As free agency is well underway and the big splash signings of – Ndamukong Suh to Miami, Darrel Revis back to the Jets, the out of nowhere trade of Saints TE Jimmy Graham to the Seahawks – has barely had time for the ink to dry on those transactions. There remains questions about the Tennessee Titans.
The most common one I get is how are they going to do it? How are they going to get back to winning?
Let me answer this first by mentioning the Free Agent moves they have already made at the time of this posting.
The Titans started by keeping a few of their own potential Free Agents and started with Special Teams. The Titans re-signed Punter Brett Kern, Long snapper Beau Brinkley and a few days later Kicker Ryan Succop to long term deals.
I know you are saying “so what, they signed Special Teams guys.” Well, these 3 are an integral part of the Titans Special Teams. A phase of the game that often is discounted or get’s shuffled behind offense and defense.
The Titans then re-signed Linebacker Derrick Morgan. The firs player (since the team moved to Nashville) that went out into Free Agency and actually came back to sign with the Titans after testing the waters. They follow up the Morgan signing with Defensive Lineman Karl Klug and veteran back up Offensive Lineman Byron Stingley. All of these players are what is good about the franchise and are the kind of guys you need for building and continuity.
The Titans didn’t do to shabby snagging other players from the around the league.
WR Harry Douglas is one to watch. Here’s a guy that in the 2013 Season (one that had Falcons WR Julio Jones injured), Douglas had 85 catches for nearly 1,000 yards.
SS Da’Norris Searcy has 4 years of experience via Buffalo, including 58 tackles and 3 interceptions in 2014.
CB Perrish Cox comes off of a 5 Int Season in San Francisco and bolsters the secondary.
TE Anthony Fasano, a former Cowboy, Chief and Dolphin, brings a veteran flavor to the Tight End corps.
Last but not least, LB Brian Orakpo comes to town after spending the first 6 years of his career with Washington. The same Brian Orakpo that was the 13th overall pick in the 1st Round of the 2009 NFL Draft and is a 3-Time Pro Bowler.
Things on paper at least are taking shape. The Titans line backing corps are set as starters. I’m sure Dick LeBeau will teach them many things in the weeks to come.
Make no mistake about it, the Titans are not finished making moves. GM Ruston Webster is doing his do diligence in making the Titans roster better.
Rhett Bryan
Executive Producer
Titans Radio Network
