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Just one victory shy in 2002 of advancing to the Super Bowl for a second time in four seasons, the Tennessee Titans remain contenders to go deep into the playoffs again this year, but it seems that the path is being made more difficult by an offseason that has been marked by more than a few potholes.
In a city made famous by the Grand Ol' Opry, things haven't quite turned into the soap opera some observers contend they have, but the Titans obviously have some issues that will need to be addressed before they begin the regular season with a prime-time rematch of the '02 AFC championship game against the Oakland Raiders. Fortunately, the Titans have one of the league's best front offices, captained by team president Jeff Diamond and by general manager Floyd Reese, and highly-respected head coach Jeff Fisher.
In the wake of some offseason occurrences, they may be forced to lean on the stability of the management paradigm, and on Fisher's popularity in the locker room, to maintain the kind of steadiness that has been a hallmark of the last several seasons.
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Getting stuffed
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Much has been made of the fact the Houston Texans offensive line, beset by injuries in 2002, permitted rookie quarterback David Carr to be sacked a league-record 76 times. But the often-makeshift unit was nearly as bad blocking in the running game.
According to numbers compiled by Stats, Inc., the Texans lost yardage on 64 of their 424 rushing plays, the fourth-worst negative rushing percentage in the league. Here are the poorest teams in terms of percentage of rushing plays that netted negative yardage:
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Team
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Losses/Rushes
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Pct.
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Dallas
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66 of 423
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15.6
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Carolina
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70 of 452
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15.5
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St. Louis
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52 of 343
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15.2
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Houston
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64 of 424
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15.1
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Indianapolis
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63 of 434
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14.5
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Buffalo
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55 of 388
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14.2
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Tampa Bay
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54 of 414
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13.0
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New Orleans
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55 of 426
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12.9
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Pittsburgh
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66 of 512
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12.9
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Cleveland
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52 of 406
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12.8
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Seattle
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55 of 430
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12.8
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The latest glitch, this week's release of starting middle linebacker Randall Godfrey, has caused some hard feelings among veteran players. Not only was Godfrey well-liked by his peers, but teammates also understand that he agreed to a salary reduction in February to provide the Titans needed cap relief. In that circumstance, he had his base salary reduced by $2.25 million and a roster bonus slashed by $250,000, a real-money savings of $2.5 million for a team and a cap cutback of nearly $4.5 million.
But four months later, with Tennessee still mired in cap jail and needing to carve out some room to re-sign three veterans and finish deals with their draft choices, Godfrey was again the target. And this time he was jettisoned completely, despite his earlier sacrifices, and his lofty status among his peers.
"He did something (to help) the organization and team out of good faith," said tailback Eddie George, "and it appears that he was kind of back-stabbed to a certain degree."
Added outspoken cornerback Samari Rolle: "In a lot of people's eyes, it is going to be (regarded) as a cut-throat move."
Exacerbating the situation for Godfrey was that the Titans could have released him in February, or earlier in June, when the free-agent market would have provided him with a bit more financial opportunity. After all, like every team, the Titans have cap projections, and they comprehend in most cases the maneuvers they will have to make. And that is especially true for Tennessee, which seems to annually have to tap-dance its way out of cap excesses, by releasing veteran players or restructuring contracts.
The resultant bad taste left in the mouths of some veterans, who understand even more now that very few players are untouchables, will eventually subside. Such distractions are characteristically, after all, overrated by outsiders. But that the Godfrey affair occurred in a period that has been particularly rough for the Titans might extend the recovery time.
And it could test the staying power of Fisher, one of the league's top coaches, and a guy who has always enjoyed the respect of his players.
Consider these lingering offseason issues: Good-guy quarterback Steve McNair was arrested last month and faces potential DUI and gun possession charges. Defensive end Jevon Kearse is still rehabilitating from foot surgery that limited him to four appearances in 2002. There is a glaring lack of depth on the defensive front in general. Because of the cap problems, Tennessee has been unable to add any quality free agents, and the losses in general far outnumber the gains. Fisher has complained openly at times about attendance, or lack thereof, at the offseason conditioning program.
