Tennessee Titans Daily Links: Rusty Smith Has Found His Role With The Titans Edition

The Titans have a slew of guys headed to free agency, and I expect a good number of them to walk, but Craig Stevens is a guy the Titans are openly saying they'll lock up before free agency begins. Stevens is the perfect complement to Cook, especially since he's become more of a threat in the passing game. He was limited most of the year with a painful rib injury, but still managed to average 18.4 yards per catch in addition to his solid blocking.

Mike Munchak spoke with David Boclair about his desire for the Titans to get younger on the offensive line. Of course, age isn't a problem, a lack of talent is. Still, it's good news for a team who hasn't drafted many offensive linemen over the past six years, and have only spent two picks in the first three rounds on that group (Roos in 2005 and Zach Piller in 1999) since they got to Nashville. I don't think they'll go O-line with the first pick, but that late second rounder could be used to pluck the best guard or center left on the board.

Former Titans WR Derrick Mason announced his retirement yesterday. It's not much of a surprise after he was cut by the Jets and Texans this season, but you know he would have loved to hang around long enough to top 1,000 receptions. As it is, he walks away with 943 receptions (11th all-time) for 12,061 yards (19th all-time) and 66 TDs (42nd all-time).

For a team that finished a close second in the division and missed the playoffs by a whisper, the Titans are noticeably under-represented on Paul K's All-AFC ballot.

The Rams somewhat oddly posted on their website that Jeff Fisher's decision is down to them and the Dolphins. Apparently Fish is back at his home in Nashville figuring out which job he'll take, but I don't see any way he passes on the Rams job.

Here's a radio interview with Matt Hasselbeck where he talks about the important role Rusty Smith served all season long: taking care of a Labrador puppy Hasselbeck got just before the season, named 'Titan'.

Lake Dawson had his interview with the Rams yesterday, along with Falcon's Director of Player Personnel Les Snead. There's no mention of Rouston Webster, which makes me hope the Titans refused to let him interview.

Jurrell Casey makes PFF's All-Rookie team.

Congrats to Jimmy and his Crimson Tide on the win last night, thanks to a pulverizing defensive effort buoyed by Les Miles' irrational decision to not put Jarrett Lee in the game. There's no guarantee that Lee would have done much better, but he sure as hell couldn't have done any worse.

Email me at mcmagustwest@gmail.com and Tweet me @AugustWest_MCM