We continue with out new miniseries today on NFL Thursday: a look at the 10 best players per current franchise, as measured by sabermetric Approximate Value (AV). This week, it’s the Tennessee Titans organization, which (of course) started out as the Houston Oilers in the old AFL way back when. There was also a brief stop in Memphis as the Tennessee Oilers (1997-1998). Either way, here are the best of them all!

No. 10: Eddie George, RB—87 AV (1996-2003)

The 1995 Heisman vote winner fell to No. 14 in the 1996 NFL Draft, and that’s when the Oilers nabbed him. George led the league in carries (403) and touches (453) in 2000, when he peaked in value (14). Overall, he ran for 10,009 yards in 8 seasons with the franchise, scoring 74 touchdowns along the way. He was a member of the franchise’s only Super Bowl team, as the Titans barely lost to the St. Louis Rams in 1999.

No. 9: George Blanda, QB/K—87 AV (1960-1966)

He had a storied NFL career spanning from 1949 to 1975, but his six years in the AFL with the Oilers were special: he won the 1961 AFL MVP vote, for starters, and Blanda helped Houston win the first two AFL championships in 1960 and 1961, as well. Oddly, he also led the AFL in interceptions four straight seasons, but it was an era of turnovers, for sure. His kicking game was an added bonus to his leadership skills, too.

No. 8: Robert Brazile, LB—93 AV (1975-1984)

The Oilers faded in the latter years of the AFL and the early years after the 1970 merger, but the team emerged in the late 1970s again, and Brazile was there for that resurrection. He made 7 straight Pro Bowls from 1975 to 1982, and he compiled 48 sacks, 14 fumble recoveries, and 13 INTs along the way during his full career. His best season came in 1980 (14 AV), as Houston made the playoffs for the third year in a row.

No. 7: Brad Hopkins, T—96 AV (1993-2005)

His 13-year career spanned the transition from Houston to Nashville via Memphis, and Hopkins made two Pro Bowls (2000, 2003) along the way, as well. His best year was the second Pro Bowl season (12 AV), and overall, he was a consistent piece of the offensive line that helped paved the way for a lot of success. Hopkins played in 10 postseason games with the Oilers and the Titans, from 1993 to 2003. That’s cement.

No. 6: Elvin Bethea, DE—103 AV (1968-1983)

From the AFL to the NFL, Bethea was there the whole time in Houston, totaling 105 sacks, 16 fumbles recoveries, 2 safeties, and 1 TD. He made 8 Pro Bowls, including five in a row from 1971-1975. Twice, he helped the Oilers reach the AFC Championship Game (1978, 1979), although both times Houston lost to the eventual Super Bowl champions from Pittsburgh. In the playoffs, he registered 7 sacks in 8 games overall.

No. 5: Ray Childress, DL—110 AV (1985-1995)

A 5-time Pro Bowler, Childress actually made his first Pro Bowl in 1988 as a defensive end, posting 14 AV and 8.5 sacks. Then, his next four Pro Bowls came as a defensive tackle (1990-1993). That kind of versatility produced a long and productive career with the Oilers, which included 6 postseasons. He totaled 75.5 sacks in his Houston career, while also forcing 19 fumbles and recovering 19 fumbles as well. That’s symmetry!

No. 4: Steve McNair, QB—114 AV (1995-2005)

Arguably the most recognizable face of the franchise in its history, McNair was the No. 3 overall pick in the 1995 NFL Draft and led the team to its first Super Bowl appearance in 1999. He also was voted the NFL MVP in 2003. His 11 seasons with the franchise spanned the moves from Houston to Memphis to Nashville, and McNair reached 3 Pro Bowls with the team as well. His 81-59 record as a starter included the postseason.

No. 3: Warren Moon, QB—117 AV (1984-1993)

He didn’t make it to the NFL until age 28, despite winning the 1978 Rose Bowl, thanks to prejudices against Black QBs at the time, sadly. Moon restored some greatness to the Oilers franchise with 7 postseason appearances in 10 years, although his postseason struggles (3-6 record) eventually led him out of town. Yet he was a Pro Bowler in his final 6 years with Houston, and Moon put up 18 AV in his best NFL season (1990).

No. 2: Mike Munchak, G—118 AV (1982-1993)

A 9-time Pro Bowler, Munchak actually made the Pro Bowl the final 7 consecutive seasons of his Hall of Fame career (1987-1993). His best season came in 1990 (15 AV), and Munchak also scored a TD himself in 1986 as well. He was the No. 8 overall pick in the 1982 NFL Draft, and he certainly delivered for the franchise, richly. Munchak played in 10 playoff games over 7 different postseason years for the Oilers.

No. 1: Bruce Matthews, OL—215 AV (1983-2001)

The No. 9 overall pick in the 1983 NFL Draft, Matthews played 19 seasons with the franchise at several different positions on the offensive line: right guard (1983, 1987-1990), right tackle (1984-1985), center (1984, 1991-1994), left guard (1995-2000), and left tackle (1986). He made the Pro Bowl the final 14 years of his career (1988-2001)—never missing a game in the regular season during those 14 straight Pro Bowl years.