Check Yo Self - Have I Been Fair to Mike Munchak?

Check Yo Self  "Ice Cube"

I have written a lot about the current state of Mike Munchak's job status and his tenure as the head coach of the Tennessee Titans. Clearly this is a key year for Munchak who suffered through a disappointing 6-10 season with the Titans in 2012 that was topped off by embarrassing losses to the Minnesota Vikings (30-7), Chicago Bears (51-20) and Green Bay Packers (55-7). They say time heals all wounds but that last one was particularly bad since I had the pleasure (or maybe misfortune) to see it in person.

Recently, I began to think about Munchak's status and whether *I* have unfairly criticized him and whether the 'hot seat" status I have placed on him is unfair. To be fair, I do think Munchak simply has to produce better in 2013. Munchak is signed through 2014 but the lesser of two evils beyond firing is to be on "lame duck" status. I'm certain Munchak would prefer to have the type of season that owner Bud Adams views extension worthy. The definition of what season justifies an extension might be debatable but clearly being in the playoff hunt is mandatory.

Part of the genesis of this blog arose out of my look at the last 3 years of the Titans draft picks under former head coach Jeff Fisher and my comparison of the 2011 and 2012 drafts under current coach Mike Munchak. Then I considered the circumstances leading up to Munchak's ascension to the head coaching position and questions arose. I truly do try to be as fair as possible and I now wonder if perhaps i have been unfair.

PULL MY FINGER I DARE YOU

Munchak, who had never been more than offensive line coach for the Titans, was elevated to head coach on February 7, 2011. The Titans had parted ways with former head coach Jeff Fisher on January 27, 2011 after what can only be described as a turbulent offseason that also led to the departure of former first round pick and Bud Adams' "golden boy" Vince Young on January 5, 2011. Adams had only recently committed to Fisher coaching out the final year of his contract after apparently winning out an internal battle between Fisher and Young. I won't go into the details of their troubled relationship as they are readily available and widely known.

My point is that Munchak essentially took over a franchise that was clearly fractured, in disarray and in badly need of a makeover. Munchak himself apparently believed change was necessary in his first presser. The new regime took over just two months away from the 2011 draft with no franchise quarterback and badly in need of a plan. The harsh reality is that change rarely happens overnight and Munchak inherited a team with a lot of issues. The Titans would select Jake Locker with the #8 overall selection and sign veteran Matt Hasselbeck. They also added safety Jordan Babineaux. Otherwise, the free agent signings had very little impact. Amazingly, that team would finish 9-7 in what can only be considered an overachieving year characterized by excellent play overall from quarterback Matt Hasselbeck.

The 2012 offseason was dominated by the competition between incumbent quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and 2011 first round draft pick Jake Locker. The Titans were looking to improve on 2011 and added another solid draft class. They also signed defensive end Kamerion Wimbley and left guard Steve Hutchinson. The other free agent signings during the 2012 offseason had very little impact. The Titans would finish 2012 with a 6 and 10 record.

Look, I am not going to excuse the Titans performance in 2012 and I have discussed a lot of the reasons why the team under-performed elsewhere but geez Louise if it go could wrong it did for the Titans. An offensive line that has been long overrated (at least in the interior) was decimated by injuries and the safety position was a hot mess caused in large part by the coaching staff. On top of that quarterback Jake Locker hurt his left and non-throwing shoulder in the first game and would later suffer re-injury to the same shoulder and miss the bulk of the middle of the season. On his return, he was faced with a patchwork offensive line that left him in large part running for his life.

Having said that, that overrated offensive line was a product of Mike Munchak and offensive line coach Bruce Matthews. While Rome wasn't built in a day the free agent signings to date haven't made a big impact, and the players Munchak has played since taking over as head coach have largely been draft picks and players from the Fisher era. How long should it take to do a complete team makeover? That is the question I am currently pondering.

You often hear the media and fans talk about letting college football coaches "build a roster" suited to their style before judging their performance. The average seems to be between 3 to 5 years. The extent to which that happens in reality is debatable for certain but the concept is surely there. Here is some more reality in that most teams that are fractured the way the Titans were rarely recover quickly and usually it takes exceptional circumstances for it to happen.

Look, we know the NFL is a results driven league. However, Munchak is entering his 3rd year as head coach of the Tennessee Titans and generally speaking the first year you expect a coach to field a team with the majority of his hand picked players. While certainly a key year for Munchak and the Titans, should this year make or break his tenure as head coach? This is the question I am currently pondering.

Titans on the Hot Seat in 2013 - Coaches

Obviously the entire Titans organization is on notice to produce in 2013 but there are several Titans management, coaches and players who in particular are on the hot seat in 2013. Which ones are they? I previously took at look at Titans on the Hot Seat in 2013 - Management  and now let's take a look starting at coaches.

COACHING STAFF

HEAD COACH MIKE MUNCHAK

Head coach Mike Munchak enters 2013 with one year left on his contract but with clear expectations that he and his team have to produce. For real security, the Titans need to make the playoffs for him to survive and remain head coach. Would owner Bud Adams accept anything less? I think anything less than 8-8 gets Munch fired and even that may not suffice. Of course, in large part the rest of the staff's fate rests on his shoulders but other coaches will be looked at for reasons beyond their fate with the Titans.

