Memo to the Tennessee Titans: Keep Tony Brown around

Regardless of whether or not a new collective bargaining agreement will be reached by the beginning of March, in some shape or form, Tony Brown will be a free agent this offseason.

Without a new CBA, Brown’s ability to test the free agency waters will be restricted. At the opposite end of the spectrum, TB will be an unrestricted free agent if the seemingly impossible occurs with the owners and the players’ union shaking hands on a new agreement.

Either way, based on his stellar play over the last couple of seasons, the Tennessee Titans would be wise to bring Tony Brown back into the fold.

Overcoming the hardships associated with sticking around in the NFL after entering the league as an undrafted free agent, Brown has made himself into one of the league’s better interior pass rushers. Far from the biggest defensive tackle you’ll ever see, the smallish Brown utilizes a combination of cat-like quickness and great moves to pester opposing NFL signal-callers.

Playing next to the gargantuan Albert Haynesworth, Brown amassed four sacks in both 2007 and 2008. In “Fat Albert’s” absence, TB stepped up with an even better performance in 2009 as he accumulated five sacks while forcing three fumbles. His successful showing in ’09 led to him being named as a Pro Bowl alternate.

Despite his penchant for jumping offsides, Tony Brown has established himself as one of the Titans’ best defensive players. In an offseason that should yield a ton of change on the defensive side of the football, Mike Reinfeldt, Jeff Fisher and Co. would be wise to do what it takes to ensure that Brown’s presence will remain a constant on the Titans’ defense in 2010 and beyond.

Your turn, audience: Should the Titans re-sign Tony Brown?

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