After 'losing' defensive end Justin Smith via free agency earlier in the week, the Cincinatti Bengals quickly to sign unrestricted defensive end Antwan Odom to a 5-year $30 million contract, including $11 million in guarantees. In his first season as a starter with the Tennessee Titans last year, Odom rang up 21 tackles, 8 sacks, and a team high 29 quarterback pressures. He will be looked upon to help a lousy Cincinatti defense that generated a paltry 22 sacks, good for last in the League.
Odom was a 2nd round draft pick out of Alabama in 2004, and He had the benefit of constantly seeing single blocks, as opposite Pro Bowl defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch was often drawing double teams, as was Pro Bowl defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth. For his 4 year career, Odom has appeared in 52 games, including 32 starts, and has totaled only 82 tackles and 12.5 sacks.
To fill the void left by Odom's departure, the Titans will probably draft another defensive end or two in the upcoming NFL Draft in April, and will rely more on third year man Sean Conover. Based on the size of the contract and assumed playing time for Odom, the Titans are probably at looking at receiving a 4th or 5th round pick (in the 2009 Draft) from the NFL when they award compensatory draft picks later this year.
Showing posts with label tennessee titans. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tennessee titans. Show all posts
Monday, March 3, 2008
Titans Formalize 2-Year $5 Million Deal With TE Alge Crumpler
After a premature report yesterday that the team had agreed to a deal with free agent tight end Alge Crumpler, the Tennessee Titans formalized a 2-year $5 million contract earlier today and formally announced it, after ironing out the final details. The deal includes a $1 million signing bonus, and looks to be a steal if Crumpler can return to his former Pro Bowl form.
Crumpler was a 2nd round pick of the Altanta Falcons in the 2001 NFL Draft, and after hauling in 4 Pro Bowl selections (2003 to 2006) and 2 NFL All-Pro selections (2003, 2006), the team cut him this offseason to save money and go in a new direction. Having been a favorite target and safety valve of quarterback Michael Vick, new teammate and quarterback Vince Young will probably be lobbing tons of sidearm throws to Crumpler the next couple of years, as he also loves to check down to a tight end in open space. If he is fully recovered from a knee injury last season, expect Crumpler to be a difference maker and new weapon for the Titans offense, which ranked 27th in the league in passing yards in 2007.
Crumpler was a 2nd round pick of the Altanta Falcons in the 2001 NFL Draft, and after hauling in 4 Pro Bowl selections (2003 to 2006) and 2 NFL All-Pro selections (2003, 2006), the team cut him this offseason to save money and go in a new direction. Having been a favorite target and safety valve of quarterback Michael Vick, new teammate and quarterback Vince Young will probably be lobbing tons of sidearm throws to Crumpler the next couple of years, as he also loves to check down to a tight end in open space. If he is fully recovered from a knee injury last season, expect Crumpler to be a difference maker and new weapon for the Titans offense, which ranked 27th in the league in passing yards in 2007.
Rams Sign G Jacob Bell to 6-Year $36 Million Deal, With $13 Million Guaranteed
After the beating that Marc Bulger took last season, it seems that the St. Louis Rams front office is determined to make his protection a priority this offseason. Today the Rams signed unrestricted free agent guard Jacob Bell to a 6-year $36 million contract, including a $7 million signing bonus and $13 million in total guaranteed money. The Rams had been interested in speaking with guard Alan Faneca, but never got a chance as the New York Jets quickly snared him with a 5-year $40 million deal on the opening of free agency. Bell seems like a good alternative, as he is only 27 and has started basically 3 out his 4 years in the league, and is viewed as one of the up and coming guards to have recently hit the market.
Bell was drafted by the Tennesee Titans out of Miami (FL) University in the 5th round of the 2004 NFL Draft, and quickly became a starter for the Titans rebuilding line. In 4 years he appeared in 55 games, and started 46. The move leaves Tennesee with second year man Leroy Harris to fill in the spot vacated by the departure of Bell. Look for them to continue to use mid and late round draft picks to develop young offensive lineman, as has been the status quo for the franchise.
Don't be surprised if the Rams, who draft 2nd overall in this upcoming NFL Draft this year, end up selecting top rated offensive tackle prospect Jake Long. They were not hesitant to take Orlando Pace with the 1st overall pick in the 1997 NFL Draft, and he turned out to be a 7-time Pro Bowler for them, but is at the end of his career. An offensive line anchored by Jake Long and Jacob Bell, along with recent draft picks Alex Barron and Richie Incognito, would look pretty promising and provide a solid foundation for the Rams offense for the next 8 to 10 years.
Bell was drafted by the Tennesee Titans out of Miami (FL) University in the 5th round of the 2004 NFL Draft, and quickly became a starter for the Titans rebuilding line. In 4 years he appeared in 55 games, and started 46. The move leaves Tennesee with second year man Leroy Harris to fill in the spot vacated by the departure of Bell. Look for them to continue to use mid and late round draft picks to develop young offensive lineman, as has been the status quo for the franchise.
