are actually interested.
In fact…it’s starting to feel like 2006 all over again in Tennessee.
Now, when you mention “2006” to today’s Titans fan, two things immediately come to mind. Vince Young…and his ugly divorce from the team. But if you look beyond the conclusion, you will find eerie similarities between that offseason and this one…and it should leave fans encouraged.
Let’s first take a stroll through our memory’s museum.
Coming into the 2006 season, the Tennessee Titans were at their lowest point since donning the flaming T logo. In 2005, the Titans finished 4-12…their worst season in Tennessee. The late Steve McNair was injured for most of the season, and was unceremoniously released at the end of the year. Backup qb Billy Volek threw the ball up and down the field at will, but the losses continued to mount (Mettenberger).
All of the sudden…Tennessee was in the cellar. The last hero from the glory years was also gone.
For Titans fans, it was a shock to the system. And how couldn’t it be? The team went undefeated at home their inaugural season in Nashville, pulled off the Music City Miracle, and came within a yard of forcing overtime in the Super Bowl a few weeks later. Oh, and the next season they finished with the best record in the AFC…and won on a consistent basis thereafter.
Yes, we were spoiled. So needless to say, optimism was at an all time low.
Then came the 2006 draft.
With the 3rd overall pick, Tennessee selected qb Vince Young out of the University of Texas. A master of the spread option attack. One of the most widely recognized collegiate athletes of his era.
And just like that, Tennessee had their qb, and their face of the franchise.
VY started popping up everywhere…magazine covers, video game covers, interviews of all sorts. He even had a mini series documenting his life on BET. The media blitz was mind boggling.
Titan blue was everywhere.
The fact that Young came from a spread offense sparked numerous debates on the local and national level. Everyone offering their predictions for his success. After a 4-12 season, and a combined 9-23 in 2004 and 2005, the Tennessee Titans were relevant again. And it was great for the fans. It was an awesome offseason filled with hope for brighter days.
Fast forward to the present.
Tennessee came into the 2015 season the same as they did in 06. One of the worst teams in the league…that had no qb, and no identity.
With the 2nd overall pick, the Titans selected qb Marcus Mariota out of the University of Oregon. A master of the spread option attack. One of the most widely recognized collegiate athletes of his era.
And once again…just like that…Tennessee had their qb, and their face of the franchise.
Like VY, Mariota is already starting to pop up everywhere…most recently on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
And yes, he’s rockin’ that Titan blue. It’s everywhere again.
The fact that Mariota comes from a spread offense is also sparking numerous debates on the local and national level. Everyone offering their predictions for his success…even as we speak.
And just like in 2006, optimism has been restored in Titan Town.
“But Young turned out to be a bust!”
True…but not in 2006. He was the Offensive Rookie of the Year.
It would be great for all parties involved if the offseason similarities to 06 carry over to the regular season. The 06 rookie class…which also included LenDale White, Stephen Tullock, and Cortland Finnegan, laid the foundation for the back to back playoff run that followed in 07 and 08. Tennessee finished 8-8 in 06, missing the playoffs by one game after losing to the Patriots in their season finale.
This year’s rookie class, at least on paper, looks to have a similar foundation building pedigree. I think we can universally agree that Titans fans will call an 06 type of season a success this year.
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