Dec 17, 2012; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans wide receiver Nate Washington (85) greets fans after a game against the New York Jets at LP Field. The Titans beat the Jets 14-10. Mandatory credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

In the early stages of free agency there was widespread speculation that the Tennessee Titans were looking to cut ties with veteran wideout Nate Washington. The 29 year old is due $4.2 million in the 2013 season, and some feel that would be over-paying the versatile receiver.

With most high profile receivers finding new destinations through the free agency period, there isn’t much for the Titans to look at, although they’ve brought both Kevin Walter and Brandon Stokley in for a look.

Washington has easily been the Titans best receiver over the past two seasons with the best season of his career coming in 2011 when he set career highs in receptions (74), yards (1023), and touchdowns (7). While he wasn’t able to offer similar production last season, his 16.2 yards per catch was only bettered by 4 receivers in the top 50.

Kenny Britt showed glimpses of returning to full fitness last season, but injury concerns as well as his ability to play a full 16-game season will always remain. The rookie Kendall Wright figures to be a solid pass catching machine, however, he’ll want to improve on his 9.8 yards per catch. With tight end Jared Cook leaving Tennessee to reunite with head coach Jeff Fisher in St. Louis, the Titans arguably lost their most explosive option to consistently get deep in opposing teams secondaries.

Losing Washington would not only mean that the Titans will be missing a mentor for a relatively young and inexperienced group of wide receivers, but also a sure-handed receiver with the versatility to run all routes and stretch the field.

The Titans need to keep Washington.

Agreed?

Dec 23, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Jake Locker (10) and quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (8) warm up before game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Could the Titans cut veterans Matt Hasselbeck and Nate Washington?

Before anyone jumps off the deep end, I’m not saying that this will happen, or even should happen.  But at the risk of sensationalism, the possibility isn’t that far fetched.  The Titans have been on a bit of a spending spree in free agency as of late which is all well and good.  They had money to spend and are doing so, and the way they are spending the money has been well received.  Their biggest signing was to offensive guard Andy Levitre, and although they paid him well for a guard, he didn’t break the bank.  So far they have spread around what they had to spend and are trying to cover all their bases.

By all calculations, however, the Titans should be done spending.  They entered free agency with about $18M to spend in cap room this year. Apparently they spent just over that, about $18M, in cap hits for the 2013 year with their free agent signings.  Reports have it that the Titans are still in the ball park of $5M under the cap with the departure of Jordan Babineaux and the retirement of Steve Hutchinson.  This money will be needed to sign the incoming rookie class.

The Titans have said they aren’t finished with their free agency moves, and continue to schedule meetings with second to third tier guys, that are badly needed on this team, but whose contracts won’t strain the budget too much either.  That’s all well and good, but what about Wes Welker? Danny Amendola? Elvis Dumervil?

This is the fishy part.  The Titans have basically spent what they can, but they’re obviously not done shopping.  The front office isn’t clueless, and had to at least know the ballpark of what Welker would have cost.  Where are they going to come up with that kind of dough?  And now they are reportedly in a four way race for Elvis Dumervil, who was about 10 minutes away from signing back in Denver for $8M guaranteed in 2013.  I can understand the Titans picking up filler pieces here and there and making the numbers work by cutting some of the lower end of the roster.  What I don’t understand is how they’re going to sign Elvis Dumervil unless they’ve got a Platinum Card the league lets them use no one else knows about.

Ace In The Hole

Dec 17, 2012; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans receiver Nate Washington (85) is pursued by New York Jets safety Yeremiah Bell (37) at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

Cutting Hasselbeck outright saves the Titans $5.5M.   We all know Matt Hasselebeck said he was open to restructuring his contract, which is assumed to happen once the Titans know what they can afford.  This coaching staff has bet the farm on Jake Locker, and are trying to do their best to put the pieces around him to succeed.  Is Matt Hasselbeck still one of those pieces?  Can Matt Haesslebeck get the Titans to the playoffs if Locker goes down for the season?  Would you rather have a stud DE that can get the offense back on the field, or a back up QB?

Nate Washington saves them $4.2M if cut outright.  Washington was reportedly shopped around for a trade once the news of the Titans courting Amendola hit.  As much of a surprise as this was to most, it’s obvious that if the Titans can find the right guy to play the slot, Washington’s gone one way or the other.  They want to move Kendall Wright to the outside and can save $4.2M at the same time.  The addition of Levitre, Walker and Greene also point to the fact that the Titans plan on returning to the run game, and have already invested heavily on that side of the ball.

So, how can the Titans continue to entertain big named, high dollar free agents when they’ve already spent all they have?  By cutting the two biggest numbers on the books for the upcoming year not named Roos or Stewart.

You can argue with me on Twitter  @gunnelsj

Dec 30, 2012; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans wide receiver Nate Washington (85) warms up before a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at LP Field. The Titans beat the Jaguars 38-20. Mandatory credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

Nate Washington has been successfully alienated by the Tennessee Titans talks of trading him while in pursuit of former St. Louis Rams receivers Danny Amendola and Brandon Gibson.

According to a report from TitansInider, Washington wasn’t happy to hear that the Titans have been shopping him. The same report claims that Washington would prefer to be released, rather than traded. All of that makes sense. Griffin has given this team his all and despite not seeing many balls thrown his way this season, he still led the Titans in receiving with 746 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Here’s his career stats, courtesy of ESPN.com:

Those don’t look like the stats of a receiver that should be cut to me. He was one of the few positives for the Titans this last year.

I don’t know what game the Titans are playing at. Washington hasn’t had catching problems. There’s a reason Titans fan have been known to refer to him as “hands.” He still has great speed. At the age of 29; he’s not an over the hill receiver.

So why are the Titans shopping one of the Titans best receivers? His $4.2 million that counts against the cap is too much for them? That doesn’t seem like that much for a guy who has been their leading receiver the past two seasons. If the Titans are so desperate for cap space, they should look towards their 2nd string QB who is set to make approximately $5 million this next season, as well as their 2nd string offensive lineman Eugene Amano, who is set to make $3.94 million this season.

There are better options for clearing up cap space than removing one of the best receivers Locker has to work with. It may be too late to backpedal from what they’ve done now. The damage is done and Washington isn’t happy.

Do you think the Titans made the wrong move by putting Washington out there for trade? I do.

You can find me on Twitter @JustinLStewart