In the 1996 season, the Houston Oilers were decent and had future pieces in quarterback Steve McNair and Heisman Trophy-winning running back Eddie George at their disposal. Unfortunately, crowds didn't show up to games at the Eighth Wonder Of The World, the Astrodome due to lack of interest. They had Warren Moon at quarterback and the run-and-shoot offense that had receivers in Haywood Jeffries, Ernest Givens, and Curtis Duncan. Coach Jerry Granville brought excitement to Oilers football, then handed the reins to Jack Padree. In 1994, the Oilers were terrible. 2-14 terrible. Pardee was let go and replaced by Jeff Fisher. Yes, that Jeff Fisher. They couldn't get the #1 pick due to Carolina and Jacksonville entering the next season, but were able to draft Alcorn State quarterback McNair with the third pick. In 1995, the Oilers were up and coming, but had McNair study during the sidelines learning the game. In the NFL now, they have to throw in their first round pick, because they have to. You actually don't. Look at Aaron Rodgers or Tom Brady. They had to study and learn the game while on the sidelines. Patrick Mahomes did that for one year. Just saying. The Oilers went 7-9, which gave them the #14 pick to select George. This was around the time that Oilers owner Bud Adams was trying to move the team to Tennessee.

Tennessee. TENNESSEE. Tennessee. TENNESSEE. Tennessee. TENNESSEE. Tennessee. TENNESSEE. 

If you grew up in the 90's, the rap/hip hop group Arrested Development had a hit song called "Tennessee" which was a political stand. I used this because I love the song.

So Bud Adams is moving "Luv Ya Blue!" to the depths of Tennessee. I mean, at the time, Tennessee's college football program was one of the top tier in the nation, but could they handle NFL football? After the '96 season, the move was approved.

1997 SEASON: LIBERTY BOWL

So......they were worried about attendance woes in Houston, huh? Well, it didn't get much better in Memphis.

The people of Memphis did not want to support a team that wasn't theirs, as the Oilers planned on having the franchise settled in Nashville. During an episode of NFL Primetime, the late Stuart Scott provided the highlights to the Oilers' Week 3 matchup with Baltimore and pointed out the pathetic attendance of around 17,000 people at the Liberty Bowl. An already boombastic Chris Berman was infuriated and called it a "disgrace" that only 17,000 people showed up to an NFL game. Despite the lack of support from Memphis, the Oilers made massive improvements as McNair and George became the franchise's future building blocks as the Oilers went 8-8 with Jeff Fisher as head coach. In many years to come, Fisher and 8-8 would be a perfect companionship with each other.

1998: VANDERBILT STADIUM

As the Oilers were a year away from playing in their sparkling new stadium in downtown Nashville, they decided to settle in the city for the 1998 season at Vanderbilt Stadium. The attendance was a little bit better despite Vanderbilt Stadium was considered undersized by NFL standards. Despite on paper that many pundits viewed that Tennessee would challenge for a playoff spot or even a division title, the Oilers again finished at 8-8. That season, they drafted a wide receiver in the first round NOT named Randy Moss, who they passed on. Imagine a McNair/George/Moss foundation.

THE AFTERMATH

In 1999, Tennessee finally moved into their new digs, what is now called Nissan Stadium. The team was then rechristened as the Titans and dominated the AFC. The Titans with 13-3, but survived the wild card game due to a Music City Miracle. Tennessee would shock the favorite Jaguars in the AFC Championship game to advance to the Super Bowl. We all know what happened next. Against a uber-talented Rams team, the Titans would be one yard short of tying the game.

For 20 years, the Oilers/Titans have called Nashville home. But for two seasons, Tennessee was the NFL's version of the Wanderer.

(For more content, check out our Facebook page and our website @www.realsportsaz.com)

: