You're Fired!! Which Tennessee Titan Free Agents Will Not Return in 2010?

There should be many new faces on the Tennessee Titans in 2010.  With household names such as Keith Bulluck, Kevin Mawae, and Kyle Vandenbosch all set to become  free agents, the Titans front office will have to pick and choose which veterans should return to a rebuilding squad.

Lendale White is a Titan that is definitely not returning.  White made huge strides this past offseason losing thirty pounds.  The new lean Lendale looked quicker than ever and was primed for his most successful season yet.  Then Chris Johnson erupted. 

A hint that Lendale White won't be coming back, the Titans started to give Johnson goal line duties that White usually took care of.

Jevon Kearse is another Titan headed out the door.  Kearse started defensive end for the first four games of 2009, but lost favor in the coaches' eyes and was inactive for all but two games the rest of the season.  Vince Young actually finished this season with more tackles than Kearse.

Keith Bulluck most likely played his final game in a Titans jersey in 2009 as well.  After tearing his ACL late in the season, Bulluck may not even be fully rehabbed by the start of next year.  At the age of thirty-two, the desire to play again might be gone after finishing his tenth season in the league.

ACL surgery would make a comeback difficult for an aging linebacker who relied on athletic ability his whole career to make plays.

Punter Craig Hentrich could be retiring this offseason.  At the age of thirty-eight, he is the only Titan left from their Super Bowl squad.  Hentrich was placed on injured reserve after week two. The sixteen year veteran may just want to call it quits. 

Kyle Vandenbosch is another aging Titan that is on the decline.  Without Albert Haynsworth to demand a double team, Vandenbosch was not given the one-on-one matchups on the outside he had been given in previous seasons.  He recorded only three sacks in 2009, his lowest as a Titan.

The Titans should just let Vandenbosch go.  They are reportedly interested in re-signing him, but the two sides aren't close to making a deal.

Cornerback Nick Harper should not be receiving a contract offer this offseason.  It was easy to tell opponent quarterbacks were targeting him all year.  Harper had a very solid career, but at thirty-five years old, he was the weak link in the Titan's suspect secondary.

Rod Hood was signed to start for Nick Harper during a three week stretch were Harper was injured.  Hood recorded an interception in each of the three games.  Jeff Fisher let Harper keep his starting job despite Hood being an obvious upgrade.

Hood was inactive for five out of the last seven games.  Tennessee should re-sign him because he looks like a solid number two cornerback.  The Titans most likely won't be offering him a contract being that Hood was benched for rookie corners Ryan Mouton and Jason McCourty.

Tight ends Alge Crumpler and Bo Scaife are both scheduled to become free agents this offseason.  Crumpler won't be getting a contract offer because of two up and coming tight ends the Titans have on their roster. 

Crumpler has been primarily used as a blocking tight end. Recent third-round pick Craig Stevens should take over with ease.  The Titans will also try to get the ball in Jared Cook's hands more in 2010.  At six foot five with a 4.5 forty, Cook has a very high upside. 

Tennessee's analysis of Cook's progression may decide Scaife's future.  Bo Scaife has been a solid chain mover for the Titans and should be resigned because of his good chemistry with quarterback Vince Young.

Kevin Mawae may be too valuable to the Titans elite offensive line to let go.  At center, Mawae is the general of a Titan's line that led the way for 2,000 yard rusher Chris Johnson.  Mawae is thirty-eight years old, but is still a force.  The Titans have been breeding Leroy Harris for a few years to replace Mawae when the time comes. 

The Titans should re-sign Mawae unless they know Leroy Harris can take his place without missing a beat.

Offensive guard Eugene Amano is also a player the Titans should make an effort to bring back.  He will never make the Pro Bowl, but he is a solid starter.  I don't see the need to mess with an offensive line that has been so dominant the last couple of years.

Defensive tackle Tony Brown is a real tossup.  Brown was the best Titan lineman by far this past season.  I was never a fan of his attitude, or the fact that he jumps offside about twelve times a game though.  Unless second-round picks Sen' Derrick Marks and Jason Jones make huge strides this offseason, I don't think the Titans line can be effective without Brown in the starting lineup.

Stephen Tulloch is a player the Titans must resign.  In 2009, Tulloch led the team in tackles while starting at middle linebacker.  He has shown great improvement each and every season.  It would be a grave mistake for the Titans to let Tulloch find another home.

Donnie Nickey, Kevin Kaesviharn, Kevin Vickerson, and Dave Ball are all aging, career backups that are expendable.  The Titans should only resign them if they can still be an effective special teamer or situational player.

I don't think anyone could predict who will be on the Titans 2010 opening day roster.  With so many free agents combined with a possible uncapped year, anything can happen.

With impressive young talent like Chris Johnson, Cortland Finnegan, and Vince Young, the team's future looks bright no matter how cloudy it may seem.