NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Titans have let five players go, watched one sign elsewhere, re-signed two and added two outsiders.
Phase One of NFL free-agency is clearly over.
Let’s look at what we’ve learned about Jon Robinson and Mike Vrabel’s intentions to this point.
Defensive line: The Titans let Sylvester Williams go, because of cost, and Karl Klug go, because, I believe, of fit.
Williams was the first “my bad” for Jon Robinson. The nose tackle signed a three-year deal in 2017 with $8.5 million guaranteed. An additional $1.25 million would have guaranteed Sunday.
I credit to Robinson for admitting a mistake instead of trying to force it.
Klug had a $250k roster bonus due Sunday, but I think his release was keyed as much to how he’d fit in Dean Pees defense as to that money.
Dean Pees likes heavy linemen. Last 12 guys over last five years with Ravens were 286 and up, five of them 320+. Karl Klug is 275. #Titans
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) March 16, 2018
They combine to save the Titans $4.9 million cap dollars. Many Twitter experts insisted the moves were made to make room for Ndamukong Suh, but the Titans had plenty of cap resources to make a deal for Suh whether Williams and/or Klug were on the roster or not.
The Titans could wind up adding Suh or another free agent on the defensive line.
But Antwaun Woods is a guy who’s stock could be up. He’s 318 pounds. He’s been on the practice squad for much of the last two years, but did play in one game in 2016.
Quarterback: The Titans courted Chad Henne, hosting him on a visit. But he moved on to Kansas City and signed with the Chiefs where he will backup Pat Mahomes.
There is no indication who the Titans next option is, but it’s a position the Titans need to address with a veteran they like, soon.
The options now include Geno Smith, Matt Moore, Derek Anderson, E.J. Manuel, Blaine Gabbert and Drew Stanton.
Offensive line: Peter King says in the new edition of MMQB that the Titans made a call on Ryan Jensen, the center who hopped from the Ravens to the Buccaneers.
Now a call doesn’t indicate the level of interest, but it tells us at least a little. At the very least they were wondering about his price.
The Titans re-signed right guard Josh Kline and tendered restricted free agent left guard Quinton Spain.
This mention of Jensen is the lone indication that the Titans are thinking through additional possibilities for the interior offensive line. He played center in 2017, but previously spent time at both guard positions.
Updated needs: Edge rusher, inside linebacker, backup quarterback, guard, third safety, receiver, defensive line.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Greetings and welcome to the mailbag.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The presumption when the Titans released DeMarco Murray was that Derrick Henry would assume the mantle as the team’s lead running back.
