HEADLINES

Jake Locker

AFC South Notes: Locker, Draft, Nicks, Jags

March 30th, 2014 at 4:49pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Titans are unlikely to pick up their 2015 option on quarterback Jake Locker, reports Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean. As a first-round-pick under the new CBA, Locker would be entitled to a one-year salary at the average of the top-ten highest-paid quarterbacks, which would amount to roughly $14MM. If Locker performs well this season, the Titans could look to sign him to an extension, but if not, the team needs more insurance than the recently-signed Charlie Whitehurst. Wyatt argues the team should draft Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray in the 4th-5th round of the draft, and ESPN.com’s Paul Kuharsky agrees, noting the team should select “one of the injured SEC guys.”

More from the AFC South:

  • In the above piece, and in a similar article summarizing the Titans defensive unit, Wyatt points to running back, offensive line depth, and speed on the defensive edge as the primary needs for Tennessee in the draft.
  • In his mailbag (linked above), Kuharsky agrees that a running back is needed in Tennessee, writing that the backfield plan is “draft pick + Shonn Greene + Dexter McCluster.”
  • The Colts would be interested in retaining receiver Hakeem Nicks if he plays well this season, writes Mike Wells of ESPN.com. The Colts signed Nicks to one-year deal worth ~$4MM.
  • Wells also thinks that the Colts will use a running-back-by-committee approach, cycling through Trent Richardson, Ahmad Bradshaw, and Vick Ballard.
  • In his mailbag segment, Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com notes that he believes the Jaguars will select Jadeveon Clowney if he is available. If not, he thinks their preferences are (in order) Khalil Mack and Sammy Watkins.

Titans Rumors: Locker, Johnson, Verner

February 23rd, 2014 at 12:05pm CST by Rory Parks

Although Titans team president/CEO Tommy Smith recently lent his full endorsement to QB Jake Locker, Locker can expect to have some competition, according to Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean. Although it is expected that the 2014 draft’s top quarterbacks–Johnny Manizel, Teddy Bridgewater, and Blake Bortles–will be off the board by the time the Titans pick with the 11th overall selection, new head coach Ken Whisenhunt noted that there is a lot of talent at the position in this year’s draft and that he would like to have “five or six” of the incoming QBs.

Potential options to provide some younger competition for Locker that could be had after the first round include Derek Carr, Aaron Murray, Jimmy Garoppolo, and Zach Mettenberger, all of whom have enough talent to be starters in the league. Of course, the Titans also have Ryan Fitzpatrick under contract. Although his $2.75MM base salary puts him at risk of being a cap casualty, Titans officials have indicated that they “feel comfortable” with Fitzpatrick. In any event, 2014 seems to be Locker’s last year to prove he is Tennessee’s long-term solution at quarterback.

A couple quick updates on two of the bigger names on the Titans roster:

  • There has been no change in talks with RB Chris Johnson, according to Wyatt (via Twitter). Our Luke Adams noted last week that it is widely expected the Titans will cut Johnson, and since then, GM Ruston Webster indicated the team will be patient when it comes to a decision regarding Johnson. Wyatt tweeted that Johnson will “stick to his word” and will not accept a pay cut.
  • Wyatt also tweets that the Titans are continuing to talk to CB Alterraun Verner, but that nothing is imminent. As Adams pointed out several days ago, the Titans would love to keep Verner but do not want to use the franchise tag on him.

Titans Rumors: Free Agency, Locker, Johnson

February 18th, 2014 at 4:40pm CST by Luke Adams

Before speaking to Titans season ticket holders at an event in Nashville today, team president/CEO Tommy Smith appeared on 104.5 The Zone to discuss the coming offseason. Insisting that maintaining the status quo isn’t a real option for the Titans, Smith reiterated a point he’s made before, indicating that the club won’t hesitate to get involved in free agency.

“I’ve said before, we’re going to be active,” Smith said. “We were active last year, and where [GM] Ruston [Webster] and [head coach] Ken [Whisenhunt] see the need and find the talent, we’re going to go after it. So within our confines within the salary cap and so forth, we’re going to be active.”

Later, at the Music City Center, Smith addressed a few more Titans-related topics, and Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean tweeted out a few highlights. Let’s round them up (all links go to Twitter)….

  • Jake Locker is the Titans’ quarterback, says Smith, adding that he “absolutely” supports Locker despite somewhat middling results for the 25-year-old so far.
  • According to Smith, it took about seven minutes for the club to negotiate a contract for Whisenhunt, who signed a five-year deal as Tennessee’s new head coach. “We made a very good offer,” Smith said.
  • Chris Johnson‘s future with the Titans will be determined by Webster and Whisenhunt, according to Smith, who praised Johnson’s productivity but made it clear that the decision was in the hands of his GM and head coach. It’s widely believed that the Titans will cut their starting running back this season, creating $6MM in cap savings.