<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Monday is the first day NFL teams can begin using franchise/transition tags. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Titans&src=hash">#Titans</a> have no plans to use either this year</p>— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) <a href="https://twitter.com/jwyattsports/statuses/434381612571439104">February 14, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>The franchise tag $ for CBs (Verner) is projected to be roughly $11.2 million. The number at safety (Pollard) expected to be over $8 mill</p>— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) <a href="https://twitter.com/jwyattsports/statuses/434383464238817280">February 14, 2014</a></blockquote>
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I have never wanted the Titans to re-sign a player more than I want them to sign Alterraun Verner. With that being said, I don't disagree with the decision to not use the franchise tag on him- if that is what ultimately happens. ATV is a very, very good corner, but he isn't a top-5 corner in the league.
And don't even start with using either of those tags on Bernard Pollard. He was solid last season, but could only get a 1-year deal on the market. I am sure the Titans want to bring him back, but they should be able to do it a lot cheaper than either tag number.
However, there is absolutely no reason that the Titans couldn't work out a long-term deal that makes sense for both sides. I don't have any inside information, but I really think that Verner would stay for less money than he can get on the open market. He seems to really love playing in Nashville for the Titans.
It has been clear since the Titans drafted him that they don't value him as a franchise type corner. That's fine, but he has proven time and time again that he is a really good NFL corner. His intelligence and instinct more than make up for anything he lacks in the "combine measurables."
Over the years, the Titans haven't missed on letting many guys walk. This will be a time where they miss if they don't work something out.