Tennessee Titans
Titans might target Robert Mathis
According to Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean, the Titans might be looking into possibly pursuing Colts defensive end Robert Mathis who’ll be a free agent once free agency opens on March 13th.
We reported earlier this month that the Colts have made it clear that they want to re-sign Mathis, but he could decide to leave town, since the Colts are clearly in a rebuilding mode.
The Titans on the other hand are loaded with talent despite having a young quarterback like Jake Locker on their roster that’s still growing.
Titans Insider: Draft preview
The Tennessee Titans defense may not be getting an extreme makeover this offseason, but it is safe to say that it is getting an upgrade and an overhaul in certain areas.
The Titans have made no secret of the fact that they need to improve a pass rush that ranked 31st overall last season, even going so far as to hire Keith Millard as an assistant coach to specifically work as a pass-rush specialist.
Tennessee has plenty of work to do on the back end of the defense as well, and new general manager Ruston Webster made no secret of the fact that he would like to find at least one more young linebacker to go with mike linebacker Colin McCarthy and sam linebacker Akeem Ayers, who both wound up starting as rookies and playing pretty well.
About the only place that won’t be getting some sort of makeover on defense is defensive tackle, and that is because it underwent major changes last year. Rookies Karl Klug and Jurrell Casey quickly established themselves as solid players, who should only get better with more experience and a full off-season to learn Jerry Gray’s system. Veteran Shaun Smith was also brought in as part of the package, but was somewhat of a disappointment in his first year on the Titans roster.
At end, the Titans have free agents in Dave Ball, William Hayes and Jason Jones. Of that trio, the Titans are trying hardest to bring back Jones, but it may be as a pass-rush tackle more so than as an end. Hayes is probably out the door, though Ball might come back on a veteran minimum deal if his balky back allows him to play.
The player the Titans are waiting to show big things is end Derrick Morgan, who played a full season coming back from ACL surgery in his rookie year of 2010. Morgan was a first-round pick, taken one choice after the New York Giants rolled the dice on a project with upside named Jason Pierre-Paul.
Needless to say, due to injuries and other factors, Morgan has not come close to being the dominant player Pierre-Paul has become. Morgan was considered far more NFL ready coming out of Georgia Tech, but the setbacks now have him at a crossroads already in his career.
It’s the major reason the Titans may have to spend another pick on a defensive end or even tinkering with the thought of making a rare splash on a difference-maker in free agency – say on a Mario Williams or Dwight Freeney, should either reach the open market.
There is work to be done in the secondary as well where three starters are free agents. Cortland Finnegan might well price himself out of the Titans’ future plans if he wants 10 million a season, and Tennessee does not franchise him. Safety Michael Griffin, who has had his ups and downs, is also a player the Titans have to make a decision on regarding long-term plans. Right now, the most likely of the three starters to return is newcomer Jordan Babineaux, who signed a one-year deal after the lockout and led the team in tackles.
It is all part of how Webster, coach Mike Munchak and the Titans decide to rework a puzzle for a defense that has been solid, but unspectacular now for a number of years and needs a true difference-maker to build around.
NOTES, QUOTES
The Titans locked up a pair of role players who were scheduled to be free agents next month. Tennessee agreed to a new 3.2 million contract with backup tackle Mike Otto that included a 750,000 signing bonus. Otto is the third tackle behind starters Michael Roos and David Stewart.
In addition to that, the Titans also re-signed wide receiver Lavelle Hawkins to a three-year contract extension. TitanInsider.com reported that Hawkins’ deal was worth 7.2 million, and included a 2 million signing bonus. Hawkins had just 19 career catches entering 2011, but blossomed with 47 receptions in 2011, stepping up when Kenny Britt was injured.
The Titans also signed a street free agent, bringing in a local product in DT Lamar Divens, who played college football first at Vanderbilt and then at Tennessee State, both of which are in Nashville. Divens also played high school football at Lincoln County in Tennessee. He has spent time on the Baltimore Ravens roster, but ended 2011 out of the NFL.
