Tennessee Titans Free Agent Interests: SS Dashon Goldson

Jan 30, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; San Francisco 49ers free safety Dashon Goldson (38) addresses the media during a press conference in preparation for Super Bowl XLVII between the San Francisco 49ers and the Baltimore Ravens at the Marriott New Orleans. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

The Tennessee Titans biggest need of the off-season is clearly offensive line, but a close second is safety, and free agent Dashon Goldson would be a great acquisition.

The Titans safety play last season has been described, in some circles, as some of the worst in the league, and if you watched them play last season it is hard to disagree. The addition of a safety of Goldson’s caliber would be beneficial specifically in two areas:

SS Position

This is an obvious statement because he is an all-pro SS and that would be an improvement on almost all teams. Goldson is clearly an upgrade over Jordan Babineaux, and the the failed experiment of Robert Johnson. Goldson would provide a physical presence in the secondary. He is an enforcer at the line of scrimmage, and is not a liability in pass coverage. Goldson had 69 tackles and 3 interceptions, this past season.

FS Michael Griffin

Griffin exploded on to the scene with multiple Pro-Bowl appearances. He was a consistent fixture in the secondary and regularly made big plays. The past few seasons he has been inconsistent and his play has slipped, which is odd for a player considered in his prime. What has happened? It’s simple; he doesn’t have a legitimate safety playing by his side. When Griffin was at his best was when he was playing with Chris Hope.

Hope and Griffin were a legitimate safety tandem. Eventually Hope aged and he was let go. When Griffin has another capable safety beside him he flourishes. This is because he’s able to roam the field and make plays. This past season the coaching staff had Griffin playing out of position. The addition of Goldson or another legitimate SS would greatly improve Griffin’s play.

Goldson might be tough to get away from the 49ers. They have made it clear that keeping him is a priority this off-season. If he isn’t obtainable, there are other safeties on the market, and this year’s draft class is deep at the position.

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