With 20 years in the books, we celebrate Titans past and present. Vote for your favorite/most deserving in each category and the winners will be announced on July 16th. 

TUESDAY, July 9th:

Most Protective

Superlative given to an offensive lineman that was a reliable blocker in the running and passing game. These linemen had long careers with the Titans and rarely missed playing time.

• Bruce Matthews

• Kevin Mawae

• Michael Roos
• Brad Hopkins

Most likely to make you want to get out of the way

Superlative given to a player who will straight-up run you over. PERIOD.

• Eddie George

• Bernard Pollard 

• Blaine Bishop
• Derrick Henry

Big Contribution, Little Talk

Superlative given to a player that played a critical role during their time as a Titan, but might not receive exposure for their work. Whether their play lead other teammates to success or performed a job that has to be done, these players did what was asked of them and then some.

• Ahmard Hall – Hall played a pivotal role in the Titans running game from 2006-2011. The Titans ranked in the Top 10 for team rushing in Hall’s first four years with the team. Paving the way for Chris Johnson during his last four years in Nashville, Hall had a big hand when Johnson hit the 2,000 yard rushing milestone in 2009. Hall also contributed on special teams.  

• Craig Stevens – During his eight seasons with Tennessee, you rarely heard Stevens’ name called. That was a good thing. The reliable tight end was an excellent blocker, helping with a rushing attack that ranked in the Top 10 in the league during his first two seasons with the Titans. Along with his contributions on offense, Stevens was a fixture on the special teams unit.

• Neil O’Donnell – Everybody remembers the magical 1999 season that lead to an appearance in Super Bowl XXXIV. What some might forget is the impact that O’Donnell had at the beginning of that season. Starting the next five games after McNair went down with an injury in Week 1, O’Donnell completed 104 of 172 pass attempts for 1,209 yards and tossed eight touchdowns. The Titans went 4-1 in that five game stretch.  
• Karl Klug – Drafted in the 5th round of the 2011 NFL Draft, Klug made an immediate impact with the Titans. As a rookie, Klug recorded seven sacks, which lead all other rookie defensive tackles. His production continued throughout his seven years with the Titans, as he finished his career with 21.5 sacks, 30 tackles for loss, and 5 forced fumbles. Klug’s athleticism allowed him to play on several of the special team units.

Most Electric

Superlative given to the player that could make or create a game-changing play on any given snap. A collective gasp from fans was a common sound when one of these players were around or had the ball in their hands.

• Chris Johnson- Third in franchise history in career 100-yard rushing games and five of the eight longest runs in franchise history belong to Johnson. These include a 94-yard touchdown against the Jets on Monday Night Football in 2012. 

• Vince Young- In 2006, the Titans were down 21-0 against the Giants and scored 24 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to win. In the same year, he had a walk-off 39-yard touchdown run in his hometown Houston in overtime. Led the Titans 99-yards with just over two minutes remaining to defeat Arizona 20-17 in 2009. 

• Adam “Pac Man” Jones- Returned three punts for touchdowns in 2006 including a 90-yard return in Philadelphia. Is second in franchise history in punt returns for a touchdown recording four in just two years at Tennessee.
• Jevon Kearse- During his seven years in Tennessee he had 22 forced fumbles, the master of the strip sack. He is the Titans all-time leader in sacks with 52. As a rookie he holds the record with 14.5 sacks, and had a total of 9 forced fumbles that year. There’s a reason they called him “The Freak”. 

WEDNESDAY, July 10th:

Mr. Personality: Players

Superlative given to a player that is a loud, energetic and lively force on and off the football field. This player may motivate others or just serve as comedic relief for his teammates and fans.

• Taylor Lewan

• Kevin Byard

• Keith Bulluck
• Sen’Derrick Marks

Most likely to have the coolest job post-football

Superlative given to a former player who is now pursuing a second career outside of the NFL- and it doesn’t necessarily have to do with football at all. 

• Brian Orakpo/Michael Griffin: co-owners of Gigi’s Cupcakes and bakers

• Dr. Kevin Dyson: the principal of Grassland Middle School

• Al Del Greco: college golf coach at Samford
• Rocky Boiman: college football analyst for ESPNEWS and ESPNU

Need a Catch? He’s Your Guy

Superlative given to a pass catcher that was a go-to target in critical situations. If it is 3rd down and you needed to pick up the 1st to keep the drive alive, quarterbacks were looking for these guys. 

• Delanie Walker- 360 catches for 4,208 yards and 26 touchdowns in six years as a Titan. Had ten receptions for 142 yards and a touchdown in 2014 against Dallas. 

• Frank Wycheck- 256 catches for 2,460 yards and 14 touchdowns in his five years at Tennessee. Had ten catches for 123 yards and one touchdown in a game against Pittsburgh that sent them to the AFC Championship in 2003. 

• Derrick Mason- 414 catches for 5,595 yards and 34 touchdowns in his six years at Tennessee. Had six catches for 177 yards and three touchdowns in 2003 against Houston. 
• Nate Washington- 307 catches for 4,591 yards and 28 touchdowns in six years as a Titan. Had nine catches for 115 yards and two touchdowns in 2011 against Atlanta.

Clutch Man

Superlative given to a player that makes the play in crunch time. When the team needs them the most, these players deliver. 

• Keith Bulluck- Had three interceptions in New Orleans on Monday Night Football in 2007, earlier that week he had proclaimed himself “Mr. Monday Night”. Whenever he got a turnover he found a way to score- he had five total touchdowns, four were fumble recoveries and one pick-six.

• Steve McNair- Had 15 game-winning drives in his time as a Titan including ten fourth quarter comebacks. Those comebacks include a 23-20 win at Pittsburgh in 2000, a 32-29 victory in overtime at the Giants in 2002 and a 27-24 win at Houston in 2003. 

• Rob Bironas- Leads the franchise with 11 game-winning field goals including a 60-yard field goal against Indianapolis in 2006. From 50+ yards out he was 24/34 and finished with a field goal percentage of 85.7%.
• Marcus Mariota- Has had nine fourth quarter comebacks and seven of his 11 total game-winning drives have been on the road. In the 2018 AFC Wild Card game in Kansas City, the Titans trailed 21-3 and came back to win 22-21 led by Mariota. 

THURSDAY, July 11th:

Mr. Personality: Coaches

Superlative given to a coach that is loud, energetic and lively force during practices and on the football field. They may also be known for having a playful demeanor with media or fans. 

• Jeff Fisher

• Kerry Coombs

• Dave McGinnis

• Mike Vrabel

Most likely to get a KICK out of golfing

Superlative given to a placekicker or punter that could have a great performance at Nissan Stadium on Sunday and follow it up with a nice round of golf on Monday. Just as they could pin an opponent inside their own 10 yard line, they could also place a shot from 175 yards out within a few feet of the cup.  

• Craig Hentrich

• Ryan Succop

• Brett Kern

• Al Del Greco

Puts the Special in Special Teams

Superlative given to a player that brought a playmaking mentality to the special teams unit. These players were making plays with the ball in their hands or wrapping up the opposing returner, and some nominees did both.

• Marc Mariani – Drafted in the 7th Round of the 2010 NFL Draft, Mariani fought to make the Titans roster and produced immediately. Returning a punt and a kickoff for touchdowns as a rookie, Mariani was selected to the 2011 Pro Bowl as a returner. After a few years in Chicago, the Titans brought Mariani back Mariani ranks in the Top 5 in franchise history in both career punt and kickoff return yards.

• Donnie Nickey – Nickey’s entire eight year career was spent with the Titans. Referred to as a special teams ace, Nickey served as a special teams captain during his time in Tennessee. Nickey was a dependable player as well, playing in every single game the last six seasons of his career.

• Tim Shaw – A captain during and after his playing days, Shaw played a pivotal part on the special teams unit. A special teams captain in 2011 and 2012, Shaw’s impact on the special teams unit continued after his playing career. In 2016, general manager Jon Robinson and former head coach Mike Vrabel signed Shaw as a “Titan for Life”. Shaw would watch film and assist with the special teams game plan, as well as travel with the team.

