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Titans and Cook Agree to Terms

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 22:30:00 PST

The Tennessee Titans and third-round pick TE Jared Cook have agreed to terms on a contract. The agreement is for a four-year deal that includes a signing bonus of roughly $700,000. Cook’s deal also includes rookie minimums of $310,000 in 2009, $395,000 (in 2010), $480,000 (in '11), and $565,000 (in '12). The 6-5, 246-pounder who played for South Carolina is the seventh of 11 draft picks to reach an agreement. The Titans open training camp on July 31.

Titans Agree with Mouton and McRath

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 07:28:41 PST

The Tennessee Titans have announced they have agreed to terms with CB Ryan Mouton and LB Gerald McRath. Mouton, a third round pick from Hawaii, agreed to a four-year deal worth just over $2.4 million, along with a signing bonus somewhere between $660,000 and $670,000. McRath, a fourth round pick from Southern Mississippi, also agreed to a four-year deal. Both deals included rookie minimums of $310,000 in 2009, $395,000 (in 2010), $480,000 (in '11), and $565,000 (in '12).

Titans Agree with WR Edison

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 13:19:43 PST

The Titans have agreed to terms with sixth-round WR Dominique Edison. Edison is the fourth draft pick to have agreed to terms with G Ryan Durand (7th round) and CB Jason McCourty (6th) agreeing earlier this week. S Nick Schommer (7th round) reached a deal with the team last week. Edison's contract will be a four-year deal with rookie minimums of $310,000 (in 2009), $395,000 (in 2010), $480,000 (’11) and $565,000 (in ’12). The 6'-3", 200 pounder played his college ball at Stephen F. Austin where he had 2,646 receiving yards and 27 TDs.

Interview: Houston Chronicle's John McClain

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 06:14:30 PST

Over the next few weeks, goTitans.com will interview a number of the media who cover the Tennessee Titans. Our second interview is with John McClain of the Houston Chronicle.

What is your opinion of the Titans draft and what role will the top selections play in '09?

I thought they would take a defensive player like Rey Maualuga when he was on the board, but it's hard to argue with Kenny Britt, who's developed more than most rookie receivers.

Mawae Has No Timetable for Retirement

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 08:13:40 PST

Despite being 38 and coming off of elbow surgery, Kevin Mawae has no plans to retire anytime soon. "I want to play this game as long as I possibly can. I love playing the game. It’s never been about the money, it’s about the enjoyment of the game," said Mawae. Mawae has been rehabbing since his elbow surgery after the season and hopes to be ready by training camp. Even though his contract with the Titans ends after the '09 season and Leroy Harris is waiting in the wings to start, the '08 NFL All-Pro and Pro Bowler hasn't thought about leaving the game he's played for 15 seasons. "I would love to stay here. I would love to. I’ve talked to Jeff. I’ve talked to Mike Munchak," Mawae said. "This is where I want to finish up my career, and if I can get a few more years, so be it. If not, we’ll have to re-evaluate it. But I have no plans on retiring after this season, so we’ll see."

Young Addresses "Play or Trade" Comments

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 12:54:38 PST

In an interview with ESPN, Vince Young replied to reports he says took his statement about being ready to be "change careers" if the Titans didn't want to play him out of context. "I don’t know what NFL player around the league doesn’t want to play and be a starter," Young said. "So what I’m saying is that I’m ready to play ball, and if it’s not here in my next two years, that I’m going to be able to play here, then I’m telling guys around the league I’m ready to play football. That’s basically what I’m saying." When asked if he would settle for a backup role again this upcoming season, Young said if it happens, he'd do it. "I have to be patient right now, until that time comes back around that (Fisher) says 'you have the keys to the Hummer' again," said Young. "But until then, all I have to do is that care of my responsibilities and work, work, work, work, work."

Interview: Titan Radio's Larry Stone

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 11:51:52 PST

Over the next few weeks, goTitans.com will interview a number of the media who cover the Tennessee Titans. Our first interview is with Larry Stone, executive producer and gameday host of the Tennessee Titans Radio Network.

What is your opinion of the Titans draft and what role will the top selections play in '09?

If there's anything that's difficult to predict in the NFL, it's the draft. To me, you listen to the coaches.

Young Says He's Ready to Return as Starter for Titans

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 07:27:10 PST

Vince Young isn't saying "play me or trade me" but comments made yesterday indicate the former Rookie of the Year does not plan on settling for a backup role. "I definitely want to get back out there playing ball and picking up where I left off, winning games and having a good time with my teammates and with the fans," Young said. "At the same time, if them guys don't want me to be in there, it's time for me to make a career change for myself. Because the fact is I'm ready to play ball. If they're not ready for me to play ball, then somebody is." Titans coach Jeff Fisher has already said that Young would have to unseat Collins as the starter. "I'm still focused, staying focused," Young said. "I got a lot of people that look up to me. I got a lot of fans that love me and want to see me back out on the football field."

