Oct 11, 2012; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans safety Jordan Babineaux (26) celebrates during the second half against the Pittsburgh Steelers at LP Field. The Titans beat the Steelers 26-23. Mandatory credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

The Tennessee Titans plan to release veteran safety Jordan Babineaux, according to Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean. Veteran safety George Wilson was signed the previous month, in essence, replacing Jordan Babineaux.

The #Titans plan to release safety Jordan Babineaux today, according to sources familiar with the situation.

— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) March 12, 2013

Babineaux had a terrible 2012 campaign, starting it off by losing his starting spot to safety Robert Johnson. Obviously, that was short lived as well. Jordan found his way back into the starting lineup just a few games into the season. That didn’t do much for the Titans though, who saw what was probably the worst safety play this team has ever seen.

Babineaux was also benched a time or two through out the season for poor plays during games.

During the 2011 season, Babineaux was a solid player for the Titans. When his contract expired this last year, many of us, myself included, were desperate for the Titans to re-sign him after such a solid season. Part of the need for the Titans to sign him came from the fact that they were so thin at the position, as we saw this year.

This certainly improves the likeliness of the Titans drafting a young safety early in the 2013 NFL Draft. Veteran George Wilson should bring some solid play, but the Titans should be looking for a young playmaker who can strengthen a backfield that’s been falling apart for the past two to three years. Of course, with the release of so many safeties by multiples teams, the Titans could look to add more depth in free agency.

We’ll see. Free agency is opening up…. NOW

You can find me on Twitter @JustinLStewart

Sep 16, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers tight end Dante Rosario (88) catches a touchdown pass while defended by Tennessee Titans strong safety Robert Johnson (32) during the first quarter at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

The Tennessee Titans defense was weakest at the safety position during the 2012 season with poor performances from everyone and absolutely no depth. Quarterbacks regularly beat the Titans with the deep ball and missed tackles plagued their play. Here are grades for each of the safeties who saw playing time.

Michael Griffin

16 games played, 78 tackles, 4 interceptions, 4 pass deflections, 1 sack, 2 forced fumbles

Griffin was an easy scapegoat, having had a few rough seasons before this one. He wasn’t helped any by the fact that he was being thrown back and forth between the FS and SS positions. I still have faith in Griffin as a great safety, but this year is one he’ll want to forget. QB’s couldn’t miss throwing at him – literally. During the first half of the season QB’s had an almost perfect stat line throwing at him. He pulled it together late in the season, collecting 2 interceptions against the hapless Mark Sanchez and one against Chad Henne in the season finale.

Griff finished on a better note, but he has to be much better in 2013. I think he will be with whatever new safety is playing next to him.

GRADE: D+

Robert Johnson

12 games played, 19 tackles, 1 interceptions, 1 pass deflections, 0 sacks, 0 forced fumbles

Johnson saw his playing time drop dramatically as the season progressed, having been a starter in the first few games. His poor play led to Jordan Babineaux replacing him. Missed tackles, poor angles, and overall ugly play followed Johnson everywhere he went. He appeared to be everything I thought he was when the Titans drafted him. Johnson finished the season on IR.

Johnson has a long way to go if he wants to stay in the NFL.

GRADE: F

Jordan Babineaux

16 games played, 95 tackles, 1 interceptions, 6 pass deflections, 0 sacks, 0 forced fumbles

Babineaux found himself behind Robert Johnson for the first few games of the season, which surprised everyone, considering the good job he did in 2011. In 2012 he was often out of place and struggling in coverage. It was a disappointing year for the veteran who got a 3-year extension during the offseason last year. Now he looks to be a backup at best as the Titans search for a starter this offseason.

GRADE: F+

Al Afalava

12 games played, 16 tackles, 1 interceptions, 1 pass deflections, 0 sacks, 0 forced fumbles

Afalava joined the Titans as a free agent prior to the season starting. He wasn’t much more than a depth signing. That made it all the more easier not to be completely disappointed by him. Afalava was far from stellar, but he did have a few games that weren’t too bad. A specific example of such a game is one of Afalava’s first times on the field as a Titan when he lit up a receiver with a hard hit. I can’t remember the game, but that was the highlight of his season. Other than that, he was stuck in rotation with the rest of the safeties as they played musical chairs at the position.

