Tennessee Titans

Titans rookie DL Jurrell Casey picked up the first sack of his career Week 5 at Pittsburgh. He finished with four tackles, including three solo.

The Tennessean reports Friday that the Titans have agreed to terms on a contract extension for WR Lavelle Hawkins, who had his best season in 2011. He had 47 catches for 470 yards and one touchdown.

The Titans waived 15 players ahead of Saturday's NFL roster deadline. The players cut on Friday were: LB Rennie Curran, DE Hall Davis, RB Herb Donaldson, TE Riar Geer, TE Cameron Graham, OL Thomas Gray, DE Julian Hartsell, RB Stafon Johnson, WR James Kirkendoll, CB Lequan Lewis, OL Pat McQuistan, RB Kestahn Moore, WR Michael Preston, S Myron Rolle, FB Joe Tronzo.

Tennessee added LB Kevin Malast to the active roster on Tuesday to take the place of LB Barrett Ruud, who was placed on injured reserve. Malast was on Jacksonville’s practice squad prior to the signing.

Titans TE Daniel Graham scored the game-winning touchdown vs. the Broncos on Sunday. His only catch was good for a 4-yard score.

Titans DL Dave Ball had a productive afternoon in a Week 12 win over the Buccaneers. He provided the only two sacks of QB Josh Freeman, and he also made four tackles and forced and recovered a fumble.

Titans wide receiver Damian Williams, who did a good job filling in for Kenny Britt last season, might be in that exact role in 2012 -- a backup. Williams caught 45 passes for 592 yards (13.2 avg.) and five touchdowns last year, seeing a lot of time with Britt injured. But not only is Britt coming back healthy for training camp, but the Titans added rookie receiver Kendall Wright with their top pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.

It's no secret that the Titans will have a competition for the starting quarterback job between veteran Matt Hasselbeck and second-year gunslinger Jake Locker. What remains to be seen is when they'll name a starter. Offensive coordinator Chris Palmer told the media Thursday that the job is up for grabs, that no preseason starts have been promised and that the coaching staff will pick a winner based on who can lead the team to wins, starting in Week 1 against the Patriots. Palmer said that while Locker's mobility is very appealing, Hasselbeck's experience and body of work from last season also gives him a chance to remain the starter. "Jake may not give all the other guys the opportunity to make plays like Matt does, but Jake can make plays with his legs," Palmer concluded. "When you add up how many plays Matt can make with the team and how many plays Jake can make with the team then you kind of have an idea who's going to give us the best chance to win."

Multiple sources are reporting that the Titans have signed free agent Kamerion Wimbley to a five-year deal worth $35 million. The belief is that the Titans will use Wimbley as a pass rushing defensive lineman, something they desperately needed after totaling just 28 sacks last season. In two seasons with the Raiders, Wimbley had 16 sacks (seven last season), four passes defensed and an interception.

Titans DB Jordan Babineaux totaled four tackles (three solo) in Week 15 against the Colts.

The Titans signed RB Herb Donaldson, DE Pannel Egboh, TE Riar Geer, DB Chris Hawkins and DB Myron Rolle to futures contracts for 2011 on Tuesday.

Titans K Rob Bironas was perfect in his three field goal attempts in a Week 17 win over the Texans. Bironas hit field goals from 21, 43 and 33 yards, and he also made both of his extra-point attempts. He finished the season 29 for 32 on field goals, and the last time that he missed an attempt was in Week 12 against the Buccaneers. Bironas also extended his NFL-record streak of 10 straight games with a converted field goal of at least 40 yards.

The Titans waived 15 players ahead of Saturday's NFL roster deadline. The players cut on Friday were: LB Rennie Curran, DE Hall Davis, RB Herb Donaldson, TE Riar Geer, TE Cameron Graham, OL Thomas Gray, DE Julian Hartsell, RB Stafon Johnson, WR James Kirkendoll, CB Lequan Lewis, OL Pat McQuistan, RB Kestahn Moore, WR Michael Preston, S Myron Rolle, FB Joe Tronzo.