Eleventh-year offensive tackle Brad Hopkins, who suffered a knee injury late in the 2002 season, was said to be slightly miffed this week when Fisher spoke to the media about his spotty offseason attendance, apparently before he broached it to the player himself. "The fact he told (the media) before he told me says something," allowed Hopkins.
What it says is that a team with several key players still recovering also has a degree of fence-mending to accomplish as well. The conventional wisdom suggests that, given their track record, Fisher and the front office will make things right and that the Titans will vie again to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.
If they come up short, though, there are a few Tennessee players certain to point to this slightly off-kilter offseason as the primary cause of failure.
Around the league
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| Godfrey |
The sudden availability of Randall Godfrey, who many teams still feel is a quality linebacker, might alter the plans of a few franchises. The Jacksonville Jaguars, with whom Godfrey visited on Thursday, began substantive negotiations on Friday. They want Godfrey to move from middle linebacker to the strong-side spot and, while there are some salary-cap issues, expect the Jaguars to make a strong run for the seven-year veteran. One element in the Jaguars' favor is that Jacksonville is a palatable drive from Valdosta, Ga., where Godfrey grew up and where much of his family still resides. Barring a quick deal with the Jaguars, the linebacker will visit Seattle on Monday, where new Seahawks defensive coordinator Ray Rhodes desperately needs a middle 'backer of his ilk. The final stop on Godfrey's current travel agenda is Green Bay, where the Packers have projected first-round choice Nick Barnett as the starter, even given his lack of experience at the interior position. But if Green Bay can land a proven middle linebacker like Godfrey, it would provide Packers linebackers coach Mark Duffner considerable flexibility, with the potential for playing Barnett at strong-side linebacker, his college position.
It has now been nearly a month since the anniversary of Rashard Anderson's one-year suspension for repeat violations of the NFL substance abuse policy, and the Carolina Panthers cornerback, a first-round pick in 2000, has yet to be reinstated by commissioner Paul Tagliabue. That might not bode well, even some close to Anderson acknowledge, for his future in general and, more specifically, with the Panthers. League and team officials, bound by confidentiality guidelines, have offered nothing about Anderson's status. Even off the record, the silence has been deafening, which could mean that Anderson might not be reinstated in time to begin training camp. "I still think he'll be back this year, but possibly not in the timeframe we had hoped for," said agent Ben Wilson, who seemed confident only a few weeks ago that his client's return was imminent. "In matters like this, as you know, the commissioner is judge and jury. And he typically takes into account the advice and recommendation of the doctors overseeing the (treatment) program. But Rashard is anxious to get back." Wilson conceded to ESPN.com that Anderson, the 23rd prospect chosen overall in the 2000 draft, has been "not absolutely perfect, but not bad, either," during the treatment process. "But he is significantly better than he was at this point a year ago," Wilson said. If there is any positive to the situation, it is that the year away from the game has allowed Anderson plenty of time to rehabilitate from surgery to repair a neck problem that some feared might end his career altogether. Even if Anderson is reinstated this summer, it certainly seems the odds that the Panthers will take him back have been reduced, despite the franchise's investment in him. But rest assured, if Anderson returns to the league, someone will be interested. During his first two years in the NFL, he hardly distinguished himself, and the Panthers never seemed quite certain if the former Jackson State star was a safety or a cornerback. But teams are always desperate for corners with size and, at 6-feet-2 and 205 pounds, Anderson is one of the bigger defensive backs in the league.
One cornerback still looking for work, and who hasn't gotten much attention during the free-agency period, is beginning to pop up on some teams' radar screens. Even coming off a fractured ankle that sidelined him for the entire '02 season, veteran Terry Fair is getting some phone calls, and the volume should increase in a few weeks, when it's expected he will be close to 100 percent rehabilitated. Said one AFC personnel director: "If the guy is (healthy) and demonstrates it, he'll get action. He's one of the few veterans still out there who could be a meaningful July (addition). He can help you if he's whole again." A first-round choice of the Lions in 1998, Fair played four seasons in Detroit, then signed with Carolina as a free agent last summer before breaking his ankle. Just 26 years old, Fair averaged a dozen starts in his four seasons with the Lions, and never started fewer than 10 games in a campaign. He had seven interceptions, two returned for touchdowns, and 35 passes defensed. In addition, Fair was an explosive return man, averaging 24.9 yards on kickoff runbacks and scoring twice. Earlier this spring, he visited with officials from the Giants and Packers, both of whom continue to monitor his recovery. Among the other teams that have expressed an interest is an NFC club, one that confidences preclude us from identifying, but a franchise that could offer an intriguing opportunity. The team in question is growing weary of the offseason absences of one of its starting cornerbacks, a player whose past includes some off-field problems, and the coaches and club officials have some issues with the player. Look for Fair, who is still young and talented enough to be more than just a roster bottom-feeder if his ankle is sound, to be in someone's camp.
