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Tennessee Titans: It’s Time to Move On

By Les Bailey

Jan 18, 2016; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans president Steve Underwood (left) during a press conference with new head coach Mike Mularkey (center) and new general manager Jon Robinson (right) at Saint Thomas Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 18, 2016; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans president Steve Underwood (left) during a press conference with new head coach Mike Mularkey (center) and new general manager Jon Robinson (right) at Saint Thomas Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /
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I can honestly say, that like most Tennessee Titans fans, I was disappointed with the effort that was put into the search for new people who will be tasked with moving this team to the next level and back to relevance in the National Football League, but it’s time to move on.

After promising fans a list of 155 candidates who could fill their openings for a head coach and general manager, the interview team which consisted of managing owner, Amy Adams Strunk, President Steve Underwood, Kenneth Adams IV and Vin Marino only spoke with six general manager candidates and four head coaching candidates.

Although most fans were disappointed that interim head coach Mike Mularkey was brought back for another season, they were excited with the hiring of former Tampa Bay Buccaneers director of player personnel Jon Robinson as the new general manager who would replace Ruston Webster who’s contract was not renewed after the completion of the 2015 season.

I was not thrilled with the team hiring Mike Mularkey as the new head coach, but what’s done, is done, and I am ready to turn my attention to the future.

Mularkey’s 18-39 record as a head coach is not impressive, but the one thing that was missing from this team last year was playmakers(especially of offense) and I am excited to see how new general manager Jon Robinson is going to fix that problem.

Robinson spent twelve years with the New England Patriots and can bring that mindset to a team which is devoid of talent throughout the roster and indicated in the Monday press conference that he has complete control of the 53-man roster in Music City.

Mularkey said in the same press conference that he will be making some schematic changes to the offensive system and it will be something that Marcus Mariota  is already familiar with, only simpler.

Mariota has already underwent a coaching change in his rookie season after Ken Whisenhunt was fired, so I look at the retention of Mike Mularkey as a positive step for a young quarterback who is in the developmental stages of his NFL career.

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After all, Underwood called Mularkey the “quarterback whisperer” in the Monday presser so we should see great things from Mariota in 2016 if they can find some offensive line talent to keep him on his feet.

Along with some playmakers, the Titans need to do something with the offensive line that will guarantee some safety for Mariota.

I’m not convinced that continuing to draft offensive linemen is the answer to the problem. Mularkey will have a chance to hire his own staff, and hiring a top-notched offensive line coach will do as much to improve the running game and protect Marcus than more kids who are not ready to play in the NFL.

So as fans, we know three things after the Monday press conference.

  1. The Tennessee Titan are not for sale.
  2. Mike Mularkey will be the head coach in 2016
  3. Jon Robinson will be the general manager in 2016

The way I look at it, “it is what it is” and it’s time to accept that and move on. It’s time to get behind this team and see what free agency and the 2016 NFL Draft can do moving forward.

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