Mark WiedmerWith the arrival of the Tennessee Titans Caravan almost three hours away, Cleveland, Tenn., resident Elizabeth Belcher and her 25-year-old son Blake were the first fans in line at Hamilton Place's Academy Sports and Outdoors store Saturday morning.
"Blake's a special needs person, and he's fighting cancer," his mother said. "But he loves the Titans. His bedroom at home is all decorated with Titans stuff. He even has Titans curtains."
So the Belchers arrived at 10:10 a.m., then waited until nearly 1 p.m. for a chance to collect the autographs of offensive linemen Jack Conklin and Quinton Spain and defensive lineman Austin Johnson.
Asked if he'd ever been to a Titans game, or if this was his first chance to see the players in person, Belcher answered instantly: "No. The tickets cost too much. But I watch them on TV every game."
This is the Titans' fan base. This is the fan base of most professional sports teams. They embrace their heroes from afar, the financial costs of attending a game in person too high for most to afford.
That's why these caravans are so wonderful and important. It's why the Titans' decision to keep making a Chattanooga a priority for this event should be applauded at a time when Atlanta's Braves and Falcons and the University of Tennessee seem to be wavering some on visiting the Scenic City on a regular basis.
It certainly meant enough for Teri Martin to interrupt her Saturday long enough to be second in line behind the Belchers in order to collect autographs for her 15-year-old nephew Ethan Hambrick, a lifelong Titans fan who now lives in Ephrata, Pa., which is near the chocolate capital of the universe - Hershey.
Of the merchandise young Hambrick wanted signed, Martin said, "He helped me pick it out over the phone."
Then there was 32-year-old Zack Jaanini, who said he has been a fan since 1999, which just happened to be the season the Titans reached the Super Bowl.
Recalling that narrow loss to the St. Louis Rams, which ended with the Titans a yard short of the end zone and forcing overtime, Jaanini said, "We need to repeat that (Super Bowl run) with one more yard."
To listen to Conklin, Johnson and Spain is to believe that this Titans team may at least reach the playoffs, even if a realistic Super Bowl run might be another year away for a franchise that hasn't made the playoffs since the 2008 season.
"We came up short last year," said Spain, knowing the team missed the postseason by a single win. "We just want to make the playoffs this season."
Added Johnson: "We were close. We just want to fix the things that hurt us last year."
Keeping quarterback Marcus Mariota healthy for an entire season would help most of all. More depth in the offensive line would be a plus, too, which is why the recent selection of former University of Tennessee at Chattanooga star Corey Levin in the fifth round of last month's draft may help.
Conklin, who's heading into his second pro season, was asked what advice he would give Levin for this week's rookie camp.
"You're going to make mistakes," Conklin said. "Don't dwell on them. Learn what you can from them, then let go."
Said Johnson with a wicked grin, no doubt envisioning how he'll break in the rookies, "I got it last year (as a rookie), so he'll get it this year."
Added Spain: "Stay focused. Make sure you learn the plays. Don't mess around."
That's not just sound advice for Levin. That would appear to be the franchise's motto under second-year coach Mike Mularkey and general manager Jon Robinson.
There is a discipline and unity to this team not always seen under previous regimes. Here's how fan Jaanini put it: "In J-Rob we trust. He's getting us back on top. We've been stagnant for a long time."
All that feels like it's changing. First-round picks Corey Davis (a wide receiver from Western Michigan) and Adoreé Jackson (a cornerback and returner from Southern California) were widely seen as strong draft selections. So were Levin, former Western Kentucky receiver Taywan Taylor and tight end Jonnu Smith from Florida International.
"I'm always excited to see us get guys who can make our jobs easier," Conklin said, speaking of the offensive line.
If the defense can continue to improve as it did during last year's 9-7 run, the Titans may not only make the playoffs but win at least one postseason game.
And no one would be happier to watch such success unfold on his home television than Blake Belcher.
Pointing to the Titans poster he'd received that was filled with autographs and touching the similarly inked Titans cap atop his head, Belcher said, "It's been a good day."
If the Titans can perform as well on the field as they did during Saturday's caravan stop, it should be a good season.
Contact Mark Wiedmer at mwiedmer@timesfreepress.com.