HOUSTON —DeMarco Murray joined the Titans at a time when there was little positive buzz.
On Thursday, the veteran running back made his way through Super Bowl LI Radio Row, and the conversation about the Titans had a different spin.
"It has been all positive,'' Murray said. "We had a pretty good year, and people didn't expect us to do what we did. I think the Titans name is swirling around for positive things, and it's going well."
The Titans finished 9-7 in 2016, a six-game improvement in the 3-13 finish of the previous year. This time last season, Murray was with the Eagles, of course. He was traded to the Titans in March, and then rushed for 1,287 yards and nine touchdowns en route to being voted to the Pro Bowl.
So what's been the biggest conversation starter as he's made the rounds on radio shows across the country?
"It's been a little bit of everything,'' Murray said. "The way we ran the football, I don't think people think you can run the ball and win and we were able to do that throughout the course of the season. I think that was eye-opening to a lot of people. Obviously Marcus (Mariota) is a hot topic and he played well this year.
"The overall team, the fast turnaround we had. It sounds like a lot of people took notice."
Murray isn't a told-you-so kind of guy.
But he admits he did get some pleasure by turning in such a productive season after a quiet year in Philadelphia, which led to questions about how effective he might be in the future.
"I never pay attention to what others say,'' Murray said. "But for me, I know how well I take care of myself not only during the course of the season, but throughout the year. It is funny to hear, and for me it is great. I can just sit back, smirk at (the naysayers) and just do my deal."
More than anything, Murray wants to return to a Super Bowl city, as a player.
Yeah, Radio Row is cool, but it's the real deal.
"It is great to hang out here and see a lot of people, and when you are with an organization and you're proud to be a part of the organization, it makes it a lot easier to be here,'' Murray said. "People are happy for you, happy for the organization, and they know the future is bright and I do as well.
"But I definitely want to get a ring."
TitansOnline.com looks back at RB DeMarco Murray's 2016 Pro Bowl season. (AP Photos)