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| Boselli |
The Houston Texans organization remains guardedly optimistic that left offensive tackle Tony Boselli, who didn't play a single snap in 2002 and who has more shoulder surgeries (four) than game appearances (three) over the past two seasons, can return this year. If he can, of course, it will be a boon to second-year quarterback David Carr, who was sacked a league-record 76 times in his debut campaign. But during the Houston mini-camp this week, assistant Tony Marciano took nothing for granted, and he used what appeared to be an infinite number of line combinations as a contingency in the event Boselli is unable to play. Right now, only center Steve McKinney is assured of where he will line up, and the rest of the starters will depend on Boselli's availability. If he plays, the Texans will move second-year pro Chester Pitts, who started at left tackle in '02, to either left guard or right tackle. Veteran Zach Wiegert, acquired as an unrestricted free agent, will play either right tackle or right guard. Another veteran, former New England starter Greg Randall, who was added in a trade, is also in the mix, as are youngsters Fred Weary, Milford Brown and Ryan Schau. "Even with the (uncertainty) about who is playing and where, the one thing we still do have is numbers, guys who can line up and play," said Wiegert, signed in part because of his versatility. "There's definitely some depth here, and you can tell that the two young guys forced to play last year (Pitts and Weary) are better off for having been thrown into the fire and survived. If (Boselli) plays, it will be great, for sure. If not, this is still going to be a good line, I think." Houston used nine different starters in 2002 and just two, McKinney and Pitts, started all 16 contests.
Having been selected for the Pro Bowl in each of the last two seasons, one might think that Green Bay safety Darren Sharper is a guy who could rest on his laurels, and take it easy preparing for the 2003 campaign. Not so. Sharper has spent much of the offseason in New Orleans, working with noted trainer and speed specialist Tom Shaw, and feels he is now in the best shape of his career. "I'm motivated to take it up to another level," said the six-year veteran. "I want to be an 'automatic' in the Pro Bowl, you know, one of those guys who gets there every year and no one even has to think twice about it." It will help if the Packers coaches are able to identify early in camp who will partner with Sharper in the interior of the Green Bay secondary. The oft-injured Antuan Edwards is coming off another disappointing season, and Marques Anderson, who started 11 games as a rookie in 2002, clearly faded down the stretch. The versatility of Sharper permits coordinator Ed Donatell to be very creative with the manner in which he uses him, but his effectiveness could be impacted if the Packers don't find him a dependable partner.
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| Taylor |
While it is just modest mitigation in some cases to the millions of dollars they allegedly lost in bad investments by defrocked agent Tank Black, some of his former clients have recovered a portion of their money, and Jacksonville Jaguars tailback Fred Taylor has now recouped about $5 million. Court documents obtained by ESPN.com indicate that some players who claimed losses in the infamous Cash4Titles scam have been awarded partial relief. Along with thousands of other victims, the players basically received 31.8 cents on the dollar, in a very quiet settlement. The repayments noted by court records: Taylor, $857,386; wide receiver Ike Hilliard, $510,325; tailback Terry Allen, $510,089; wide receiver Jacquez Green, $166,953; fullback William Floyd, $59,261; and defensive back Roosevelt Blackmon, $12,575.
His best days are behind him, but any team still in need of help at tight end could do worse than to check out Wesley Walls, who was released by the Carolina Panthers very early in the free-agency period. ESPN.com has confirmed that Walls, one of the league's premier tight ends over his 14-year career and a guy whose resume includes five Pro Bowl selections, was cleared by noted orthopedic specialist Dr. James Andrews this week for unlimited physical activities. Walls, 37, has certainly been banged up the last couple seasons, and has lost a step, but still has an ability to create some separation and might yet have some of his "red zone" effectiveness. He has 430 receptions for 5,069 yards and 53 touchdowns during his NFL career.
