After signing cornerback Nick Harper and linebacker Ryan Fowler, the Titans remain semi-active in the free agent market.
Linebacker Shawn Barber and safety Bryan Scott are scheduled to visit, moves that I don’t entirely understand. Barber is supposed to be a nickel backer and a good special teams player, but I don’t know that the Titans need a lot of help in either area. Keith Bulluck and David Thornton are more than adequate in pass coverage and special teams players are a dime a dozen. The Titans let several good ones walk two weeks ago.
I’m a little surprised about the interest in Scott. The Titans already have Chris Hope at one safety spot and three more to compete for the other one. I believe it’s been less than a week since Jeff Fisher said Calvin Lowry and Vincent Fuller would compete with incumbent Lamont Thompson for the job at the other safety position. Now it appears there could possibly be four players vying for the job. GM Mike Reinfeldt also expressed an interest in Seahawks safety Ken Hamlin. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining about bringing in another free agent to compete, as long as the position is upgraded.
Wide receiver remains a position of interest and Reinfeldt has been talking with the agents for Kevin Curtis, who made a visit earlier this week, as did former Bear Justin Gage. I’ve read that Tennessee may be the front-runner for Curtis, who is good in the slot and also wants to play outside. Former Titan Justin McCareins and Detroit’s Mike Williams, who played for Norm Chow at USC, have also been mentioned as possibilities.
Running back is also a position of need, where Julius Jones, Corey Dillon and Ron Dayne have been mentioned as possibilities to share the load with LenDale White.
After signing Harper, Tennessee still has an interest in former Lion Jamar Fletcher for more depth at corner. I don’t recall seeing Fletcher play at all, so I have no opinion of him. Unfortunately, people that I’ve heard who do have an opinion of him, haven’t given him a resounding thumbs-up.
Conspicuous by its’ absence in all the above is the lack of names of any defensive ends. A guy I was really interested in, Patrick Kerney, signed with the Seahawks last week to replace Grant Wistrom. I wonder if Reinfeldt would be interested in Wistrom. He certainly ought to know him well enough.
In an outgoing move, Robaire Smith signed a four-year contract with the Cleveland Browns. I hated to see this happen, as Robaire could have really helped the Titans this year. After a hamstring injury to start the season last year, Robaire was effective after recuperating from the injury. While I hate to see him get away, I congratulate him on his new contract and wish him well in Cleveland.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
