Titans' Nate Washington Leading The Receivers

Since the Tennessee Titans floated that Nate Washington was possible trade bait during the off season, there has been speculation on whether or not he will be on the team come August. Combine the Titans moving up in the draft to get wide receiver Justin Hunter at the top of the second round, with Washington's $4.2M salary this year, and it's not too hard to connect the dots.

In a recent interview with Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean, Washington seems unconcerned.

"I am not worried about it, and never was worried about it, to tell you the truth," he said. "At the end of the day, I am here, and I am here to do a job. I have no problem with who they brought in or didn't bring in. It doesn't matter to me.''

Washington has approached the situation the same way he approaches the games on Sunday. Like a pro. He's never been the fastest, tallest or strongest, but he plays hard and smart. According to Wyatt, he's added 5 pounds of muscle to his frame this year and has become even more vocal as a leader.

When listening to head coach Mike Munchak, it doesn't sound like Washington is on his way out the door.

"It's as good as I've seen him work on the field and off the field, being a leader and speaking up," coach Mike Munchak said. "He is our leader. We know how thin that position can get real quickly, and we have a good group to watch. Nate is very much in our plans."

Munchak and company have made no bones about winning now and that they are willing to do whatever it takes to make that happen. If getting rid of Nate Washington would help the team, they would. But the bottom line is it won't.

The best starting 11 personnel grouping they have is Kenny Britt, Nate Washington and Kendall Wright. If you take Washington off of this team, you're left with Britt, Wright, and Hunter as your top 3. That's an unreliable receiver, a second year receiver and a rookie starting day one, not a recipe for success.

Washington plays with a grit and attitude that the Titans are trying to adopt for the whole team. He has a great ability to move around the field and his football IQ will help both Locker and the other receivers. Last year he was Jake Locker's go to receiver, especially when plays began to break down and led the team in receptions. It would behoove the Titans to keep him this year.