Today we take a break for the seemingly endless stream of receivers on the list to take a look at Cliff Avril. The one thing that the Titans need more than anything else on defense is a guy that can get after the quarterback. Avril can do just that. He has 19.5 sacks in the last two seasons.

We, as Titans' fans, are very familiar with how much different a pass rush can make. The Tennessee Oilers had a good defense in 1998. In 1999 the newly named Tennessee Titans drafted one Jevon Kearse and became one of the best defenses in the league.

In 2008 the Titans had one of the best defenses in the league. After that season Albert Haynesworth took his talents to the nation's capital and the defense went in the crapper. Those are two prime examples of how much a pass rush can help or hurt a defense.

A lot of people are screaming at me, here and on Twitter, saying that I am crazy for wanting to add a receiver when the defense is cleary what needs an upgrade. What the defense needs is a pass rusher. Sign Avril and this defense will be really good in 2012.

Click through the jump to see the previous people on the list.

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Success is a product of opportunity. Against all odds, the Tennessee Titans took a massive step forward in 201. They were, in essence, without their two best offensive weapons, starting a completely ineffective middle linebacker for much of the year, and what started as a year laden with potential fizzled out down the stretch for Matt Hasselbeck. Oh yeah, and there was an entirely new coaching staff.

Despite all this, the Titans were two bad losses against the Colts and Jaguars from going to the playoffs. Not a whole lot of this should come as news to Titans fans and outside observers, what I think many people underrate is just how important it is to be proactive in 2012 to take the next step forward.

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The Titans signed veteran reserve tackle Mike Otto to a two-year deal that locks him up through 2013. Otto has appeared in 41 games over the past five years, and got his first start this past season filling in for an injured David Stewart. Otto is a reliable back up with the ability to play either tackle spot. He's also a consistent presence as a blocker on special teams. Locking up Otto, with Byron Stingily and Troy Kropog still around, ensures that no matter what changes come happen along the offensive line, there will be steady depth at the tackle position.

On the heels of that news comes word from Terry McCormick that the next veteran the Titans are looking to negotiate with is Jason Jones. Jones' struggles as a DE are well documented, but Jerry Gray is hinting that Jones may be moved back inside next season if the two sides can agree on a contract. I don't expect Jones to get more than two or three years, but I'm hoping they can get Jones signed and play him at DT, where he's a force rushing the passer. Just imagine he and Klug next to each other in the middle on obvious passing downs.

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Stanford Routt, who was released by the Oakland Raiders yesterday, is scheduled to visit with the Tennessee Titans in the next few days according to Terry McCormick. If they were to sign him, that would be a big deal because it would pretty much officially close the door on Cortland Finnegan returning to the team.

Routt does have some penalty problems according to PFF:

Stanford Routt was being paid like an elite corner, but he was far from that, hence the cutting. 17 penalties led the league for CBs

Matt Bowen of NFP says Routt will have no trouble finding another job:

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The Panthers are now on the clock. So what to say about the 2011 Panthers... oh wait i got it, CAM NEWTON! Newton got to play in the pro bowl this year and if anyone watched it can say he didn't deserve it at all, 4 INT in a scrimmage game. Looking at the Panthers rankings you would think that their head coach was an offensive guy and not Ron River who was DC for the Chargers in 2010 when they were near tops in the league. The Panthers are going to need alot of help on the defensive side of the ball in 2012 if they are going to win games. Steve Smith who was wanting a trade last off-season found the fountain of youth with Cam.

Panther Rankings

Offense: 7th
Pass: 13th
Rush: 3rd

Defense: 28th
Pass: 24th
Rush: 25th

Team Needs: WR, DT, CB, OLB

Possible Free Agents: Legedu Naanee, Jeremy Shockey, Geoff Schwartz- Restricted, Garry Williams- Restricted, Dan Connor, Jason Phillips- Restricted, Thomas Williams- Restricted, Cletis Gordon

Voting will end @ 11:59pm CST on Feb 10th or in the event of a land slide.

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Russ Lande of The Sporting News has put out a new mock draft, and he has the Titans taking Kendall Wright of Baylor. After SuperHorn's post the other day, I am very intrigued by the idea of the Titans adding Wright to the mix. Here is what Lande had to say about the pick:

With Kenny Britt recovering from a torn ACL, the Titans must find a big-play receiver to open up their offense and pull defenders away from the line to give Chris Johnson room to work.

I am generally against putting too much stock in combine numbers, but the only thing that makes Wright a good fit for the Titans is if he can run. That is why the 40 time is so important for Wright when put in the context of what the Titans need to really make this offense take off in 2011. I will spare you another "imagine the offense with," but I will say that Wright could be that final piece that makes this offense dynamic.