The National Football League is commemorating its 100th season in 2019. Also this year, the Tennessee Titans play their 60th season in franchise history, dating to their earliest days as the Houston Oilers in the American Football League.
Additionally, this is the 50th NFL season for the Titans-Oilers franchise, stretching back to the merger with the AFL in 1970.
Nice, round numbers like those typically call for celebration in the form of a magnificent list, and these are no exception.
Without further ado, Titans Wire ranks the top 100 players in Titans and Oilers history:
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100. RB Derrick Henry (2016-present)
Henry had a slow start last year, but he proved his value when the team figured out how to best utilize him in its new offensive scheme. The rusher who once played second fiddle to Dion Lewis is now the centerpiece of the offense. He tied the record for the longest run from scrimmage in NFL history with a 99-yard touchdown against the Jaguars on Dec. 6, 2018, contributing to his 1,059 rushing yards on the season.
99. P Craig Hentrich (1998-2009)
Hentrich may not get as much attention because of his role as a specialist, but he was quietly effective for a long tenure in Nashville. He punted 861 times for 36,926 yards (42.9-yard average) and played in 177 career games with the Titans-Oilers franchise. He was named to the Pro Bowl twice during his time in Tennessee.
98. S Vernon Perry (1979-1982)
Perry was a solid role player for the Oilers, starting every game from 1979 through 1981. No. 32 played like a Hall of Famer in the postseason, though, recording six interceptions in four career games. He picked off Dan Fouts four times and blocked a field-goal attempt to help the Oilers upset San Diego in the divisional round in 1979. The following week, in the AFC Championship Game at Pittsburgh, he picked off Terry Bradshaw and scored on a 75-yard return.
97. DB W.K. Hicks (1964-1969)
After playing his college ball in Houston at Texas Southern, Hicks recorded 27 interceptions in six American Football League seasons with the Oilers. He led the AFL with nine picks in 1965 and earned an All-Star selection the following season.
96. OT Fred Miller (2000-2004)
Miller was an steady member of the Titans offensive line when he arrived from the St. Louis Rams in 2000. He started all 80 games during his five seasons in Tennessee. Miller was a part of the Rams team that defeated the Titans in Super Bowl XXXIV.
95. DB Darryll Lewis (1991-1998)
Lewis played for the Oilers during the team’s last six seasons in the Lone Star State and its first two seasons in the Volunteer State. During that time, he recorded 27 interceptions and returned five of those for touchdowns. He was named to the Pro Bowl for the 1995 season.
94. DL Kevin Carter (2001-2004)
Like Fred Miller, Carter came to Tennessee from the St. Louis Rams. And like Miller, Carter started every possible game during his time with the Titans — 64 in four seasons. Carter recorded 23.5 sacks for Tennessee, including 10 during his Pro Bowl season of 2002.
93. CB J.C. Wilson (1978-1983)
Wilson patrolled Houston’s defensive backfield for six seasons, including during the team’s Luv Ya Blue heyday under head coach Bum Phillips. He enjoyed his best season in 1979, reeling in six interceptions in the regular season and one more in the playoffs as the Oilers advanced to their second consecutive AFC Championship Game.
92. FB Charley Tolar (1960-1966)
Tolar played for the Oilers during their first seven years of existence in the American Football League. He won two AFL championships and was named to two AFL All-Star Games. In addition to blocking duties out of the backfield, Tolar led the team in rushing with 1,012 yards in 1962. For his career, he rushed for 3,277 yards and caught 175 passes.
91. LB Johnny Meads (1984-1992)
Meads played in 119 games in eight-plus seasons with the Oilers — including starting every game from the 1988 season through 1991 during the House of Pain era under coach Jerry Glanville. These days, he’s a big wheel in another line of work.
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90. CB Alterraun Verner (2010-2013)
Verner loved being a Titan so much, he signed a one-day contract with the team to end his NFL career in April. Verner spent four seasons in Tennessee and played with the Buccaneers and Dolphins after his departure. Verner made the Pro Bowl in 2013, and was named second-team All-Pro the same season. He recorded 11 interceptions and 274 tackles as a Titan.
89. S Keith Bostic (1983-1988)
A hard-hitting, second-round draft pick out of Michigan, Bostic was one of the few bright spots on some bad Oilers teams in the mid-1980s. He became a cornerstone of the House of Pain defense known for its aggressive – some observers would say dirty — style of play. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 1987, when he ranked second in the NFL with six interceptions.
88. LB Garland Boyette (1966-1972)
Boyette played for seven seasons in Houston, bridging the franchise’s transition from the American Football League into the NFL. He was named an AFL All-Star in 1968 and 1969. Boyette has the distinction of having played in the NFL, AFL, Canadian Football League and World Football League. He’s believed to be the first African American to play middle linebacker as a professional.