Don't be surprised if the Rams, who draft 2nd overall in this upcoming NFL Draft this year, end up selecting top rated offensive tackle prospect Jake Long. They were not hesitant to take Orlando Pace with the 1st overall pick in the 1997 NFL Draft, and he turned out to be a 7-time Pro Bowler for them, but is at the end of his career. An offensive line anchored by Jake Long and Jacob Bell, along with recent draft picks Alex Barron and Richie Incognito, would look pretty promising and provide a solid foundation for the Rams offense for the next 8 to 10 years.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Falcons Sign TE Ben Hartsock to 4-Year Contract
After having cut fan favorite Alge Crumpler earlier this offseason, the Atlanta Falcons have signed unrestricted free agent tight end Ben Hartsock to a 4-year contract to help fill the void left at the position. Terms of the deal were unannounced/leaked, but it probably was a relatively small contract, as Hartsock has been a career backup in his four years in the League.
Not a household name by any stretch of the imagination, Hartsock was originally a 3rd round pick out of Ohio State University in the 2004 NFL Draft, when the Indianapolis Colts drafted him. Being flush with quality tight ends at the time, the Colts put him on waivers and the Tennessee Titans grabbed him after week 8 of the 2006 season, and he went on to be a solid blocking tight end in the 2 tight end sets the Titans frequently used in their rushing attack last year.
Not a household name by any stretch of the imagination, Hartsock was originally a 3rd round pick out of Ohio State University in the 2004 NFL Draft, when the Indianapolis Colts drafted him. Being flush with quality tight ends at the time, the Colts put him on waivers and the Tennessee Titans grabbed him after week 8 of the 2006 season, and he went on to be a solid blocking tight end in the 2 tight end sets the Titans frequently used in their rushing attack last year.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Eagles End Freakshow, Officially Cut DE Jevon Kearse
The Philadelphia Eagles have finally parted ways with defensive end Jevon Kearse, in the middle of his 8-year $66 million monster contract signed in 2004. He was benched part way through last year due to innefectiveness, and never regained the starting job from Juqua Thomas, an undrafted journeyman defensive lineman.
Nicknamed the 'Freak' because of his rare combination of size and speed, Kearse was drafted 16th overall in the 1st round of the 1999 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans, where he was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1999, and recorded 36 sacks in his first three years with the team. A foot injury limited him to 4 games the following year, and then in 2003 he signed a free agent contract with the Philadelphia Eagles, which at the time was the highest amount ever paid to a defensive lineman. Since that time injuries and innefectiveness limited his production with the team, and they finally decided to cut the cord to a player who never really lived up to his billing and high price with the team.
Kearse will immediately be free to sign with any team, and there has been talk of him rejoining Tennessee, at a reduced price. Injuries to his foot and knees over the past few years will have any free agent suitor leery of paying him big money again, but powerhouse agent Drew Rosenhaus should at least be able to get him a respectable deal.
Nicknamed the 'Freak' because of his rare combination of size and speed, Kearse was drafted 16th overall in the 1st round of the 1999 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans, where he was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1999, and recorded 36 sacks in his first three years with the team. A foot injury limited him to 4 games the following year, and then in 2003 he signed a free agent contract with the Philadelphia Eagles, which at the time was the highest amount ever paid to a defensive lineman. Since that time injuries and innefectiveness limited his production with the team, and they finally decided to cut the cord to a player who never really lived up to his billing and high price with the team.
Kearse will immediately be free to sign with any team, and there has been talk of him rejoining Tennessee, at a reduced price. Injuries to his foot and knees over the past few years will have any free agent suitor leery of paying him big money again, but powerhouse agent Drew Rosenhaus should at least be able to get him a respectable deal.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Titans Place Franchise Tag On DT Albert Haynesworth
In the least surprising move of the offseason, the Tennessee Titans have placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on All-Pro defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, guaranteeing him a salary of $7.250 million for the 2008 season. Unlike many other franchise tags this offseason, this will not be the average of the top 5 salaries at the position for the 2007 league year ($6.363 million), but will represent a 20% increase of his 2007 salary, because that will be the higher amount, and what is required by the NFL's collective bargaining agreement (CBA).
Haynesworth is widely considered to be one of, if not the best, defensive tackles in football. He missed 3 games due to a nagging hamstring injury, but was a disruptive force when he was on the field in 2007, racking up 69 tackles, 6 sacks, and 23 quarterback pressures in only 13 games. The Titans have until July 15th to reach a long term deal with Haynesworth and his agent Chad Speck, as mandated by the CBA.
Haynesworth is widely considered to be one of, if not the best, defensive tackles in football. He missed 3 games due to a nagging hamstring injury, but was a disruptive force when he was on the field in 2007, racking up 69 tackles, 6 sacks, and 23 quarterback pressures in only 13 games. The Titans have until July 15th to reach a long term deal with Haynesworth and his agent Chad Speck, as mandated by the CBA.
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