BACH
Superbowl, Homeboy!
I still think we'll sign one semi high-profile FA like we signed Berry last year. It could be Alexander, but how about Rolle??
Mason, Rolle are most likely to be cap casualties
By JIM WYATT
Staff Writer
Imagine, if you will, a Titans receiving corps without Derrick Mason or a secondary without Samari Rolle.
Then shift your focus to the trenches and picture a defensive front without Kevin Carter or an offensive line minus tackle Fred Miller. Remove safety Lance Schulters and cornerback Andre Dyson from the mix as well, and tough-luck kicker Joe Nedney, too.
The Titans have imagined such scenarios, and may take steps to make them become reality.
They must be under the NFL's salary cap by the first of March. Between now and then the organization will have to make some very tough decisions. If you thought the 5-11 season of 2004 wasn't pretty …
Some of the upcoming changes have been discussed internally for weeks.
Some big-name players are sure to be cut while others will have a chance to save themselves by restructuring their contract or taking a pay cut. Some unrestricted free agents will depart for other teams.
Other players simply won't be invited back.
On April 23-24 the Titans will add players via the NFL draft, and with the sixth pick overall they should be able to snag some impact player. Due to their salary-cap constraints, however, the Titans won't be adding high-priced free agents.
As for the biggest question of the offseason — will quarterback Steve McNair return or retire? — only McNair knows the answer.
The Titans are almost certain to put a younger, less experienced team on the field next season. Here's a look at impending roster decisions and what the team might look like this fall:
Offense
Quarterback: Steve McNair has worried about his sternum for years. Now that it's been surgically repaired, most Titans players, coaches and executives expect him to return with a bright outlook.
This past season backup Billy Volek proved he could consistently play at a high level and will be even more prepared if called on this fall.
The Titans were pleasantly surprised with third-stringer Doug Johnson and would like to have him back. Johnson, an unrestricted free agent, has indicated he'd like to remain a Titan.
Running back: All Chris Brown needs to do is stay healthy, but that's been easier said than done during his first two pro seasons.
The Titans still view Brown as their running back of the future, but want a No. 2 back with game-breaking skills. Someone who would push Brown, in other words.
Veteran Antowain Smith played well this past season as the No. 2 back, however, and may be re-signed.
At fullback, Troy Fleming proved he can be an every-down player in his rookie season and will have a bigger role this fall.
That's not good news for veteran Robert Holcombe, who will probably be released.
Wide receiver: Derrick Mason has led the Titans in receptions for four consecutive seasons and is very reliable, but he's also due $4.7 million ($3.2 million base salary, $1.5 million roster bonus) this year.
Unless Mason and the Titans can rework his contract to reduce those numbers, he'll be released. That would shift pressure to Drew Bennett and Tyrone Calico.
Bennett was inconsistent this past season, but closed strong, providing reasons for optimism. The Titans still aren't sure what they have in Calico, who had a turbulent rookie season and never got off the ground this past season due to a knee injury.
Beyond them, the cupboard is bare.
Eddie Berlin won't be back. Neither will Darrell Hill, despite his contributions on special teams. Jason McAddley didn't show enough instincts to keep a roster spot.
Tight end: Erron Kinney's biggest challenge is to play another entire season like he did in 2003. He battled injuries this past season, but will be counted on even more this fall.
After four seasons, Shad Meier's days with the Titans are numbered. He's scheduled to collect a hefty option bonus in March that would extend his contract, but the Titans won't pay it.
Ben Troupe completed his rookie season with a splash, but spent most of the season treading water. The Titans would like to see more consistency out of Troupe, who needs a good offseason.
Linemen: Veteran tackles Brad Hopkins ($8.1 million) and Fred Miller ($9.3 million) have big salary-cap numbers, and both won't survive the March cuts.
Look for Hopkins to return but not Miller, mainly because right tackles are easier to replace. The Titans also believe Hopkins is still playing well after 12 seasons.
Miller was solid this past season until injuring his ankle, and he showed a ton of guts down the stretch playing through the pain. Miller's ankle and high cap number, however, are big concerns.
Jacob Bell, who played guard as a rookie this past season, has a chance to start at right tackle. The Titans will add depth at tackle through the draft, and one of the newcomers could also contend for Miller's spot.
Veteran tackle Jason Mathews is expected to retire after giving the Titans so much flexibility over the past seven years. Todd Williams is a project who needs to turn the corner.
At guard, Zach Piller will re-establish himself on the left side after spending this past season on injured reserve, while Benji Olson will remain on the right. Guard Marico Portis, elevated from the practice squad late in the season, may be sent to NFL Europe for some seasoning.
