May

May 9, 2008   

Titans want RB Johnson to create mismatches

The way we hear it, the Titans are likely to get first-round pick Chris Johnson about 8-12 touches a game in his first season. Johnson, a running back from East Carolina, was far and away the fastest player at Tennessee's rookie minicamp, and offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger will work to get him the ball in positions where he'll have the edge because of that speed. Johnson's development will be key for a Tennessee offense that was 23rd in yards per play last season. On paper, he looks like he'll be the Titans' most dangerous player in space. He figures to also contribute on special teams, an area where Tennessee lacked punch last season.

April

April 25, 2008   

Valuable Bironas could become unrestricted free agent next year

Updated as of 8:00 a.m. EDT Monday, April 28

The way we hear it, talks between the Titans and PK Rob Bironas on a long-term deal have not occurred in some time, yet we’re hearing the restricted free agent hopes to stay in Tennessee beyond 2008. Bironas, a restricted free agent, has yet to sign his tender. The 30-year-old Bironas may have been the Titans’ offensive MVP a season ago. Bironas connected on 35-of-39 field goals, including an impressive 13-of-15 attempts from 40 yards and beyond. He also averaged 67.6 yards on kickoffs, tops among kickers who played a full season. If he signs his tender and plays out the ’08 season, Bironas will be part of what could be another class of important unrestricted free agents for Tennessee. OT David Stewart could be free agent after the ’08 season, as could Pro Bowl DT Albert Haynesworth if he simply signs his franchise-player tender and plays out his contract.

April 11, 2008   

Carr likely to play multiple roles for Titans

The Titans’ signing of former Raiders restricted free-agent RS-DB Chris Carr bolsters Tennessee’s depth at two positions of need. Carr, who averaged 24.1 yards on 201 kickoff returns in three seasons with Oakland, is likely to team with Chris Henry on kickoffs. The Titans averaged only 21.1 yards on kickoffs a season ago. Carr can also return punts, but that’s not his strength, as evidenced by six fumbles and a 5.9-yard average on 77 career returns. Carr has a nice burst but not a lot of long speed, and he has never returned a kickoff or a punt for a touchdown. Carr has logged four starts in the secondary and will compete to be the Titans’ sixth defensive back. The way we hear it, Carr will push backup CBs Kelly Herndon and Reynaldo Hill for playing time in the team’s “sub” packages.

April 2, 2008   

Scott takes over for stalwart Olson at right guard

The retirement of Benji Olson paves the way for Jake Scott to start at right guard. Olson played 10 seasons, nine as a full-time starter. But a history of back problems caused him to step aside. At his retirement press conference last week, Olson was candid about his health. “I’m probably most proud of just making it this long,” Olson said. “… Part of the reason I decided to come out early [from the University of Washington, where he was an All-American] was I didn’t know how many years I had left on my back. The fact that I’ve made it this long dealing with my back, and the last couple of years it’s gotten chronically worse and harder to deal with … just hanging in there and being able to go out there and fight through back pain, (it’s) just a blessing to be able to play in the NFL.” OL coach Mike Munchak praised Olson’s all-around game, noting how good he could be both in run and pass protection. The 6-5, 295-pound Scott, who turns 27 on April 16, has been praised by Titans officials for his sound technique and ability to handle bigger interior linemen.

March

March 28, 2008   

Pressure is on Titans' WR corps

Can one — or more — of the Titans’ young receivers step up in 2008? If so, the impact on the offense could be significant. The depth behind starters Justin Gage and Roydell Williams is talented but unproven. Fourth-year WR Brandon Jones has had moments where he’s looked like a player, but he missed seven games because of injury last season. The way we hear it, second-year WR Paul Williams is under pressure to show something after not contributing as a rookie. Fellow second-year WR Chris Davis had a rocky rookie season handling punts but figures to hold down a roster spot as a slot receiver and a returner. Some may call ex-Raiders WR Mike Williams the X-factor of the group, but the reality is that he’s going to have to have a great offseason and training camp to have a shot at sticking on the roster. Ex-Jets WR Justin McCareins is back for a second stint with the Titans, which further ratchets up the competition for spots on the depth chart.

March 21, 2008   

Are new deals coming for Roos, Stewart and Haynesworth?

It has, in many ways, been a relatively quiet offseason for the Titans, considering the abundant salary-cap space they carried into free agency. The team’s highest-priced signing was a guard (Indianapolis’ Jake Scott), and its biggest-name signings were a pair of veterans with something to prove (ex-Falcons TE Alge Crumpler and ex-Eagles DE Jevon Kearse). With the unrestricted free-agent market picked over, the focus turns to whether the Titans can sign several of their own players to contract extensions. OLT Michael Roos’ agent went public in his desire for his client to receive a new deal. ORT David Stewart, a restricted free agent, is another player the Titans would like to have for the long term. And then there is the case of DT Albert Haynesworth, the team’s franchise player. The way we hear it, the Titans may get a pass from the public if they use some of that salary-cap space to retain some of their core players beyond ’08, but entering this season with each of those players signed for only one more season will cause some consternation — and would lead to a rather interesting beginning to next offseason.

