Tennessee Titans: Taylor Lewan sparks new attitude era
By P. L. Colter
When the Tennessee Titans selected Taylor Lewan 11th overall in last year’s draft, fans scratched their heads. Lewan was a great left tackle at Michigan, but Nashville is smack-dab in the middle of SEC country.
Nobody followed him locally, so nobody cared.
Plus, he’s an offensive lineman, and they are all perceived as Neanderthals. Not exactly what fans had in mind for an identity makeover. Tennessee packaged Lewan as an investment for the future, but fans were looking for a splash player with a pick that high. Not a backup left tackle.
I guess the Titans’ brass knew what Michigan followers knew all along, that Taylor Lewan is not only a good left tackle…but he’s as splashy as they come.
On the field, Lewan plays with bad intentions. I watched every one of his collegiate games his four years at Michigan, and I never once saw him take it easy on an opponent. Win, lose, tie, Lewan will fight. During the play, after the play, whenever.
He’s also not afraid of the microphone, and will speak his mind with no filter. Last month, Lewan told Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean…
“I don’t think I’ve ever had an issue with being outspoken; it’s kind of my personality,”
Key word…personality. Something the Titans have lacked for years.
Oct 26, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans tackle Taylor Lewan (77) grapples with Houston Texans linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (90) during the first half at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports
Sometimes though, Lewan’s feistiness can get him in trouble on the field, like his crucial personal foul penalty early in the season against Cleveland. He was retaliating from a cheap shot taken at Jake Locker. The penalty swung momentum back to the Browns.
Like I said, during the play, after the play, whenever.
Lewan’s outspoken personality can also get him into trouble off the field. He’s still clarifying comments that he made about Marcus Mariota being drafted over Zach Mettenberger.
If you’ve ever heard Lewan in an interview, then you know that he’s always entertaining. He can go off topic from sports. He’s media gold.
And his new qb just happens to be a media darling. A match made in identity heaven.
Mariota’s rookie season will garner unprecedented press for Tennessee, and more media means more Lewan quotes, and more Lewan quotes means…well lets just say expect the unexpected.
With so many rookies on offense, Lewan’s presence will loom large, as it did at Michigan. I can not predict at this point if there will be improvement on offense, but I can assure you that they’ll have attitude this season….especially up front.
Lewan won’t have it any other way. He will call you out.
A young golden boy qb, behind a physical and nasty young offensive line, makes for league perception that Titans fans can sink their teeth into.
The attitude era is upon us, and Taylor Lewan is leading the way.