That the Tennessee Titans finished as the second-worst team in the NFL in 2014 is made worse by the fact they played in such a poor division.
The Indianapolis Colts ran away with the AFC South and went to the AFC Championship Game but proved they are a flawed team with a great quarterback. The Houston Texans made great strides from their 2-14 2013 to get to 9-7. The Jacksonville Jaguars provided the Titans with one of their wins.
Making the All-AFC South Team was tough if you were a left tackle -- the spot was hotly contested between Anthony Castonzo of the Colts and Duane Brown of the Texans.
Far more positions were clear-cut -- Andrew Luck and J.J. Watt took zero thought and required zero discussion.
And some guys are here because they were the best of a weak field -- Brandon Brooks and Derek Newton were not particularly good. And the Texans get three offensive linemen not because they had a great offensive line, but because the three other teams had even worse offensive fronts.
Left guard was worst of all -- Colts reporter Mike Wells, Texans reporter Tania Ganguli, Jaguars reporter Mike DiRocco and I determined that no one worthy of a spot.
Three Titans are on the team: Tight end Delanie Walker is paired with Coby Fleener as we went with two players at the position in our base set; Jurrell Casey got the spot opposite Watt in our base 3-4 defense; inside linebacker Avery Williamson is the lone rookie on the team.
Outside linebacker Derrick Morgan got strong consideration from me, but ultimately lost out.
I have no idea how this all division team would do against others, but I know Luck and Watt would be surrounded by far more talent and would be even better than they already are.
Walker set a franchise record for yardage by a tight end in 14.5 games for the Titans with Zach Mettenberger, Charlie Whitehurst and Jake Locker throwing to him. With Luck as his quarterback, Walker would lose some chances to Fleener, but Walker would make a significant contribution to a much-better offense.
Casey is the guy on the Titans defense who draws a double team, but with Watt rushing from the other side, Casey would get great matchups and do greater damage as a rusher.
Williamson was a very steady, increasingly good player as a rookie. Given a chance to play next to veteran D'Qwell Jackson with Watt, Sen'Derrick Marks and Casey in front of him and far better coverage behind him, he could really thrive.
It’s fun to imagine.
The Titans hope all three have a better cast around them in Nashville next season, not just on our little all-star team.