Tennessee Titans: Revis Island and Cumberland River a Good Fit?

July 29, 2012; Cortland, NY, USA; New York Jets defensive back Darrelle Revis (24) walks out to the practice field prior to the start of training camp at SUNY Cortland. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

The Tennessee Titans are prepared to enter free agency with approximately $19.4 million in available cap space. They’ll use some of that money on draft picks, extensions and possibly a franchise tag. Jared Cook and Rob Bironas are among the free agents who’ll demand the highest price tags.

Talent is needed on defense. Mike Munchak implied that with his loyalty toward Jerry Gray, a defensive coordinator whose team surrendered 471 points this past season. Moving Chet Parlavecchio from special teams assistant to linebackers coach won’t fix every problem. The “Uncontrollable points” argument goes so far. Every team deals with that.

This defense needs a defensive end with double-digit sack potential, an interior run-defender, strong safety and depth. They could use an offense that controls the clock and starts them in better field position. These players must produce against good offenses, not just the Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Jets.

Speaking of the Jets, they’re reportedly pursuing trade offers for cornerback Darrelle Revis. Revis could become a free agent after the 2013-14 season. At age 27, Revis doesn’t fit into the long-term plans for the Jets. They want younger impact players.

What about the Titans? Jason McCourty, Alterraun Verner and Coty Sensabaugh are a solid group. Are any of them shutdown cornerbacks? Adding a shutdown cornerback would allow Verner to move back to nickeback. With Revis, a good cornerback group suddenly becomes top five, if not the best. Furthermore, the organization could use his star power.

How much would it cost to relocate Revis Island into the Cumberland River? There’s about 900 miles that separate East Rutherford and Nashville. Sports Illustrated senior NFL writer Peter King tweeted this on Jan. 24:

Jets would want a 1, at least, for Revis. He’d want franchise-QB money in this flat-cap era, coming off ACL surgery. Good luck with that.

That’s somewhat tempting when one considers recent first-round picks from this franchise. Since 2003, those players include Andre Woolfolk, Adam “Pacman” Jones, Vince Young, Michael Griffin, Chris Johnson, Kenny Britt, Derrick Morgan, Jake Locker and Kendall Wright.

What’s not tempting is the financial risk. Revis does have baggage. He’s coming off a torn ACL. He’s very vocal about his contract and has previously held out.

Nnamdi Asomugha was a cornerback who received much praise before he joined the Philadelphia Eagles in 2011. Amidst many new defensive coordinators, Asomugha hasn’t thrived in their defense. After two seasons, the Eagles may give up on the 31-year-old defensive back.

There’s no guarantee that Revis would excel in Gray’s system. Normally, receivers get lost on Revis Island. However, with the lack of end-rushers and defensive backs playing off their targets, those receivers may escape while Revis drowns on his own island.

Risk or not, Ruston Webster must ask. I mean, we’re talking about the Jets. Who knows what they’re thinking. They thought giving Mark Sanchez a long-term extension was a good idea. Maybe they’re gullible enough to believe that Kenny Britt will fix Sanchez. They do need a wide receiver. Wouldn’t Britt love to play for a franchise that’s 30 minutes outside of Bayonne, New Jersey?

If Revis would agree to a reasonable extension, is he worth Britt plus picks?