Titans show off 3 new cost-conscious additions
That?s not what the Titans had in mind.
Instead new general manager Mike Reinfeldt eased into free agency, with the Titans? biggest moves being the release of running back Travis Henry and the signing of cornerback Nick Harper away from AFC South rival Indianapolis.
But on Wednesday, the Titans introduced three recent free agent signees in linebacker Ryan Fowler, safety Bryan Scott and receiver Justin Gage ? all chosen for their experience, quality price tag and ability to help immediately.
?It?s unique that our approach this year is to go ahead and fill spots with guys that have done it before and played at a high level already in this league as compared to addressing things through the draft,? coach Jeff Fisher said.
?We?re very excited about having them come on board.?
Fowler was a restricted free agent, and Dallas chose not to match the Titans? tender on a four-year deal. The 6-foot-3, 250-pound linebacker will have the chance to be the Titans? starting middle linebacker between Keith Bulluck and David Thornton.
?Both guys have been very receptive, very hospitable and have done everything in the short time that I?ve met them to lead me to believe that they?re going to be able to help me out, help me transition into the new defense,? Fowler said.
Scott is a 6-1, 219-pound safety with 36 starts in his four seasons with Atlanta and New Orleans. Fisher sees Scott as an upgrade in a secondary where he will compete with returning starter Lamont Thompson for the spot opposite Chris Hope.
?What we want to do is bring experience and depth to the position and open it up for competition,? Fisher said. ?I think one would assume it?s going to be difficult to unseat Chris. Chris returns as the starter, but as far as the other position we will open it up and see what happens.?
Thompson was sixth on the defense with 77 tackles and three interceptions. But he often struggled with bad angles when chasing down opponents.
The 6-foot-4 Gage has an NFC championship ring but had only four catches for Chicago last season. He found himself behind Muhsin Muhammad and joins a team that still needs more help after losing Drew Bennett and Bobby Wade in free agency.
?We feel like maybe a fresh start for Justin would be the best thing for him, and we see a huge upside as far as that is concerned,? Fisher said.
Scott and Gage signed one-year deals, which makes them relatively inexpensive. Scott said he is hoping his future works out in Tennessee.
?I?ve been in Nashville all of about a week and a half, and so far it?s really positive what I?ve learned about the city, the organization, the players, starting from the head management all the way down,? he said.
Fisher also introduced his new receivers coach Fred Graves, but the Titans couldn?t avoid the biggest topic of the offseason for long ? cornerback and punt returner Adam ?Pacman? Jones.
The coach said they did not know when NFL commissioner Roger Goodell might decide on punishment for Jones? off-field incidents or what that might be. If Jones is suspended, the Titans will need a new punt returner, and they lost their top kick returner with Wade?s departure to Minnesota.
?You?re asking me to deal with hypothetical, we don?t know yet,? Fisher said. ?If he is gone, we?re going to have to get someone to return punts.?
Courtney Roby and Cortland Finnegan would be immediate candidates for those jobs.
The Titans still need help at running back, receiver and cornerback ? needs that may have to wait until the draft.
They have talked with Michael Turner?s agent and the San Diego Chargers about picking up the restricted free agent running back. Fisher only said the meeting with Turner on Monday went well.