The Hunter Envoy

Issue date: 11/26/08 Section: Sports

Photo by Jason Schorr

Artem Altman
Staff Writer

Less than one year has passed since the historic winning streak of the New England Patriots came to an abrupt halt. The NFL has yet to play out its 2008-09 season, but talk of a new historical narrative has already started. The storyline, if written with a fulfilling end, is sure to be a memorable chapter of football history.

The Tennessee Titans have started their season with ten straight wins. They are chasing the history that inexplicably slipped the grasp of the New England Patriots last year.

Even though quarterback Kerry Collins says that "[the] most important thing for us is to stay humble," the "humble pie" that was served to the Pats last season should be the only link between the two teams. Comparisons to the aforementioned Pats should end there.

The Titans certainly are not the juggernaut that the 18-0 Pats were considered to be prior to their Super Bowl XLII loss to the Giants. Long gone is Steve McNair who led the Titans to Super Bowl XXXIV against the St. Louis Rams, which is really the last time the Titans were even considered a formidable team in this league.

If for nothing else, Super Bowl XXXIV is remembered for its final play (the play simply known as "The Tackle") when Titans wide receiver Kevin Dyson was stopped one yard short of tying the score on the last play of the game. Even back then, when the Titans were just one yard away from Super Bowl stardom, they still were not on the level of the 2007 Patriots.

The Titans are led by a well-traveled Collins who is on his 5th team in 14 NFL seasons (the ex-NY Giant once led the team to a fruitless appearance in Super Bowl XXXV against the Baltimore Ravens). Collins' ascension to the position of Titans starting quarterback was a product of on-field/off-field controversy surrounding Vince Young, who is known to be in the future plans of the Titans.

First, Young injured his knee during first game of the season. Shortly afterwards he was the target of a four hour search by Nashville police after being reported missing. There were reports that Young was allegedly in a depressive state after home town fans started to boo after he threw his second interception of the game (although this was later denied by Young's agent, Major Adams). As a result of Young's injury, Collins was propelled into the starting role and Young was relegated to the bench. After nine wins with Collins as the starting quarterback, the Titans seem content with this situation, barring a monumental setback. All things said however, Young will eventually be back once his knee heals, as he is clearly the more talented player.

It is hard to say how long the Titans will continue their march towards perfection, but they will be sure to take it one game at a time. It makes no sense to plan any further ahead than that, especially in the NFL where the short schedule leaves a small margin for error. This makes it crucial that meticulous planning goes into each individual game, one week at a time.

As is the case with baseball, you do not talk about the perfect game while it's in progress for fear that you might jinx it. So, for now let's forget about the Titans. And maybe one day in February we'll remember something about a team that went 10-0 to start the season. We'll realize that yes, that team is the Tennessee Titans. They're still unbeaten, still perfect. Then…jinx.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools