Munchak Ties Nashville to Houston and Other AFC South Headlines

Franchise relocation is a touchy subject.

While the record books often say that a franchise has one identity across multiple cities, I've always found that concept ridiculous.

David Boclair brings us our Article of the Day from The City Paper. He profiles Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Munchak, a long-time Houston Oiler. He's a spiritual caretaker for an identity long-surrendered. He keeps alive a part of Titans history that fans care little about.

The Oilers are historical orphans now. Bud Adams made such a stink on his way out of Houston, that many Houstonians have bitter feelings toward the Oilers and people in Nashville, well, why should they care? The Oilers seem destined to go the way of the Montreal Expos or Seattle Pilots, banished from memory by all but a few remaining diehards.

Owners love to keep the memory of past iterations of the franchise alive, because they can still hope to profit off them in the form of a smattering of throwback jersey sales and whatnot, but to fans, who their team was before it came to town is irrelevant.

Indianapolis fans have never been able to embrace the Baltimore Colts, in part because of the lingering bitterness of Baltimore towards Indianapolis. When a franchise relocates, it creates a natural jealousy between the two cities that makes it difficult to embrace the full history of the team. When I wrote the history of the Indianapolis Colts, it began in 1984. Emotionally, the Baltimore Colts are like a completely separate franchise.

The only team that has ever seemed to have a unified history despite a move is the Oakland/L.A./Oakland Raiders, but only because they moved back after sojourn in SoCal.

Kudos to Munchak for keeping the Oilers flame alive, but I don't expect it's likely catch fire in the hearts of Titans or Texans fans anytime soon.

General Interest

Scott Kacsmar of Cold Hard Football Facts gives us comeback totals for active quarterbacks.

Indianapolis Colts

Todd Smith of Colts Authority has questions about the Bears game.

Mike Chappell of the Indianapolis Star says Austin Collie will play against Chicago.

Houston Texans

John McClain of the Houston Chronicle recalls an early-season letdown that sunk the Texans in 2009.

McClain writes that Matt Schaub is primed for a big year.

Jerome Solomon of the Houston Chronicle sees the Texans in the Super Bowl.

Tennessee Titans

Tom Gower of Total Titans reflects on the practice squad.

Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean says Chris Johnson feels like his old self. I feel like I've heard this before.

David Climer of The Tennessean says it's Jake Locker time!

Jacksonville Jaguars

David Bauerlein of the Florida Times-Union says fans are slow to embrace Maurice Jones-Drew after his holdout.

Ryan O'Halloran of the Florida Times-Union says Justin Blackmon can boost the offense.

Vito Stellino of the Florida Times-Union says there is optimism around the Jaguars.