Buffalo DB Terrence Wheatley was released Monday to make room on the roster for TE Mike Caussin, who was promoted from the practice squad. Caussin gives the Bills three tight ends on the roster.

The Titans signed rookie fullback Collin Mooney, who will ask the Army for an early release. Mooney set a rushing record as a senior at Army in 2008, running for 1,339 yards. He graduated from West Point in 2009 and spent the past three years serving. Now he's hoping to try playing in the NFL. The Titans released fullback Will Ta'ufo'ou and linebacker Lawrence Wilson to clear roster space.

Titans offensive coordinator Chris Palmer told the media Thursday that he's having rookie receiver Kendall Wright focus on learning the 'X' position, or split end. The reason for it? So that the Titans can move veteran Kenny Britt all over the field and create some very helpful mismatches. Britt isn't on the field much these days after having a minor arthroscopic procedure on the same knee he tore his ACL in last September (he had major surgery for it last year).

Knee - Questionable for start of training camp

The Titans' strong offseason continued when they spent five of seven draft picks on defense in April. Their haul includes North Carolina linebacker Zach Brown, Michigan defensive tackle Mike Martin, Clemson cornerback Coty Sensabaugh, Oklahoma State safety Markelle Martin and Rice defensive end Scott Solomon.

Titans DB Anthony Smith (groin) was placed on injured reserve on Wednesday and will be replaced on the active roster by DB Robert Johnson, who was signed off the practice squad.

With the tight end trend sweeping the NFL, the Titans are looking to Jared Cook to be their answer there. Cook showed flashes in 2011, including at the end of last season when he had over 100 yards receiving in two of his last three games. Cook caught 49 passes for 759 yards and three scores in his third season, all career-highs. "Jared's someone we started to recognize," head coach Mike Munchak said. "He almost broke Wycheck's records in all year. He's a mistmatch problem for the defense, he's a tough guy to deal with. People didn't realize the speed he had; he had a bunch of big runs, an 80-yard touchdown, a 60-yard touchdown. As a tight end, that's doing something. We're excited about him. He's going to be a great weapon for us."

Titans rookie tight end Taylor Thompson didn't play his position in college -- he was a defensive end -- but you wouldn't know it based on the team's recent minicamp. According to the official team website, Thompson ran smooth routes and caught everything thrown at him. That might have been because Thompson says the Titans run an offense similar to what the offense ran at SMU when he was there. "I felt very comfortable on offense. "I've learned a lot the past few days and I'm just having a great time," Thompson said. "I'm pretty familiar with what they're running here. It's similar to what Coach (June) Jones ran at SMU.”

The Titans' strong offseason continued when they spent five of seven draft picks on defense in April. Their haul includes North Carolina linebacker Zach Brown, Michigan defensive tackle Mike Martin, Clemson cornerback Coty Sensabaugh, Oklahoma State safety Markelle Martin and Rice defensive end Scott Solomon.

The Titans' list of inactives for Week 17 at Seattle includes WR Dominique Edison, RB Javon Ringer, DB Ryan Mouton, DB Jamar Love, DL Jevon Kearse and DL Tony Brown.

It's no secret that the Titans will have a competition for the starting quarterback job between veteran Matt Hasselbeck and second-year gunslinger Jake Locker. What remains to be seen is when they'll name a starter. Offensive coordinator Chris Palmer told the media Thursday that the job is up for grabs, that no preseason starts have been promised and that the coaching staff will pick a winner based on who can lead the team to wins, starting in Week 1 against the Patriots. Palmer said that while Locker's mobility is very appealing, Hasselbeck's experience and body of work from last season also gives him a chance to remain the starter. "Jake may not give all the other guys the opportunity to make plays like Matt does, but Jake can make plays with his legs," Palmer concluded. "When you add up how many plays Matt can make with the team and how many plays Jake can make with the team then you kind of have an idea who's going to give us the best chance to win."

