Jon Robinson was tasked with an unenviable mandate upon being named general manager of the Tennessee Titans in January 2016, designated to repair the NFL's worst roster. In a 17-month span, Robinson has succeeded in getting rid of the last vestiges of Ruston Webster's disastrous tenure and the Titans are well-positioned for their first playoff bid since 2008.
By agreeing to terms on a one-year contract with veteran wide receiver Eric Decker, Robinson pulled off another coup as the Titans quickly emerged from the debris left from Webster's regime.
Aside from the nearly incomparable New England Patriots, it's hard to imagine any team having a better offseason than the Titans. Tennesse improved its secondary immensely by adding cornerback Logan Ryan and safety Johnathan Cyprien in free agency, then drafted defensive back/return specialist Adoree' Jackson with one of its two first-round picks. Under Robinson's leadership, the Titans made a number of cost-effective moves to improve their defensive line. Improving the team's previously subpar receiving group is his most impressive accomplishment this summer and Decker injects life into an offense that is poised to make a leap in the AFC South.
Marcus Mariota is on the cusp of superstardom entering his third season and it's Robinson's responsibility to provide him with enough weapons to get the most out of the offense. In this regard, Robinson has succeeded wildly, using the No. 5 pick in this year's draft on wide receiver Corey Davis, a third-round pick on tight end Jonnu Smith, and now the addition of Decker who serves as a reliable option for a young offense. Mariota and Co. can no longer use the built-in excuse that the Titans lack talent, with Decker joining a group that also includes two-time Pro Bowl tight end Delanie Walker, Tajae Sharpe, and Rishard Matthews.
Signing Decker to a one-year deal is a win-win move. For the Titans, inking Decker provides them with a low-risk, high-reward scenario in the event that he returns to his 2015 form, following an injury-truncated 2016 campaign. For Decker, he's presented with a great opportunity to rejuvenate his market value, especially if he steers the Titans to their first playoff appearance since 2008. Knowing all of this, it speaks once again to Robinson's acumen and talent evaluation, qualities that were sorely missing from the previous regime.
It seemed highly implausible that the Titans would be a leading contender for the AFC South crown after Robinson took over, but he's proving to be one of the brightest young architects in the game. If Decker responds with a vintage campaign, it'll be remembered as another coup in Robinson's grand renovation project.