Music City Miracles - All Posts

Breaking: SD inks Freeney to a deal worth $13.35 million

2013-05-18T17:30:03Z

The idea of Dwight Freeney ever going to the Titans seems to have been more created by the fans than by any sort of proof. Finally after a long offseason Freeney has signed with the Chargers for a two-year deal worth up to $13.35 million, without ever expressing interest to join the Titans or vice versa.

Two years, $8.75 million for Dwight Freeney, with max value of $13.35 million wp.me/p14QSB-8WvP
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) May 18, 2013

Now even though the Titans never actually attempted to sign Freeney, his deal could mean a lot to the franchise. The Titans have feelers our on John Abraham and this contract could lead to a starting point between the two parties. Freeney's deal is incentive based and he can end up making more that 150% of what his deal is by hitting certain sack numbers. Keeping in mind that Freeney was the only top-name pass rusher left that had played any DE/OLB it is safe to say that he had all the leverage in the negotiation when Melvin Ingram suffered a season ending injury before camp started.

My idea is this, sign John Abraham to a one-year, $5 million contract with an additional $3 million in incentives. There would be three incentive points:

A. Either force four fumbles, or get six sacks. Earn $750,000

B. Either force six fumbles, or get 10 sacks. Earn $750,000

C. Either force 10 fumbles or get 16 sacks. Earn $1.5 million

Obviously the third incentive is a high mark, but it isn't unobtainable considering how fresh he should be and the bulk the Titans have to command double teams in the middle.

This deal works for both parties. On the Titans end it would allow them to close free agency strong and get another veteran presence at defensive end, without hurting long-term cap or causing issues with young talent at defensive end considering the Titans only added one in the draft. Abraham gets a great place to reestablish himself for a big 2014 contract while also earning money that is more than fair.

Poll

Do you like the proposed Abraham deal?

Quick Shot: Are we all underestimating Jake Locker?

2013-05-18T05:01:33Z

Jake Locker's career hasn't started out with a flashy winning streak or an easy trip to the playoffs, but those that think Locker is a bust already are really missing the devil in the details.

Firstly, lets talk about just how unlucky Locker was to have the combination of Steve Hutchinson, Deuce Lutui, Leroy Harris, Kevin Mathews, Kyle Devan, and Mitch Petrus all see time as starters on the interior of the offensive line due to injures. Since they all played so poorly we will call that group the "Subs". Together the subs managed to allow 45 hurries, 13 hits, and 10 sacks on 2,053 snaps. To give some perspective the combination of Fernando Velasco, Michael Roos, and David Stewart allowed only 41 hurries 13 hits, and 6 sacks on 2,658 snaps. That means that while compensating for the backups, the OTs and the OC still managed to out preform the backups on more snaps.

As a unit the offensive line certainly didn't do Locker any favors, but what about his WRs? In fact, Locker had 8% of his catch-able passes dropped by his targets, that was the 6th highest drop rate in the league. When using PFF's adjusted completion percentage, Locker finishes just .2% off from Eli Manning and above Cam Newton, Andrew Luck, and even Joe Flacco. That doesn't scream inaccuracy to me.

As for Locker's most impressive attribute, his legs, he finished 6th in quarterback rushing yards behind RG3, Newton, Russell Wilson, Colin Kaepernick and Michael Vick despite missing five games with an injury. Much more impressively, Locker was 1st in the league in yards per carry by a QB who ran the ball 15+ times with 7.1 YPC. Final stat, Locker ended the season with five runs of over 20 yards, 3rd among quarterbacks finishing just one behind RG3.

If Locker would have stayed healthy last year, he would have contributed 3,174 combined yards while scoring 15 TDs, and 15 INTs. That is with the terrible OL and drops. Not terrible numbers for a first year QB without a running game. Locker has all the tools to be a winning QB now that the Titans have surrounded him with better options at WR and a vastly improved offensive line. If the fan base will support him and hold the boos until at least the bye week mark, then Locker may build the confidence and rhythm he needs to lead this team to the playoffs.

Poll

Do you think that Jake Locker can lead the improved Titans to the playoffs?

Report: Tennessee Titans LB Moise Fokou Charged With DUI

2013-05-17T22:25:07Z

The Washingtonian's Luke Mullins is reporting that Titans reserve linebacker Moise Fokou was arrested on Suspicion of DUI back in January. In February the Washington DC attorney general officially pressed charges, and Fokou is due in court on October 22.

That's not a good thing to hear about a guy the Titans targeted in free agency, but who hasn't taken the field in two-toned blue yet. Given when the incident happened, and when the charges were pressed, it's almost a certainty that the Titans were aware of the situation when the signed him to a two-year contract back in March.

Here's the recap of what happened, per Mullins' report:

A United States Park Police officer arrested the 27-year-old Fokou around 3 AM on a Friday in January. The officer pulled Fokou over after witnessing Fokou drive his BMW at a high rate of speed and across the solid double yellow lines on 14th Street near McPherson Square, the arresting officer said in a sworn statement.

"As I was speaking with [Fokou] I detected a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage," the arresting officer said in the statement. "His eyes were bloodshot and watery while his speech was slurred."

Fokou told the officer that "he had a few drinks" at a DC nightclub, and claimed his BMW "just takes off sometimes," said the officer.

After administering a field sobriety test on Fokou, the officer placed Fokou under arrest. Fokou was taken to a Park Police station; he declined to take a breath alcohol test.

The Titans refused a request for comment, but it'll be interesting to see if they're as surprised by this news as most Titans fans are.