87. CB Willie Alexander (1971-1979)
Alexander was a solid role player throughout the Oilers’ first decade in the NFL, appearing in 122 career games. The Alcorn State alum racked up 23 interceptions during his nine seasons in Houston, including a game-winning pick six against Green Bay in 1977.
86. P Brett Kern (2009-present)
Now in his 12th NFL season, Kern is playing the best football of his career. He made the Pro Bowl for his second consecutive year in 2018, pinning 41.6 percent of his punts inside the 20-yard line. Kern led the league with a 49.7-yard average in 2017.
85. FB Hoyle Granger (1966-1970, 1972)
Despite serving as a fullback, Granger handled the ball often during the prime of his career. He topped 200 touches and 1,000 yards from scrimmage in three consecutive seasons from 1967 to 1969. He was a two-time American Football League All-Star and led the AFL with 1,494 yards from scrimmage in 1967. Just so you know, the Louisiana native’s name is pronounced Gron-JAY.
84. RB Rob Carpenter (1977-1981)
Carpenter was primarily tasked as a blocker in four-plus seasons with the Oilers during the halcyon Luv Ya Blue era. That’s because Houston drafted Heisman Trophy winner Earl Campbell with the No. 1 overall pick in 1978. Still, Carpenter amassed 2,636 yards from scrimmage and 14 touchdowns with the Oilers, in addition to blocking for Campbell and quarterback Dan Pastorini.
83. WR Nate Washington (2009-2014)
Washington was originally brought to Nashville to serve as a deep threat. He proved to be incredibly versatile and consistent, recording at least 40 catches in each of his six seasons with the Titans. Overall, he compiled 307 receptions, 28 touchdown catches and 4,591 receiving yards with Tennessee.
82. RB Billy Cannon (1960-1963)
A Heisman Trophy winner at LSU, Cannon became a key member of the Oilers during the franchise’s first few years. Cannon signed with both the American Football League and the NFL’s Rams, who drafted him No. 1 overall in 1960. A federal court invalidated the Rams pact, sending Cannon to Houston, where he would win AFL championships in 1960 and 1961. He led the AFL with 948 rushing yards and 2,043 all-purpose yards in 1961, earning All-Star status in the league’s second season.
81. C Mark Stepnoski (1995-1998)
Although better known as a member of the Cowboys, Stepnoski helped anchor the Oilers’ offensive line during the years when the team transitioned from Houston to Tennessee. He started 61 games in four seasons with the Oilers and received Pro Bowl nods in the team’s final two years in Houston.
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80. LB Brian Orakpo (2015-2018)
There’s no question Orakpo left a serious void at outside linebacker when he announced his retirement as the 2018 season concluded. He missed just three games in four seasons with Tennessee. His best season as a Titan was 2016, when he recorded 10.5 sacks and was named to the Pro Bowl.
79. K Toni Fritsch (1977-1981)
They don’t make ’em like they used to. At 5-foot-7, 190 pounds, it’s difficult to imagine Fritsch playing in today’s NFL. Fritsch played professional soccer in his native Austria before coming to the NFL, and he would lead the league in field-goal accuracy in three of his five seasons with Houston. He earned Pro Bowl honors in the 1979 season, when the Oilers reached the AFC Championship Game for the second year in a row.
78. DT Ed Husmann (1961-1965)
After six years in the NFL, Husmann defected to the rival American Football League in 1961. He helped the Oilers repeat as AFL champions that year and earned the first of three consecutive All-Star nods. Husmann was a team captain in his final four seasons with the Oilers before concluding his career in the Canadian Football League.
77. S Bubba McDowell (1989-1994)
McDowell was a staple in the Oilers’ defensive backfield during his tenure in Houston, starting 77 games and helping the team to five playoff appearances in his first five pro seasons. Overall, he recorded 16 regular-season interceptions, plus three more in the playoffs, and forced nine fumbles in six years with the Oilers. McDowell is currently an assistant coach at Prairie View A&M.
76. RB Ronnie Coleman (1974-1981)
Coleman led the Oilers in rushing yards three consecutive years prior to the arrival of Heisman Trophy winner Earl Campbell in 1978. The Alabama A&M alum totaled 4,008 yards from scrimmage on 700 rushes and 150 receptions over in eight seasons in Houston. He played in seven playoff games for the Oilers, including two AFC Championship Games.
75. WR Kevin Dyson (1998-2002)
Dyson is known both for his role in The Music City Miracle and the heartbreaking final play of Super Bowl XXXIV against the Rams. Dyson racked up 176 receptions, 18 touchdown catches and 2,310 receiving yards in five seasons with Tennessee.
74. LB Doug Cline (1960-1966)
Cline played in every game during the first six seasons of the Oilers franchise’s existence, helping Houston win the first two American Football League championships. Cline scored three touchdowns on fumble recoveries during his six-plus seasons with the Oilers, tied with Marcus Robertson for second in franchise history.
