OFFSEASON UPDATE
The Titans have not been big spenders in free agency in years, and an uncapped 2010 is no exception.
While the Titans have not made any splashes in free agency, Tennessee has made three quiet ripples that could help at least fill some holes on the roster.
Outside linebacker Will Witherspoon is the team's biggest free-agent acquisition thus far, agreeing to a three-year, $11 million deal. Witherspoon appears to be a cheaper alternative to stalwart Keith Bulluck, who is an unrestricted free agent and might not be ready for training camp, no matter which team signs him, after tearing an ACL last season.
Witherspoon will be penciled in as a starter.
Other than that, the other two free agent pickups -- CB Rod Hood and DE Jason Babin -- are fill-ins who will compete for playing time, but certainly are not even guaranteed roster spots, much less starting jobs.
Hood will be in the mix to start at least, and his chances might be tied to whether or not second-year players Ryan Mouton or Jason McCourty take a big step forward.
Babin will simply be in the mix for a spot in the defensive line rotation, where Kyle Vanden Bosch will have to be replaced. Babin's primary competition will be holdovers Dave Ball and Jacob Ford.
Those three signings mean the Titans won't go into the draft with any glaring needs personnel-wise, but might not do enough to prevent them from still searching for a difference-maker at defensive end or cornerback rather than going straight by their draft board ratings in the first round.
TEAM NEEDS
1. Defensive end: The acquisition of Jason Babin adds numbers to the defensive end position, but doesn't necessarily stop the Titans from seeking additional help to replace Kyle Vanden Bosch and Jevon Kearse. It could be where the Titans go in round one with the 16th pick.
2. Tight end. The Titans might need one more tight end, even with Bo Scaife signing his tender offer. That's because Alge Crumpler is no sure thing to return as the New England Patriots have ramped up their pursuit of him in recent days and could soon have a deal in place.
3. Kick returner. The Titans spent all of 2009 looking for a replacement for Chris Carr with no luck. Now, after shuffling through a number of players on punts and kickoffs, the Titans might have to spend a draft pick or dip into free agency to find someone who can handle both jobs.
MEDICAL WATCH: No updates.
FRANCHISE PLAYER: None
TRANSITION PLAYER: None.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
--LB Keith Bulluck's future is uncertain, as the Titans are saying only that they would like to retain him but are opening no dialogue with his agent. Further complicating the situation is Bulluck's torn ACL, the first significant injury of his 10-year career.
--CB Nick Harper is 35, and injuries and age have taken a toll. A stand-up guy and solid pro, Harper likely won't be back with the Titans and might be at the end of the line career-wise.
--S Kevin Kaesviharn, picked up after injuries hit the Titans' secondary, did a decent job as a backup and on special teams, but probably won't return.
--DE Jevon Kearse's October benching was a sure sign that Kearse probably won't be back as a Titan. Although he says he wants to play next season, it might be tough to find a taker.
--C Kevin Mawae is now 39 and wants to stay in Tennessee. But with Leroy Harris waiting in the wings, the question is whether the Titans retain Mawae after Eugene Amano was re-signed.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS (*indicates restricted because of uncapped year)
--*DT Tony Brown (tendered at $2.621M with first-round pick as compensation) has become the Titans' best defensive tackle and should be a priority to re-sign this offseason.
--*LB Stephen Tulloch (tendered at $2.521M with first-round pick as compensation) needs to be reupped soon, as he is the only current starter under 30 among the linebackers.
--*DT Kevin Vickerson (tendered at $1.759M with second-round pick as compensation) didn't make the big impact the Titans had hoped for, but still might be worth bringing back to fill a backup role.
--*RB LenDale White (tendered at $1.176M with second-round pick as compensation) was forgotten in the wake of Chris Johnson's historic season. The Titans would probably love for some team to bite on White as a restricted free agent, then recoup a second-round pick for him in exchange.
EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS: None.
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED
--LB Colin Allred: Potential ERFA; terms unknown.
--G Eugene Amano: Potential UFA; $25.7M/5 yrs, $10.337M guaranteed ($7.25M SB/$3.087 base guarantee '10).
--LS Ken Amato: potential UFA; 2 yrs, terms unknown.
--*DE Dave Ball: RFA; (tendered at $1.809M with second-round pick as compensation); $1.809M/1 yr.
--CB Rod Hood: UFA; 1 yr, terms unknown.
--S Donnie Nickey: Potential UFA; $755,000/1 yr.
--G/T Mike Otto: Potential ERFA; terms unknown.
--*TE Bo Scaife: RFA; (tendered at $4.906M with first-round pick as compensation); $4.906M guaranteed/1 yr.
PLAYERS ACQUIRED
--DE Jason Babin joined the Titans after the Eagles declined to match Tennessee's one-year, $1 million offer sheet to the restricted free agent. There is no compensation tied to the deal, as Babin had signed a first right of refusal with the Eagles
--P/K Ricky Schmitt: Not tendered as ERFA by 49ers; terms unknown.
--LB Pago Togafau: Waivers Cardinals.
--LB Will Weatherspoon: FA Eagles; $11M/3 yrs, $5M guaranteed.
PLAYERS LOST
--TE Alge Crumpler: UFA Patriots; terms unknown.
--P Craig Hentrich: UFA; retired.
--DE Kyle Vanden Bosch: UFA Lions; $26M/4 yrs.
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