Let My People Go
Well, the NFL free agency period has begun, and it's time for fans to start getting excited about their team's chances (or lack thereof) of hoisting that beloved trophy next year. Free agency impacts the draft which gets rolled up into what ingredients you have for next season.
And once again, a casual fan like myself is left scratching his head, wondering what in the world these folks in Nashville are doing.
Let me first say that I understand free agency. I know it's a business of numbers. I just hope that those that get paid a lot of money to make these decisions know what they're doing. Right now, the Titans have said "Adios!" to several players, and said, "Hola" to nobody of equal significance. Let's recap:
* WR Drew Bennett has signed with the St Louis Rams. I really like Drew, and he is a great feel-good story. He was an undrafted free agent, and the Titans gave him a shot. After the departure of Derrick Mason (our #1 receiver), Drew got the job. Yes, he's battled a few injuries, but he's had a great short career with the Titans, and for a team that was WR-heavy a few years ago, this leaves us with total inexperience at the position (average of 2.4 yrs in the league). We do have David Givens, as long as he stays healthy. I guess I shouldn't be surprised at Drew's departure, however.....He did sign my mini-helmet last year.
* Former Vol Travis Henry is now in the Mile-High city, and will be playing with fellow SEC graduate Jay Cutler of Vanderbilt. He was due a phat bonus that the Titans didn't wanna pay, but supposedly the team was singing the "We still wanna re-sign you" song. Why does it seem like that never happens? This departure now leaves us with the oft-injured Chris Brown (whom I've always thought had a lot of potential) and Lendale White, the USC standout that played with Reggie Bush. Can they handle it and produce? Time will tell.
* We've re-signed Kerry Collins, who is apparently OK with wearing headphones and being a mentor to Vince Young. Translation: He knows his starting days are over.
* Kevin Carter was rumored to be a target of the Titans after he was cut from Miami, but he's staying in the sunshine state and playing with the Bucs. I really, really like Kevin Carter and was hoping he would return to Nashville. He always carried himself very well, he loves the community, and was generally a positive face of the club. Too bad we couldn't work anything out.
So there you have it. The "Exit" door at Baptist Sports Park seems to have gotten more of a workout than the Welcome mat thus far. Let's hope that all this cap space and 10 or so draft picks will be used wisely. I'm not sure that Nashville will accept another decent, mediocre season.
And once again, a casual fan like myself is left scratching his head, wondering what in the world these folks in Nashville are doing.
Let me first say that I understand free agency. I know it's a business of numbers. I just hope that those that get paid a lot of money to make these decisions know what they're doing. Right now, the Titans have said "Adios!" to several players, and said, "Hola" to nobody of equal significance. Let's recap:
* WR Drew Bennett has signed with the St Louis Rams. I really like Drew, and he is a great feel-good story. He was an undrafted free agent, and the Titans gave him a shot. After the departure of Derrick Mason (our #1 receiver), Drew got the job. Yes, he's battled a few injuries, but he's had a great short career with the Titans, and for a team that was WR-heavy a few years ago, this leaves us with total inexperience at the position (average of 2.4 yrs in the league). We do have David Givens, as long as he stays healthy. I guess I shouldn't be surprised at Drew's departure, however.....He did sign my mini-helmet last year.
* Former Vol Travis Henry is now in the Mile-High city, and will be playing with fellow SEC graduate Jay Cutler of Vanderbilt. He was due a phat bonus that the Titans didn't wanna pay, but supposedly the team was singing the "We still wanna re-sign you" song. Why does it seem like that never happens? This departure now leaves us with the oft-injured Chris Brown (whom I've always thought had a lot of potential) and Lendale White, the USC standout that played with Reggie Bush. Can they handle it and produce? Time will tell.
* We've re-signed Kerry Collins, who is apparently OK with wearing headphones and being a mentor to Vince Young. Translation: He knows his starting days are over.
* Kevin Carter was rumored to be a target of the Titans after he was cut from Miami, but he's staying in the sunshine state and playing with the Bucs. I really, really like Kevin Carter and was hoping he would return to Nashville. He always carried himself very well, he loves the community, and was generally a positive face of the club. Too bad we couldn't work anything out.
So there you have it. The "Exit" door at Baptist Sports Park seems to have gotten more of a workout than the Welcome mat thus far. Let's hope that all this cap space and 10 or so draft picks will be used wisely. I'm not sure that Nashville will accept another decent, mediocre season.
posted by Eric C at 11:13 PM
1 Comments:
I am more optimistic about the Titans off-season than you are. I am actually excited about what has happened. It looks like the Titans have learned their lessons from seasons past, and begun to more accurately identify what players are worth. If you think Travis Henry is, at best, an $8 million a year running back, then why pay $12 million a year for him?
This is what the Patriots have been doing for years. They refuse to overpay to keep their own players, when they can draft new guys who can play just as well...or bring in cheaper free agents who are more versatile.
Now is when I expect to start seeing the Titans bring in guys that weren't on the top of the wish list, but that we don't have to overpay for.
It's all about the draft. The Titans have to start drafting better now. At least they aren't overpaying for guys who can't perform. And I say that as someone who really hoped we could bring back Drew Bennett and Travis Henry.
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