73. K Rob Bironas (2005-2013)
With 1,032 career points, Bironas is the franchise’s scoring leader during its time in Tennessee. Over an nine-season career, Bironas made 239 of 279 field-goal attempts, with a long of 60 yards. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 2007. Bironas died in a car accident on Sept. 20, 2014.
72. DE Don Floyd (1960-1967)
Floyd was a defensive mainstay for the fledgling Oilers, winning two American Football League championships and earning two All-Star nods in the team’s first eight seasons. He was an All-America defensive tackle at TCU but moved to end with the Oilers after spurning the NFL’s Baltimore Colts, who drafted him in the second round in 1960. He recorded four career interceptions – all during the 1962 season.
71. CB Miller Farr (1967-1969)
Farr only played three seasons for the Oilers, but he made them impactful. He was an American Football League All-Star in each of those years, racking up 19 interceptions – including five he returned for touchdowns. Farr, a college teammate of Hall of Fame coach Bill Parcells at Wichita State, would lead the AFL with 10 picks in 1967.
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70. WR Drew Bennett (2001-2006)
Bennett signed with the Titans as an undrafted free agent out of UCLA. The underdog spent six of his nine NFL seasons in Tennessee, recording 273 receptions for 4,033 yards and 25 career touchdowns with the Titans. His best season was 2004, when he caught 80 passes for 1,247 yards with 11 touchdowns.
69. CB Jason McCourty (2009-2016)
It’s not unreasonable to think the Titans regret releasing McCourty. Now a piece of the New England Patriots’ defense, McCourty already has a Super Bowl win under his belt. In 108 games with Tennessee, McCourty compiled 13 interceptions, 496 tackles and 73 passes defended.
68. CB Steve Brown (1983-1990)
Brown was a defensive mainstay for the Oilers as they rebuilt from the ashes of the Luv Ya Blue years to become a playoff team in the House of Pain era. He appeared in 119 games for Houston, starting 96, and recorded 18 interceptions in eight seasons. Brown served as an assistant coach with the Titans from 2012 through 2015 and currently is a member of the coaching staff at East Tennessee State.
67. LB Joe Bowden (1992-1999)
Bowden played eight seasons for the Oilers-Titans franchise, culminating with the team’s run to Super Bowl XXXIV. He was a key defensive cog for the franchise when it migrated from Houston to Memphis to Nashville, missing just one game from 1995 through 1999. Bowden later served as an assistant under former Titans head coach Jeff Fisher with the St. Louis Rams.
66. TE Delanie Walker (2013-present)
Walker looks to bounce back this season and regain his form as a paragon of stability for the Titans. A severe ankle injury limited him to one game in 2018, ending a streak of five seasons with at least 60 catches. Walker was named to three consecutive Pro Bowls in 2015 through 2017. His best season as a Titan was 2015, when he caught 94 passes for 1,088 yards and six touchdowns.
65. C Kevin Mawae (2006-2009)
After a long wait, Mawae was finally inducted into the Pro Football Hall Of Fame in 2019. He concluded his career with four seasons in Tennessee, missing just three starts during that time. He earned Pro Bowl selections in each of his final two seasons and was named All-Pro in 2008.
64. RB Mike Rozier (1985-1990)
A Heisman Trophy winner at Nebraska, Rozier came to the Oilers after two years in the United States Football League. He led Houston in rushing four consecutive seasons as the Oilers transformed from a moribund franchise into a playoff team under head coach Jerry Glanville. Rozier was named to the Pro Bowl in 1987 and 1988 and compiled 4,067 yards from scrimmage during five-plus years in Houston.
63. Wesley Woodyard (2014-present)
The Titans’ defense wouldn’t be as strong as it is today without Woodyard at linebacker. He originally signed with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent out of Kentucky in 2008, and joined the Titans after six seasons in Denver. He’s missed just two games in five seasons with Tennessee, recording 19 sacks and 465 tackles during that time.
62. K Al Del Greco (1991-2000)
Del Greco is the leading scorer in Titans-Oilers history with 1,060 points. He was successful on 246 of 295 field-goal attempts with the franchise (83.4%). He scored 32 points in the 1999 playoffs for the Titans, including four in Super Bowl XXXIV.
61. WR/KR Billy “White Shoes” Johnson (1974-1980)
Johnson revolutionized the touchdown celebration in the 1970s, delighting fans and angering opponents with his famed Funky Chicken dance. Listed at 5-foot-9, 190 pounds, he used uncommon speed to create explosive plays. Johnson scored 13 receiving touchdowns, two rushing touchdowns and seven touchdowns on special teams during his tenure with the Oilers.
