Titans president and CEO Tommy Smith understands why Tennessee's fan base is hot under the collar.
He feels their pain after watching the Titanstumble to a 2-6 mark following an offseason that saw the team hire a new coach in Ken Whisenhunt before investing roughly $60 million in free agency.
"I am frustrated, and I do get angry. I expect more," Smith told Tthe Tennessean this week before voicing specific expectations for the Titans starting with a Super Bowl appearance after the 2016 regular season.
"I am not in this business to have a top 10 pick," said Smith. "We are looking for playoff games and Super Bowl. I hope we can start to win more games this season and start off next year and have a good season. I think a realistic expectation is to be in the Super Bowl in 2017. People may be disappointed and say, 'What is Smith talking about 2017 for?' Well, I have to have realistic expectations.
"If we could win out this year that would be good, if we can get to the playoffs it would be a gift from God," Smith said. "But next year I am counting on getting in the playoffs, and the next year I am planning on taking it to the next level, and getting back to the Super Bowl."
Lofty expectations in Tennessee feel misguided until the Titans find a quarterback. Benching oft-injuredJake Locker in favor of rookie Zach Mettenberger was the first sign that Whisenhunt is open to rebooting the machine under center after this season -- perhaps with a top-five draft pick.
Finding that quarterback of tomorrow would go a long way toward furnishing the Titans with what they lack most: identity. For now, talk of playoffs and Super Bowl appearances is little more than a Nashville blast of hot air.
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