2011 NFL Free Agency: 10 Players the Tennessee Titans Could Lose

It's an unavoidable situation that comes up every offseason for NFL teams—figuring out what free agents to keep and which ones to let go.

The Titans have plenty of free agents who played major roles in their limited success in 2010, and it will be interesting to see which players the Titans decide to hold onto.

In the past, the Titans have made major mistakes in this department, with the biggest ones coming to mind being letting Lorenzo Neal and Derrick Mason go.

During a time of uncertainty for the Titans organization, it's never been more important for the Titans to make sure they hold onto the players that can help put this team back into the playoffs.

Kerry Collins, QB

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KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 26: Quarterback Kerry Collins #5 of the Tennessee Titans in action during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs on December 26, 2010 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

2010 Stats: 1,823 yards, 14 TD, 8 INT, 82.2 QB Rating

The aging veteran keeps returning, leaving us wondering how much he actually has left in the tank.

There's so much uncertainty surrounding the quarterback position right now, and that makes holding onto Collins important for the right price.

The Titans have to make sure they don't tie up too much money in Collins. If he's willing to take a small contract and give the keys to the car to Jake Locker when the timing is right, then the Titans should try to retain him.

9. Ahmard Hall, FB

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NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 21: Ahmard Hall #45 of the Tennessee Titans, an armed services veteran, brings out the American flag before a game against the Washington Redskins at LP Field on November 21, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Grant Halvers

The Titans have already made the mistake of letting one good fullback get away in Lorenzo Neal, and they can't do that again.

What Ahmard Hall does for this team can't be measured in a box score. He brings passion, leadership and grit to a team that desperately needs it right now.

I fully expect the Titans to hold onto Hall because frankly, they have no one else to fill his shoes.

8. Randy Moss, WR

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NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 05: Randy Moss #84 of the Tennessee Titans maks a catch as Don Carey #22 of the Jacksonville Jaguars defends at LP Field on December 5, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Jaguars won 17-6. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

2010 Stats (w/Titans): 6 receptions, 80 yards

No other Titans free agent is expected to walk more than Randy Moss. He's already publicly expressed his desire to go back to New England or Minnesota.

No mention of the Titans.

With Kenny Britt currently in his long list of legal troubles, the importance of possibly holding onto Moss has increased greatly.

Moss may be at the end of his career, but the Titans have a serious void as far as a deep threat is concerned without Britt in the lineup.

It's very unlikely that the two sides will reach a deal to keep Moss in Nashville, but the Titans should at least throw an offer on the table.

7. David Thornton, LB

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 04: Marcedes Lewis #89 of the Jacksonville Jaguars is tackled by David Thornton #50 of the Tennessee Titans during the game at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium on October 4, 2009 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood

2010 Stats: Injured

As great of a player as David Thornton has been in his ten seasons, there's just no room for him on the roster.

The Titans made that apparent in this past draft when they drafted two linebackers, including Akeem Ayers.

Thornton is no longer the effective linebacker he once was with the Colts, so the Titans should let him go.

6. Dave Ball, DE

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FOXBORO, MA - OCTOBER 18: Julian Edelman #11 of the New England Patriots is tackled by Dave Ball #98 of the Tennessee Titans on October 18, 2009 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts.The Patriots defeated the Titans 59-0. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Im

2010 Stats: 30 tackles, 7.0 sacks

Dave Ball has been with the Titans for three seasons now, but he has yet to record a full season. He's failed to play more than 11 games for the last two seasons.

However, Ball has produced when he has played.

He showed a lot of promise last season, even recording a 2.5 sack game in a loss against the Broncos.

When you look at the current defensive ends on the team, it becomes apparent that there might not be room for him. You still have Derrick Morgan, who missed the majority of last season with an injury, looking to make an impact on the team.

It would be nice to hold onto a player like Ball, but you can't keep everyone.

