Liberatr Media Network

Imagine being an NFL veteran entering his 12th career year at Quarterback (which many would argue is the most important position on the field) who just 2 seasons ago shared MVP honors in 2003 with the Colts’ Peyton Manning. Your play on the field and your tough-guy image off of it have been driving forces for the success of your franchise since ‘98 whose recent history boasts being 1 yard short of sending the Super Bowl into overtime for the first time in its history.

Despite your likeness being a guaranteed candidate to reside not only in a picture frame in the franchise’s front office as an inspirational figurehead within the organization, but a bust immortalizing you in the NFL Hall of Fame, while you are at the team’s facilities preparing to pour your heart and soul for a 12th time to bring a second coming for the Tennessee Titans, they ask you to cease working out at their facility because they’re afraid of the $9 million salary cap number that you represent.

Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the recent events surrounding Titan legend, QB Steve McNair, who filed a grievance with the organization who has contractually bound him to remain physically fit in order to perform the duties of a featured NFL passer while also preventing him from doing the same in such a matter that eliminates the team’s liability should he suffer injury participating in activities outside of the Titans’ complex. (Think Cleveland Browns’ TE Kellan Winslow WITHOUT the irresponsibility of an Evil Kinevil impersonation on a motorcycle)

This on top of implications of trading/releasing and driving him to the Baltimore Ravens after years of distinguished service – How much disrespect can an NFL hero and loyal Tennessee fans take? (That’s right, folks . . . I just dropped the “D”–bomb).

In all fairness, one can’t COMPLETELY blame the Titans organization for getting into this situation. A trendy practice in contract negotiation with players on the back end of their careers as McNair is being a 33-year-old as of February is to offer up players 5 or 6-year contracts when it is expected they’ll last only 2 or 3 years more in the league. To increase the contract’s value without spending any money, teams will balloon the salary numbers for the years the player isn’t expected to see action . . . like say $9 million which represents close to a 10^th of the team’s salary cap on its own.

While no one could have predicted the Titans’ logical hypothesis on McNair’s longevity to actually be wrong considering the quarterback’s reckless style of play, we CAN blame them for the way they handled the interim where they neglected to renegotiate properly and the after math where they exiled a king from his palace. OK . . . so that is a little over-dramatic – unless you happen to be a Titan fan.

Regardless of the arbiter’s ruling, it is the Titans who have a tough decision to make. Pay Steve McNair and keep him in Tennessee to mentor 1st round draft pick, Vince Young, and help evolve him into the future of this franchise or get rid of McNair by way of trade or waivers to increase cap space to pay the next generation of players to preclude hold-outs that would keep these rookies attending training camps which are crucial to their development. Should the franchise decide the later option, a Titan will fall from the illustrious ranks of the roster list while Tennessee will fall every time they visit or host Baltimore at the hands of an NFL Titan.

         Marvin Harrison is currently number 1 in receptions among active receivers with 927, but up until May 10^th 2006, you may not have guessed who was 2^nd . . . the best WR in the history of the Jacksonville Jaguar franchise, Jimmy Smith with 862; 70 of which he earned in 2005 as a 37-year-old while collecting another 1,000+ yard season.

          He retired Thursday where he went from the number 2 in receptions among active players to 7^th all-time as well as 11^th all-time in receiving yards with 12,287. He is also currently tied for 2nd all time with Tim Brown for 1,000-yard seasons with 9 while boasting 5 Pro-Bowl appearances in his 13 season career.

          But his stats are only the beginning of the story for the man his teammates call J-Smooth. Drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in 1992 as the 3^rd receiver overall, Smith missed his rookie season after breaking his leg. In 1993 appendicitis required an emergency surgery. As a result, he suffered an infection and would eventually miss that season due to stomach problems that plagued him throughout the year.

In 1994, due to his lack of production, the Cowboys cut him. He made an effort to make the Philadelphia Eagles squad, but they too kept him off their roster leaving his NFL career for dead.

In 1995, however, with the birth of the Jaguar franchise, so was re-born the chance for greatness in the J-Smooth legacy. While he only earned 288 yards that year, it was the prelude to 7 straight 1,000 yard seasons which featured a 1600+ yard performance in 1999 where he collected 116 receptions. ’99 was not only the best year in Smith’s career, but also one of the best in the history of the Jaguar franchise that made it to a second AFC Championship game.

During 2001, Smith underwent 3 separate surgeries to remove scar tissue from his abdomen. The ordeal nearly ended his career. He managed not only to recover, but posted 112 catches for 1,373 yards.  Medical concerns would not be the only hurtle he faced that year as he was arrested that November for suspicion of drunk driving where it was alleged he tested positive for cocaine.

Sadly, the cocaine usage would resurface again in 2003 forcing Smith into a 4 game suspension and several weeks in rehab after publicly admitting his addiction. During the remaining 12 games in the season he gained 805 yards. He most assuredly would have gained 1,000+ had he played the full season, and thusly his run-in with drugs kept him out of the number 2 spot for consecutive 1,000-yard seasons where his 10 would be behind only Jerry Rice’s 11 .

While watching NFL Live on ESPN, I actually heard some moron try and claim that Jimmy Smith DOESN’T belong in the Hall of Fame, but was deserving of consideration.

In addition to all of his receiving feats, the Jags’ #82 was also a solid blocker and one of the best route runners. He was a player who quietly would record his 1,000+ yards and his 70 + catches every year while doing the little things his job required. Sure, you may have never heard about him because of the team he was on, but you never heard FROM him because of the lack of championships his team has played him in, or due to his discontent for his contract, or even playing this ridiculous “disrespect” card that players and even entire teams whine and cry about.

If you don’t find his stats to be credit enough by themselves, then look also at his character — a man who bounced back from constant medical adversity and even rehabilitated himself from a drug addiction to become the longest lasting piece of the Jacksonville passing puzzle. Much more than the “cat’s meow “, he was the Jaguars’ roar.