March 12, 2008   

Durable Scott bolsters Tennessee's O-line

The signing of Colts ORG Jake Scott makes up somewhat for the loss of Jacob Bell to St. Louis. Scott, 26, started every game the last three seasons for Indianapolis. Several evaluators polled by PFW before the start of free agency preferred teammate Ryan Lilja, the Colts’ left guard, and Indianapolis signed Lilja to a five-year contract before the new league year commenced. But Scott is a capable starter, and the Titans were looking for a veteran guard to replace Bell. ORG Benji Olson’s long-term future is also in doubt because of back problems, so the addition of Scott protects the Titans against that uncertainty. Scott, who, according to The Indianapolis Star, received a contract worth $20 million over four years, is the Titans’ most expensive signing to date. Tennessee has been criticized by some for not being more aggressive at the outset of free agency, but it may have snagged two bargains in TE Alge Crumpler and DE Jevon Kearse; both signed short-term deals. And Scott’s contract, while lucrative, probably doesn’t take the Titans out of play if they want to shop more in free agency. Wide receiver is at the top of the list of their needs.

March 7, 2008   

Bargain-hungry Titans finally getting into free-agent game

Updated 9 a.m. ET, Saturday, March 8

Late in the first week of free agency, the Titans became active shoppers. But is it too late, given the personnel losses the team sustained earlier in the signing period? That’s the question in Tennessee after the club lost DEs Antwan Odom and Travis LaBoy to Cincinnati and Arizona respectively and could not keep steady OLG Jacob Bell from signing with St. Louis. The way we hear it, the departures of Odom and Bell particularly sting. Last season, as DRT Albert Haynesworth and DRE Kyle Vanden Bosch played at Pro Bowl levels, Odom also thrived, notching eight sacks. The Titans regarded him as a very good complementary player, and he could prove hard to replace. Tennessee tried to bring back Bell, but the Rams — beset by O-line injuries and inconsistency last season — made signing him a top priority. Leroy Harris is likely to step into Bell’s spot in the lineup, but the Titans may add another guard in free agency or the draft. Colts OG Jake Scott visited the club this week. The Titans are also in the market for defensive ends even after agreeing to terms with DE Jevon Kearse, recently cut by the Eagles after beginning his career with Tennessee. Josh Thomas, a free agent from Indianapolis, also visited. The most intriguing visitor of all was Cowboys RB Julius Jones, as Tennessee searches for a veteran back to pair with LenDale White. However, Jones decided to sign with Seattle.

February

Feb. 27, 2008   

Fisher: Titans could get in on free agency's first wave

Expect the Titans to be active early in free agency, head coach Jeff Fisher indicated at the Scouting Combine. Fisher said the Titans will have "a player or two" to visit early in the signing period, which starts Friday. "A lot can happen between now and Friday, but we've identified some players we think can help us," Fisher said. "We'd like to think that from their perspective that our rebuilding process is over, and now what we need is key components on both sides of the ball to keep us competitive. I'd like to think that the players would at least be interested in what we have to offer." The Titans want to add more playmakers on offense, especially in the passing game, but they may also look at the defensive linemen available in free agency with DEs Antwan Odom and Travis LaBoy slated to hit the market.

Feb. 20, 2008   

Loss of Smith a blow to Titans

In the end, Titans assistant head coach/RB coach Sherman Smith couldn't turn down a chance to be the Redskins' offensive coordinator, a role he was unlikely to play in Tennessee any time soon. The departure of Smith, who coached Tennessee's running backs for 13 seasons, is no insignificant loss. Smith was a well-liked and respected assistant who helped Eddie George develop into a star and was charged with molding young LenDale White and Chris Henry into professionals. And he was having success on that front: White was a dependable starter last season, and Henry flashed intriguing ability as the Titans' change-of-pace back. It's unclear whom the Titans are considering as Smith's replacement.

Feb. 15, 2008   

If Stallworth hits market, Titans likely to be a suitor

The way we hear it, should Patriots WR Donté Stallworth hit the market, the Titans are expected to be a suitor for the former University of Tennessee star. The Patriots have to decide whether to play Stallworth an option bonus reportedly worth $6 million to $8 million by Feb. 25; if they decline, Stallworth will be a free agent, and the Titans — who showed significant interest in Stallworth last offseason — figure to again look seriously at him. Stallworth’s deep speed is his greatest attribute, and the Titans lack a receiver who can stretch the field. Stallworth, 27, caught 46 passes for 697 yards and three touchdowns for New England in 2007.

January

Jan. 30, 2008   

DEs Odom, LaBoy to draw interest in free agency

Will DE Antwan Odom get an offer he can’t refuse from another club in free agency? The 6-5, 274-pound Odom had eight sacks in 2007 despite splitting time with Travis LaBoy, who’s also an unrestricted free agent; hence, it won’t be a surprise if the Titans are looking for defensive ends in the offseason, given the demand both Odom and LaBoy could draw on the open market. The good news for the Titans: DL coach Jim Washburn is one of the very best in his profession. But losing either Odom or LaBoy would be a blow to the Titans’ defensive line, which was such a key to Tennessee’s first playoff berth since 2003.