Defense Rebuild: Defensive Backs

Discussion in 'Tennessee Titans and NFL Talk' started by Dangermode, Feb 6, 2021.

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  1. Dangermode

    Dangermode A New Era has Begun

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    So, I think we can all agree that with the “promotion” of Shane Bowen to defensive coordinator, the only way this defense improves will be with a bit of a roster shake up. First up, I’d like to talk about the defensive backs. Here are my thoughts to begin the discussion.

    Safeties

    Both of our starting safeties regressed in 2020 but after three stellar seasons from Byard 2017 to 2019, this last season really feels like an outlier. I have plenty of confidence in Byard going forward and his contract is too big to move anyway.

    Vaccaro on the other hand is turning 30 next week and just had likely the worst year of his career. I expect him to be cut with a June 1 designation. So who replaces him?

    Amani Hooker makes the most sense. He’s improved every year and graded better than both of our starters this year. His 4 picks were nice as well and he costs peanuts.

    But… If the Titans feel the need to make a move here, they could make a run at either Jalen Mills or Keanu Neal. Both are coming off solid years, both are young and both wouldn’t break the bank.

    Cornerbacks

    Adoreeee! Who saw that year coming? Adoree is the obvious casualty here. I can't imagine the Titans would want to spend $10.2 million on him after this past season. They can cut him with zero dead cap. Sorry Adoree, it’s been fun.

    Butler played possibly his best season this year… at age 30! This guy is under contract, a gritty defender and has a few more good years in him. I think he stays.

    So who plays opposite him?

    My feeling is we bring back ERFA Breon Borders to compete with Kristian Fulton for the spot. Hopefully one of them emerges in camp, otherwise we add some competition late.

    Also, at slot corner, I’d really love to see us bring back Desmond King III at a reasonable price. He fit in well in the locker room and has loads of potential.

    Thoughts on the Defensive Back situation for 2021?
     
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  2. RTH

    RTH Meh...

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    A good Dline improves the secondary SIGNIFICANTLY.
     
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  3. Dangermode

    Dangermode A New Era has Begun

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    We’ll talk about that later.
     
  4. Chronos

    Chronos Pro Bowler

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    My only concern is we have not tied up guys after injury such as Conklin and filled the spots with average, middle of the road players like Kelly. If Adoree’s performance is tied more to his injury and post injury fatigue/ weakness then it may make more sense to sign him to a better longer term contract where it is more cap friendly. We don’t have to pay him the option number, we can renegotiate and again, if his poor play was a result of his injury, it may well be worth the effort.
     
  5. Ontario Titan

    Ontario Titan Pro Bowler

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    Butler stays on a restructured deal
    Adoree coming off an injury won't be cut, he'll be restructured as well
    Vaccaro is gone, Hooker hopefully fills in
    Fulton had injuries as well, he's young and has talent, needs PT

    Like mentioned a better DL will help too...with more pressure on the QB, our secondary will look better

    Hopefully the DBs don't physical distance all year
     
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  6. Tricky

    Tricky Starter

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    Vacarro probably gone and I trust Hooker at this point.
    Adoree will get extended and reduce his 2021 hit a ton.
    Butler and Byard will be back.

    The question to me is whether they bring King back or trust Fulton to step up. I think this group is fine if they have some pass rush helping them out.
     
  7. Tricky

    Tricky Starter

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    Also... now that I know they can cut Adoree with zero dead cap... someone please tell me why you wouldnt always exercise the 5th year option. We could've placed it on Conklin and Corey and just cut them if it didnt work out right? Seems like a no-brainer, I must be missing something.
     
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  8. Ontario Titan

    Ontario Titan Pro Bowler

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    Davis' 5th year option was 15.86 million, I can see why they declined that. Not picking up Conklin's was the right choice at the time but in 20-20 they should have, it was 12 mil?
     
  9. Tricky

    Tricky Starter

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    But you have to pick it up or decline it before their 4th year. Why not pick it up and judge after the 4th year? Just cut them if it's not worth it. In both cases they couldve extended and not taken that big hit in year one. The players dont want to play on a 1 year deal anyways.
     
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  10. Ontario Titan

    Ontario Titan Pro Bowler

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    Oh I didn't know that, thought I read on here thats why we didn't pick up Davis'...you're right we should have..he hasn't lived up to draft slot or a #1 but we have Brown. CD makes a good #2
     
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