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60. DE Sean Jones (1988-1993)
A feared pass-rusher during his time in Houston, big No. 96 racked up 57.5 sacks and helped the Oilers reach the playoffs in each of his six seasons with the club. He earned Pro Bowl honors in the 1993 season, when he led the team with 13 sacks. The 6-foot-7, 270-pound Jones went on to win a Super Bowl with the Packers and worked as a television and radio broadcaster following his retirement from the NFL.
59. CB Greg Stemrick (1975-1982)
After playing a year in the World Football League, Stemrick caught on with the Oilers in 1975. He would become a mainstay in the team’s defensive backfield during the Luv Ya Blue glory years, starting all but one of Houston’s games from 1978 through 1981. He recorded 14 regular-season interceptions as an Oiler, plus two more in the 1978 playoffs, and was named to the Pro Bowl in the 1980 season.
58. LB Eddie Robinson (1992-1995, 1998-2001)
Robinson played four seasons for the Houston Oilers and returned to the franchise for four more years after it settled in Nashville, missing only one game during those eight seasons. He enjoyed his best season in 1999, when he helped the team reach Super Bowl XXXIV with six sacks and 83 tackles. Robinson now resides in Houston, right back where his pro career started.
57. DE Kyle Vanden Bosch (2005-2009)
There may be no more intimidating player to don two-toned blue than Vanden Bosch, who famously wore red contact lenses. He made the Pro Bowl three times in five seasons as a Titan. He totaled 38.5 sacks, 268 tackles and 14 forced fumbles during his time in Tennessee.
56. OL Walt Suggs (1962-1971)
Suggs was a cornerstone of the Houston offensive line during the team’s formative years, appearing in 137 games over 10 seasons. He was a two-time American Football League All-Star and made three playoff appearances with the Oilers. After playing offensive tackle in his first nine seasons professional seasons, Suggs finished his career as a center in 1971.
55. Marcus Mariota (2015-present)
Mariota has received plenty of criticism, but he’s been better than just about any Titans quarterbacks not named Steve McNair. He was selected No. 2 overall by the Titans in the 2015 NFL Draft, and has since recorded 12,004 passing yards, 69 touchdowns and 42 interceptions. What he does in the fifth and final year of his rookie deal will go a long way toward determining his career legacy.
54. OG Ed Fisher (1974-1982)
Fisher was a staple on the Oilers’ offensive line as the team emerged as a playoff contender in the late 1970s. He started every game for Houston from 1978 through 1982, helping star tailback Earl Campbell lead the NFL in rushing three times. He played in a total of 126 regular-season games and seven postseason contests for the Oilers.
53. OT Taylor Lewan (2014-present)
Lewan has been a consistent force at left tackle, earning selections to three consecutive Pro Bowls since 2016. He became the highest-paid offensive lineman in NFL history in July 2018 and has missed just two games in the past four seasons.
52. S Fred Glick (1961-1966)
After beginning his pro career playing two seasons for the NFL’s Cardinals, Glick joined the Oilers and helped them repeat as American Football League champs in 1961. He earned AFL All-Star honors the following three seasons, recording a 27-tackle game in 1962 and leading the AFL with 12 interceptions in 1963. Overall, he recorded 30 picks in six seasons for the Oilers.
51. DT Henry Ford (1994-2002)
Ford played all but the final season of his 10-year career with the Titans-Oilers club. He totaled 273 tackles, 24 sacks and one touchdown on a fumble return and played in seven postseason games for the franchise. His season high in sacks was 5.5 in 1999, the same season the Titans earned their only Super Bowl appearance.
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50. LB Ted Washington (1973-1982)
Washington was somewhat overshadowed by fellow Oilers linebackers Robert Brazile and Gregg Bingham during his time in Houston, but he undoubtedly made his presence felt to opposing ball carriers during the Luv Ya Blue era. Washington is credited with 907 tackles and 45 sacks during his career, marks that rank fifth and ninth, respectively, on franchise leaderboards.
49. CB Tony Banfield (1960-1965)
Banfield played in five of the franchise’s first six seasons, missing the 1964 season with a knee injury. He helped the Oilers capture the first two American Football League championships and was named an AFL All-Star three consecutive times from 1961 through 1963. With 27 interceptions for the Oilers, he’s tied for fourth on the all-time franchise list.
48. LB Al Smith (1987-1996)
Smith played his entire career with the Oilers, toiling for the club in its final 10 seasons in Houston. He led the team in tackles as a rookie and again five consecutive seasons from 1990 through 1994. Smith was named to the Pro Bowl in the 1991 and 1992 seasons, recording a combined 268 tackles over those seasons.
47. LB George Webster (1967-1972)
Selected No. 5 overall out of Michigan State in the first common draft between the NFL and American Football League, Webster earned consensus All-AFL first-team honors in each of his first three pro seasons. Despite playing just three AFL seasons, he was named to the first team on the league’s all-time roster. He would be slowed by knee injuries later in his career, playing two-plus more seasons in Houston before moving on to Pittsburgh and New England.
