Reinfeldt speaks, predictably, on Haynesworth

<em>Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky</em> <p>The Titans have finally said something about <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=3543" target="_new">Albert Haynesworth</a> jumping to Washington for a monster deal.</p> <p>I don't know what exactly it is I'd like them to say, but, "we intend to use the dollars we had set aside for Albert to now boost the offense so the defense can survive surrendering another 10 points on a Sunday" might have worked. Any Titans fan familiar with the way the team operates and general manager Mike Reinfeldt's measured tones could have penned this:</p> <blockquote> <p>"Albert's contract situation is one that we have been dealing with since last February and we were never able to bridge the large gaps. The final face-to-face meeting with his representative was last weekend in Indianapolis, but we were unable to build up any momentum this week leading up to free agency from that meeting. He is obviously a great player and we were willing to make him the highest paid defensive tackle in NFL history and among the top paid defensive players in the league. Our job this offseason will continue to be improving the roster in a number of areas. We wish Albert the best in his career with the Redskins."</p> </blockquote> <p>Jeff Fisher answered the question of whether the Titans <a href="/blogs/afcsouth/0-7-571/Why-did-the-Titans-let-it-come-to-this-.html" target="_blank">negotiated away</a> the franchise tag this year too easily with Haynesworth. But that's where the criticism of the Titans fits. They were completely reasonable to decline to get into the stratosphere of a seven-year, $100 million contract with $41 million guaranteed.</p> <p>The Titans have recovered to sign quarterback <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=734" target="_new">Kerry Collins</a> to a two-year, $15 million deal and to lock up versatile nickelback <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=8522" target="_new">Vincent Fuller</a> with a deal reportedly for three years.</p>

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