The Case for the Tennessee Titans Adding Torry Holt

by Jimmy on Mar 13, 2009 8:32 PM CDT in NFL Free Agency

I was shocked when the news broke earlier this offseason that the Titans were trying to make a trade for Torry Holt at the trading deadline last season. Now with the news today that Holt was released, there is little doubt in my mind that the Titans will at least have him in for a chat, as well they should.

Holt would be an immediate upgrade to the receivers that are currently on this roster. As I mentioned on the MCM podcast earlier this week, he is just one year removed from a season where he caught 93 passes for 1,189 yards and 7 touchdowns. Even last season when Holt had a down year for him, his 64 catches for 796 yards would have made him the leading receiver on the Titans by a pretty good margin.

The biggest question mark with Holt is his knee. His production did drop off by 29 catches from 2007 to 2008, but it is really impossible to tell if that was because of his knee or because of the Rams terrible offensive line and inconsistent play of Marc Bulger.

As with any deal, the terms would have to be right. Ryan Sax has a FanPost that says the Titans were working on a deal, but it fell through because Holt did not want to restructure his deal. I would imagine the Titans would offer him a 1-2 year deal with decent guarantees and some heavy incentives.

As long as the money is right, there is no reason why the Titans wouldn't take a flier on him. Holt would be the best receiver the Titans have had on the team since Derrick Mason left even if he is 75%.

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I don't see it happening...

we’ve already signed Nate to start and Gage is already there. Holt will demand to be the starter so I don’t know how he will fit. We’ve also Davis and the Hawk there who we are trying to give some playing time.

Don’t get me wrong, I agree that he is better than anybody in the lineup right now but I think he was released too late for us.

Go Titans!

by Pinoy Titan on Mar 14, 2009 2:44 AM CDT reply actions

Pinoy Titan makes a good point, however...

To me, it makes more sense that this could provide opportunity for the Titans to legitamely spread the field with 3-4 receiver sets.

This could:

1. Open the middle for Bo Scaife
2. Keep defenses from constantly stacking the box
3. Create favored matchups for Chris Johnson out of the backfield on a linebacker
4. Take advantage of Kerry Collins accuracy with one on one coverage
5. Torry Holt is one of the most precise route runners in the league – he would be a perfect mentor for Lavelle Hawkins

by pigskinpundits.com on Mar 14, 2009 8:58 AM CDT reply actions

i think its a no-brainer

nate washington or gage can be bumped over to the three spot to make room for holt. as far as i’m concerned, tory holt is still a very good receiver and would definitely fill the one spot on our roster…

by vancouverTITAN on Mar 14, 2009 12:03 PM CDT reply actions

i'm loving the idea of holt if the price is right

our bunch of WR’s still desperately needs veteran leadership from somebody who can still produce on the field. holt seems like a guy who could be a great, steady option for kerry and a mentor to the other WR’s. let’s do it.

The Dual Threat, Official Enforcer/Stat Geek of MCM.

by hal41605 on Mar 14, 2009 12:12 PM CDT reply actions

Anybody know what our cap number is now?

Would we have to release some people to make this move?

by Michaeltastic on Mar 14, 2009 1:01 PM CDT reply actions

We still have plenty of money

I am not sure what the number is, but we could do this without having to cut anyone.

Titans Blogger at Music City Miracles even though gramsey hates it.

by Jimmy on Mar 14, 2009 1:22 PM CDT up reply actions

I think it’s a great idea to get Holt. We would get a veteran receiver that can mentor the younger guys while still being able to produce on the field. At the least, the signing would be the best possible outcome we could’ve expected by signing Eric Moulds a few years back.

by jayosanne on Mar 14, 2009 2:17 PM CDT reply actions