Looking back at what was penned on BC Sports three years ago is an experience both fond and revealing. There've been some great columns submitted over the history of the section, but it also reminds me: Christ, have I really been doing this for three years? Well, no. The answer is four.
Back in 2006 on this humble site, the consummate David Mazzotta presaged the Tennessee Titans' playoff chances, who began 0-5 and was at the time 5-7:
There is an outside chance that they win out the year ... and turn Jeff Fisher from lame duck to Coach of the Year candidate. That would be the story of the year.
Sadly, it didn't happen. They won all but their final game, ending 8-8, and a supernatural season became mortal. They would have been the first 0-5 team to reach the postseason.
The 2009 flavor of the Titans began an extra foot deeper in the port-a-john, 0-6. That's when Jeff Fisher wore the Peyton Manning jersey at a fundraiser, and everybody had assumed it was a D-Fens-esque emotional snap. He's lost it. He's finished. He's milking the rest of the season which, as a man so tenured in the NFL the last job he interviewed for was with the Houston Oilers, he's dutifully earned. But instead, the Titans are 5-6 and a game behind the last Wild Card spot. Admittedly, so are about 47 other teams.
Okay, so maybe it wasn't the Manning jersey that changed the Titans' fortune. Otherwise you'd have seen Charlie Weis in a Tim Tebow get-up long ago. Maybe it was the respite. The bye week split the six losses and five wins. Or perhaps it was the man who supplanted Kerry Collins at quarterback, Vince Young. (Speaking of people who were assumed to be finished.) While not instrumental in the late great surge in 2006, he is the current reason, especially considering his part in the only-happens-in-movies 99-yard drive to beat the Cardinals on Sunday.
Article comments
1 - Jay Skipworth
What about the rumors circulating that the Titans will try to deal Vince Young to the open market because of his resurgence to gain draft picks/other players to repair the defense?
2 - Matthew T. Sussman
Oh, that doesn't sound like a good plan. Unless the Bears want to do that.
3 - El Bicho
but then who would the Titans deal to help the offense? That makes no sense
4 - Matthew T. Sussman
Neither does Kyle Orton's or Cedric Benson's success this year.
5 - Baritone
I think the Titans have inexplicably risen to the status of dark horse in the AFC. It would seem that they must win out to have a shot at a wild card, but perhaps not. Their return from apparent oblivion has been quietly miraculous. If they in fact DO make the playoffs, who would want to play them?
At any rate, Vince Young has to be looked at as the current savior of the franchise. The upcoming Colts game will be interesting. Young has always given the Colts fits. His elusiveness has often confounded the Colt defense. He is a far more effective passer than he seems to get credit for. For the Colts, the trick will be to get to him. If they can put him on the ground enough times, then things should go their way. But, that's a big if.
Should the Titans get by Indy, their remaining schedule is not particularly daunting. I don't believe any team, having started the season 0-6, has ever made any waves in the playoffs. The Titans could change all that.
6 - Baritone
BTW - Are the Saints studs, or what? They dominated the Pats. Drew Brees is "the man." It's been years since any team has dismantled the Pats as completely as the Saints did last nite.
Ultimately, the pressures brought on by the playoffs might get to them, but right now, they are head and shoulders above any team in the league including the Colts. The only other team I see with a shot at the Saints right now might be the Vikings, but they could only meet in the playoffs. Their remaining schedule has no heavyweights. Only Dallas or Atlanta look to have any kind of shot at them.
This is getting interesting.
7 - zingzing
vikings! no's defense looked like they could handle a good offense on mundy. the vike's have a few good games against winning opponents coming up. i hope they can make it through. no's gotta lose some time. i hope. nfc champion ship should sail threw minny app oh lis .
8 - Matthew T. Sussman
So many great dome teams. So little snow.