GRADE: D

Markelle Martin

This rookie unfortunately saw the field as he underwent surgery on his knee he injured prior to the Senior Bowl. Martin was a “steal” in the draft for the Titans as they got him in the 6th round of the 2012 NFL draft, but I’m not that high on him. Hopefully I’m wrong, but either way, he can’t do any worse than the rest of the guys who were on the field this past year.

GRADE: Incomplete

 OVERALL GRADE: D-

The safety play was one of a million problems for the Titans in 2012, but it still cost them games and they’ll be doing everything they can to make sure 2013 isn’t a repeat of that. Expect the Titans to bring in a starter early in the 2013 NFL draft to put next to FS Michael Griffin, who will be playing back at his natural position. Hopefully Gregg Williams has a few ideas on how to get Griffin back to Pro Bowl production levels.

I’m hopeful.

You can find me on Twitter @JustinLStewart

Dec 4, 2011; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills offense lines up against the Tennessee Titans defense during the third quarter at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Titans beat the Bills 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-US PRESSWIRE

The defense was tougher to project than the offense. We have some intriguing rookies and some veterans who have not played at the top of their game lately.

Here are the projected starters for the 2012 Tennessee Titans offense:

Defensive Ends

Derrick Morgan, Kamerion Wimbley

Wimbley is an instant upgrade from last year. He will be rushing the quarterback from all over the field. Kamerion will also be used as an outside rusher in 3-4 packages. He has the perfect combination of size and speed. At least double digit sacks are expected from him.

Morgan is in the hot seat. He showed glimpses of what he is capable of doing late in the season but if he doesn’t start to be consistent he’ll be wearing another uniform next season. His starting job will be pushed from hungry players around the roster.

Defensive Tackles

Jurrell Casey, Mike Martin

Yes, Mike Martin. For me, Martin was the best value pick for the Titans from this year’s draft. He has the size to play in the interior, stop the run, and chase players until the whistle. He’ll share a lot of time with Karl Klug, who will manage pass rush situations.

Jurrel Casey will have a long and productive career. He is a solid starter and could become one of the best in the league. He is strong, fast and disruptive. Casey is the real deal and the Titans know it.

Linebackers

Collin McCarthy, Akeem Ayers, Will Witherspoon

Zach Brown is not ready, he may certainly take Witherspoon’s job, but I don’t see that happening until late in the season. He is a raw talent who will either be a great player or a bust. Don’t worry, he’s not allergic to contact.

Colin McCarthy was the steal of last year’s draft. He is becoming one of the leaders of this defense and he will benefit a lot from having a complete offseason. Colin showed great instincts last season. He’ll be a starter in the league for many years.

Ayers was solid but not spectacular. He will also benefit from having a complete offseason and big things are expected from him this year. He will have to improve his production rushing the passer if he wants to remain a undisputed starter on this team. He may have a bright future if coaches are able to unlock his full potential.

Cornerbacks

Jason McCourty, Alterraun Verner

I really like them together. Young, fast, smart, playmakers that may easily play together for many years.

Jason outplayed his twin last season by recording 103 tackles and 2 interceptions. He was consistent through the season and was always around the ball. He has still some room for improvement, but he is on his way to become an indisputable starter in this league.

Alterraun saw his production go down last season. He lost some playing time to Jason as Cortland Finnegan had the number one spot. This season he will have all the opportunities to show he can be the starter for this team for the nest several years. He is a playmaker and is always around the ball.

Safeties

Michael Griffin, Jordan Babineaux

The Titans showed they trust Griffin by giving him a five-year contract last week. He had a down year last season but still showed some glimpses of the pro bowler we saw a few years ago. If he can get back to that level, he certainly is one of the best in the business. He has some room of improvement when we talk about tackling technique but he still is a dependable starter.

Babs surprised us all last season. He was all over the field making tackles. His only issue is his lack of speed but he certainly solidified his status as starting safety for the Titans this upcoming season.

Don’t forget to check the Offensive Starters I projected last week at http://titansized.com/2012/06/18/tennessee-titans-projected-starters-offense/