46. CB Cortland Finnegan (2006-2011)
If there’s anything Finnegan is remembered for, it’s his tenacity. He recorded 14 career interceptions over six seasons as a Titan, including two consecutive seasons of five picks in 2008 and 2009. He also scored four defensive touchdowns and amassed 473 tackles. He’s now interning with the Bengals coaching staff.
45. S Mike Reinfeldt (1976-1983)
Reinfeldt played six-plus seasons in Houston, racking up 26 regular-season interceptions along the way. He recorded 12 of those picks in 1979, tops in the NFL that season, on his way to All-Pro honors. He played in seven postseason games with the Oilers, intercepting three passes in those contests. Reinfeldt went on to a long career as an NFL executive, including serving as general manager of the Titans from 2007 through 2011.
44. RB Lorenzo White (1988-1994)
White racked up 4,079 rushing yards, fourth-best in franchise history, on exactly 1,000 attempts over seven seasons in Houston. The Michigan State alum also reeled in 184 receptions as an Oiler, while scoring 36 touchdowns (29 rushing, six receiving, one kick return). White rumbled for a career-best 1,226 yards to earn a Pro Bowl nod in 1992.
43. DE Pat Holmes (1966-1972)
Holmes came to Houston after four seasons in the Canadian Football League and proceeded to play in every single game during his seven seasons with the team. The Texas Tech alum played defensive tackle in his first season for the Oilers before moving to end for the next years.
42. OT David Stewart (2006-2013)
Picked up by the Titans in fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft, Stewart never saw another NFL home. He spent nine years with the team, starting and playing in 116 games. He also had five fumble recoveries and was a Second-Team All-Pro.
41. OT Dean Steinkuhler (1984-1991)
Steinkuhler was drafted No. 2 overall by the Oilers in 1984 after winning the Outland Trophy at Nebraska as the nation’s top offensive lineman. He would help solidify the line for an offensive unit that would become one of the league’s best in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Steinkuhler was reunited with college teammate and Heisman Trophy winner Mike Rozier when the star running back came to Houston from the United States Football League.
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40. DE Derrick Morgan (2010-2018)
With the retirements of Morgan and Brian Orakpo, the Titans have lost two fixtures from their defense in recent years. Morgan, who announced his retirement in July, was originally selected No. 16 overall out of Georgia Tech in the 2010 NFL Draft. He spent his entire NFL career with the Titans, recording 306 tackles, 44.5 sacks and 25 passes defensed.
39. C Carl Mauck (1975-1981)
Mauck was the linchpin of an offensive line that opened lanes for Earl Campbell, helping the star tailback lead the NFL in rushing yards in 1978, 1979 and 1980. After arriving with the Oilers from San Diego in 1975, he started 93 consecutive games as Houston made three playoff appearances, including two trips to the AFC Championship Game.
38. WR Drew Hill (1985-1991)
Hill enjoyed the most productive years of his 14-year NFL career as an Oiler, eclipsing the 1,000-yard mark in receiving yards five times. He was named to the Pro Bowl twice for Houston, amassing 480 receptions and 7,455 receiving yards in seven seasons with the Oilers. Hill’s 47 career regular-seasons touchdowns for the Oilers is tied with Haywood Jeffires for seventh in franchise history.
37. CB Zeke Moore (1967-1977)
Moore played his entire pro career in Houston, appearing in 145 games and making 101 starts in 11 seasons. He racked up 24 interceptions as an Oiler, earning an American Football League All-Star selection in 1969 and a Pro Bowl nod in 1970. Moore scored four touchdowns during his Oilers career – two on interceptions, one on a fumble recovery and one on a kickoff return.
36. OG Benji Olson (1998-2007)
This member of the 1999 AFC championship Titans proved to be a vital piece of Tennessee’s offensive line over the span of his career. He started 140 of the 152 games he played, missing just five starts after his rookie season. Olson played for no other team after being drafted out of Washington in the fifth round in 1998.
35. CB Samari Rolle (1998-2004)
Marcus Robertson and Blaine Bishop did their jobs at safety well, making this corner’s role even easier. But Rolle was very effective in his own right, recording 23 interceptions, 79 passes defensed and one pick-six over seven years in Tennessee. He also recorded 294 tackles and 8.5 sacks as a Titan and was selected to the 2004 Pro Bowl.
34. DE William Fuller (1986-1993)
Fuller, who terrorized opposing quarterbacks during his eight seasons with the Oilers, was a big reason why the Astrodome became known as the House of Pain in the late 1980s. His 59 sacks stand as the fourth-highest total in franchise history, and he earned a Pro Bowl nod with a 15-sack season in 1991.
33. TE Frank Wycheck (1995-2003)
It’s impossible to forget the Music City Miracle — or Wycheck’s involvement in it. Besides teaming up with Kevin Dyson on that famous trick play to beat Buffalo in a Jan. 8, 2000, playoff game, Wycheck racked up 482 receptions for 4,958 yards and 27 touchdowns. He’s now a member of the team’s Ring Of Honor, and he made the Pro Bowl on three occasions.
32. OG Bob Talamini (1960-1967)
Talamini was a model of consistency in the Oilers’ first decade. A member of the team’s American Football League-champion teams in 1960 and 1961, he went on to earn AFL All-Star honors in six consecutive seasons. After 112 regular-season games and four postseason contests with the Oilers, Talamini would end his career with a Super Bowl title as a member of the New York Jets.
31. S Marcus Robertson (1991-2000)
Robertson was a key piece Titans’ Super Bowl run in the 1999 season, as well as 2000 season, when the team recorded one of its best overall records at 13-3. He recorded 643 tackles and 22 interceptions in 135 games with the Titans-Oilers franchise. Robertson was a Titans assistant coach from 2007 to 2011 and currently serves as defensive backs coach for the Arizona Cardinals.
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30. DT Albert Haynesworth (2002-2008)
Haynesworth possessed a notorious temper, but he was an effective and feared presence along the Titans defensive line for seven seasons. He piled up 24 sacks and 271 tackles during that time, earning Pro Bowl nods and All-Pro honors in his last two years as a Titan. He accepted a big payday to depart for Washington, which ran a defensive system ill-suited for his skill set, and would never again achieve the success he enjoyed in Tennessee.
29. CB Cris Dishman (1988-1996)
Dishman was a longtime force in the defensive backfield for the Oilers, compiling 31 interceptions to rank second on the all-time franchise list. A true ballhawk, he scored five touchdowns for Houston – two on fumble recoveries, two on blocked pun returns and one on an interception. Dishman was named All-Pro in 1991, reeling in six interceptions, recovering three fumbles and making 66 tackles that season.
28. WR Haywood Jeffires (1987-1995)
Jeffires collected 515 receptions in his nine years with the Oilers, second only to longtime teammate Ernest Givins in franchise history. He led the NFL with 100 catches in 1991, earning the first of three consecutive Pro Bowl nods. Jeffires played in nine postseason games, racking up 41 catches and three touchdowns. His 47 career regular-seasons touchdowns for the Oilers is tied with Drew Hill for seventh in franchise history.
27. DB/P Jim Norton (1960-1968)
Norton earned three American Football League All-Star selections, won two championships and recorded a franchise-record 45 interceptions in nine pro seasons with the Oilers. He became the team’s punter in 1961, and with 522 career punts, he ranks only behind Craig Hentrich and Brett Kern in team history. Norton’s No. 43 jersey was the first number to be retired by the franchise.
26. S Michael Griffin (2007-2015)
A first-round pick out of Texas in 2007, Griffin was an integral part of the Titans defense for nine seasons. He was named to the Pro Bowl twice. The safety totaled 761 tackles, 60 passes defensed and 25 interceptions during his time in Tennessee.
25. WR Charley Hennigan (1960-1966)
Reeling in passes from veteran quarterback George Blanda, Hennigan amassed statistics decades ahead of his time and helped the Oilers capture the first two American Football League championships. He established franchise records that still stand today when he compiled 1,746 receiving yards in 1961 and caught 101 passes in 1964.
24. WR Derrick Mason (1997-2004)
Mason spends his days talking Titans on the radio now, but he was a longtime force for the team on the field. He exceeded 1,000 receiving years in each of his final four seasons in Tennessee. In eight total seasons with the Titans, Mason racked up 453 catches, 40 total touchdowns and 6,114 receiving yards. He represented the Titans in the Pro Bowl twice and was named first-team All-Pro in the 2000 season.
23. OT Michael Roos (2005-2014)
A 6-foot-7, 313-pound block of granite, Roos spent the entirety of his 10-year NFL career in Tennessee, quietly making a large impact on the offensive line. He missed just one start in his first nine seasons with the Titans. The former second-round pick out of Eastern Washington was named to the Pro Bowl in 2008.
22. LB Gregg Bingham (1973-1984)
One of the toughest workhorses in franchise history, Bingham started 173 of 175 possible regular-season games over his 12-year career. He’s the leading tackler in Oilers-Titans history, and his 1,970 career stops total nearly 700 more than the nearest challenger, Hall of Famer Robert Brazile. Bingham also intercepted 21 passes in the regular season and three more in seven career playoff games.