Mike Munchak bio

"DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR JERRY GRAY"

Those quotes are there for a reason. With the hiring of Gregg Williams, much speculation has been made over who will REALLY control the defense and I simply think it's Williams. While his one year suspension probably humbled him, Williams' personality is such that its hard to believe he won't be the real power in the defensive coaches room and the one who will really shape the defense in 2013. How will Gray handle this situation? Will he be  perceived to be a figurehead? Will he be an active participant? If so, how will that play out? You certainly hope this doesn't become a clown show and a distraction but it's hard to see this playing out very well. Two cooks in the kitchen usually make for a poor soup.

Jerry Gray bio

"SENIOR ASSISTANT/DEFENSE"

I already made my thoughts on the hiring of Gregg Williams known. The Thorny Issue of Gregg Williams Is it an overstatement to say Williams is the Titans coach who has the most to gain or lose in 2013? Williams' credentials are well known and he is clearly a good coach with a great defensive mindset the taint from Bountygate not withstanding. How well will he interact with "defensive coordinator" Jerry Gray? Will they ultimately clash over who is in charge? Will Williams natural personality and demeanor emasculate Gray? Even more importantly, will the Titans defense improve from a rather dismal 2012? Is it overstating the issue to say Williams needs 2013 to go extremely well in order to regain his reputation and revive his career? I don't think so.

Gregg Williams bio

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR DOWELL LOGGAINS

When the Titans fired Chris Palmer during the 2012 season and promoted Loggains to offensive coordinator expectations were high that the Titans offense would improve. That didn't happen but I for one think expectations were raised too highly that year. It is extremely difficult to take over during the season and make wholesale changes to an offensive scheme. Add into that the injury to Jake Locker, multiple injuries along the offensive line and the disappearance of Kenny Britt in the second half of games and the lack of production is understandable. Having said that, this is a big year for Loggains who has been viewed as an "up and comer" in coaching ranks and who could greatly increase his stock with a good year in 2013. I expect the Titan offense to be greatly improved not only with a revamped offensive line. The additions of Delanie Walker, Shonn Greene and Justin Hunter are going to prove to be exceptional in my opinion and I fully expect Loggains to take advantage of his new weapons.

Dowell Loggains bio

QUARTERBACKS

I have already alluded to the performance of Jake Locker as a factor in the equation and perhaps no one has more riding on this season on the offense than Dave Ragone. The Titans made Locker a high draft choice in 2011 (# 8 overall) and his struggles in 2012 are well documented. Unfortunately for Locker and Ragone, the learning curve and production expectations for young quarterbacks have changed and they must change with the times. The days of letting a quarterback sit and learn are gone and young quarterbacks for better or worse are expected to perform early. For Ragone's sake, let's hope Locker returns to the guy we first saw when he played sparingly his first season in 2011.

Dave Ragone bio

Titans on the Hot Seat in 2013 - Management

Obviously the entire Titans organization is on notice to produce in 2013 but there are several Titans management, coaches and players who in particular are on the hot seat in 2013. Which ones are they? Well, let's take a look starting with management.

MANAGEMENT

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT ANDGENERAL MANAGER RUSTON WEBSTER

I like Ruston Webster and I generally think he has done a good job. The past 3 drafts have been solid and the Titans have been active in free agency. Regardless of whether you think the free agent contracts are smart or not, you can't say Webster has sat back and not tried to make the roster better. Would it be overstating things to say his fate is tied to 2011 first round draft selection Jake Locker? Probably not. I think its playoffs or bust for Webster and company and they better hope this team plays up to its potential.

Ruston Webster bio

VICE PRESIDENT OF PLAYER PERSONNEL LAKE DAWSON

Along with Webster, I truly like Lake Dawson and I think he has done a great job. Unfortunately for both of them, the results haven't matched the promise and along with Webster I think his fate as well rests on how well Locker performs in 2013. Can Dawson survive if others don't? That is the real question and I think he possibly can but the team simply has to produce results in 2013.

Lake Dawson bio

VICE PRESIDENT/FOOTBALL ADMINISTRATION VIN MARINO

Vin Marino is in charge of player contracts and works closely with Webster on overall football operations. As the guy charged with player contracts and managing the salary cap, if the free agent additions turn out to be bad investments and the Titans fail to improve will his league office ties save him? Debatable. 

Vin Marino bio

DIRECTOR OF PLAYER DEVELOPMENT TINA TUGGLE

Unfortunately for Tina Tuggle, perception is reality and the perception of several young Titans players just isn't that good. Even more unfortunate is that previous decisions by former Coach Jeff Fisher and others have  perhaps tasked her with the impossible. Kenny Britt is well.......Kenny Britt. Chris Johnson comes across as a spoiled selfish player who has never really connected with the fan base. There simply isn't fan connection with many players like you saw when the team first came to Nashville. Where are the Frank Wycheck's, Steve McNair's and to some extent Eddie George's? No where to be found.

Tina Tuggle bio

Offensive Line Prospects for the Titans - Alvin Bailey

ALVIN BAILEY - OFFENSIVE LINEMAN ARKANSAS

I saw this player mocked to the Titans prior to the draft and made a mental note to check him (which I promptly lost). Fortunately, the Combine put him back on my radar and he is fast becoming someone I think the Titans should consider in rounds 3 or 4, even if they are able to snag one of the premier guards earlier on. Let's face it the interior line has been a hot mess for a while now and realistically the Titans need help at both guard positions. Enter one Alvin Bailey who not only has played BOTH left and right guard but is also a good player who has seen the "bright lights." At 6' 3" and 312 pounds, Bailey is a load. A bit of a project, surely two HOF offensive linemen in Bruce Matthews and Mike Munchak can have this guy game ready by August.

CBS Sports Draft Profile

NFL Draft Profile