Tennessee Titans Team Report
For the second time in as many seasons, the Tennessee Titans have used the franchise tag to keep a coveted unrestricted free agent off the market.
This time, tight end Bo Scaife was recipient of the franchise tag, applied just hours before the deadline on Thursday. That means that Scaife will make the tender amount of $4.46 million, but will effectively be unable to explore unrestricted free agency when it opens Feb. 27. Any team that signed Scaife to an offer sheet would lose two first-round picks to the Titans, unless Tennessee matched the deal.
Scaife's agent Kevin Robinson had told The Nashville City Paper recently that the tight end had plans to explore unrestricted free agency because negotiations with the Titans were too far apart. Robinson declined comment when asked about the franchise tag being applied to Scaife on Thursday.
The two sides had continued to work on a long-term deal in the hours leading up to the deadline of Feb. 19 to apply the franchise tag.
Last year, the Titans franchised defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, then worked incentives that he met in 2008 in order to escape having the franchise tag applied to him again.
The Titans and Scaife have until July 15 to work out an extension in order to remove the franchise tag for this season. If they cannot come to terms, the franchise tender applies for the season and no new negotiations can begin until after the 2009 regular season ends.
Scaife led the Titans with 58 receptions and had 561 yards receiving. He has been a success story since coming to Tennessee from the University of Texas in 2005 as a sixth-round draft choice, who had had ACL tears in both knees while with the Longhorns.
Scaife's numbers have steadily improved since he joined the Titans in 2005. He had 37 receptions for 273 yards as a rookie, 29 catches for 370 yards in 2006 and 46 receptions for 421 yards in 2007.
NOTES, QUOTES
—P Craig Hentrich is still expected to retire, but still has not made a final decision on his future. Hentrich has been bothered by back problems over the latter portion of his 15-year NFL career and has had two surgeries, the latest one after the 2007 season.
"I still haven't decided. I'm just trying to let my body heal up and feel better before I make any decision," Hentrich said.
Hentrich's contract is up as well, and he can be an unrestricted free agent, but says he has no desire to play anywhere but Tennessee.
—QB Chris Simms has hopes of returning to the Titans as well, even though the team is trying to re-sign Kerry Collins as it starter.
"They reached out to my agent a little bit and contacted him, and I've had people reach out to me in the organization, too. To me, they've gone above and beyond by basically calling to say I was still on their radar and that they'd like to get something done," Simms told the Nashville City Paper.
There have been reports that the Chicago Bears and perhaps the Dallas Cowboys would be interested in Simms as a backup, if he were to leave the Titans.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
FRANCHISE PLAYER: TE Bo Scaife: Tendered at $4.462M.
TRANSITION PLAYER: None.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
—DB/KR Chris Carr wants a bigger role in the defense, but his main role is as a return man. The Titans are expected to try and re-sign him, as he has said he would take less money to stay in Tennessee.
—QB Kerry Collins wants to stay, and the Titans want to re-sign him, but he has said he wants to be a starter and will be looking for a two-year deal that will give him starter's money. He might be wise to see how the Kurt Warner situation plays out in Arizona and base a deal off that.
—DB Vincent Fuller is a valuable nickel back and special teams player, whom the Titans have interest in re-signing. Fuller, however, might want to look around for a starting safety position elsewhere.
—DT Albert Haynesworth is the biggest free-agent prize out there. Talks have been slow to this point, and he is believed to be seeking a deal that would make him the league's highest-paid defensive player (Think $35M guaranteed). Titans need to re-sign him before Feb. 27 when other teams can enter the fray.
—P Craig Hentrich, a valuable veteran punter and holder, has given indications that he could retire because of recurring back problems.
—CB Reynaldo Hill, a former starter who was shoved to the back of the depth chart the past two years, is probably best off finding a fresh start elsewhere.
—WR Brandon Jones is a player the titans have said they want to re-sign. Jones' agent will give them the chance. Had his best season in 2008 with 41 catches. The Titans hope he can build on that and blossom.
—CB Eric King, a key special teamer and backup corner, has been beset with injuries the past two years. Titans wouldn't mind keeping him, but he might be looking for a chance to start somewhere else.
—OT Daniel Loper can play either tackle spot or fill in at guard, but will test free agency this off-season in search of a starting job somewhere in the league.
—WR Justin McCareins came back to the Titans for a second tour of duty, but was injured and a bit of a disappointment. The Titans haven't ruled out his return completely, but they will probably look at other options first.
—CB Tyrone Poole, a veteran who signed on in November after a rash of cornerback injuries, was used sparingly and won't return. It could be his final NFL stop after 14 seasons.
—QB Chris Simms should draw some interest around the league as a No. 2 quarterback. The Titans have said they want him to return, where he could battle Vince Young for the second job here. Simms likes it in Tennessee and that could figure into his decision.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None.
EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS
—LB Colin Allred.
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED
—PK Rob Bironas: Potential UFA; $12M/4 yrs, $5M guaranteed.
—DT Kevin Vickerson: Potential RFA; $535,000/1 yr.
PLAYERS ACQUIRED: None.
PLAYERS LOST: None.
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