Titans Players Expect More Aggressive Defense From Cecil

Thu, 28 May 2009 06:16:27 PST

Though the Titans have changed defensive coordinators in adding former hard-hitting safety Chuck Cecil, don't expect major changes in the team's scheme on defense. However, some expect Cecil's personality to result in more aggressive calls in certain situations. "A lot of the same things as Schwartz as far as down and distance, but at the same time, you can tell he’s sort of gutsy," Cortland Finnegan said. "He always picks on the DBs and says, 'Earn that money,' and he’ll put us in man-to-man situations, maybe on third and short. Even on fourth down, he’ll blitz the house and say, 'Cover your man.'" Others feel Cecil's approach will be more about attitude than a change in philosophy. "I just know he’s not scared of anything. He played the game that way, and he’s not intimidated by anybody," Chris Hope said. "He played the game with a chip on his shoulder, and I’m pretty sure he’s going to coach the game with a chip on his shoulder."

Collins Exciting About Titans WR Upgrades

Thu, 21 May 2009 06:50:41 PST

Kerry Collins has every reason to be excited about the upcoming season. The Titans ended '08 regular season 13-3 and he has a new weapons in the passing game with Nate Washington and first-round pick Kenny Britt. "I’ve worked out more in this off-season than I have in the last several," Collins said. "I’ve been in here everyday and I’ve really put a lot of time in in the weight room, more so than I have in several years in the past. On Tuesday, Collins and the rookies got their first chance to work together. "Getting a receiver with the first pick is obviously a big deal for me and the offense," Collins said. "And the other guys we drafted, everybody is excited about the third-rounder [Cook] from South Carolina, so we’ll see what they’ve got. It doesn’t happen a lot around here. I’m glad it did this year. I think we’ve upgraded at a lot of positions, and I think wide receiver is one of them."

Fuller Feels Right Decision Was to Remain a Titan

Mon, 18 May 2009 07:04:42 PST

Vincent Fuller was faced with a big decision after the season. He could become an unrestricted free agent and see what teams might be willing to make him a starter or he could remain a Titan as the nickelback and a special teams standout. Fuller's decision was to remain a Titan by agreeing to a three-year, $7.5 million offer. He feels he made the right decision. "You always give thought [to testing the market], any time you’re approaching free agency. That was the discussion I had with my family and my agents," Fuller said. "When it got down to it, the situation presented itself with all the opportunities, to stay in the organization you’re familiar with, to play on a good team, and a team that has a chance at winning, and to be compensated nicely and just be comfortable. It all turned and pointed to that direction."

Titans Rookies Join Vets at OTAs

Mon, 18 May 2009 06:54:23 PST

This week marks the first OTAs at Baptist Sports Park where the Titans rookies and veterans work together on the field. "I'm excited for them to get out there and see what they are all about," QB Kerry Collins said. "Everybody is excited." Colin will get his first opportunity to see the Titans first-round pick Kenny Britt and third-round selection Jared Cook. Britt and Cook made a great first impression on the coaching staff during orientation, yet OC Mike Heimerdinger pointed out that things change when the rookies face the vets. "But you won't really know until somebody can hit these guys when the pads come on," Heimerdinger said. "Sometimes receivers get alligator arms and maybe they're not as tough when they know they can be hit, so it's going to be a process. But we'll start to find out."

Jones Not Trying to Replace Haynesworth

Thu, 14 May 2009 06:54:33 PST

The Titans have already taken the pressure off of second-year DT Jason Jones to replace the production from Albert Haynesworth. "I don’t feel any pressure. I don’t put any pressure on myself," Jones said. "I just try to go out there and get coached well and listen to the veterans on the team. I feel I have the ability to be a starter in the league." Defensive line coach Jim Washburn says he's dreaded being asked how the Titans would deal without Haynesworth question the entire off-season. "I dreaded this when he left, because every person was going to ask me what we’re going to do with Albert gone. I’m just going to coach the guys we’ve got and we’re going to be fine," Washburn said. "If Jason, Jacob [Ford] and Will [Hayes] step up we won’t miss anybody. We’ll roll on."

