CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – (CLARKSVILLENOW) Mike Keith, the voice of the Titans, was the guest speaker at the Kiwanis Club of Clarksville Tuesday sharing insight into the team and talking about the new season of football.
For the upcoming season, Keith said it’s a good football team. “I think it’s the deepest roster we’ve had in 10 or 11 years and there’s great competition. I think we’re going to be more explosive offensively, and I think a very good defense has a chance to get even better,” Keith said.
Keith talked about his optimism for the Titans and praised Controlling Owner, Amy Adams-Strunk, for what she has brought to the team over the past four years, such as adding 80 new staff members, and making changes to Titans coverage in terms of video content, website and social media.
He talked about some of Adams-Strunk’s accomplishments. “Her rationale on being willing to spend money on the football team, doing more things for our season ticket members, adding amenities to our stadium, putting that money back in the football and non-football part of our organization,” said Keith.
The number one question Keith receives, ‘can Marcus Mariota get it done’? However he insists that is the wrong question to ask about Mariota. The fair question to ask, can he stay healthy?
“When he’s healthy he’s been outstanding, but he’s had injuries. He’s had injuries that forced him to miss games. He’s also had injuries that lingered at different points and he has not been able to play at 100 percent,” Keith said. He added, we need 16 healthy games from Marcus Mariota.
As far as injuries for other players and the Titans as a whole, Keith said there have been a couple of “dings” but for the most part the team is in good shape.
When it comes to staying healthy he highlighted nutrition. Times have changed in the eating habits of players from years ago and today’s players eat incredibly healthy. The team has a new cafeteria and the players have more choices for healthy food with calorie counts and a nutritionist.
Wrapping up his talk at Kiwanis he had something to say about some of the publicity the team is getting. “I’m pumped man, I am so big time pumped, I love all of these people picking us low, just keep doing that, please keep doing that, underestimate our toughness, I think it’s a big mistake,” Keith said.
He summed it up by saying he thinks Titans fans who are optimistic are right to be optimistic for 2019.
The Titans are hosting a free kick-off party at Nissan Stadium August 3 and fans have a number of chances to see the the team practice during training camp.
Keith is scheduled to return to Clarksville to speak at a Clarksvile High School football fundraiser on August 13 at Edward’s. There is a social at 6:15 p.m. with dinner at 7:00 p.m. and tickets are $100. For tickets or for more information call Howard Spurgeon at 931-494-4834.
Also at their Tuesday meeting, Kiwanis member Hayes Wellington was presented with the Kiwanian of the Quarter award by President of the Kiwanis Club of Clarksville, Price Hopson.