Tennessee Titans: Andrew Luck and the Dream That Could Have Been

We all like to play general manager from time to time, and after the recent beatdown the Tennessee Titans experienced at the hands of the Pittsburgh Steelers, it got me thinking: What would I do as GM?

Some of these are things I would do in the future. Others are current moves. A few are hindsight moves, which I will indicate whether or not I was adamant about at the time.

Let's have some fun and torture ourselves with what the Titans could have been with some clever maneuvering.

Don't Cut LeGarrette Blount

This one is glaringly obvious now, but even at the time, I kind of liked LeGarrette Blount.

During my annual pilgrimage to Baptist Sports Park to watch the Tennessee Titans' training camp, Blount stood out as a powerful running back who had an attitude about him that fits the NFL quite well.

Of course, Tennessee was able to get him in camp on the cheap due to his Mike Tyson impression in Boise during the 2009 season. In my opinion, his decision was justified and even more so when he connected with a sweet right jab.

The Titans placed him on waivers, and Tampa Bay claimed him. He has amassed 1,301 yards and nine touchdowns in just 17 games. His tough running style would have not only been a great complement for Chris Johnson, it would have given Tennessee more flexibility with Johnson's future status.

Trade Chris Johnson for a First-Round Pick Plus More

Yes, I was in that loud minority that wanted to trade Chris Johnson during his contract dispute this summer.

First, Johnson is a special talent who won't realize any major success with the Tennessee Titans because his skills will diminish before the team is ready to make a playoff run.

Second, his longevity as a legitimate NFL rusher is incredibly questionable. How valuable is an every-down back that either runs for negative-five, zero or 35? Emmitt Smith won Super Bowls getting four every carry.

Third, Johnson's value will never be higher and warrants at least one first round pick.

The best-case scenario would have been for the Titans, who would have had LeGarrette Blount on the roster, to move Johnson to a team like Green Bay (don't think they'd love a guaranteed repeat?) for first-round picks in the 2012 and 2013 drafts.

The worst-case scenario is getting just a 2012 first-round pick. The realistic scenario is to get a 2012 first- and second-round pick for Johnson, which is great value.

It's too late now, as NFL teams are seeing that the sprinter goes down on first contact each and every time. It doesn't take a great running back to win big in this league, and teams know it.

Draft Nick Fairley in the 2011 Draft

This was a move that I made quite clear to my friends that I wanted to see happen. Until I'm proved wrong, I'll say Nick Fairley will be the best player in this draft. He has gotten a late start, but just wait.

Instead, the Tennessee Titans reached for quarterback Jake Locker and allowed Detroit to make a beautiful selection of Fairley in the middle of the first round.

Fairley would have been the Titans' second consecutive first-round pick on the defensive line, perhaps the most important unit in professional football. He and Derrick Morgan could have anchored the line for years, providing both run-stopping and sacking abilities.

Because of some unproven attitude problem, Fairley's stock dropped. The best player on the field at the 2012 BCS National Championship game was at a needed position for the Titans, but they passed.

Draft Tyrod Taylor and Sign Mark Herzlich

These two moves were also ones I voiced early on as great ideas for the Tennessee Titans. Tyrod Taylor will be a career backup in the NFL, but an excellent one at that.

For the price of a sixth-round pick, the Titans could have had a much better version of Pittsburgh's Charlie Batch. You can't overlook the value of a good backup. Ask the 1998 St. Louis Rams and the 2001 New England Patriots.

Taylor was one of the most accurate and poised quarterbacks in college during his Virginia Tech career. His ability to escape a collapsed pocket is extremely desirable in a backup. I wanted him!

Another ACC product, Mark Herzlich, went undrafted. I couldn't believe it. I would've taken him in the third round and probably the second. How often do you get a player and a person of his caliber without having to spend a draft pick? Furthermore, the Titans needed linebackers!

Before being diagnosed with cancer, Herzlich was projected to go at the end of the first round in the 2009 NFL Draft. Instead, he took a year off to focus, fight and finally defeat his bone cancer. He effectively added tremendous character to an already fierce competitive spirit and great leadership.

If I were GM, he would have been the first linebacker I would have brought into training camp.

Draft Andrew Luck and Alshon Jeffery in the 2012 NFL Draft

Now for the really fun part: the future NFL draft. I'm not suggesting the Titans should have tanked the 2011 season, but with Rusty Smith starting, it wouldn't have taken much effort.

With the No. 1 overall pick in the 2013 draft, the Tennessee Titans will select Andrew Luck, future star in Nashville, future MVP and future Hall of Famer. With no quarterback in the fold, this pick is a no-brainer.

Luck is the freaking man.

With the pick received from the aforementioned Chris Johnson trade, the Titans will pick Alshon Jeffery from South Carolina, the best receiver in the SEC and one of the best in the country. The SEC has a terrific recent track record of producer top-flight receivers—A.J. Green and Julio Jones.

In 2010, Jeffery was in fact better statistically than both of them and had to catch Stephen Garcia's passes—no easy feat.

2013 Tennessee Titans Are Super Bowl Champions

After putting together this team of studs, coach Mike Munchak would need but one year to bring them together and get the most out of them.

With the Indianapolis Colts beginning to slide due the imminent retirement of Peyton Manning and his neck, the AFC South is up for grabs. The division can't depend on the Houston Texans or Jacksonville Jaguars to carry the torch. It'll be the Tennessee Titans.

Hopefully you have had some fun, but also seen some of the realistic possibilities that the Titans have missed out on. If you want a Super Bowl in two years, please write to the organization pronto and direct them to this article and my wallet.

2013 Tennessee Titans

Offense

QB Andrew Luck

RB LeGarrette Blount

WR Kenny Britt

WR Alshon Jeffery

TE Jared Cook

OL You know the crew.

Defense (it kind of looks like a law firm)

DL Nick Fairley, Derrick Morgan and Co.

LB Mark Herzlich, Barrett Ruud and Akeem Ayers

DB McCourty-Verner, Inc.