Titans Want to Give Johnson More Opportunities in '09

Wed, 13 May 2009 06:41:47 PST

Chris Johnson has high goals as he enters his second season. "I want to be NFL MVP, and lead the league in rushing,'' Johnson said. "I want to be named to another Pro Bowl. I like to set my goals high, and everything is possible." The Titans plan on giving Johnson that opportunity by finding more ways for Johnson to touch the football. "There's places we can move him, routes we can run with him, looks we can do with him that we held back last year because I thought I was stretching him too much," offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger said. "But C.J. needs to show he can do those things and he'll work at it. And the more he shows the more we can give him. If C.J. wants to learn it and work at it then we have a chance to move him all around the place." Last season, Johnson had 1,488 yards from scrimmage ranked fifth in the AFC.

Bennett Looking to Return to Titans

Mon, 11 May 2009 17:57:08 PST

Drew Bennett paid a visit to Baptist Sports Park today to meet with officials and have a physical. Bennett is a free agent who has deal with a number of injuries since leaving the Titans as a free agent in 2007. "I want to show myself and everyone else I can still play at a high level, maybe not come in and be a No. 1 — I understand that is maybe unrealistic. But I want to come in and still be able to contribute and play at a high level," said Bennett. "I’d love to do that with the Titans. I really enjoyed my time with the organization the first time. We’ll just see what happens." Bennett signed a six-year, $30 million deal with the Rams but only had 34 receptions in two injury-ridden seasons and played in only one game last season due to a foot injury.

Washington Adjusting to Titans Passing Game

Thu, 07 May 2009 15:44:03 PST

Nate Washington knows there are expectations for him to produce after signing a free agent contract with the Titans. "Nate is a veteran guy who is coming into his own," Kerry Collins said. "He has a chance to make a real big impact right away." Washington is working towards learning a new system which requires him to get out of his routes quicker with different angles than he had in Pittsburgh. "I am so used to running a route and then getting open as of where here you are running to get open and I think it is going to be tougher than I thought, but it’s been working," Washington said. "Kerry has been working with me, Vince (Young) has been working with me and (the coaches) have done a good job of letting me know this is how it goes around here and I have been adjusting to it. The main thing is not to make the same mistakes twice."

Titans Vets Take Spotlight at Minicamp

Wed, 06 May 2009 16:26:50 PST

The Titans veterans worked in the bubble for today's OTAs. Noticeable was LenDale White's loss of weight where he is down over 20 pounds from last season. Coach Jeff Fisher commented on White's condition after practive. "He came in and reported for the offseason program significantly lighter than he has up to this point. That is a step," said Fisher. "If you saw practice he seems to be quicker, fast and in good shape." New Titan Nate Washington and second-year WR Lavelle Hawkins each stood out with good plays today. Vince Young was picked off twice though one ball was tipped. Patrick Ramsey showed off a strong arm but was off with a number of his passes today. A few of vets did not practice today including Jevon Kearse, Kevin Mawae and Keith Bulluck.

Heimerdinger Looking to Use Cook for Mismatches

Mon, 04 May 2009 06:24:51 PST

Titans Offensive Coordinator Mike Heimerdinger plans on using the 6-5, 246 pound Jared Cook for mismatches as his size and athletic ability should be able to terrorize opposing linebackers and safeties. "He’s got real natural soft hands, and he adjusts very well," Fisher said. "One can make the case that maybe he is a wide receiver after what we saw today, but he’s got a lot of work to do. He’s a very smart kid. He runs good routes and understands them well, and I think he’ll be pretty good for us." Fisher envisions Cook at somewhere around 255 to 260 pounds eventually without losing any of his speed or shiftiness. "I think he’s got growth potential. I think he could add another 15 to 20 pounds," Fisher said.

Britt and Cook Impress in Titans Rookie Workouts

Sat, 02 May 2009 07:38:30 PST

The first day of rookie orientation was highlighted by two outstanding plays by first-round pick Kenny Britt and third-round selection Jared Cook. Offensive Coordinator Mike Heimerdinger will take a wait-and-see approach with both players. "Any time we get competition it's a good thing,'' Heimerdinger said. "But you don't find out if they're weapons until we get some defensive guys out there jamming them in pads. Both caught the ball well, though. (Cook), if it's somewhere in his ZIP code, he's catching it right now. But they obviously have a ways to go.'' The rookies met with coaches, mingled with teammates and practiced twice. They will practice again today before heading home. Later this month they will be back for a minicamp with the veterans.

Titans Add Eight UDFAs to the Roster

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 17:25:49 PST

The Tennessee Titans added eight undrafted players to the roster today including Alex Mortensen who was a backup quarterback at Samford and then Arkansas, Northwestern State receiver Dudley Guice, New Mexico running back Rodney Ferguson, McNeese State cornerback Jeremy Haynes, Iowa defensive tackle Mitch King, South Carolina State receiver Phillip Morris, South Florida guard Ryan Schmidt and Ohio State punter A.J. Trapasso.