Tennessee Titans Daily Links: 20.9 Million Reasons To Have Hope Edition

by August West on Jan 16, 2012 10:55 AM CST in Tennessee Titans Links

Can you call some sort of penalty in Ruud that results in a $4 million fine? Perhaps grand larceny of a paycheck?

John Glennon takes stock of where the Titans are headed in 2012, and gives the upside and downside for most of the position groups on the roster.

The salary numbers on this site seem to be pretty accurate, and if that's the case then we're in a position to be a huge player in free agency this offseason. We had a pretty good amount of money left under the cap, and that's when we were spending $20.9 million on Hope, Ruud, Scott and Griffin. That's enough money to bring in a few heavy-hitters in free agency and still keep our own productive players.

MCMer asbestos_man took it to task in the Fanposts, but Jason Cole wrote a pretty absurd piece that's full of head-scratching assertions about the Jeff Fisher's time with the Titans. Probably the most outright falsehood is the idea that Adams just tossed Steve McNair because he drafted Vince Young. The reality is that Floyd Reese's contractual shell game meant McNair was due a $50 million bonus, and he (understandably) never seemed inclined to take the kind of pay cut he'd need to take to stay in Nashville. The overall idea that somehow Bud Adams, Floyd Reese and Mike Reinfeldt conspired to hold back the unbridled genius of Jeff Fisher is stupid on a level that's tough to properly express without profanity.

With Fisher headed to the Rams, Eagles fans are worried that Jim Washburn could be leaving to join him... which I expect to happen if the Eagles allow it to.

Ditto for Gregg Williams, though Saints fans might not be all that upset about that after this season.

The Titans have officially offered the secondary coaching job to Brett Maxie of the Cowboys.

Solomon Wilcotts is a guy I agree with a lot, but he's got this one dead wrong.

Tons of good stuff in FO's Audibles at the Line.

PFF unveils their updated FA tracker.

Wes Bunting previews the top draft prospects at the upcoming East-West Shrine Game.

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

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When I first read the title...

I read " 20.9 million reasons to have Chris Hope." Almost shot myself in the face.

Haters gonna hate

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by JustinS on Jan 16, 2012 11:08 AM CST reply actions

I guess I didn't realize until right now that McNair was due a $50 million bonus.

What kind of contract BS is that? No team can keep a player around who they’re about to have to pay $50 million dollars all at once.

Hate you, Floyd Reese.

"Do the Titans have a miracle left in them in what has been a magical season to this point? If they do, they need it now. Christie kicks it high and short. Gonna be fielded by Lorenzo Neal at the 25; he dishes it back to Wycheck; he throws it across the field to Dyson. 30, 40, 50, 40, 30, 20, 10, 5, endzone...touchdown, Titans! There are no flags on the field! It's a miracle! Tennessee has pulled a miracle! A miracle for the Titans!"

by TennesseeTyrants on Jan 16, 2012 11:10 AM CST reply actions

I don't think they can restructure contracts like they used to,

but the reason we got in such salary cap hell for a few years was Floyd Reese going to our higher-paid players and restructuring their contracts to push back bonus money to later years. With Steve’s, those bonuses piled up to almost $50 million on his last year. But, you have to remember that they made those moves with Steve’s contract before the 2003 season, so it was probably a negotiating tactic designed to force both sides to decide on an extension before the final year of his deal. Then Steve won the MVP, but suffered a mountain of injuries in 2004 and started to breakdown physically. That’s when they started to look for the next QB, and Steve didn’t want to take a paycut right after he won the MVP… even though he made much less money in Baltimore than he probably would have here (same thing happened with Eddie George when he left for Dallas, btw).

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by August West on Jan 16, 2012 12:01 PM CST up reply actions

$50 MM. Am I reading that right? That's nuts.

by SuperHorn on Jan 16, 2012 12:19 PM CST up reply actions

you know..

as ready as i am for Locker to be the QB, i think i’d be ok with one more year of Hasselbeck. it’s not very often these days that teams have the luxury of letting their QB of the future sit and learn for a couple years. i think he could benefit from one more year of watching, especially since it looks like our schedule next year is going to be brutal.

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by oshoney on Jan 16, 2012 11:17 AM CST reply actions

I don't think Hass will quietly go the way of the backup after this season

If he’s on the roster after the draft I think you have to sit Locker. More mentoring is not a bad thing.

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by CrazyTitan on Jan 16, 2012 11:54 AM CST up reply actions

I think they have already stated

In the first press conference after season ended, it will be an open competition.

