Ripple Effect of Dexter McCluster's Signing

No one expected the Titans to make a big splash in free agency this year.  Still, I was anxiously awaiting three o'clock to hit and see what news the NFL had to bring on their equivalent of college football's signing day.  Sure enough, the clock hit three, like it always does, and the Titans surprised us, like they always do.  They signed former Chiefs WR and PR Dexter McCluster.  The reaction to the signing has been mixed, but mostly positive.  It's a high middle class free agency signing, but it seems like a big splash.  He's going to provide diversity to a good group of receivers. Along with the positives of the signing, though, there will be a fallout.

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Pump the Breaks, Leon

Along with the signing of McCluster this afternoon, the Titans also signed KR/PR Leon Washington.  He did a solid job for the Titans at the end of the season last year being a reliable return man and even breaking loose a few times.  I wouldn't call the veteran Washington explosive, though.  He was just solid, and McCluster brings another dynamic to the return game.  Teams are afraid to kick to McCluster.  That can be a huge advantage for the Titans.  Washington may have just been given false hope from the Titans.  His job is not secure.

Goodbye, Marc Mariani?

I put a question mark there because I'm not sure I believe this statement just quite yet.  Is the writing on the wall for the beloved Titans WR? Yes. I'm just not sure if he'll be cut.  He's found a way to survive the cuts before, mostly due to injury.  The fans love him though, and he's a hard worker.  I can see the Titans keeping him if they cut Nate Washington, Damian Williams, and Leon Washington due to McCluster's signing. Mariani is a cheap, reliable (if healthy) alternative to the receivers and returns.  Don't count him out just yet.

We Still Love You Nate

Nate Washington, you've been nothing but great for the Titans, and don't forget that.  We here at Boy Meets Sports want you to stay in Tennnessee, I just don't know if it's going to happen.  The signing of McCluster may be the writing on the wall.  I'm not sure if this helps, but I am of the opinion that Washington, McCluster, Hunter, and Wright could make up one of the most dangerous receiving corps in the league. I'm on your side, Nate.  I just don't know if the Titans can make it happen.

Goodbye, For Sure, Chris Johnson

Sorry CJ, you're out.


Trey Frisbey
Boy Meets Sports
3/11/2014
Twitter: @boymeetsports 

Pay That Man: Alteraaun Verner

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With free agency beginning soon and the draft just around the corner, the 53 man roster for the 2014 football season will begin to be molded in the next few months.  The current status of the Titans organization is largely unknown.  There is a new coach,  a new staff, and new players that may be coming soon.  We are all anxiously waiting to see how the roster will shake out.  There are a number of players who will either be cut or their contracts will run out this off season.  These players will hit the unknown world of free agency.  Players like Chris Johnson and Kenny Britt will quickly find out their worth on the open market.  It won't be much.  Some players, however, will find a flowing waterfall of cash being thrown at their doorstep.

Alterraun Verner, corner back for the Titans, is one player that will be making a large sum of money somewhere next season.  It's been well documented that the Titans are expected to allow him to test the waters of free agency.  That's a mistake.  Verner was arguably the Titans best defensive player 2013.  He was the lone Titan on the pro bowl roster.  He's also a good teammate and well liked by the community (an underrated quality in today's NFL).  The defense last year wasn't great.  Verner and Bernard Pollard (another free agent) are two of the few bright spots in the defense last year. 

Akeem Ayers, Zach Brown, and Moise Fokou underperformed for a large portion of the season.  They were part of a line backing corp that was supposed to work magic for the Titans last season. It was the secondary, though, that surprised us.  They played outstanding ball all season.  Bernard Pollard was a leader, Michael Griffin played how he was expected to play after the new contract, and Verner and Jason McCourty became one of the best corner back duos in the league.  Taking that tandem away would set the defense back.  This defense doesn't have room to go backwards.  It needs to go forwards.

At the beginning of training camp, Verner was battling with Tommie Campbell for the cornerback slot opposite of McCourty.  Verner earned that spot.  He earned it for last year and many years to come.  The Titans finally have a position on the roster that is taken care of.  They have two corner backs.  Don't take that step back.  Sign Verner and work on other areas.  McCourty and Verner will be fine.  The Titans need to work on their defensive line and line backing corp.  If they can keep the secondary the same, that would be considered a win for the organization.  Pay that man:  Alterraun Verner.

Trey Frisbey
Boy Meets Sports
2/13/2014
Twitter: @boymeetsports