• Derrick Mason – While better known for his contribution as a receiver, Mason ranks at the top in most returning categories. Mason still has more punt returns, kickoff returns, punt return yardage, and kickoff return yardage than any other Titan. One of his most memorable returns was an 80 yard kickoff return touchdown in the 2000 AFC Championship Game in Jacksonville. 

Most Disruptive

Superlative given to a defensive lineman that garnered the attention of their opponents. Teams have tried double-teaming, chipping with the tight end, and leaving a running back in to block, and these guys still made their way into the backfield. 

• Jevon Kearse- Forced 22 fumbles, had 52 sacks, 56 tackles for loss, and batted down 22 passes in seven years as a Titan. In the 2000 Wild Card game against Buffalo, he had two sacks, two forced fumbles, a safety, tackle for loss and pass defense. 

• Kyle Vanden Bosch- Forced 14 fumbles, had 38.5 sacks, 47 tackles for loss, and batted down six passes in five years as a Titan. In 2005 against Baltimore, he had three sacks, three tackles for loss and a fumble recovery. 

• Albert Haynesworth- Forced six fumbles, had 24 sacks, 60 tackles for loss, and batted down 20 passes in seven years as a Titan. In 2007 against Carolina, he had three sacks and five tackles for loss.

• Jurrell Casey- Has forced seven fumbles, had 46 sacks, 79 tackles for loss, and has batted down 12 passes in eight years as a Titan so far. In 2013 against Indianapolis, he had two sacks and two tackles for loss.

FRIDAY, July 12th:

Titans All-Academic Award

Superlative given to a player who has proved they are not only a football player, but also an academic genius. You could say they have been added to the Dean Pees List a time or two.

• Dr. Kevin Dyson- two Master’s degrees from Trevecca along with his Doctorate. 

• Myron Rolle- Rhodes Scholar, Master’s degree at Oxford, and currently a Neurosurgery resident at Harvard Medical School. 

• Anthony Firkser- Harvard graduate with a degree in applied mathematics.

• Ryan Fitzpatrick- Harvard graduate with a degree in economics. 

Productive On and Off the Field

Superlative given to a player who not only creates an impact on the field but also in the local community through charities, fundraisers or events. The nominees below have their own foundations.

• Kevin Carter: The Kevin Carter Foundation- was founded to enrich the lives of children focusing on youth and character development. He also supports the Make-A-Wish Foundation and hosts a yearly event to raise money. 

• Jurrell Casey: The Casey Fund- was founded to support community-based organizations that address the needs of at-risk youth as well as formerly incarcerated individuals.

• Logan Ryan: Ryan Animal Rescue Foundation- was founded by Logan and his wife and consists of programs dedicated to promoting animal adoption and providing specific grants to animal welfare organizations.

• Wesley Woodyard: 16WAYS Foundation- was founded to encourage young people to be the best versions of themselves through education, physical activity and mentorship. 

Pick a Picker

Superlative given to a player who you think of when you hear the word “interception”. The old adage of “defensive backs play defense because they cannot catch” does not apply to these nominees.

• Samari Rolle- 23 interceptions in seven years as a Titan, had three picks in a single game in 1999 against Jacksonville.

• Kevin Byard- 12 interceptions in three years as a Titan, had three picks in a single game in 2017 at Cleveland.

• Cortland Finnegan- 14 interceptions in six years as a Titan, had a 99-yard pick six against Houston in 2008.

• Michael Griffin- 25 interceptions in nine years as a Titan, had two picks in a single game against Pittsburgh in 2008, one of which was returned 83 yards for a touchdown.

Most Unforgettable

Superlative given to a player who you think of when you hear “Tennessee Titans”. Although these nominees played for other teams during their careers, they will forever be recognized for their time in the Two Tone Blue.

• Steve McNair

• Eddie George

• Jevon Kearse

• Chris Johnson

Keep an eye out on the Titans Radio Twitter account for more excitement as we approach the start of training camp!