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by numbertenox on Jan 16, 2012 12:00 PM CST up reply actions

and do you believe that?

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by CrazyTitan on Jan 16, 2012 12:19 PM CST up reply actions

yes

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by rothbard on Jan 16, 2012 1:49 PM CST up reply actions

It's not up to Hasselbeck

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by rothbard on Jan 16, 2012 1:49 PM CST up reply actions

Do you think HBeck sits on the bench and watchs contently or asks for a trade.

He doesn’t have many years left, started 16 games this year and lead a rebuilding team with no running game to a winning record, there are plenty of teams that he would be an upgrade for. If he starts we have Jake Locker as a backup. If Locker starts we have Rusty Smith as a backup.

Don’t get me wrong I love Jake Locker and can’t wait for the dynasty to begin but I think Hasselbeck starts the season

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by CrazyTitan on Jan 16, 2012 2:56 PM CST up reply actions

Just because Hasselbeck would demand a trade

Doesn’t mean he’ll get one…if Locker truly beats him out at camp / preseason, then he’ll be the backup (well-paid backup, at that).

by shawneriksmith on Jan 16, 2012 3:50 PM CST up reply actions

Hasselbeck has already stated he's absolutely okay with being a backup to Locker.

No one’s requesting a trade.

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by WinnipegTitanFan13 on Jan 16, 2012 4:15 PM CST up reply actions

Cole's writeup

I first saw the story when Peter King tweeted “Good Story Jason”. I also read King’s MMQB about him and Fisher having the same agents. So….

That being said I think Fisher had a lot of control over talent chosen, with exception to VY.

I agree that Bud stuck with Fisher. From what I understand it took Fisher trying to hire his son that was the final straw.

Cole’s story was very one sided.

Munch is doing a good job and will continue. I am a TITAN fan through thick and thin.

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by workingfarmer on Jan 16, 2012 11:27 AM CST reply actions

Bring back FINNEGAN!!!!!!!!!!!

JUST DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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by Dynamic Dreadlocks on Jan 16, 2012 11:34 AM CST reply actions

2nded!!1

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by Ice0ne (CAJ) on Jan 16, 2012 12:36 PM CST up reply actions

not going to happen

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by rothbard on Jan 16, 2012 7:31 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

GTFO DEBBIE DOWNER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by Dynamic Dreadlocks on Jan 16, 2012 10:17 PM CST up reply actions

With that much cap space

We could offer Mathis or John Abraham a nice 2 year, 10-12 million dollar contract. I would be fine with that. Then we could use our #1 draft pick on a safety, OL, or WR.

by tdtommyd on Jan 16, 2012 11:51 AM CST reply actions

Throw money at Williams.

1) Get elite pass rusher.
2) Deliver a blow to the Texans.

Two birds with one stone!

Knows this is never going to happen

by FYNBYAC on Jan 16, 2012 5:01 PM CST up reply actions

sounds nice

by tdtommyd on Jan 18, 2012 4:03 PM CST up reply actions

Anyone sick and tired of talking, arguing, and discussing,

Jeff Fisher? Like, yes we get it, he is a fine coach, that the national media loves to romanticize. Its fine, but can we start talking about something else .

by titanfannyc on Jan 16, 2012 12:38 PM CST reply actions

I mostly agree

but when it comes to people taking misguided shots at the franchise, and Fisher possibly pulling coaches and front office people from us, we kinda have to cover it.

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by August West on Jan 16, 2012 12:40 PM CST up reply actions

Fair enough

Thanks August. Keep up the great work.

by titanfannyc on Jan 16, 2012 12:43 PM CST up reply actions

That is about how I feel right now,

media is making it seem like he had it so rough here. That is getting pretty old fast and I am starting to like Fisher less because of it.

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by StPrattrick on Jan 16, 2012 12:54 PM CST up reply actions

Rusty???????????

I hope we keep Rusty. I thought he had another year on contract??

Glennon says
“Everyone is under contract for next season, so the only potential change likely would be at the No. 3 spot, which Rusty Smith held the past two years.”

