Tennessee Titans: Ownership’s plan is coming into focus
By P. L. Colter
Since 2014, the Tennessee Titans have endured their share of pain and suffering on the field, losing 27 of their last 32 regular season games.
That pales in comparison to the pain and suffering endured by the new ownership group in that span.
Controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk and her team of advisers have re-emerged as public enemy number one in the city of Nashville. Last week’s announcement that Mike Mularkey would be retained as head coach sent fans over the ledge.
Many of them called the Titans’ flagship radio station, 104.5 The Zone, to let Adams Strunk know that they will not be renewing their season tickets. They also threw in a few parting shots about Mularkey.
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I was disappointed as well that Tennessee didn’t expand their coaching search, but now that Mularkey’s staff has been assembled, the Titans’ plan is starting to make sense.
When Steve Underwood was named permanent president and ceo earlier this month, he stated that the new general manager and head coach would work collectively, and report to him.
Fans and local medial alike approved the hiring of Jon Robinson as the Titans new general manager. A Tennessee native, Robinson nailed his introduction press conference by concluding it with a heart-felt declaration of Tennessee pride. His track record in New England and Tampa Bay speaks for itself.
Coach Mularkey was on the staff when the nucleus of this team arrived, and has valuable insight for Robinson as they work together to rebuild this roster. Especially in an offseason where you have a franchise qb in place, the number one overall pick in the draft, and 25 million dollars of shopping money when free agency begins.
Keeping Mularkey also led to the return of assistant coach / defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau. In one season under his tutelage, the Titans went from a bottom feeder defense (27th 2014) to a borderline top ten defense this year (12th).
LeBeau was certainly no lock to return without Mularkey, as most head coaches want to hire their own staff. With most of the key contributors returning, another offseason to perfect and expand LeBeau’s concepts, and some help in the secondary, the sky is the limit for this unit in 2016.
On offense, Terry Robiskie was brought in to lead that unit, and he is someone that Mularkey enjoyed success with in Atlanta. Robiskie is also attributed to the development of Roddy White and Julio Jones, two of the Falcons’ best receivers. A great asset and knowledge base for a Titans wide receiver unit in desperate need of a makeover.
That Atlanta offense was a tough, efficient, run oriented attack when Mularkey and Robiski were there together. They also had a young franchise qb in Matt Ryan. Mariota is just as capable of blossoming to that level with the right guidance.
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Adams Strunk has preached consistency, and backed it up at every turn. She removed the interim tags from Steve Underwood and Mike Mularkey, she retained a valuable asset in Dick LeBeau, and she brought in a new person to shape the roster after having a top two pick the last two years.
We may not all like or agree with her plan, but she executed it as promised, and it’s coming into focus.