Former Seahawks LB Lofa Tatupu, a three-time Pro Bowl selection who was out of the league last season, visited the Titans as he tries to get back into the NFL. Tatupu, who also visited the New Orleans Saints prior to the Titans, is a middle linebacker, and if he came to Tennessee would be a reserve behind Colin McCarthy.
QUOTE TO NOTE
“We expect to have him out there for training camp. The good thing about his injury, if there is a good thing, is it happened early, and he’s a very strong young and bounces back very quickly. We’re hoping and planning to have him back for training camp.” – Titans GM Ruston Webster on WR Kenny Britt’s knee injury.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
The Titans took steps toward bringing back a pair of role players when they re-signed T Mike Otto to a two-year contract worth 3.2 million. Otto was the top backup to starters Michael Roos and David Stewart last season.
Also, the Titans brought back wide receiver Lavelle Hawkins with a three-year contract worth 7.2 million. The deal contains a 2 million bonus, and whittled the number of free agents the Titans have to 15.
Tennessee also has had talks with DL Jason Jones and S Jordan Babineaux about a possible return, in addition to special teams linebackers Tim Shaw and Patrick Bailey.
If I Ran The Tennessee Titans…
If I ran The Tennessee Titans, I would make 3 major changes in the organization.
No. 1: PAY THE PLAYERS!
The Titans lose more key players than most teams in the NFL. Kearse, McNair, Vanden Bosch, Haynesworth (in his prime); and Finnegan and Griffin are both free agents this year. Bud Adams doesnt like to spend money we have, there are some key players that we need to re-sign if we truly want to be a contender in the AFC. What’s one thing that all AFC teams have? DEFENSE! The Titans lose more defensive players than anyone in the AFC (Except the Chargers) and we need to keep our two best defenders now. Tulloch signed with the Lions and Bulluck signed with the Giants years back, and Thornton retired. How many defensive starters are left since the season Tennessee went 13-3?
No. 2: Make Free Agent Moves
There are tons of free agent running backs and wideouts this season, as well as defensive players, and the Titans need to make a move if they do indeed lose Griffin or Finnega…
2012 Tennessee Titans offseason positional analysis: CB
We continue our trip around the Titans position by position as we head into the 2012 offseason with a look at the cornerback position, including the twelfth starter on defense, the nickelback.There was a lot of continuity from 2010 to 2011 at corner for the Titans. Drexel anticipated in our preseason look that cornerback would be a position of strength for the Titans’ defense in 2011. As I’ve already noted, comparing the Titans’ pass defense in 2011 to that in 2010 is a more complicated assessment than the Titans’ improvement in scoring defense and yards allowed would lead you to believe. That said, I think it’s fair to say cornerback was indeed the strongest position on the Titans’ defense in 2011.That of course started with the star and the biggest question mark going forward, Cortland Finnegan. I wrote in last year’s offseason positional analysis I was a little disappointed in Finnegan’s 2010 performance, but had no such qualms about his 2011 play….
Stay Away from Randy Moss
Over the past week, there have been many Patriots’ fans calling for the return of wide receiver Randy Moss onto the football team for 2012. Five years ago, the Patriots traded a 4th round pick to the Oakland Raiders for Moss’ services and were not disappointed after his record breaking 23 touchdowns. It seemed like under Josh McDaniels’ offense, Brady and Moss were ready to take off as the best QB-WR tandem in the NFL since the days of Joe Montana and Jerry Rice.
So, this question should be easy for Patriots’ fans to answer. Now that Moss has declared that he is coming back and has continually posted his U-Stream videos, the answer should be a resounding yes after fans saw the need for a deep threat in the Super Bowl loss to the New York Giants .Today, I am here to tell you why the Patriots need to avoid Randy Moss and go with a better veteran option that buys more into a concept that is fundamental to success in football.
