Tennessee Titans Free Agents: Linebackers

by Jimmy on Jan 10, 2012 9:07 PM CST in Tennessee Titans News

The Titans are 100% better at linebacker right now than they were this time last year. Akeem Ayers did not have the year that we hoped he would, but he did improve as the season went along. He will be fine. They also have Colin McCarthy, ever heard of him?

Barrett Ruud is a free agent. Raise your hand if you think the Titans should re-sign him? Anyone?

Tim Shaw and Patrick Bailey are also both free agents. Neither one of them do much of anything on defense, but they are really good special teams players. I would not be surprised to see the Titans bring each of them back with one-year deals like they did this past season.

Ken Amato is another guy that is listed on the depth chart as linebacker but never actually plays linebacker. He has been the Titans' long snapper since 2003. I found it interesting that the Titans signed a guy to a futures contract last week who is a long snapper. It will be interesting to see how that plays out.

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OT: Jags hire Mike Mularkey as the new HC

the entire city of Atlanta is rejoicing at the news

"I really can't stand that NFL guy, what's his name? Mel, yeah Mel Kiper Jr. He knows about as much about football as a Japanese space pilot." - Coach Trickett FSU

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by nolesbroncos3456 on Jan 10, 2012 9:17 PM CST via Android app reply actions

Jags fan:

Titans, Texans, Colts, Falcons fans

by sorakray on Jan 10, 2012 9:30 PM CST up reply actions

Why are Atlanta fans rejoicing? I thought he was a really good OC?

GO TITANS!!!

by RhiNo6705 on Jan 10, 2012 9:32 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

He is.

Rarely do fans ever like their own OC. His work in Atlanta with Ryan was impressive.

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by WinnipegTitanFan13 on Jan 10, 2012 9:34 PM CST up reply actions

yeah, its weird to me

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by Ice0ne (CAJ) on Jan 10, 2012 9:45 PM CST up reply actions

I'll give him credit for Ryan's development but it was time for their offense to move forward into the 21st century

"I really can't stand that NFL guy, what's his name? Mel, yeah Mel Kiper Jr. He knows about as much about football as a Japanese space pilot." - Coach Trickett FSU

ronburgundy banned by BBS for making comments on MCM, Champion of the People, I bow down in awe

Datsyuk, He could deke Victoria out of her secret… He’s THE MAN. posted by Josh Howard on Winging it in Motown 10/13/11

Titans DE Dave Ball on Blount: "It’s like trying to tackle a greased up, naked guy in the shower" 11/27/11
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by nolesbroncos3456 on Jan 10, 2012 9:47 PM CST via Android app up reply actions

I feel you overemphasize the conservative calling, considering your views on both Mularkey and Palmer.

It’s highly likely they actually know what they’re doing.

by WinnipegTitanFan13 on Jan 10, 2012 9:49 PM CST up reply actions

maybe its the inner college spread em out 5 WR formation fan in me that's influenced my views.

I’ve always enjoyed watching Oregon play

"I really can't stand that NFL guy, what's his name? Mel, yeah Mel Kiper Jr. He knows about as much about football as a Japanese space pilot." - Coach Trickett FSU

ronburgundy banned by BBS for making comments on MCM, Champion of the People, I bow down in awe

Datsyuk, He could deke Victoria out of her secret… He’s THE MAN. posted by Josh Howard on Winging it in Motown 10/13/11

Titans DE Dave Ball on Blount: "It’s like trying to tackle a greased up, naked guy in the shower" 11/27/11
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by nolesbroncos3456 on Jan 10, 2012 10:14 PM CST via Android app up reply actions

I think there is an important balance to be struck.

I love what Palmer has done, implementing more 3, 4 and 5 WR sets, but sometimes a basic formation with 5 yard curls is the right call, if not the most flashy.

by WinnipegTitanFan13 on Jan 10, 2012 10:21 PM CST up reply actions

Problem is

You have to have at least 5 good WRs to play in such a formation in order for it to work.

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by NJD28 on Jan 10, 2012 10:32 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

I don't know of too many FA linebackers.

I think Lofton and Timmons are both UFAs this offseason.

There’s no chance in hell Timmons gets out of Pittsburgh and Lofton will probably be locked up too, but if he isn’t I’d like him on the team.

Really looks like we should snag a LB in the draft, and I’ll still be mentioning Irvin until then :P

by FYNBYAC on Jan 10, 2012 9:46 PM CST reply actions

I'd say LB is pretty low on draft list

Which is amazing considering where we were 12 months ago.

by oysterhead43 on Jan 10, 2012 10:11 PM CST up reply actions

Irvin could reasonably fall to the 3rd round or so.

