The Tennessee Titans, in previous regimes and the new one, are not basing personnel decisions on public sentiment.
And they certainly shouldn’t.
But as I watched the Twitter reaction of some fans to the team’s release of quarterback Zach Mettenberger, I couldn’t help but think of a list of guys the fan base has generally overrated.
Since the Titans got to Nashville, many fans have really latched on to some underdogs who weren’t or aren’t very good.
Has Music City’s affection for mediocre/bad players helped enable the franchise to make the sort of moves that have landed it at the bottom of the league?
Did former GM Ruston Webster feel better about running back Antonio Andrews (still around) and tight end Chase Coffman (gone) because such a vocal segment of the fan base inexplicably loved them? On some small level it’s certainly a bit easier to be patient with a guy fans love and a bit harder to cut him.
Some likable underdogs have panned out, certainly.
Drew Bennett was a giant underdog when he arrived in 2001, and he turned into a very productive receiver in his six seasons. Marc Mariani was a seventh-rounder who went to the Pro Bowl as a rookie returner.
But my sense is Titans fans (continue reading)