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With a 2-14 record, and $44 million in cap space the Tennessee Titans are in an odd position. While they are one of the top five teams in terms of potential offseason spending, there is also a lot of fat on this roster that needs to be trimmed. With the start of free agency right around the corner, this is a look at some of the Titans worst contracts and what the open market to replace them looks like.
Shonn Greene RB
The Titans stand to make nearly $3.5 million this year if they release Greene. Not only has Greene been largely infective when has been on the field, but he also faces a buyer's market in free agency for RBs.
For example, if the Titans don't even make an attempt at one of the big name running backs, they could still end up with an outstanding complimentary back in players like Ahmad Bradshaw, Steven Jackson, Mark Ingram, or Ryan Mathews.
Bernard Pollard SS
Pollard's contract isn't bad, but between his comments off the field and his twitter account, it doesn't seem like he has any desire to return to the Titans in 2015. Having said that, Pollard was a huge liability in coverage and would give the Titans $3.2 million in cap space if he was released.
While I know the popular opinion is that the Titans should bring in Devin McCourty, a more realistic option might be Da'Norris Searcy. The former Bill held up very well behind a strong defensive front and with LeBeau in Tennessee, it is hard to expect that the team won't invest resources to sure-up this front seven.
Michael Griffin FS
I'm part of the divided fan base that believes that Griffin is only good every other year, or when the situation is perfect. The Titans have far to much money invested in a player that really doesn't make any game-changing plays.
His replacement is a little obvious, but hear the thought out before you shoot it down: Troy Polamalu. The Steelers safety will likely be cut, and Tennessee should be his first person to call given his connections. Polamalu ended the season as the 48th best safety (middle of the pack) in the league according to PFF. However Griffin who would give the Titans $4.5 million on his release was 83rd (fifth worst).
Craig Stevens TE
Stevens always plays like a guy who should be better than he is. When he is thrown the ball he usually does a very good job at securing it at any cost. When he is asked to block, his efforts on the edge are better than most at his position. Unfortunately, Delanie Walker is an all around better tight end than Stevens, and as long as he is there Stevens is just burning cap space.
If the Titans cut Stevens and gained his $3.5 million in cap space, then they could go out and bring in James Casey, Charles Clay, Virgil Green, or Jordan Cameron who all do certain things well enough to earn time on the field opposite Walker.
Andy Levitre LG
Levitre is the Titans highest paid player, and he is playing like one of the bottom five starters on the roster. This free agent class has become very deep at guard, and if the move wouldn't make the Titans just $2.3 million then I believe Levitre would have already been let go.
Whether the Titans look at Orlando Franklin, Mike Iupati, Clint Boling or Jah Reid, all of these players are potentially top-20 starters at LG in the league (some higher than other obviously) and none of them should command exceptionally high pay checks.
If the Titans make all these moves than they would end up having just over $60 million in cap space, and could be firmly in the driver seat with any free agent they wanted. If the Titans brass wants to keep their job, they need to find pieces for this offense, but more importantly they need to find a way to make this defense dominant.