Tennessee Titans Morning Links: Free Agency Rolls On Edition

by August West on Mar 2, 2009 9:53 AM CST in Linkage Comment 24 comments

Nate Washington has a short list, and the Titans are on it. He still has interest coming from Detroit, Baltimore, Cincy and Tampa Bay. I think the question the Titans front office is wrestling with here is whether Washington is more like Brandon Jones (shifty disappointment) or Derrick Mason (savvy veteran)... The Titans have also been in contact with Saints burner Devery Henderson.

Chris Carr continues to explore free agency, and he met with the Lions last weekend. Carr is definitely one of those mid-level guys who I could stomach slightly overpaying just because he means more to us - especially in the return game - than he would to most other teams.

My boy Pinoy points us towards this Terry McCormick report from the weekend where the Titans are taking a good look at a former Vanderbilt stud Jovan Haye. I'll have to admit that, while Haye was a killer at DE for Vandy, I never saw much pro-potential in him until his break-out 2007 performance where he notched 68 tackles with 6 sacks.

Don Banks just reported his way out of Superhorn's Christmas card list:

• My gut continues to tell me that Chris Simms will likely re-sign in Tennessee, where he believes he might be in position to backup Collins if the Titans ship the enigmatic Vince Young away. To repeat, Young is not a given to return to Tennessee in 2009, and Titans owner Bud Adams is no longer playing the role of protector for the team's 2006 first-round pick.

I'm not really buying this report, but I can't say it would the worst thing to ever happen to Vince. Maybe he's at the point where he just needs a fresh start, but I'd like to see what Heimerdinger can do with him after this off-season.

Peter King has a fascinating break-down of Chris Canty's brief trip through free agency, which includes several mentions of the Titans being an early favorite for his services. What's not given though, is why Mike Reinfeldt and the Titans soured on Canty so quickly. Reading the tea leaves though, it sounds like our interest in Canty was just a bargaining chip against Haynesworth because once that deal was inked Mikey didn't even take a visit from Canty.

Every time you email me a link the football gods smile upon you, so if you have a link you'd like to submit for tomorrow's Morning Links email me at mcmaugustwest@gmail.com! (Be sure to include your commenting handle so I can give you semi-anonymous credit.

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Vince isn't going anywhere

From what little information I’ve read, it feels like he’s grown up a lot. The fact that he sat down and asked Fish what it would take to get the starting job back was encouraging.

How I see it playing out: Kerry starts, but Vince takes over mid season. The Titans renegotiate Vince’s contract for the next three years.

Vince has no trade value right now. And, if we did dish him, we’d have to pay more in the accelerated incentives than his contract is worth this year anyways. It doesn’t make financial sense. I don’t get the feeling that he’s a problem in the locker room either. Most negative reports paint him as a loner, not a cancer. This will continue to be a story, because, for better or worse, it’s something that people will read.

by SuperHorn on Mar 2, 2009 10:14 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

It's getting so tired, ain't it?

There are 52 other guys on this team to talk about. It makes my head hurt everytime I click on the site and see another VY fanpost.

I just hope he ends up playing up to his potential.

Bulluck. B-U-L-L-U-C-K. At least spell his name right....and hate Music City Miracles!

by gramsey712 on Mar 2, 2009 10:26 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

It is getting tired.

There will be at least 15 more of those before the offseason is over, though.

The thing is that the coaching staff isn’t missing anything. It’s not like they don’t understand what Vince is capable of. They’re some of the best in the world at what they do and there is a reason Vince is on the bench that’s unrelated to his athletic potential. He’s obviously gotten in Fisher’s bad graces and now needs to prove himself.

But, some people, myself included sometimes, disregard that and want to treat this situation like we’re playing some sort of video game. Like we can just sub in Vince and the chemistry with the team/coach won’t be affected.

This whole thing is going to be a process and I think Fish is doing what’s best for Vince in the long run. VY was thrown into the spotlight with his highlight reel rookie season and has been under a microscope since. This time on the bench will hopefully prove to be an insightful process that allows him to grow into his potential.

by SuperHorn on Mar 2, 2009 10:36 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

breaking news!

ESPN is reporting that Kerry Collins will be the starter for the Titans in 2009! (mildly NSFW link)

Where I was raised 2 + 2 = 3rd and 6.

by August West on Mar 2, 2009 10:39 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I find it amazing that the FO didn't even want to interview Canty.

Wow. I wonder if all the reported interest was just assumed interest on the part of his agent, or if, as August suggests, he was a bargaining chip that the FO used against Big Al’s agent.

So it’s looking to me like, barring a miracle, we’ll be taking a DT in the first or second round—and that that has been the plan for quite some time.

DannoE

"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one."

by DannoE on Mar 2, 2009 10:40 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I think it is strange that everyone is up at arms about it.

This guy really wasn’t that great. Average player on a not-that-great defense. My thinking is that the FO knows they have two better DTs in Tony Brown and Jason Jones and that is too much money just for depth.

Bulluck. B-U-L-L-U-C-K. At least spell his name right....and hate Music City Miracles!

by gramsey712 on Mar 2, 2009 11:01 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I wanted us to pick up Canty

But I was wondering if he would start the rotation. And the more I thought about it the more I felt like Fisher would want Jones and Brown to start.

Don’t get me wrong. I still wanted us to pick up Canty, but I can see them not wanting to pay that much for a guy who’d be third in the rotation.

by theologic on Mar 2, 2009 11:11 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Agree.

And, they really pulled a rabbit out of a hat last year with Jason Jones. There is no reason to think they can’t do it again. On top of that, Washburn consistently coaches up players that have failed elsewhere.

by SuperHorn on Mar 2, 2009 11:18 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

See KVB and Tony Brown

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

by Jimmy on Mar 2, 2009 11:29 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

i'll include Dave Ball also

Go Titans!

by Pinoy Titan on Mar 2, 2009 11:41 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The more reason I hope we sign Jovan Haye

He is the mid-level type free agent whom nobody is talking about, which the Titans like to get on a very good price. He could become a very good player under Washburn.

Go Titans!

by Pinoy Titan on Mar 2, 2009 11:45 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

by theologic on Mar 2, 2009 12:33 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Agreeing with position on Chris Carr

I also believe the benefits of keeping Carr will outweigh any salary that may exceed a reasonable expectation. Sometimes an organization has to go a little further than it should….

by Cajuncub on Mar 2, 2009 11:04 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I am happy about getting Collins signed

That was the 2nd best move the Titans could make, The best move would have been to get Haynesworth but that did not happen and I actually agree that he is not worth 100 million . I know the defense will not be as dominant as last years as a result., but no man is worth 100 million dollars (any job at all) unless you find the cure for cancer or paralysis or invent something incredibly life changing.
The offense should be just as potent and maybe more so this season. Johnson and White made a great combo with running the ball and Collins had a decent year in 08. He didn’t have a super season but he didn’t make a lot of dumb mistakes. He probably has 2-3 good years left before his arm goes south.
VY, who knows what will happen. I agree that he is starting to grow up, he needed to. I just don’t know if he is mentally ready to lead the offense. Perhaps a fresh start somewhere else would do him a world of good. However If it doesn’t make financial sense to trade him, keep him. I think he has skills that can be exploited somehow.
I look forward to an exciting 09 season.

Joy Kat

by Joy kat on Mar 2, 2009 1:35 PM CST reply actions 0 recs