2012 NFL season outlook: Tennessee Titans are back to basics-NFL Feature- Part One
The week following to release of the quarterback, Peyton Manning, by his former employers, the Indianapolis Colts, turned out be the period of a hustle bustle at the Tennessee Titans.
It all started from the wish of the owner, Bud Adams, who said to be interested in homecoming of Manning at all costs.
Since Peyton Manning had played his college league in Tennessee his singing with Titans for the professional league could have been the homecoming for the player.
In the excitement of sudden increase in the prospects for singing of the only four-time Most Valuable Player (MVP), of the league, the owner went as far as to make Manning the offer of a lifetime contract. He also offered to take him in any official capacity
after his retirement from the professional league.
The owner had the support of the local fans, who had launched a purposeful website and used other mediums to campaign for the second coming of the player to Tennessee.
In a step further to their campaign, the player, as per wishes of the owner, visited them and had the marathon meeting with all the officials, which lasted for eight hours in total.
He also did workout for them, as he had done for other teams who were hopeful of his signing.
The entire contingent who included the managers, coaches and other staff from their front office, and led by the owner witnessed the workout. All of them were said to be satisfied with the player’s recovery and fitness level.
So the stage was seemed well set for Peyton Manning to join Titans. This could be more reflective in the mood of the owner, Bud Adams. He was probably the only official in the entire national football league to be so much upbeat about Manning’s signing prospects.
Moreover, Titans were tipped to be at top of the list of the shortlisted contenders for the player. Other two were the Denver Broncos, the team that the player visited first of all, and the San Francisco 49ers.
Tennessee was abuzz with rumours that it was only a matter of time that Peyton confirms his decision of joining Titans.
The hype around the prospects had peaked so much that poor Matt Hasselbeck, the Titans’ main quarterback, and rookie, Jake Locker, felt their positions in the team threatened.
Matt Hasselbeck especially remained wary of the fact that it could be him going elsewhere on Peyton’s coming to Tennessee.
The pressure on him was very much visible. He cracked under the burden a couple of time but apparently lacked an answer to it. He in fact lacked an alternative choice.
Hasselbeck admitted the feel of the pressure and said he was unsure if to ask the team for his release or else must be willing to accept a secondary role, relieving himself from the starting role.
It turned out to be most difficult situation for him. Even the owner, one of his later comments, admitted it to be so the case in.
Then came the matter of the time and it turned out to be the most disappointing time for the team, and especially for the owner.
One after another, successive reports hinted at Peyton Manning deciding to join the Denver Broncos and not Titans or 49ers.
He later personally phoned Titans to confirm his choice, as he did to 49ers. He finally broke the news to the prospective employers, Broncos.
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