Will Bud Adams’ staff scrutiny put Tennessee Titans back on winning ways? – NFL Feature
Tennessee Titans’ owner Bud Adams is not a happy man, at present at least. The main worry for him is his franchise. The Titans, who were led by then first-year coach Mike Munchak almost through to playoffs last season, are found to be in trouble this season,
which is almost halfway through and the team have only three wins in total.
Earlier, Adams behaved like a silent spectator, probably on the hopes the team would bounce back, but he is not silent anymore. Recently in a meeting with coach Munchak, the owner became furious. He said he was frustrated with the way the team had progressed
this season.
Most importantly, the way they lost to the Chicago Bears. For the record, the Titans allowed 51 points, the second-lowest since 2009. Earlier, it was 59.
The coach says he understands the frustration of the owner, and probably justifies it, given, as he says, that he will behave in a similar manner if he was at the owner’s place.
Adams was not done there and then. He went on to say that from now on he would evaluate performance of each official from the front office including the coaches to determine their performance.
With this much said by the owner, it is yet to be seen if it makes an impact on the team’s performance on field. Irrespective of the numbers the Titans do not look like side who had just fallen short of playoffs. Their recovery from 6-10 record a year earlier
to 9-7 in 2011 was remarkable. The coach won the credit of it, and then it was assumed that qualify for the playoffs will not be difficult for them in 2012.
It was a too ambitious perception, as the team’s on-ground reality is quite different. So, whether the owner pushes the team and players to work hard or not, they must solve their core problems.
For example, some circles suggested the Jake Locker should not have been promoted as starter in front of Matt Hasselbeck, and especially at a time when he was in his prime form. This may not be a valid point because Hasselbeck, too, has lately been a part
of the losing Titans side. There is a possibility that he might not be pleased to work as a backup of a younger player but he has not done well enough as a leader either.
Also, these are mere speculations credibility of which can be questioned. A point valid here can be that Hasselbeck had been through some uncertainty about prospects of his career with the Titans earlier this year. It was time when ambitious Adams pursued
hiring of former Indianapolis Colts’ quarterback Peyton Manning. This could have had an impact on the QB’s performance but not anymore.
Now the question arises is whether the step of scrutiny of staff, if implemented by the owner, will help the team to do better. There is fear that it might work in a negative way and demoralise officials. It can also have an impact on the players’ performance.
A pressure and uncertainty will unnecessarily loom over them and that might divert their attention and focus away from the game.
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