That concept is TEAM!!! Moss proved over the course of his…
Could Randy Moss be playing on the Detroit Lions in 2012
Randy Moss a few days go ended his premature retirement from the National Football League. Could Moss be thinking about playing alongside Calvin Johnson and joining the Detroit Lions in 2012? The rumor mill has already begun spreading on where Moss will be playing football in 2012.
Would the Detroit Lions take a chance on Randy Moss? Considering the last time anyone saw Randy Moss on the football field he played for the Patriots, Vikings and the Titans in 2010. He caught on 28 receptions for a very modest 393 yards. When Moss was on the Titans he was used pretty much as decoy for the final regular season games of the 2010 season.
The Detroit Lions should take this risk and sign moss to a league minimum contract with incentives that can earn Moss more money if he can reach certain statistics a receiver of his magnitude, should be able to reach every season. The Patriots took this risk by trading for him before 2007 season began. Randy Moss was rejuvenated and motivated to prove to …
2012 Tennessee Titans franchise tag analysis
Today is the first day NFL teams can apply the franchise tender to their upcoming free agents, but the cost of paying them the greater of 120% of their previous year’s cap figure or the top five average salaries at their position (the current CBA added some complications in how this latter figure is calculated that aren’t worth going into for this post).Looking at the Titans’ list of impending unrestricted free agents, I believe it is extraordinarily unlikely the Titans would be willing to apply the franchise tag to any of the following players:LS Ken Amato, WR Donnie Avery, S Jordan Babineaux, DE Dave Ball, FB(RB) Ahmard Hall, DE William Hayes, S Chris Hope, LB Barrett Ruud, OL Jake Scott, LB Tim Shaw, S Anthony SmithThat leaves three players who have at least a theoretical possibility of being given the franchise tag:Player: defensive end Jason Jones.Estimated franchise tag amount: $10.6 million.* $10.6 million is the amount of the franchise tender for defensive ends. …
Titans, Finnegan haven’t made any progress
According to Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean, no progress has been made between the Titans and cornerback Cortland Finnegan, even though both sides talked on Friday.
Right now it continues to look like Finnegan will become an unrestricted free agent on March 13th and have the opportunity to test the open market.
2012 Tennessee Titans offseason positional analysis: RB
Which Chris Johnson will we see this year? Photo by Andrew Strickert for Total Titans
We continue our position by position analysis of the Titans with a look now at the running backs.I was tempted to abide by the saying, “if you can’t say anything good about someone, then don’t say anything at all.” However, if I had followed that advice, then this would be a blank page.The Titans rushing offense was ranked last in the league last year by Football Outsiders, and while some of the blame certainly belongs to the o-line, the biggest reason, as Ben Muth wrote in this piece, was the guy who made the most money.Chris Johnson, of course, was the man Muth was referring to. CJ missed training camp in a holdout last year and after he received the money befitting a playmaker, which he claimed he was, he didn’t perform like one.
CJ was 49th of 51 backs (in FO metrics) with 100 or more carries last year.
Chris Johnson’s Football Outsider career metric…
Randy Moss to come back to the NFL
Over the last week, one of the biggest talks around the NFL is the return of receiver Randy Moss. Moss has spent a little time with a few teams including the Patriots, Vikings and most recently the Titans.
This conversation is a lot like the Peyton Manning scenario going around. He will be playing this next season-but with whom?
To be completely honest I highly hope that Tennessee does not take him back. In the middle of trying to rebuild a team, going just over .500 this season, Moss is the last thing you want on your team.
His last four seasons in the NFL went a little something like this: In 2010 he spent his fourth season with the Patriots, and “didn’t feel wanted”. He was traded to the Vikings after week four and that only lasted four weeks. He was released after criticizing, head coach at the time, Brad Childress along with his teammates. He spent his last eight weeks with Tennessee when Fisher gave him a shot.
The comments coming from Randy Moss I would say are completely unc…
‘Ship has sailed’ on Moss reuniting with Pats
It was considered “doubtful” to transpire even seven months ago, and absolutely nothing has changed since — there won’t be a second tour of duty for Randy Moss in New England.
