Titans send small-timers to small towns

Everyone loves to meet celebrities and famous athletes, and that?s one reason the Titans Caravan has been so successful over the past seven years.

Kids especially get a thrill out of meeting someone famous and getting an autograph or picture taken with them.

Each year the Tennessee Titans organization sends a group of players out across the state of Tennessee to promote the Titans and professional football.

The caravan is a 13- to 14-day span with around 65 stops has to get a little tiring for the players.

It?s not only a way to stir up interest for the team, but it serves as a way for the players to show their appreciation to the fans for their loyal support.

Last Wednesday the Titans Caravan rolled into McMinnville with two players ? Bo Schobel and Rien Long ? and mascot ?T-Rac,? all three of whom were more than happy to meet and greet the fans.

Now I?m happy to see the Titans go to so much effort each year and spend their time covering the state in order to promote their team. But why don?t we ever get any big-name players?

For instance, Troy Fleming and Tyrone Calico and the Titans Cheerleaders spent the day in Chattanooga and the surrounding area, but we get stuck with Schobel and Long. Now both players saw playing time last season, with Long playing in all 16 games. But to be honest ? and I?m sure it?s just me ? he?s not a very famous name on the Titans? roster.

Other cities get big-name stars, like Keith Bulluck and in the past Eddie George, Yancey Thigpen just to name a few.

Yes, we have had a couple of stars come our way, Andre Dyson and, well that?s all I can think of. Thigpen also made the trip a couple years back.

But we usually end up with the bottom of the barrel. One year they sent Jason Matthews, who never even made the team.

Each year the crowds seem to shrink and it?s not just here in McMinnville. All the small towns are designated to get the no-name players.

To be honest, not many of the bigger ?name? players can work the Titans Caravan into their busy schedule.

The players are busy getting ready for camp to open. There are things that have to be done if you?re a star. You have to have new grips put on your golf clubs, or you?re busy shopping for that new set of irons.

Over the next couple of weeks players will be bonding on the golf course and have little time to get out and greet the ones who actually pay their salaries.

When the Titans first moved to Tennessee, they made a big push across the state and used every resource they had to reach their fan base.

Now, the Titans can send their scrubs or potential players around to do all the hand-shaking. To me, that shows little respect to their fans.

To be honest with you, if that?s the best they can do then I say just stop coming. If the Titans want to show their fans some appreciation, give a discount off their tickets.

And if they?re trying to reach more fans, just send ?T-Rac? and the Titan cheerleaders. I?m not trying to down the Caravan, but at least give us one big-name player each year.