5. Bo Scaife, TE

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NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 21: London Fletcher #59 and Reed Doughty #37 of the Washington Redskins force Bo Scaife #80 of the Tennessee Titans out of the end zone to prevent a touchdown at LP Field on November 21, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Redskins

2010 Stats: 36 receptions, 318 yards, 4 TD

This is another tough call that the Titans have to figure out before the lockout ends.

Scaife plays with a great desire that has led to a lot of great things happening for the Titans offense.

He's also had plenty of head-scratching games and his share of crucial drops.

It all comes down to whether or not the Titans feel Jared Cook and Craig Stevens can fill the void that Scaife would leave behind.

The tight end position will be very important if Jake Locker ends up being quarterback, and Scaife has shown in his seven seasons with the Titans that he's a great underneath receiver.

Unless Scaife is looking to break the bank, the Titans should find a way to keep him.

4. Roderick Hood, DB

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TAMPA, FL - FEBRUARY 01: Cornerback Roderick Hood #26 of the Arizona Cardinals stands on the field against the Pittsburgh Steelers during Super Bowl XLIII on February 1, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. Steelers won 27-23. (Photo by Chri

2010 Stats: N/A

Roderick Hood has received very little playing time since coming to the Titans prior to the 2009 season.

He actually recorded three interceptions in 2009.

However, the Titans have no room for him on the roster with Cortland Finnegan, Alterraun Verner and Jason McCourty all viable cornerbacks for the Titans.

Hood has had a few good seasons in the NFL, so maybe the Titans could get something in good in return for Hood from a team that is desperate at cornerback.

3. Leroy Harris, OL

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NASHVILLE, TN - JANUARY 10: Center Leroy Harris #64 of the Tennessee Titans waits to snap the football against the Baltimore Ravens during the AFC Divisional Playoff Game on January 10, 2009 at LP Field in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel

The offensive line has to perform well next season if the Titans stand any chance of making the playoffs.

They'll most likely have a new quarterback in town, and even if Kerry Collins returns, we all know he's not the most mobile quarterback you could ask for.

Leroy Harris started 15 games last season and performed well in all of them. The Titans should do everything they can to hold onto him, because Harris could be a future star of his position.

2. Jason Babin, DE

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NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 21: Jason Babin #93 of the Tennessee Titans sacks quarterback Donovan McNabb #5 of the Washington Redskins during the first half at LP Field on November 21, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

2010 Stats: 58 tackles, 12.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles

Jason Babin is one of the highest-profile free agents this offseason. You can bet that plenty of teams are interested him, and the Titans should be interested in holding onto him.

Babin was one of the few bright spots on the defense last season, but some people think he may have had a fluke year.

The possibility that it was a fluke year makes this a tricky situation because Babin expects a hefty contract.

If there's a free agent that the Titans really have to figure out a way to keep, it's Babin. If the Titans choose to let him go, then most likely Derrick Morgan and Jacob Ford would be the starters.

Not so sure that's a scary duo at defensive end. Morgan is still unproven, and Ford is highly inconsistent.

The Titans might have to swallow their pride and pay up to keep that defensive line strong.

1. Stephen Tulloch, LB

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SAN FRANCISCO - NOVEMBER 08: Frank Gore #21 of the San Francisco 49ers is tackled by Stephen Tulloch #55 of the Tennessee Titans at Candlestick Park on November 8, 2009 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

2010 Stats: 160 tackles, 1 sack, 1 interception

Over the years, Tulloch has proven to be one of the better linebackers this organization has ever seen.

Now that he's a free agent, Tulloch knows he stands to make a lot of money. He's in the prime of his career and teams know that.

If the Titans keep Tulloch, they'll most certainly not be able to keep Babin, too.

With that said, the Titans have to decide which player they can live without the most.

That answer has to be Tulloch because they just used two draft picks to possibly replace him.

The Titans second-round draft pick was Akeem Ayers, and he plays similar to the way Tulloch plays. It could end up being a huge steal for the Titans in the draft, whereas the defensive line will be extremely weak without Babin.

Unfortunately, the Titans will most likely have to let go what is turning out to be a premiere NFL linebacker.