10-22-2012, 12:38 PM
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#99
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MVP
OVR: 10
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Vermont
Posts: 2,059
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Re: The Music City Miracle is Back (Madden 13)
2014 NFL Off-Season Review
(BLUE denotes Titans News)
(BLACK denotes NFL News)
A Class for the Ages
Three players announced their retirements this week and it is arguably the best class to ever retire. First and foremost, Peyton Manning elected to hang up the cleats after an incredible career. Manning closes second all time in passing yards with 63,547 and second in passing touchdowns with 475. Following his announcement, Randy Moss also elected to retire. Moss, most recently with the 49ers, finished his career with 17,238 yards receiving, second to Jerry Rice for career yards. He also finished second to Rice in touchdowns with 164. Joining Manning and Moss, Packers defensive back Charles Woodson also elected to retire.
In other retirement news, former Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis agreed to come out of retirement. He signed a contract with the Indianapolis Colts.
Titans Bring Back Just Four, Make Big Move in Free Agency
The Titans had over a dozen players with expiring contracts this off-season and the list of re-signings was short. They agreed to terms with two starters, linebacker Gerald McRath and cornerback Alterraun Verner, as well as two backups, LaRod Stephens-Howling and defensive end Derrick Harvey.
The Titans elected to let a number of players test free agency. Those players included defensive tackle Ty Warren, safety Jordan Babineaux, receivers Marc Mariani and Damian Williams, and running back LeGarette Blount. The losses of Warren and Babineaux leave glaring holes in the defense that needed to be addressed. Offensive guard Steve Hutchinson retired, leaving another hole to be filled.
In free agency, the Titans filled one hole and also made a huge splash. The Titans agreed to a deal with safety Taylor Mays to take over Babineaux's role. They also agreed to a long-term contract with former Patriots' tight end Aaron Hernandez. Hernandez amassed 2,500 yards receiving in four season with New England.
Broncos Find QB, Bears Puzzle Fans, Colts Go All In
The Denver Broncos were in dire need of a quarterback following the retirement of Peyton Manning. They found they're replacement with the signing of former Buccaneer Josh Freeman. The Chicago Bears puzzled their fans and raised questions about the future of Matt Forte as they agreed to terms with former Raider running back Darren McFadden. The Colts, who finished 10-6 last season, have gone all in to bolster their defense. In addition to signing Ray Lewis, they also signed the top free agency, defensive end Justin Smith to a long-term deal. The hope in Indianapolis, is the bolstering of the defense will be just what they need to make a deep playoff run in 2014.
Other notable signings included: Carlos Dunlap (Jacksonville), Corey Webster (Washington), Tyson Alualu (Jacksonville), DJ Williams (Denver).
NFL Draft Provides Little Excitement
A year ago, there were a flurry of trades in the first round with teams trading up and trading down. In 2014, there were less than ten trades. The first rounded started off with Miami selecting quarterback Arnez Boston, whom everyone expected to go first overall. Following Miami, Houston had back to back picks (following a trade with Kansas City last year) where they selected defensive tackle Kris Tolbert and wide receiver Marvis Greene. The first trade was with the fifth overall pick when the Titans agreed to send the twenty-eighth picks in both the first and second round, as well as a second round pick in 2015 to move up to the fifth overall pick. With the selection, the Titans found their Ty Warren replacement with DJ Grimes.
(Complete Round 1 picks can be found in the next post)
Titans Make Moves, