SDV
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They have a great coach, but if they want to pay Osweiler $70 million, that's fine with me.
The Titans' fortunes depend on whether or not Mariota is a franchise QB much more than on whether Houston's QB is Hoyer or Osweiler.
They have a great coach, but if they want to pay Osweiler $70 million, that's fine with me.
The Titans' fortunes depend on whether or not Mariota is a franchise QB much more than on whether Houston's QB is Hoyer or Osweiler.
I'll say this is the most active I've seen the franchise in years. Actually getting names that fans have heard of. Good start, IMO.
With a running back, an interior lineman and a nickel cornerback secured, one place the Tennessee Titans may work on as free agency officially opens Wednesday afternoon is receiver.
The sort of clear-cut, game-changing No. 1 guy the Titans need isnt available in free agency. But there are options who would improve the group. One I have reason to believe Tennessee is interested in is Rishard Matthews of Miami.
Matthews had a solid season for the Dolphins in 2015 before cracking four ribs early in a Week 12 game at the Jets. Hes not a blazer, as he ran a 4.62-second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine as he prepared to come into the league out of Nevada. But one scout said hes faster than people think. He developed a knack for getting open and maximizing his chances to make plays as evidenced by his 15.4 yards per catch average.
He had 43 receptions and 662 yards in 11 games last season, which would have made him the Titans' top wide receiver for the full season.
The market doesnt offer the Titans what they really need: An Odell Beckham, a Julio Jones, an A.J. Green, a Dez Bryant.
A guy like Matthews isnt going to be a matchup nightmare for a defense. But, per PFF, his quarterback had a 125.1 passer rating when Matthews was the target, the fifth-best number for a wide receiver. (Delanie Walker was 18th among tight ends.)
Jon Robinson and Mike Mularkey have said they seek dependable wideouts who will get where they need to be on schedule and not drop the ball. The Titans need to surround Marcus Mariota with reliable guys.
Matthews showed he can be that, and the Titans dont have enough guys about whom its the case.
Hes not likely to be a guy who draws consistent double coverage, but he is likely to be a better player than several of the guys the Titans have in place.
With DeMarco Murray on the roster, the Titans intend to have a workhorse back. With Delanie Walker in the lineup, they will have a productive tight end as a primary target.
But the team was very poor on the outside in 2015, and Matthews is a big body at 6-foot, 217 pounds who found ways to get open. He posted an impressive 15.4 yards per catch in 11 games last season before suffering season-ending rib injuries.
Dorial Green-Beckham, Matthews and Kendall Wright could give the team a quality three pack, with Harry Douglas, Justin Hunter and Tre McBride in the mix.
Quarterbacks had a 125.1 passer rating when Matthews was targeted in 2015, per Pro Football Focus. If he can do anything like that for Marcus Mariota, he could be a big get.
We don't necessarily need both a very good QB and a very good defense, but that'd be nice. The defense is at least in good hands, for the time being.