During the San Diego Chargers' recent mini-camp, third-year cornerback Tay Cody frequently worked with the starting lineup opposite Quentin Jammer, but that ascension to first-unit status could be a very temporary situation. As could Cody's employment with a team that selected the former Florida State standout in the third round of the 2001 draft. ESPN.com has learned Chargers officials phoned other league teams this week, basically gauging potential trade interest in him, a pretty good indication he doesn't fit into coach Marty Schottenheimer's long-term plans. Cody, 25, started 11 games as a rookie, posting 59 tackles and two interceptions, but then suffered a broken toe in 2002 that limited him to just four appearances and earned him a spot on injured reserve the final three months of the campaign. Further exacerbating his situation are two other factors: Schottenheimer wasn't the coach who drafted him, and the Chargers, who ranked last in the league in pass defense in 2002, are undertaking a wholesale overhauling in the secondary. The club chose three defensive backs -- cornerbacks Sammy Davis (No. 1) and Drayton Florence (No. 2a) and strong safety Terrence Kiel (No. 2b) -- in the draft two months ago. Last week, the Chargers signed unrestricted free safety Kwamie Lassiter, and there are plans to move career cornerback Ryan McNeil to free safety. During the offseason, San Diego dumped both starting safeties from 2002, Rodney Harrison and Rogers Beckett. None of this appears to bode very well for Cody, who typically plays quicker than his stopwatch clockings, but who lacks size and linear speed. Kiel, by the way, was running with the first team in mini-camp, and the former Texas A&M star could very well capture the starting job. Not only is Kiel a big hitter, but he also has mid-4.4 speed and polished cover skills, two commodities difficult to find in a strong safety.
Two weeks ago in this space, we questioned why Philadelphia Eagles fourth-round defensive end Jamaal Green would sign a four-year contract, since three-year deals are the norm for prospects selected after the second stanza. It turns out that Green, who figures to see considerable playing time as a rookie, has an escalator clause in the fourth year of the deal, which should boost his base salary for 2006 above the $460,000 league minimum he is currently scheduled to earn that year. That said, longer deals are still tricky scenarios for middle- and late-round draft choices, who in signing four- and five-year contracts, bypass opportunities for at least restricted free agency. In fact, ESPN.com has obtained a memo sent to all agents of 2003 draft choices by the NFL Players Association this week, detailing the negatives of the longer-term agreements. According to the memo, over the period between 1996-2000, there were 36 players selected in rounds 3-7 who signed four-year contracts, as opposed to the more typical three-year deals. Seventeen of the four-year contracts included escalator clauses, which could potentially boost base salaries if those players achieved predetermined performance or playing time benchmarks. Eight more of the four-year deals had clauses that voided the fourth season if the player hit certain levels of performance. But not a single one of the 17 players with escalator clauses qualified for the higher salaries and just one of the eight voidable deals was realized. In the end, the players signing four-year deals cost themselves as much as $302,000 in compensation.
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| Lewis |
Baltimore middle linebacker Ray Lewis seems to have overcome the stigma of having been tried on double murder charges just a couple years ago, and it is notable that he is now able to take advantage of some endorsement opportunities. But most of the money Lewis is earning from endorsements is coming from companies with NFL connections, and that is notable as well, say some marketing experts. "Where I think he (has still) been hurt is with companies not directly related to the NFL or to sports in general," said Bob Williams, the CEO of Chicago-based Burns Sports & Celebrities. "A player of his stature would have other types of deals, if not for the murder trial (in Atlanta). But companies trying to appeal to the masses can use a dozen guys without the residual baggage. Guys like Brett Favre, Michael Vick, Brian Urlacher or Donovan McNabb. That's the punishment he is paying. So, yeah, he's still paying a price."
