Titans' Turning Point in 1999 | NFL News

0:00On September 7th, the Tennessee Titans are coming off a tough couple of years, missing the playoffs since 2021 and posting a dismal 6. Winds and 28 losses over the last two seasons. They've cycled through two head coaches in that time, and turning a 3-win team into a contender will be a massive challenge. Recently, a story from former defensive end Javon Kieres resurfaced, highlighting a lesson from his rookie year back in 1999. He was drafted by the Titans and expected the usual rookie hazing, but franchise legends Eddie George and Steve McNair had a different approach. Instead of hazing Kieres, George and McNair pulled him aside and told him the team didn't have time for that. They stressed how much the team needed him, and Kieres responded by setting an NFL rookie record for SACS with 14 and a half, earning Pro Bowl, and all pro honors. This leadership and focus helped the Titans, who were struggling to make the postseason even in their Houston Oilers days, eventually reached the super.

1:00Bowl in 1999, that mentality of prioritizing team success over personal rituals is something the current Titans could certainly use. We're already seeing glimpses of that accountability. Defensive leader Jeffrey Simmons has been vocal and even got into a training camp scuffle with offensive tackle, JC Latham, which seems to have ignited Latham's performance. His kind of intensity from leaders when the team is in a slump can be exactly what's needed to spark a turnaround. That wraps NFL news today. Brought to you with AI.