21. DT Curley Culp (1974-1980)
Culp, who won the 1967 NCAA heavyweight wrestling title at Arizona State, was a prototypical nose tackle in Bum Phillips’ 3-4 scheme. Although his 6-foot-2, 265-pound frame is modest by today’s standards, his extraordinary strength allowed him to overpower opponents. He often faced double- and triple-teams, creating opportunities for teammates to make plays. Culp was named to four Pro Bowls during six-plus seasons in Houston.
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20. S Blaine Bishop (1993-2001)
Now involved in sports media, Bishop was a small, but strong, safety in his heyday. He racked up 694 tackles, 13.5 sacks, 12 forced fumbles, 11 fumble recoveries, five interceptions and one pick-six on his career. He was named to the Pro Bowl four times as a member of the Titans.
19. S Ken Houston (1967-1972)
A phenomenally gifted athlete, Houston earned American Football League All-Star or Pro Bowl status in five consecutive seasons after his rookie campaign. He recorded 25 interceptions as an Oiler and returned nine of them for touchdowns. Houston was traded to Washington in 1973, getting five players back in return. It turned out to be a lousy deal for the Oilers, as Houston went on to earn seven more Pro Bowl nods in a row.
18. RB Chris Johnson (2008-2013)
CJ2K, as he was affectionately nicknamed by Titans fans, etched his way into NFL history with his 2,006-yard rushing season in 2009. The three-time Pro Bowler racked up 7,965 rushing yards and 50 touchdowns in six seasons with the Titans. Johnson later had stints with the Arizona Cardinals and New York Jets. The speedster, who clocked a 4.24 40-yard dash at the 2008 scouting combine, signed a one-day contract to retire as a Titan earlier this year.
17. DE Jevon Kearse (1999-2003, 2008-2009)
This sack artist was dubbed The Freak for good reason. Kearse was a No. 16 overall selection out of Florida in the first round of the 1999 NFL Draft and recorded 14.5 sacks on his way to being named Defensive Rookie of the Year. He started every game in his first three pro seasons and was named to the Pro Bowl in each of those years. Kearse accepted a payday to join the Eagles in 2004 but returned to the Titans in 2008. Overall, he recorded 52 sacks and 227 tackles in 88 games for Tennessee.
16. QB Dan Pastorini (1971-1979)
In the late 1970s, with Pastorini under center, the Oilers were arguably the second-best football team on the planet. Unfortunately, the Pittsburgh Steelers also played in the AFC Central. Pastorini guided the Luv Ya Blue-era Oilers to consecutive AFC Championship Games, but their dream seasons ended in Pittsburgh at the hands of the eventual Super Bowl champions each time. Pastorini threw for 16,864 yards and 96 touchdowns as an Oiler and also served as the team’s full-time punter for four seasons.
15. WR Ken Burrough (1971-1981)
Wearing his trademark jersey No. 00, Burrough was a deep threat who led the Oilers in receiving yards eight times in 11 seasons. He led the NFL in receiving yards in 1975 and ranked second in 1977, earning Pro Bowl honors both seasons. Burrough’s 408 catches and 6,906 receiving yards rank seventh and third, respectively, in franchise history. He scored 49 touchdowns as an Oiler, tied for fifth in team history with Ernest Givins.
14. WR Ernest Givins (1986-1994)
Givins is the most prolific receiver ever for the Oilers-Titans franchise, ranking first in career catches (542) and receiving yards (7,935). What he lacked in size, at 5-foot-9, 178 pounds, the two-time Pro Bowl pick made up for with speed and consistency. He scored 49 touchdowns for the Oilers – often celebrating with the Electric Slide celebration dance — tied with Ken Burrough for fifth in team history.
13. LB Keith Bulluck (2000-2009)
Bulluck had a nose for the ball, with six career touchdowns — and knew where to find the ball carrier, ranking No. 3 on the franchise list with 1,265 career tackles. In 2004, he led the led the league with 152 tackles, and he started 127 consecutive games from 2001 to 2009. The multidimensional Bulluck also recorded 19 interceptions, 15 forced fumbles and 12 fumble recoveries during his career.
12. DT Jurrell Casey (2011-present)
Casey serves as a cornerstone of coordinator Dean Pees’ defense, but a mentor to younger players as well. Since being drafted by the Titans in the third round out of Southern California in 2011, Casey has posted 449 tackles, 46 sacks and three fumble recoveries. He’s also been named to the Pro Bowl in each of the past four seasons.
11. QB/K George Blanda (1960-1966)
Blanda, believed to be the first-ever fantasy football draft pick, guided the Oilers to the first two American Football League championships and racked up prodigious stats for his era as a passer and kicker. He led the AFL in completions three times, passing yards twice and touchdown passes once, earning three AFL All-Star selections. He’s ranks No. 3 in franchise history with 598 points (four rushing touchdowns, 91 field goals and 301 extra points), and his 36 touchdown passes in 1961 remains a team record. The Oilers let Blanda go at age 39 after the 1966 season, but he would go on to play another nine seasons as a kicker for the Raiders.
