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Tennessee Titans Improve Special Teams On the First Day of Free Agency

By Luke Worsham

Jan 7, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive back Brynden Trawick (41) celebrates during the first half of the AFC Wild Card playoff football game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive back Brynden Trawick (41) celebrates during the first half of the AFC Wild Card playoff football game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Tennessee Titans began the first day of free agency in the NFL by focusing on their special teams, an area in which they struggled last year. The team has signed LB Daren Bates and S Brynden Trawick, both formerly of the Oakland Raiders. They also re-signed LB Nate Palmer to a multiyear deal.

Jan 1, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos running back Justin Forsett (20) is tackled by Oakland Raiders defensive back Brynden Trawick (41) and defensive tackle Darius Latham (75) in the fourth quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos won 24-6. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos running back Justin Forsett (20) is tackled by Oakland Raiders defensive back Brynden Trawick (41) and defensive tackle Darius Latham (75) in the fourth quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos won 24-6. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

Bates’ contract, which makes him the highest paid special teams player in the league, is for two years and $4.75 million dollars. With incentives, the deal could become worth $6.85 million, as reported by TitanInsider.com’s Terry McCormick. Trawick will make $6 million over the course of the next three years.

In 2016, the Titans struggled immensely on special teams. By the middle of October, the unit had allowed two punt return touchdowns. Though they improved a bit by season’s end, the Titans’ Special Teams was nowhere near where it needed to be.

For those reasons, Jon Robinson prioritized improving the often neglected third phase of the game by signing Trawick and Bates, and keeping Palmer around. All three are sure to have big roles in the kicking game next season.

Oct 2, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Oakland Raiders linebacker Daren Bates (56) celebrates after Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Kamar Aiken (11) cannot catch a pass late in the fourth quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Oakland Raiders linebacker Daren Bates (56) celebrates after Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Kamar Aiken (11) cannot catch a pass late in the fourth quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /

Many writers from FanSided’s Oakland Raiders site, JustBlogBaby.com, were big proponents of keeping Bates and Trawick in the Bay Area. I asked one of them, Gagan Aujila, to tell me what the two players will bring the Titans.

"“Bates and Trawick will bring solid special teams leadership to Tennessee. Along with both of them being top 10 special teams players, these guys can come in and be GREAT depth pieces. Trawick has the potential to come in and start a game or two if you need him to. The Titans are getting two good football players.”"

The Titans may not have had the flashiest start to free agency, but it was a very solid one. They are certainly not done, as more “exciting” moves have been reported to be in the process. For now, fans should certainly be content in knowing that the Titans have shored up their Special Teams.

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