Interim head coach Mike Mularkey had inches to go for a first down. He obviously believed his team was incapable of moving the ball forward, resulting in a first down. The punt resulted in a 63 yard return and then a touchdown. After the kickoff, and three minutes and 19 seconds remaining a turnover on a fumble after a pass gave Jacksonville the ball, virtually ending the game. The first question is; will Marcus Mariota suffer the fate of Dan Marino and never have enough weapons and good coaching to allow him to reach the level of success for which he is capable?

Every professional football team is dependent upon a coaching staff which is responsible for their success. Each team has 53 eligible players and they place their future in the hands of a few men who make the decisions during each game. Very few teams have coaches who are competent. This is proven by the few coaches who lead their teams to the ultimate game, the Super Bowl.

Tonight the Titan players are convinced that they will never achieve their ultimate goal with the present coaching staff. A coach who lacks faith in his team creates a losing attitude. Tennessee had control of the game; it was theirs to win or lose; Mularkey decided to lose.

I fear that although Marcus Mariota is the most talented rookie quarterback in the NFL he will suffer the fate of Colin Kaepernick in San Francisco. A negative change in the coaching staff left the talented young man confused and unable to use his unusual skills.

Mariota and Kaepernick share another difficulty also created by management and coaching; their offensive lines are inept. Without a semblance of a running game quarterbacks lack sufficient time to find the open receiver. The defense is able to rush the quarterback without fear of a running back charging by them.

Only John Harbaugh, John Fox, Mike McCarthy, Andy Reid, Bill Belichick, Sean Payton, Tom Coughlin, Mike Tomlin, Pete Carroll, Lovie Smith, and Jeff Fisher have been head coaches in a Super Bowl. That’s 11 out of 32. Free agency has affected the NFL in a very serious way. They leave to increase their income, but also for an opportunity to play for a team which can actually hope to reach the Super Bowl.

Although each team has 53 players on their game day roster, there are only a few key players on offense and defense. Professional football is truly a team game. Losing one or two offensive linemen can be devastating. The loss of a talented linebacker or defensive back can weaken the entire defense. Critical for even the best of quarterbacks are receivers who can not only get open, but catch the ball.

My hope is that both Mariota and Kaepernick will be traded to teams which would appreciate and use their talents. Coaches with optimism win Super Bowls; pessimists lose.

Op-Ed

By James Turnage

Photo Courtesy of Elijah Light

Author’s Page http://www.amazon.com/By-James-turnage/e/B00LOCJ2Z2