St. Louis coach Mike Martz recently lauded the offseason performance of rookie wide receiver Kevin Curtis, the team's third-round draft choice, opining that the former Utah State star will someday "light the world on fire." But according to Rams players to whom ESPN.com spoke this week, as impressive as Curtis has been, fourth-round wide receiver Shaun McDonald might have been even better in the organized workouts. The former Arizona State standout lacks size (5-feet-8½, 169 pounds), and his strength might erode a few weeks into training camp, which is a concern to coaches. But if he can survive camp intact, players suggest, McDonald will be a playmaker as a rookie. He might actually be the replacement for Az-Zahir Hakim the Rams have been seeking, a guy capable of coming out of the slot, coming underneath the zones and adding yards after the catch. In a related matter, it is still slow going in contract negotiations with veteran wide receiver Torry Holt. The emerging star, whose contract expires at the conclusion of this season, made a good-faith move when he showed up for mini-camp last month over the objection of his agent. Talks have been sluggish, but the Rams still seem confident they will strike a deal before camp begins. If they don't, Holt might not be so accommodating this time around, and could stay at home until an agreement is reached.
For his legion of fans (OK, make it a handful) anxious to know how wide receiver Albert Connell fared in his first step toward what he hopes will be an eventual return to the NFL, this breathlessly awaited update: The former Washington Redskins and New Orleans veteran, released by the Saints in 2001 after he allegedly stole money from the pants and pickup truck of teammate Deuce McAllister, had five catches for 103 yards in his CFL debut this week. Alas, despite those heroic efforts, his Calgary Stampeders blew a 19-point lead and lost in overtime, 23-20, to the Montreal Alouettes. Famed teammate Lawrence Phillips, whose various indiscretions during his star-crossed NFL career have been well documented, was held to 44 yards on 17 carries.
Tampa Bay officials are excited by the rehabilitation of quarterback Jim Miller, signed as a free agent this spring, and still recovering from ankle and shoulder surgeries. If Miller keeps progressing, it could be bad news for Shaun King, unless coach Jon Gruden opts to keep four quarterbacks on the roster. Miller appears to be the early favorite to win the primary backup spot behind Brad Johnson. The Bucs, of course, also chose Chris Simms in the third round two months ago.
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| Rogers |
Punts: Third-year defensive tackle Shaun Rogers has been served notice by Detroit Lions president Matt Millen that he had better be slimmed down by training camp. An all-rookie selection in 2001, Rogers slumped badly in his sophomore campaign, and the Lions attribute much of that to being at least 20 pounds overweight. Rogers is said to be about 370 pounds currently, and the team wants him in the 350-range. ... The league has set July 10 as the date for the supplemental draft, and the deadline for applying is next Thursday. Sources told ESPN.com that just two players have petitioned the league for inclusion at this point and neither is Georgia Tech tailback Tony Hollings, who said last week he likely will enter the summer lottery. ... Congratulations are in order for New York Giants general manager Ernie Accorsi, one of the league's good guys, who was promoted to vice president this week. ... It's beginning to look as if free agent wide receiver Antonio Freeman, clearly one of the best veterans still available, will wait until July to decide where he will play in 2003. Freeman has a few opportunities, one of which is the chance to return to the Eagles for another season, but he will exercise some patience. He wants to see if any better situations arise and, while that isn't likely, is confident that he'll be on someone's roster when camps open. ... The New Orleans defensive staff is thrilled by the performance of free safety Tebucky Jones, acquired in a trade with the New England Patriots, and a guy who adds much-needed quickness to the secondary. With an eye toward having to corral Atlanta quarterback Michael Vick in division play, the Saints consciously set about to improve their defensive team speed and their pursuit ability this spring. Jones is one of the reasons coordinator Rick Venturi is convinced the unit will be significantly better. ... Don't expect Philadelphia officials to blink first in their contract showdowns with cornerback Bobby Taylor and tailback Duce Staley. The conventional wisdom is that the Eagles will wait until late in the season to decide if they will offer extension to either of the veterans, both of whom are eligible for unrestricted free agency next spring.
The last word: "There might be some pimp in my walk, but there's no limp in my walk." -- Tennessee Titans star defensive end Jevon Kearse, limited to just four games in 2002 because of a broken left foot, on the progress he has made in rehabilitation.
Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.
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