With few concerns, might Titans lock up a free agent to-be?

Discussion in 'Tennessee Titans and NFL Talk' started by NewsGrabber, Nov 6, 2008.

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  1. NewsGrabber

    NewsGrabber Guest

    Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky NASHVILLE, Tenn. - They are undefeated and have high hopes they're going to make a Super Bowl run.

    They aren't sure what's going to happen with Albert Haynesworth, their franchise player on track to meet an incentive which would put him on course for unrestricted free agency. They aren't sure what's going to happen at quarterback, where Kerry Collins is going to be a free agent and has said he's not eager to return to backup status.

    Elsewhere, the Titans have done excellent work locking people up. Tackles Michael Roos and David Stewart and cornerback Cortland Finnegan got long-term extensions before this season.

    They'll want to do all they can to hold the core of the team together, and while the names heading for unrestricted free agency aren't huge, guys like safety Vincent Fuller, tight end Bo Scaife and kicker Rob Bironas have significant roles.

    The Titans have been having contract conversations with at least one of them.

    Scaife's agent, Kevin D. Robinson, said he's had "some substantive negotiations" about an extension.

    "I know they've talked a little bit, but between my agent and them, I just let them take care of that," Scaife said. "I'll just do everything I can out there. Sure I would love to sign, I don't want to go anywhere, I love my team."

    I asked, "Do you think they'll treat you right?"

    "I don't know," he said, before laughing and mentioning players like Drew Bennett and Jacob Bell, who didn't get extensions and moved on as free agents. "History shows no. I want to be positive about the situation. I am glad we're winning. I understand it's a business and they're going to do what's best for the organization."

    Fuller said he and his agent decided it was best to "play the season out and let them come to us."

    The biggest potential free agent issue is Haynesworth, who's on track to be Defensive Player of the Year.

    He negotiated incentives into his one-year deal as the Titans' franchise player that can prevent the team from tagging him again. If he stays healthy, he will meet more than one of the four conditions:


    --Make the Pro Bowl.
    --Play 60 percent of the team's defensive snaps.
    --Play 53 percent of the defensive snaps and the Titans win 10 games.
    --Play 53 percent of the defensive snaps and the Titans finish in the league's top five in total defense.

    The Titans can't talk contract with Haynesworth until Dec. 29 and at that point they'll be readying for the playoffs and he'll be roughly two months away from being able to test the market.

    It sounds like Keith Bulluck, like me, expects Haynesworth will dip his tie in the free agent pool. Tennessee does well holding onto its own guys, but could be wary of going to a neighborhood where they'd likely have to make him the highest paid defensive player in the league.

    "The Titans organization isn't the quickest to go to the checkbook, so we'll have to see," Bulluck said. "We'll just play this season out and I'm sure a lot of things will happen this offseason. But we'll worry about the offseason when we get there. You know what we're worried about now, right? Da' Bears."

    Also heading for free agency for Tennessee: Chris Carr, Daniel Loper, Eric King, Justin McCareins, Brandon Jones, Reynaldo Hill and Chris Simms.



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  2. onetontitan

    onetontitan Marioto

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    wow, I didn't know we had so many free agents. We really have to hold onto Brandon Jones and Bo Scaife, but more importantly, we need to hold on to Haynesworth. Sad to say but we can do without a few of the others. Maybe this year we'll finally rid ourselves of Rey Hill.

    Bye Bye Chris Simms, Justin McCareins, Erik King and company!
     
  3. onetontitan

    onetontitan Marioto

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    which free agents do you think we'll ultimately keep? I think Brandon Jones is a lock. I think Scaife might leave, even though it would be a TERRIBLE decision, because he's our leading receiver. I want to keep Haynesworth, but he is VERY EXPENSIVE...

    ANY THOUGHTS? I'm willing to part with Rey Hill, Chris Simms, and Justin McCareins.

    Our organization is going to have to think LONG and HARD about our QB situation, do you re-sign Kerry Collins, or do you let Vince Young take the wheel? Very tough decision, IMO.
     
  4. titans4life10

    titans4life10 Camp Fodder

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    Hmmm Big Al will be a tough choice....really depends on what is more important for him, staying home or the extreme amount of $$$ signs he will see. I pray its not the latter, but can you honestly believe that guys like Jerry Jones, Snyder, even Al Davis wouldnt throw every dollar they have for a guy of Haynesworths caliber? Every team, and I mean every team that thinks they'll have the cap room will be looking at Big Al if he is free.....to some teams he might be that one part of the puzzle to a superbowl.

    Scaife, I suggest we keep him, regardless of Crumpler, Scaife has been a safety net for the QB, one Vince could use if he is starting next year. Which leads you into Collins....that situation will be tough, can anyone in here honestly say regardless of how the season finishes out, that this will be Collins team next year?

    Keep Jones, dump all the rest of the WR's aside from Gage(Only cause we resigned him) and Hawkins....the C Davis's and Williams can go. Hill can easily go, as we can draft a replacement.
     
  5. psychotictitan

    psychotictitan Its About That Time...

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    I've been on Scaife's bandwagon the minute he landed here,the guy has come a long way since his first year. The guy makes plays every time he touches the ball,good run blocker and hes durable,cant ask for anything else. Jones has been clutch for us and if he keeps doing what hes been doing and steps up in the playoffs,sign him. As for big AL, Bulluck said it best "The Titans organization isn't the quickest to go to the checkbook, so we'll have to see"
     
  6. Smash

    Smash 2017 Survivor Winner

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    Extend:
    Vincent Fuller
    Bo Scaife
    Rob Bironas
    Chris Carr
    Daniel Loper
    Eric King
    Brandon Jones
    Fat Al

    Release
    Justin McCareins
    Reynaldo Hill
    Chris Simms (Depends on what Collins decides to do)
     
    • High Five High Five x 1
  7. Blazing Arrow

    Blazing Arrow The 12th man

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    Isn't Bulluck up for FA this season too?
     
  8. Fry

    Fry Welcome to the land of tomorrow!

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    after 2009
     
  9. onetontitan

    onetontitan Marioto

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    do we have the money to extend all of those people? Also, the Kerry Collins situation is a hard one to look at...
     
  10. Puck

    Puck Pro Bowler

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    you left off Donnie Nickey :grrhee:
     
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