The Colts made the following cuts on Saturday: DB Al Afalava, WR Chris Brooks, DE John Chick, LB Chris Colasanti, TE Tyson DeVree, DT John Gill, WR David Gilreath, DB Michael Hamlin, DT Tommie Harris, RB Javarris James, DB Brandon King, DT Ricardo Mathews, TE Michael Matthews, WR Larrone Moore, LB Kerry Neal, DT Ollie Ogbu, QB Dan Orlovsky, WR Taj Smith, LB Nate Triplett, LB Vuna Tuihalamaka and WR Marshall Williams.

The Titans signed rookie fullback Collin Mooney, who will ask the Army for an early release. Mooney set a rushing record as a senior at Army in 2008, running for 1,339 yards. He graduated from West Point in 2009 and spent the past three years serving. Now he's hoping to try playing in the NFL. The Titans released fullback Will Ta'ufo'ou and linebacker Lawrence Wilson to clear roster space.

The Titans waived 15 players ahead of Saturday's NFL roster deadline. The players cut on Friday were: LB Rennie Curran, DE Hall Davis, RB Herb Donaldson, TE Riar Geer, TE Cameron Graham, OL Thomas Gray, DE Julian Hartsell, RB Stafon Johnson, WR James Kirkendoll, CB Lequan Lewis, OL Pat McQuistan, RB Kestahn Moore, WR Michael Preston, S Myron Rolle, FB Joe Tronzo.

Baylor wide receiver Kendall Wright was the first-round pick of the Titans in the 2012 NFL Draft. Wright is expected to be part of Tennessee's receiving corps with Kenny Britt and Nate Washington.

Knee - Probable for start of 2012 training camp

Titans offensive coordinator Chris Palmer told the media Thursday that he's having rookie receiver Kendall Wright focus on learning the 'X' position, or split end. That way he can have veteran Kenny Britt line up all over the place and really create some defensive headaches. Palmer also added that so long as his receiving corps is healthy, he promises to find ways to keep Wright on the field with Britt and Nate Washington. Wright was the first-round pick of the Titans in the 2012 NFL Draft.

After playing for four different teams in his first five NFL seasons, Titans linebacker Tim Shaw is going to be sticking around in the same place for a little while. Shaw signed a three-year contract to remain with Tennessee, his home for the past two seasons, according to The Sports Xchange. Originally a fifth-round pick of the Panthers (164th overall) in the 2007 draft, Shaw played 14 games for Carolina in 2007, three games for Jacksonville in 2008 and 15 games for the Bears in 2009 before landing in Tennessee.

The Tennessean reports the Titans have agreed to terms with TE Craig Stevens on a new four-year contract worth roughly $15 million. "I am extremely grateful and glad they brought me back," he said. "I love this city and team." Stevens, a four-year veteran who caught nine passes for 174 yards in 2011, was scheduled to become a free agent in March.

Titans DB Tommie Campbell ran the final 84 yards on a 100-yard kickoff return, scoring Tennessee's first touchdown in Week 12 against Tampa Bay. He took a handoff from kickoff returner Marc Mariani, dashing down the field for the score. Then just before the end of the first quarter, Campbell left the game with a left shoulder injury. Coach Mike Munchak said that Campbell will have an MRI, though he expects to find that he has a sprain.

The Titans' strong offseason continued when they spent five of seven draft picks on defense in April. Their haul includes North Carolina linebacker Zach Brown, Michigan defensive tackle Mike Martin, Clemson cornerback Coty Sensabaugh, Oklahoma State safety Markelle Martin and Rice defensive end Scott Solomon.

The Titans waived WR O.J. Murdock on Thursday. Murdock was carted off the field during practice Sunday after apparently tearing his Achilles tendon.

The Titans have signed veteran linebacker Zac Diles, a five-year veteran who played 11 games with Tampa Bay and Indianapolis last season. He started his career in Houston, where he played 50 games over four seasons, and he had his best year in 2009 when he started 12 games with 45 tackles and two forced fumbles.