Center Justin Hartwig played well despite some injuries. Eugene Amano, whose strength is center, will remain a backup in the interior.
Defense
Linemen: The Titans want Kevin Carter back and Carter wants to retire a Titan. But his salary-cap number of $13.97 million — the highest on the team — is a big issue.
Carter is due a base salary of $6.75 million this year, along with a $2 million roster bonus. If he agrees to take a pay cut, he'll be back. If not, the Titans will miss him. And if he returns, it'll be at defensive tackle.
Some inside the Titans organizations think there's a better chance Carter will be back than defensive end Carlos Hall, a restricted free agent who is represented by Drew Rosenhaus.
With the powerful and skillful Rosenhaus on his side, Hall will probably be offered a contract by another team that the Titans won't be able to match.
That would leave the Titans counting primarily on Antwan Odom, Bo Schobel and Travis LaBoy at defensive end. All three were rookies this past season.
Odom has plenty of upside, but needs to get stronger. The Titans will get plenty of effort from Schobel and probably decent production, though, like LaBoy, he remains a work in progress.
Veteran end Juqua Thomas has played his final game as a Titan.
At tackle, the Titans think Randy Starks could become their best defensive tackle in his second NFL season, especially after his strong finish last year. Albert Haynesworth has shown tremendous potential, but has struggled to stay healthy.
Rien Long is a solid rusher who is best if he plays around 30 snaps, and Jared Clauss is a tough player who will get better.
Linebacker: The Titans expected and got big things out of Keith Bulluck, who was coming off a Pro Bowl season in 2003.
Brad Kassell played well enough this past season that he will start training camp at middle linebacker between Bulluck and Peter Sirmon, who will be coming off a knee injury. Kassell showed the ability to play from tackle to tackle, and the team loves his toughness.
The slew of injuries to Rocky Calmus will have him on the outside looking in at the start of training camp, though the Titans expect him to compete for the middle linebacker spot.
Rocky Boiman had a chance to establish himself this past season, but some tough-luck injuries kept coaches from being able to fully evaluate him.
Back-up Cody Spencer has a chance to be one of the team's best special teams players and the Titans would like to have Justin Ena and Jordan Kramer in the mix as well.
Despite a shaky start to his rookie season, the Titans are still optimistic about Rob Reynolds and think he could eventually compete for the middle linebacker job. He's a good athlete who improved on special teams by season's end.
Cornerback: Is it possible the Titans could roll on without cornerback Samari Rolle? Yes, but it would be a big mistake.
Rolle is scheduled to make $5.5 million in base salary this year, along with a $500,000 roster bonus. He has two years remaining on his contract, and is scheduled to make even more in 2006. Instead of re-doing his contract, the Titans have had serious discussions about releasing him.
That would be tough to stomach on the field, especially since the other starting cornerback, Andre Dyson, is an unrestricted free agent who is all but gone, and the depth is unproven.
Despite his injury history, the Titans are counting on Andre Woolfolk to step up from the nickel to start on the outside. Tony Beckham filled in nicely down the stretch and will be in the mix as well.
The Titans need to see drastic improvement out of Rich Gardner and Michael Waddell, with Waddell having the best chance to be the No. 3 corner. Despite his slight build, Waddell impressed coaches with his willingness to play tough and make tackles. He also played well on special teams.
Safety: Lamont Thompson's athleticism will make him the opening-day starter at free safety, while Lance Schulters' high cap number will probably make him a free agent.
Although he was exposed as a full-time defender, the Titans would like to have Scott McGarrahan back for special teams. Donnie Nickey will compete for a backup spot in training camp, though Justin Sandy's athleticism gives him a chance to beat Nickey out.
The secondary figures to be a top priority in the draft.
Special teams
The Titans had looked forward to getting Joe Nedney's booming left leg back this past season, but an injury did him in early for the second year in a row.
Nedney has looked good in his recovery, but he'll have competition in training camp if the Titans don't release him. His contract, which includes a 2005 base salary of $1.4 million, will need to be modified.
Veteran Gary Anderson remains a fall-back plan, but the Titans would like someone who can handle place-kicks and kickoffs, even though punter Craig Hentrich was once again productive when asked to kickoff.
The return man for 2005 isn't on the current roster. After years of trouble in this department, the Titans plan to go after a player who can provide explosive returns.
Jim Wyatt covers the Titans for The Tennessean. Reach him at [email protected] or 259-8015.