The Boston Globe reports the “feeling” around the organization is that the “ship has sailed” on a possible Moss-Patriots reunion.
Moss, who announced on Monday his intentions to return to the NFL, has long been linked to the Pats, whom he last played for in 2010 and said he’d “love” a return with.
Although they’re expected to be in the market for a vertical receiver this offseason, the team apparently won’t take the same waltz down memory lane.
Sapp wouldn’t sign Randy Moss
Randy Moss did not play in the NFL last season, but he announced last week he’s planning to make a comeback for the upcoming season. Warren Sapp, his former teammate in Oakland, says he wouldn’t sign the wide receiver.
“I’ve already played with [Randy] Moss, and what Cris Carter said — first time Cris ever said anything I agree with, I mean it’s the first time that he actually said something with some substance,” Sapp said on The Dan Patrick Show. “I just call Randy a frontrunner.”
Cris Carter is another former teammate of Moss. Carter called Randy a quitter during a recent interview. Sapp explained the difference between being a quitter and a frontrunner.
“When everything is good, it’s wonderful, it’s great,” Sapp said. “But when a little adversity hits, it’s ‘No, no, no. Don’t ask me to help us come up out of this.’”
Both Sapp and Carter are correct. Not only did Randy quit on the Raiders, but he essentially forced the Patriots to trade him. After that, he “vomited” on the Vikings‘ locker room, and then hardly contributed with the Titans. Moss’ career numbers don’t lie — he is a frontrunner (or quitter, if you prefer).
Here is the audio of Sapp’s comments:
Photochop Winners: Randy Moss Could Perform in ‘The Nutcracker,’ Join Youth Football League Next Season (Photos)
Where is Randy Moss headed next season? The former NFL superstar has stated that he wants to make a comeback to the league, but so far no team has stepped forward to inquire about his services. It’s still early, but we asked our readers to consider some alternate destinations for the wide receiver in case the NFL has already satisfied its own “Randy Ratio.” Maybe there’s a NFL team out there that thinks Moss still has a little something left in the tank, but if not, he will probably be on the lookout for some alternate means of emplyment. After…
On the Titans not churning the roster
After trimming the roster to 53 players in early September, the Tennessee Titans made the following changes to said roster:
Donnie Avery was added to the roster;
Quinn Johnson was cut;
Kevin Malast was added to the roster;
Robert Johnson was added to the roster; and
Quinn Johnson was acquired off waivers.
And how were those roster spots created? Respectively,
Kenny Britt was placed on injured reserve;
Ahamard Hall’s four-game suspension ended;
Barrett Ruud was placed on injured reserve;
Anthony Smith was placed on injured reserve; and
Javon Ringer was placed on injured reserve.
Officially, the Titans made a couple more transactions than those ten, but they went 67 days from cutting Quinn Johnson after Hall returned to placing Ruud on IR without making a single roster move.
On the flip side of the coin stands the New England Patriots. Take a look at their list of transactions from the just-concluded season. The longest they went in the regular season without …
Warren Sapp: Randy Moss is a “front-runner”
Former NFL defensive tackle Warren Sapp made an appearance on the Dan Patrick Show and made it clear that he wouldn’t sign his former Raider teammate Randy Moss.
“I’ve already played with [Randy] Moss, and what Cris Carter said — first time Cris ever said anything I agree with, I mean it’s the first time that he actually said something with some substance,” Sapp said. “I just call Randy a front-runner.”
Sapp explained the difference between a front-runner and a quitter.
“When everything is good, it’s wonderful, it’s great,” Sapp said. “But when a little adversity hits, it’s ‘No, no, no. Don’t ask me to help us come up out of this.’”
I think Sapp makes a great point, but I wouldn’t sign Moss because of his age and the fact that I don’t believe he’ll make the type of impact that a lot people believe he still can.
Thanks to ProFootballTalk.com for the qu…