Titans DB Jason McCourty finished the season on a high note, recording nine tackles in a Week 17 win over the Texans. McCourty ended the year with a total of 105 tackles.

Titans coach Mike Munchak said he believes linebacker Colin McCarthy is ready to start in the middle of the team's defense in 2012. "We thought he came on in a big way last year," Munchak said. "When he came in we thought he would be more of a special teamer for sure and maybe help us with some depth at the inside positions at the will and the mike linebacker. But we had some injuries and he came in and played. You saw he made plays. He found a way to knock the ball loose, create some fumbles, some interceptions, took control and didn't act like a rookie out there. He has some learning to do – he’s a young man – but we’re excited about his progression, the way he finished the season and the energy he brings to the defense."

Titans LB Will Witherspoon totaled two tackles and one sack Week 10 at Carolina. He also had a forced fumble. He now has two sacks on the season.

Tennessee placed RB Javon Ringer on injured reserve Tuesday after he suffered a broken hand in Week 14 against New Orleans. The Titans signed RB Quinn Johnson to take his place on the active roster, according to The Tennessean.

Hand - IR. Out for the season

The Titans have signed veteran defensive end Leger Douzable to bolster a position that may lose three players to free agency. He played the last two years with the Jaguars, seeing action in 31 games and making 88 tackles, one sack and nine tackles for loss.

The Lions released DL Keyunta Dawson on Thursday and brought back cornerback Brandon McDonald, who was released Dec. 9 by Detroit.

Titans DL Karl Klug totaled two solo tackles, one sack and two forced fumbles in Week 2 against the Ravens.

If WR Nate Washington (ankle) is limited Sunday, WRs Marc Mariani and Donnie Avery could receive added reps. Mariani had roughly 10 more snaps than usual last week because of Washington's injury. “We’ll have to be smart with that rotation,” coach Mike Munchak said on Wednesday. “Even if Nate’s feeling good, we have to be careful.”

Titans LB Gerald McRath entered the game with half a sack, but he recorded his first full one Week 15 against the Texans. He also had four tackles, including three solo.

Notable cuts by the Titans include: DE Pannel Egboh, WR Yamon Figurs, DE Jacob Ford, S Vincent Fuller, WR Justin Gage, CB Pete Ittersagen, S Robert Johnson and CB Frank Walker.

Tennessee DL Derrick Morgan notched seven tackles -- all solo stops -- during the Titans' 23-17 victory over Jacksonville in Week 16. Morgan's outing represented a season high as he now has amassed 12 tackles over his past two games.

The Titans decided to apply the franchise tag on free safety Michael Griffin on Monday, not cornerback Cortland Finnegan. Tennessee now has a window of eight days to negotiate with Finnegan before free agency begins on March 13. At the combine, general manager Ruston Webster said he expected negotiations to go down to the wire.

Tennessee LB Akeem Ayers finished with seven tackles during the Titans' 23-17 victory over Jacksonville in Week 16. It was the second time in the past three games Ayers has notched seven tackles as he bumped his season total to 72 stops.

The Titans waived 15 players ahead of Saturday's NFL roster deadline. The players cut on Friday were: LB Rennie Curran, DE Hall Davis, RB Herb Donaldson, TE Riar Geer, TE Cameron Graham, OL Thomas Gray, DE Julian Hartsell, RB Stafon Johnson, WR James Kirkendoll, CB Lequan Lewis, OL Pat McQuistan, RB Kestahn Moore, WR Michael Preston, S Myron Rolle, FB Joe Tronzo.

The Saints placed LS Jason Kyle (shoulder) on injured reserve on Saturday. New Orleans signed LS Jake Ingram.

