Could Titans benefit from these relationships in free agency?

Discussion in 'Tennessee Titans and NFL Talk' started by Titans Insider, Feb 28, 2014.

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  1. Titans Insider

    Titans Insider Titans News

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    [​IMG]Karlos Dansby



    The fact that former Browns linebacker D’Qwell Jackson scheduled his first post-release visit with the Titans illustrates just how important a player-coach bond can be when a player is looking into selecting a new team.

    The Titans are now home to defensive coordinator Ray Horton, who was Browns coordinator last year when Cleveland posted the NFL’s ninth-best overall defense. Jackson piled up 141 tackles and seven passes defensed last year on Horton’s watch.

    While there’s no guarantee Jackson will sign with the Titans — several teams have interest — they will certainly have a chance at landing him.

    Here are a few other player-coach relationships that could — at least in theory — impact the Titans when free agency gets underway on March 11:

    ILB Karlos Dansby, Cardinals

    Dansby never crossed paths with Horton in Arizona, as Dansby was with the Dolphins during the two seasons Horton was coordinator for the Cardinals.

    But Dansby did play three years under Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt, who was Cardinals coach from 2007-12. Dansby averaged more than 100 tackles during those three seasons, intercepted six passes and forced seven fumbles. Dansby and Whisenhunt also went to the Super Bowl following the 2008 season, when the Cardinals lost to the Steelers.

    With the Titans playing more of a 3-4/4-3 hybrid defense, the 6-foot-4, 250-pound Dansby — a 32-year-old Birmingham native coming off a tremendous year — would look like a good fit here.

    OLB Jason Worilds, Steelers

    This tie is a little bit tenuous. Worilds and Horton were both in Pittsburgh in 2010, but Horton was coaching defensive backs at the time. Still, Horton had been in the organization long enough that he likely would have left an impression on Worilds, 25, who was a rookie that year.

    The 6-foot-2, 262-pounder is familiar with a lot of 3-4 concepts, since the Steelers run that scheme. He showed signs of coming into his own last year, with a career-best 63 tackles, eight sacks and two forced fumbles.

    SS T.J. Ward, Browns

    Like Jackson, Ward played under Horton last year with the Browns, where the defense was much better than the team’s 4-12 record might indicate.

    The 5-foot-10, 200-pound Ward put up the second-best numbers of his four-year career last season, totaling 112 tackles, five passes defensed and two interceptions.

    If the Titans re-sign Bernard Pollard, they wouldn’t be looking at Ward. There’s also a chance the Browns will put a franchise tag on Ward, which would take him off the market.

    One last tidbit of doubt: Ward will be looking for a good-sized salary, and with the Titans already taking an $8 million cap hit for Michael Griffin, they might not want to spend big money at both safety spots.

    WR Andre Roberts, Cardinals

    Roberts spent the first four years of his NFL career in Arizona, where he had Whisenhunt as a head coach for three seasons and current Titans quarterbacks coach John McNulty as his receivers coach for two years.

    The 5-foot-11, 195-pound Roberts had his two most productive seasons in 2011 and 2012, when he averaged more than 60 catches per season and hauled in a combined seven touchdown receptions.

    There are some question marks at receiver for the Titans, where Damian Williams may hit the market and Nate Washington could be a salary-cap cut.

    If the Titans are looking for a depth receiver, the 26-year-old Roberts might be a good fit.

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    Source: Titans Insider
     
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  2. Brew City

    Brew City Case Race Champion

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    Jackson/Dansby and Ward would be awesome pick ups. Wouldn't mind Worilds either.
     
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  3. Dman

    Dman Pro Bowler

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    Would love to see Dansby come here!
     
  4. Fry

    Fry Welcome to the land of tomorrow!

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    They could benefit by paying these guys the most money. That's how it works.

    Knowing what these guys are capable of doesn't hurt though.
     
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  5. The Hammer

    The Hammer Ace Degenerate

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    They would look good in Titan blue
     
  6. Scarecrow

    Scarecrow All-Pro

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    Who?

    Chris Tucker and Charlie Sheen? No thanks.
     
  7. The Hammer

    The Hammer Ace Degenerate

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    [​IMG]
     
  8. xpmar9x

    xpmar9x The Real Slim Shady

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    I'm hoping for Dansby or Jackson - a capable vet MLB would be HUGE for this team.
     
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