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10. OT Brad Hopkins (1993-2005)
Hopkins may be overlooked in the shadow of Steve McNair and Eddie George, but the impact he had on the franchise was great. He played in 194 games for the Titans, starting 188 and missing just 14 in 13 seasons. He earned two trips to the Pro Bowl and appeared in 10 postseason games.
9. DT Ray Childress (1985-1995)
Childress was a stalwart on the defensive line for the Oilers in the late 1980s and early 1990s, earning five Pro Bowl selections as Houston earned seven consecutive playoff berths. He led the Oilers in sacks five times in 11 seasons and ranks second to Elvin Bethea in franchise history with 75.5 sacks. Childress played in 160 games for Houston, sixth-most in franchise history.
8. RB Eddie George (1996-2003)
George is the franchise’s career rushing leader with 2,733 attempts and 10,009 yards. The workhorse tailback earned four consecutive Pro Bowl nods from 1997 through 2000, averaging 392 touches per season during that span. He added 776 rushing yards and five touchdowns in nine career playoff games as a Titan.
7. LB Robert Brazile (1975-1984)
Brazile was a formidable edge rusher and omnipresent tackler for the Oilers before, during and after their Luv Ya Blue glory days. He never missed a game during his career, starting all 147 of the Oilers’ games during his decade in the NFL. He ranks second to Gregg Bingham in franchise history with 1,281 career tackles. Brazile earned seven consecutive Pro Bowl selections from 1976 through 1982 and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018.
6. DE Elvin Bethea (1968-1983)
Bethea played 16 seasons for the Oilers, second only to Bruce Matthews in franchise service time. He appeared in 210 regular-season games and another eight playoff contests. Although sacks didn’t become an official NFL stat until 1982, the Titans recognize Bethea as the franchise’s career leader with 105 – including a team-record 17 in 1973. Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2003, Bethea earned one American Football League All-Star selection and seven Pro Bowl nods during his career.
5. QB Steve McNair (1995-2005)
The No. 3 overall draft pick out of Alcorn State in 1995, McNair went on to become one of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in NFL history. He ranks No. 2 in franchise history with 27,141 passing yards and 156 touchdown passes. He also rushed for 3,439 yards and 36 touchdowns in 11 seasons with the Titans before spending his final two NFL years in Baltimore. McNair guided the Titans to four playoff berths, including their only Super Bowl appearance in January 2000. He died in 2009, the victim of a murder-suicide.
4. OG Mike Munchak (1982-1993)
Selected with the No. 8 overall pick in the 1982 draft, Munchak soon became one of the most reliable blockers in the NFL. He was rewarded with nine Pro Bowl selections, including seven in a row from 1987 to 1993. Following his retirement as a player in 1993, Munchak joined the Oilers staff as an assistant coach. He remained as assistant with the team through its move to Tennessee and eventually served as Titans head coach from 2011 to 2013. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001.
3. QB Warren Moon (1984-1993)
Initially denied a chance to play quarterback in the NFL, the former University of Washington standout began his pro career by lighting up scoreboards in the Canadian Football League. Moon signed with the Oilers at age 28 and became one of the league’s top quarterbacks within a few seasons. He was named to six consecutive Pro Bowls with the Oilers, leading the team to six playoff berths with receivers such as Ernest Givins, Haywood Jeffires and Drew Hill. Moon is the franchise passing leader with 33,685 yards and 196 touchdowns. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006. With this, he became both the first African American quarterback and the first undrafted player at the position to achieve the honor.
2. RB Earl Campbell (1978-1984)
Arguably the most physical running back in NFL history, Campbell wielded an exquisite combination of speed, agility and brute strength to run over, through, around and past flummoxed defenders during his seven seasons in Columbia blue. A 5-foot-11, 232-pound human bowling ball with 36-inch thighs, Campbell led the NFL in rushing yards in each of his first three pro seasons and was named to the Pro Bowl five times. If you’re too young to have seen Campbell play, here are five minutes of highlights infused with pure adrenaline. Or if you want to cut to the chase, go straight to the Isiah Robertson head butt. Campbell’s career was undoubtedly shortened by the physical abandon with which he played. The former No. 1 overall draft pick was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on the first ballot in 1991.
1. OL Bruce Matthews (1983-2001)
Matthews is arguably the finest and most versatile offensive lineman to ever play the game. He played all five positions at various points during his illustrious 19-year career and was named to 14 consecutive Pro Bowl rosters. He played in 296 career games, including 232 in a row at one point — both marks are franchise records. The 6-foot-5, 305-pounder also played in 15 postseason games for the Oilers and Titans. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007 and later served as the Titans’ offensive line coach from 2011 to 2013 under longtime teammate Mike Munchak.
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