The Giants released several players on the way to the final 53 for the active roster. Among the players cut were LB Phillip Dillard, LB Adrian Tracy, QB Ryan Perrilloux, RB Andre Brown and Charles Scott, TE Christian Hopkins, WR Darius Reynaud, DEs Ayanga Okpokowuruk, Craig Marshall, Alex Hall and Justin Trattou and Dwayne Hendricks and DBs Joe Burnett, David Sims and Jerrard Tarrant. TE Daniel Coats, DT Gabe Watson and K Rhys Lloyd.

The Titans' strong offseason continued when they spent five of seven draft picks on defense in April. Their haul includes North Carolina linebacker Zach Brown, Michigan defensive tackle Mike Martin, Clemson cornerback Coty Sensabaugh, Oklahoma State safety Markelle Martin and Rice defensive end Scott Solomon.

Tennessee DL Shaun Smith recorded a sack of QB Andy Dalton in Sunday's Week 9 loss to the Bengals. Smith finished the game with four total tackles for the Titans. Two of his tackles went for a loss.

Chris Johnson showed up Monday for the start of the Titans' offseason program, a big change from last year when he missed most of the preseason before signing a new contract extension that includes incentives for him to take part in most of the program. Johnson says he started working out on his own shortly after the worst season of his career, motivated to bounce back strong. He ran for 1,047 yards last season as the Titans ranked 31st in the NFL averaging 89.9 yards rushing per game. "Of course, it motivates me and makes me want to do better than last year," Johnson said. "I always like to get better and better every year. I feel like I didn't get better last year. There's a lot of things that go into it, but I'm not the type to make excuses and things like that. Basically, it's just working hard and trying to be better."

The Titans' strong offseason continued when they spent five of seven draft picks on defense in April. Their haul includes North Carolina linebacker Zach Brown, Michigan defensive tackle Mike Martin, Clemson cornerback Coty Sensabaugh, Oklahoma State safety Markelle Martin and Rice defensive end Scott Solomon.

Tennessee RB Jamie Harper rushed four times for six yards and a touchdown during the Titans' 23-17 victory over Jacksonville in Week 16. Harper plunged into the end zone from 1-yard out in the second quarter for his first career touchdown. He also had one reception for five yards.

DT Sen'Derrick Marks took part in live action for the first time on Monday since undergoing offseason shoulder surgery. A bone spur hung down from his shoulder and cut into the top of his bicep tendon before the procedure. "It’s healed,” Marks said. “If I can do everything like I did today, I’ll feel good about it."

Tennessee placed RB Javon Ringer on injured reserve Tuesday after he suffered a broken hand in Week 14 against New Orleans. The Titans signed RB Quinn Johnson to take his place on the active roster, according to The Tennessean.

Jake Locker might have been the Titans' top pick in the 2011 draft, but six of the team's picks were on the defensive side of the ball. In addition to second-round pick Akeem Ayers, the Titans drafted USC DT Jurrell Casey (Round 3), Miami LB Colin McCarthy (Round 4), Iowa DE Karl Klug (Round 4), Auburn DT Zach Clayton (Round 7) and California (PA) safety Tommie Campbell.

More notable cuts from the Ravens Saturday: LB Josh Bynes, QB Hunter Cantwell, DT Lamar Divens, LB Tavares Goodman, DB Danny Gorrer, DT Bryan Hall, WR James Hardy, CB Talmadge Jackson, FB Ryan Mahaffey, TE Johdrick Morris, DB Mana Silva, DT Derek Simmons, WR Marucs Smith, CB Josh Victorian, LB Chavis Williams and DB Nate Williams.

Titans DB Alterraun Verner had one solo tackle and one interception in Week 2 against the Ravens.

Titans QB Kerry Collins (calf) spoke with the Jacksonville media on their conference call Wednesday, an indication that he is likely to start in Week 13 against the Jaguars over rookie Rusty Smith.

The Titans placed injured DB Ryan Mouton on the injured reserve list on Thursday, two days after he suffered an Achilles' tendon injury. Mouton will miss the 2011 season.

Achilles' - IR. Out for the season