What’s Next For The Tennessee Titans?: The Importance of Free Agency
By Josh Gunnels
Ruston had better be ready to pounce. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
The Tennessee Titans And Free Agency
The Tennessee Titans and Mike Munchak have made their moves as far as the coaching staff is concerned. The fans wanted to see some upheaval and offerings to the football Gods as retribution for a deplorable season, but I’m not sure what they did really counts. Munchak got the nod from Bud Adams early on, and apparently he is sticking with Dowell Loggains and Jerry Gray as coordinators.
So now what?
What can the Titans do to appease the fans and make this team a contender in 2013? Everyone is focused on the draft as the next big step for the franchise. Good teams are built over time through the draft, and I’m not trying to downplay it’s importance, but you can’t tell me this team is only one or two good rookies away from the playoffs.
Buffalo Bills guard Andy Levitre would make this Titans fan very happy. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Shawn Eagle let us know exactly where the Titans stand as far as cap space for this coming year. And as far as I’m concerned, they had better spend it all. (Leave a little for shuffling later.) The only thing that can save this franchise from the wrath of its fans is to try and go big in Free Agency. The staff moves the Titans made (and didn’t make) reek of laziness and apathy to many, and this franchise needs to show it’s fan base that they care.
A good draft will be important as well, but the Titans have too many holes to fill for that to be the solution. Last year, the Titans missed out on a lot of free agents due to their pathetic chase of Peyton Manning. The Titans ended up going into the draft with more needs than draft slots, and as they drafted in a Best-Player-Available style, holes on the team were left completely unfilled. While that gives you quality guys for the future like Kendall Wright, Zach Brown, and a potential Taylor Thompson, they simply cannot afford to do that this year.
Jairus Byrd is by far the best free agent safety on the market this year. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
This year they need to strike quick and hard. Identify the guys that you know can come in and start right away with an obvious upgrade to a position of need, and go get them. This also gives the team the freedom in the draft to get the better player and not have to draft a need.
The Eagles have recently helped drive home the fact that you can’t build a team through free agency, and I’m not suggesting the Titans do that. You can, however, bring in veteran leadership, upgrade some key spots without wondering if they’ll pan out or not, and hopefully “glue” your talent together on both sides of the ball. Not to mention invigorate a fan base that is quickly turning apathetic.
This year the Titans free agency moves may be the difference in whether or not they start from scratch all over again next year.
Dear Munch and the Gang, Show us you care!