Unless he explodes at the combine, which is possible. Grabbing him in the 3-4 range would be nice since we’d get to address the other concerns we have before snagging an athletic guy with pass-rush ability at OLB.

by FYNBYAC on Jan 11, 2012 11:54 AM CST up reply actions

Back to the thread...

I’m good with our linebackers right now. We’ll probably add a depth guy or two, but I’m looking forward to seeing this starting three next year.

by WinnipegTitanFan13 on Jan 10, 2012 9:51 PM CST reply actions

I wouldn't be surprised to see a 4th or 5th round guy drafted as a potential successor to Witherspoon.

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by ronburgundy7427 on Jan 11, 2012 11:43 AM CST up reply actions

Was Barrett Ruud the worst FA signing ever by the Titans?

Certainly ranks up there with the likes of David Givens and Randy Moss (albeit Moss wasn’t really a FA) but I think Ruud topped the proverbial worst signing ever for the Titans …

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by Dynamic Dreadlocks on Jan 10, 2012 9:56 PM CST via mobile reply actions

Moss and givens were both still pretty good. Ruud was on the down with the Bucs and they warned us.

He is who they said he was!

Lemme See Your HANDS!

by TitansJonne on Jan 10, 2012 10:12 PM CST up reply actions

Nope.

by WinnipegTitanFan13 on Jan 10, 2012 10:22 PM CST up reply actions

Feel free to elaborate, WTF

Who then?

by Dynamic Dreadlocks on Jan 10, 2012 10:46 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Kerry Collins

because he is a horrible human being

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by StPrattrick on Jan 10, 2012 11:07 PM CST up reply actions

Forgot about him!

Oh well.

by Dynamic Dreadlocks on Jan 10, 2012 11:19 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Oh, I don't know. I didn't really think of piecing together a list,

but I don’t think Ruud warrants the title. He bought us some time to develop McCarthy, and provided some leadership and experience needed in our LB corps. The FO clearly only wanted him for a short time, since they gave him the 1 year deal.

by WinnipegTitanFan13 on Jan 10, 2012 11:11 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

Hmm, very true.

by Dynamic Dreadlocks on Jan 10, 2012 11:20 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

i still like Spoon

but i’d love to see us get a guy to eventually replace him in the draft.

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by oshoney on Jan 10, 2012 11:54 PM CST reply actions

Do we really need two special teams linebackers on our roster going into the offseason

Surely it would be better to use one of our 9(?) draft picks on a linebacker and let him play special teams with the idea of him potentially developing into something more than a special teams guy. I know special teams are important but realistically 85% of the kickoffs RB kicks are touchbacks and Bret Kern is deadly accurate I don’t remember many punt returns against us. Special teams specialists aren’t something you need an abundance of in my eyes.

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by alijeal on Jan 11, 2012 1:18 AM CST reply actions

Shaw isn't JUST a ST guy though

He’s actually not a bad depth guy in the LB core, so add that to the fact that he is our ST captain and then Bailey is our pure ST guy. So if you look at it in this way, we’ve got the one pure ST guy you’re talking about, along with a decent depth LB who is badass on ST also.

And its not like either of them would command much money, so I see no problem in making every effort of keeping both of them.

Locker has a receiver either side;
Locker fumbles the snap;
Picks it up, sprints out to the right;
Looking;
Fires deep downfield
MAN IS WIDE OPEN!!
TOUCHDOWWWWWN TITANS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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by SoMissTitansFan on Jan 11, 2012 2:16 AM CST up reply actions

keeping both would be ideal

But if not possible you have to make a solid effort to keep Shaw. Special teams captain and filled in well in spot duty when called on. Also sends a message that leadership is rewarded.

by -Erock on Jan 11, 2012 2:43 AM CST via iPhone app up reply actions

Agreed

I just don’t see any way we don’t get Bailey back for very cheap unless Mike and Mike just don’t want him.

Locker has a receiver either side;
Locker fumbles the snap;
Picks it up, sprints out to the right;
Looking;
Fires deep downfield
MAN IS WIDE OPEN!!
TOUCHDOWWWWWN TITANS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I <3 Mike Keith

by SoMissTitansFan on Jan 11, 2012 2:51 AM CST up reply actions

I suppose but would you really trust Shaw

If he had to start a few games cos someone went down?

I watch the Music City Miracle every time I visit MCM just because I can

by alijeal on Jan 11, 2012 6:08 AM CST up reply actions

He had to this year and did just fine

Locker has a receiver either side;
Locker fumbles the snap;
Picks it up, sprints out to the right;
Looking;
Fires deep downfield
MAN IS WIDE OPEN!!
TOUCHDOWWWWWN TITANS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I <3 Mike Keith

by SoMissTitansFan on Jan 11, 2012 12:59 PM CST up reply actions