As the new head coach of the winless Detroit Lions, former Titan defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz has a heck of a challenge in front of him.
To assist him with his new job, Schwartz has already extended a hand to one of his former Tennessee Titan colleagues: assistant coach Matt Burke.
With free agency looming on the horizon and roughly $26 million in cap room, a Motown reunion could also be in store for Jim and a few of the Titans’ unrestricted free agents.
A trip to Motown may be awaiting you
Attempting to shed his jack-of-all-trades label, Chris Carr wants more playing time on defense. One of the Titans’ unsung heroes in 2008, Carr did a great job on special teams and when the injury bug reared its ugly head at CB, Chris was adequate as he filled in for Nick Harper.
Trapped behind starters Cortland Finnegan and Nick Harper, Carr may have to venture elsewhere to receive the type of playing time that he covets on defense. If he leaves Tennessee, Detroit may be a likely destination for Carr.
Speaking of jack-of-all-trades, Daniel Loper is exactly that on the Titans’ offensive line. Unfortunately, Loper is also an unrestricted free agent this year and his versatility could be appealing to a team, that unlike the Titans, can promise him a starting job in 2009.
Like Chris Carr, Vince Fuller is also seeking a bigger role on defense. The Titans value his play at nickelback as well as his ability to perform at any of the DB positions. Unfortunately, the Titans can’t promise him a chance to start.
Schwartz knows Fuller very well, so Vince could easily be a target of the Lions when free agency begins.
You never know
Bo Scaife picked a great time to have his best season as a pro. Coming off of a 58-catch, 561-yard performance during his contract year, Scaife will probably have his share of suitors in the free agent market.
Tight end is one of the many areas where the Lions need an upgrade. Last year, Casey Fitzsimmons, Michael Gaines and John Owens combined for a measly 43 catches for 401 yards.
If Scaife doesn’t re-sign in Tennessee, the Lions may be an option.
Detroit may also be an appealing destination for Brandon Jones. The Lions just released Mike Furrey and outside of stud Calvin Johnson, they only have John Standeford and Shaun Mcdonald at WR.
Jones finally started to show some signs of reaching his potential last year, so I’d love to see the Titans re-sign him. However, if Tennessee fails to lock him up, BJ could join Schwartz in Detroit, a place where he’d see a ton of single coverage as a result of playing next to Johnson.
In your dreams, Jim
I’d be shocked (and devastated) if Albert Haynesworth joined Schwartz in Motown. Despite the allure of reuniting with his former defensive coordinator and Detroit’s sizable amount of cap space, I have a very hard time envisioning Fat Albert signing a long-term deal with the Lions.
Help yourself, Jim
Detroit, feel free to take any of the following players:
I won’t lose any sleep if Justin McCareins is playing elsewhere next year.
Reynaldo Hill can contribute on special teams but please, don’t ask him to play corner.
So what do you guys think? Will any current Tennessee Titans make their way to Motown?
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