A miracle happened this week that only Tennessee Titans fans can truly appreciate. In spite of the Titans defeating the Kansas City Chiefs in the Wild Card round of the AFC Playoffs, the team still said goodbye to head coach Mike Mularkey a day after they fell to the New England Patriots 35-14 in the divisional round. It’s a 2018 miracle!
The Titans were all ready to bid Mularkey adieu after the Wild Card game, but the unthinkable happened. Andy Reid coached like playoff Andy Reid and, with Marcus Mariota running the offense with no help at all from the sidelines, Tennessee won. Amy Adams Strunk was already prepping an offer for Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels when a nightmare turn of events forced her and general manager Jon Robinson to give Mularkey a vote of support.
Mike mularkey looks like a cast member of deadleist catch who gets his whole crew killed because he wont let them fall asleep
— PFT Commenter (@PFTCommenter) January 14, 2018
That vote came with, God help them, a contract extension. The only hiccup was the organization wanted Mularkey to change up his offensive and defensive staffs, something any idiot watching the team play could see was a no-brainer. Mularkey, of course, has no brain.
Mulareky refused and the extension was pulled. Mularkey and the team “mutually agreed” to part ways and a new, more glorious dawn awaits the Tennessee Titans. Unless they hire Mike Vrabel. Come on, Adams Strunk. Not everybody in Bill Belichick’s coaching tree is made of gold.
In fact, most of his assistant coaches have been complete ass as head coaches. Romeo Crennel, Eric Mangini and Charlie Weis spring to mind. Josh McDaniels (who deserves another shot) flamed out in his first head coaching job with the Denver Broncos. Bill O’Brien, who would have gotten fired this season if the team hadn’t drafted Deshaun Watson, is legitimately the best of the bunch.
Mike Mularkey is out?! It’s Christmas for @titans fans! Credit to ownership. Mularkey saying no staff changes had to be deal breaker.
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) January 15, 2018
Steve Wilks of the Panthers makes a lot more sense to me. His defense has less talent than the one Vrabel has called the last few years in Houston, but it’s been much better. Carolina was the No. 7 ranked defense this season, allowing 317.1 yards per game. Houston had the No. 20 ranked defense, surrendering 346.6 yards per game. They gave up the most points in the league per game, 27.2. The Panthers finished at No. 11, 20.4 points per game.
Yes, J.J. Watt and Whitney Mercilus were hurt and Brian Cushing missed time on a PED suspension, but Houston still had plenty of talented players that Vrabel flatly sucked at coaching. The idea that he would be up for a head coaching job at this point is just ridiculous. Especially with guys like Wilks and Frank Reich still out there. Don’t be stupid, Titans.
Even though Titans are interviewing Mike Vrabel, I'm hearing they're going to target an offensive coach. The whole reason for firing Mularkey was he wasn't getting enough out of Mariota and the offense
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) January 15, 2018
MARCUS MARIOTA
Mariota’s numbers were down in every category for the Titans this season and I feel like Mularkey and his offensive staff are mostly to blame. For the first time in his young career, he tossed more interceptions than touchdowns (13-to-15). I believe, and so does Tennessee, that Mariota is a franchise quarterback. Saddling him with Mularkey has been a detriment to begin his career. His rookie year, Mariota finished with a 91.5 QB rating. In 2016 it was 95.6. This year it was 79.3. It’s time to switch that up.
Positive on postseason was Mariota was good in both games. (Especially when you consider the line blocking tonight.) But Titans absolutely have to remake offense & hire a new staff for him this offseason. Play calling was boring, predictable & too conservative all season long.
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) January 14, 2018
McDaniels, of course, would have been the perfect head coach to do that, but he’s likely taking Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts to the promised land. If you look at what Frank Reich has done with Carson Wentz in Philadelphia, this to me easily makes him the guy to hire. If not him, then go for John DeFilippo, the Eagles’ quarterbacks coach. The truth is, if you hire Wilks as your head coach, you can bring in DeFilippo as the offensive coordinator. That might be the best scenario.
PENDING FREE AGENTS
Tennessee has a ton of available cap space next season, even before cutting DeMarco Murray (which they will). It’s $52.961 million right now. With Murray dropped through the trap door, it shoots up to $59.461 million.
This Titans coaching staff featured DeMarco Murray and his 3 yard average all season over Derrick Henry until Murray got hurt and they were forced into a change.
— Frank Schwab (@YahooSchwab) January 7, 2018
They have the money to spend and they’ll have to spend a chunk to keep guard Josh Kline on one of the best units in the sport. Kicker Ryan Succup should be a priority as well. Other than those two guys, every other starter is still under contract.
Eric Decker could be a target to bring back, but the Titans would be smart to see who else is available in free agency and run their draft before agreeing to a return engagement. Mariota liked him a lot, but Decker had the dropsies in their last playoff game. It won’t hurt him to sit a while for that alone.
YOUNG OFFENSIVE TALENT
In addition to Mariota, coming into his fourth year, you have presumptive starting running back Derrick Henry entering his third. He started two games this season and rushed for 744 yards and five touchdowns. He caught 11 passes for 136 yards and one score.
Marcus Mariota 24 years old
Derrick Henry 23 years old
Corey Davis 23 years old
Kevin Byard 24 years old
Jack Conklin 23 years old
Taylor Lewan 26 years old
Adoree Jackson 22 years old
Logan Ryan 26 years old
Avery Williamson 25 years oldThis #Titans team ain't done just yet…
— Joe Nocco (@JoeNocco) January 14, 2018
Rishard Matthews was a steal when the team signed him as a free agent back in 2016. He’s just 28 and is coming off a 53-catch, 795 yard and four touchdown season. That’s down from his 2016 numbers, but he’s still a reliable downfield target. Rookie Corey Davis caught 34 passes for 375 yards and no touchdowns in the regular season, but he showed up big in the playoffs with nine catches for 98 yards and two touchdowns. One was a highlight of the day Sunday, a one-handed grab in the corner of the end zone. I knew Davis would have a learning curve coming out of college, but the potential is definitely there.
Fellow rookie Taywan Taylor caught 16 passes for 231 yards and a touchdown. Tennessee is loaded at tight end and while Delanie Walker isn’t young at 33, No. 2 tight end is rookie Jonnu Smith, who caught a couple of touchdowns himself this season.
If Vrabel is the guy, Tennessee won’t have to shuffle much on defense since he ran a 3-4 in Houston. If it’s Wilks, the team will convert to a 4-3 and that might open up some job opportunities for free agents on defense.
FREE AGENT TARGETS
If there is a switch to a 4-3, the Titans have the money to go after a guy like Ezekiel Ansah or Adrian Clayborn as a defensive end pass rusher. If they stick to a 3-4, Lamar Houston or Sam Acho are good edge rushers and should be much cheaper than Clayborn or Ansah.
To make a wager on any sport, go to the world famous Diamond Sportsbook by clicking here.