Tennessee Titans News Links: Looked Over

2013-05-17T13:45:11Z

The Office ended last night. In what is one of my favorite TV shows and a show I've grown up with it was hard for me to accept the end. For today's music, "Nobody But Me" lipdubbed by the office members, and also an hours + worth of The Office Bloopers from throughout the series.

In the NFL top 100, CJ is ranked 62nd. And he's mad. My opinion is that the NFL 100 is stupid, but if CJ uses this as added motivation, then fine.

NFL.com is doing a countdown of the best games of 2012. If the Lions vs. Titans game isn't on there, then I'll be pretty upset.

Top 5 Defensive Tackle tandems in the NFL? The Titans aren't on that list but we are definitely top 10 IMO.

Yahoo did a team report with some Munchak quotes for the offseason thus far. Pretty good read.

Fanspeak continues the positional ranking with RB/FB. These guys graded better than our QBs did.

And finally, a Fanspeak way too early power ranking has us at 25.

Quote of the Day: "No matter how you get there, or where you end up, human beings have a miraculous gift to make that place home." - Creed Bratton

Thursday night open thread; who are your other teams?

2013-05-17T03:36:31Z

Obviously the thing that brings us all together here is our love for the Titans, but most of us have other favorite teams outside of the NFL. Who are they? Most of you are familiar with my teams, but I will give you a little bit of back story:

I am a Cubs fan. The reason is pretty simple- When I was a kid the Braves and the Cubs were on TV every single day. The Braves got good and everyone around here became a Braves fan, so I decided not to jump on the bandwagon and become a Cubs fan. Maybe a bad choice...

My college team is Alabama. My dad grew up in Alabama, and he got me hooked from a really young age. There were some lean years there, but I am reaping the benefits currently.

I don't really care about the NHL or NBA.

Those are my teams. Who are yours?

Delanie Walker wants to catch 70 passes

2013-05-16T20:26:57Z

Delaine Walker said last week that his goal is to catch 70 passes this season. That is a lofty goal that is unlikely to come to fruition, but there is no doubt that the Titans want Walker to be the #1 tight end option in this offense. So what is a realistic expectation for Walker this season?

Here is what Titans' OC Dowell Loggains had to say about him during the OTAs (via Greg Pogue):

"I expect him to catch more passes than he did last year in San Francisco," Titans offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains said. "We are really excited about him. We are excited about him as a player and a person. The guy is a leader. He started at the bottom, and he's been to the Super Bowl. He's ready to be the breakout tight end and be the guy."

The first thing that Walker has to focus on here is catching the football. He had a problem with drops in San Fran, and the quickest way to get the quarterback to look past you in the progression is to drop catchable passes.

Walker brings a lot to the table, he is regarded as a very good run blocker, so he will be on the field a lot more than Jared Cook was. That will lead to an increase in opportunities over what Cook saw last year. It will be up to Delanie to make the most of those opportunities.

The ceiling for Walker is probably around 50 catches. He might have the ability to catch 70 balls, but the reality is there is only one football to go around. There is little doubt that the Titans want to be run heavy this year, and with receivers like Kenny Britt, Kendall ~~Walker~~ Wright (that is what happens when the site is down for 2 days- I lose my mind), Nate Washington (?) and Justin Hunter, the balls thrown to the tight ends should be limited.

I will put the over/under at 44.5. What say ye?

Tennessee Titans News Links: Where Did The Party Go?

2013-05-16T14:46:14Z

Seems like a couple weeks ago this place was alive and popping, the draft had just ended, we were rejuvenated with football talk. Now "Where Did the Party Go?"

Paul Kuharsky talks about the Titans pass rush expectations this year. Better coverage will lead to more sacks, the continued use of Ayers and the different blitzing looks from Williams should also contribute to making opposing QBs uncomfortable. However, the addition of John Abraham would even further that cause.

Titans signed Alvester Alexander and Greg Jones yesterday. I don't know if these guys will be any more than camp bodies.

NFL.com breaks down offseason story lines for each team. Our's features a little bit on CJ, Britt, Wash, and Locker.

Bernard Pollard will not visit the White House with the Ravens simply because he's a Titan. Not a Ratbird.

The apparent holdup for any John Abraham deal is snaps. The Titans want to use him as a situational pass rusher and he wants to be a full time guy.

The Jaguars are terrible. Especially against the Titans.

Quote of the Day: This is more of an advice thing, but I'd advise all of you to go see the new Star Trek. It's unbelievably good. You'll thank me later.

Titans Sign LB Greg Jones and RB Alvester Alexander

2013-05-16T03:31:24Z

From the Titans Online Website

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Titans added a pair of veteran free agents to the roster, signing running back Alvester Alexander and linebacker Greg Jones.

Additionally, the Titans waived a pair of undrafted rookies: running back Stefphon Jefferson and tackle Matt Sewell.

Jones (6-0, 242), who is expected to compete as a middle linebacker, has appeared in 22 career games since entering the NFL in 2011 as a sixth-round draft pick (185^th overall) of the New York Giants. As a rookie with the Giants, he played in all 16 games, including five starts, and totaled 25 tackles. During the postseason, he led the team with seven special teams tackles.

Jones was released by the Giants prior to the 2012 campaign and signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars in November. He saw action in six games with the Jaguars, primarily on special teams.

I think Jones very likely will push linebacker Patrick Bailey for a roster spot as a special team player. Tim Shaw is safer than Bailey simply because of his leadership. I also think Alexander may have a chance to compete for the #3 spot with Jalen Parmele. I also wonder what these signings mean for Darius Reynaud. It's interesting that they cut the undrafted rookie Jefferson before camp, but they have signed two other free agents in addition to Shonn Greene. We'll see where this goes...