After reading Jim Wyatt’s blog a few days ago about Stephen Tulloch and a possible contract extension, I thought I’d follow up on that by looking at some other Titans in the last year of their contracts. That’s been on my to-do list for a while and I might as well do that one now.
Here are some of those players, listed in alphabetical order.
Eugene Amano – He’s not a guy you look to lock up early. I liken his situation to that of Jacob Bell, the man he replaced. The Titans will make him an offer next offseason but he’ll probably test the free agent market and then go somewhere else.
Tony Brown – Tony will have a chance to cash in as a free agent next year and it might be a good idea to give him an early extension for a second time. At the age of 28, he’s still in the prime of his career.
Keith Bulluck – Mr. Monday Night led the Titans in tackles last year, the sixth time he’s accomplished that feat. He’s definitely still playing at a high level and can probably do so for another year or two. We’ll see if Bulluck slows down this year. If he doesn’t, he’s a guy you want to keep and just hope the price tag is affordable. When he decides to retire, I’d like to see him do it as a Titan.
Alge Crumpler – Although he blocked very well last year, Algernon didn’t turn out to be the red zone threat the Titans needed. Craig Stevens should be Crumpler’s replacement as an inline blocker and rookie Jared Cook appears to be his replacement as a pass catcher, so this will probably be Alge’s last year in Tennessee.
Nick Harper – He’ll be 35 in September, which is old for a cornerback, but Harper can probably play for a few more years. Jeff Fisher prefers his backup corners to be veterans, so Harper could stay beyond this year in that role. At the right price, of course.
Craig Hentrich – After considering retirement in the offseason, I fully expect him to make that decision after this season.
Jevon Kearse – Another guy in a situation similar to Harper’s, The Freak will be 33 years old when the season starts but he also looks like he can play for a few more years. I believe he’ll be a good candidate for a two-year contract offer during the next offseason.
Kevin Mawae – The oldest Titan player and a fifteen-year veteran. Earlier in his career he had a streak of ten consecutive years without missing a start but has now incurred season-ending injuries in three of the last four years. His durability is really something that concerns me and I believe this will be the final year of a great career.
Bo Scaife – As noted above, the tight end situation is such that Scaife is certainly replaceable and he definitely won’t be franchised again. While he’ll be given a new offer, probably in February, he’ll more than likely decline it and test the free agent market. The bar has been set much higher because of the ridiculous deal Winslow got and Mike Reinfeldt won’t offer anything close to that. I’m guessing this will be Bo’s last year wearing two-tone blue.
Stephen Tulloch – I believe Tulloch is on the verge of becoming a great player and that he’s someone you try to lock up with an early extension offer. Tully is one of those guys about to become a core player you build around.
Kyle Vanden Bosch – After offseason surgery for his torn groin, KVB should be back to top form in September. He’s another guy that should be resigned, and probably should be offered an extension before the season is over.
LenDale White – Another full house for the Titans is in their backfield so White is certainly replaceable. I imagine he won’t accept what Reinfeldt offers him, but that may depend to some extent on what kind of year Javon Ringer has. Like Tulloch, he may be a restricted and not an unrestricted free agent, absent a new CBA.
Of that group, KVB, Tulloch and Brown are the only ones I’d even consider trying to extend this offseason. I won’t be surprised if Reinfeldt doesn’t sign any of them before the year is out but it would be nice if he does.
I’m sure we’ll be writing a lot more on each of those guys this offseason, probably devoting entire articles to most of them.
Also, there are some more Titans whose contracts will expire after this year, but none of them are starters and some of them won’t even make the team. Those players include the following:
Colin Allred
Ken Amato
Dave Ball
Quinton Ganther
Tuff Harris
Rafael Little
Donnie Nickey
Michael Otto
Josh Stamer
Kevin Vickerson
OK, I’d like to know what you feel about giving early extensions to some of the Titans.
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