Show a little love to Rusty

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by workingfarmer on Jan 16, 2012 12:54 PM CST reply actions

i see your 3rd string quarterback stud....

and raise you…

CUT JACOBY JONES CUT JACOBY JONES CUT JACOBY JONES
CUT JACOBY JONES CUT JACOBY JONES CUT JACOBY JONES
CUT JACOBY JONES CUT JACOBY JONES CUT JACOBY JONES
CUT JACOBY JONES CUT JACOBY JONES CUT JACOBY JONES
CUT JACOBY JONES CUT JACOBY JONES CUT JACOBY JONES

by Carter Liles on Jan 16, 2012 1:07 PM CST up reply actions

God I hate Leinart... so so much

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by StPrattrick on Jan 16, 2012 1:08 PM CST up reply actions

mehh. i dont hate him based on anything.

but he has given me zero reason to like him either.

by Carter Liles on Jan 16, 2012 1:10 PM CST up reply actions

I live in Arizona. this entire state hates that kid.

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by StPrattrick on Jan 16, 2012 1:15 PM CST up reply actions

that makes more sense. haha

i don’t think he got a fair chance, but i think he would have sucked regardless so it does not even matter.

by Carter Liles on Jan 16, 2012 1:23 PM CST up reply actions

His broken shoulder is the only reason the Texans still made it to the playoffs...

I was actually kinda excited for the Failboat Leinart was going to bring.

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by StPrattrick on Jan 16, 2012 1:28 PM CST up reply actions

fair chance?

He sucked. And they had a hall of famer playing qb. The world saw enough.

by -Erock on Jan 16, 2012 2:31 PM CST via iPhone app up reply actions

Newsflash...

HOU signed him during last year’s off-season.

by titanwarrior1 on Jan 17, 2012 11:26 AM CST up reply actions

i thought rusty was red headed?

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by Ice0ne (CAJ) on Jan 16, 2012 2:11 PM CST up reply actions

It's a dusty red.

The contrast with the tree doesn’t do his red hair justice

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by workingfarmer on Jan 16, 2012 2:15 PM CST up reply actions

Thanks for clearing that up Rusty....er...uh...I mean workingfarmer.

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by titansfan4ever on Jan 16, 2012 2:17 PM CST up reply actions

Laurent Robinson

What do you guys think about going after him? May be able to get him cheaper than the big name WRs and he scores TDs.

by PurpleSwirlyThings on Jan 16, 2012 1:27 PM CST reply actions

How about picking up Rueben Randle (LSU) in the 2nd round?

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by titansfan4ever on Jan 16, 2012 2:30 PM CST up reply actions

oh yeah!

by trevor2013 on Jan 16, 2012 3:48 PM CST up reply actions

DAL will keep him

by titanwarrior1 on Jan 17, 2012 11:25 AM CST up reply actions

This is a huge year for WR free agency.

Lets make a big move there and bring in a good 2nd tier receiver (a la Dewayne Bowe) and go for OL with the first two picks in the draft.

by jrod29 on Jan 16, 2012 1:40 PM CST reply actions

Who's Dewayne?

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by StPrattrick on Jan 16, 2012 1:50 PM CST up reply actions

^THIS^

and go for OL with the first two picks in the draft.

I like the way you think jrod!!

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by titansfan4ever on Jan 16, 2012 1:55 PM CST up reply actions

YES

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by workingfarmer on Jan 16, 2012 2:23 PM CST up reply actions

Yea

Something needs to be done with the middle of our O-line. Hoping we can get a center in FA at least. I like DT Michael Brockers in the first round. He would be huge for our rotation. Even with the losses that we may take in our secondary, I think we should be ok with a better pass rush.

by PurpleSwirlyThings on Jan 16, 2012 1:51 PM CST reply actions

It's official!!

When it comes to picking NFL winners, I am the worst!! Sooooo kiddos, if you want to bet on NFL games (which btw, MCM does not condone…I got your back, Jimmy), you can do one of two things. Take the opposite of who I pick…or…take whoever hal picks.

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by titansfan4ever on Jan 16, 2012 1:53 PM CST reply actions

This is kinda funny;

Hi, I’m Tom Brady. You know that stuff you’ve been saying about my recent playoff failures, the fact that I haven’t won a Super Bowl since Spygate, or that Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees have surpassed me as the best quarterback in the game? Here’s my answer: Five touchdown passes – in the first half – against the Broncos and Tim Tebow, who had three completions in the first two quarters. Six TD passes overall, tying the NFL postseason record. Twenty-six completions in 34 attempts, for 363 yards. Oh, and I quick-kicked a ball 48 yards down to the 10-yard line on our final drive in the fourth quarter, setting off a brawl that I was far too cool to be part of and rekindling memories of a snowy day in Foxborough eight years ago. Then I strutted off into the New England night with my supermodel wife. Any questions? Didn’t think so …

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by StPrattrick on Jan 16, 2012 2:06 PM CST reply actions