The 2012 Tennessee Titans’ season can only be described as disappointing, but with the conclusion of the 2013 NFL Draft, many see a brighter future for the team.  With the Titans’ eight draft picks, and several free-agency acquisitions over the off-season, the Titans have attempted to address some of the weaknesses that have plagued the team, but the lineup is still missing something that it has been lacking for several years, a true leader.
With a 6-10 season, Tennessee Titans fans had little to cheer about last year.  An almost nonexistent defense, coupled with poor blocking from the offense made for predictable, easy to read, play.  Offensive woes resulted in Chris Johnson’s talents to emerge only around the middle of the season, and then only as he improvised, running for his life, as he avoided busted plays and broken lines.
The first and second-round draft picks, Alabama guard Chance Warmack and UT wide receiver Justin Hunter, have created the most buzz amongst Titans’ fans, but overall all eight draft picks will make for a very interesting and competitive training camp.
Connecticut cornerback Blidi Wreh-Wilson and Missouri outside linebacker Zaviar Gooden were taken in the third round of picks.  Wilson has the size the Titans were seeking while Gooden has the speed.
Fourth-round pick, California’s Brian Schwenke, will compete for center, while the fifth- sixth- and seventh-round picks, LSU defensive end Lavar Edwards, Nevada cornerback Khalid Wooten, and Nebraska safety Daimion Stafford will also vie for playing time.
The recent acquisitions and draft picks seem to be a fix for some of the Titans’ troubles, and the upcoming season will tell the tale. Coach Mike Munchak and staff will most certainly find themselves in the hot seat as fans, and owner Bud Adams expect results. Even though the past two seasons were considered rebuilding years, Munchak has yet to see a post-season game as head coach and fans are itching to return to the playoffs.
One thing that has been missing the last few years is a true leader on the team.  Yes, there is Chris Johnson, and quarterback Jake Locker, but we’ve yet to see the fire and passion we were used to from the Titans of latter years.  Perhaps we’re yearning for the days of Eddie George, sporting short sleeves in sub-zero weather and pounding his chest as he emerges from a tangled pile of bodies on the 40-yard line.
Maybe we want to see Frank Wycheck throwing a lateral across the field to Kevin Dyson for a winning 75-yard touchdown with only 16 seconds on the clock.  We want to see Steve McNair, with only seconds to go, throwing to Dyson as he stretches for the goal line.  Even when they had a losing Season, we still felt good about the team because they had heart and drive.
It seems that the past few years we’ve lost the fire that we grew to expect from our team. We became accustomed to some selfish behavior from some players, making more headlines off the field rather than on.  We want to see some passion for the game.  We’re hungry and we want our team to be hungry as well.  The 2013 season will be make or break for many on the Titans, we can only hope to see the enthusiasm and dedication we crave.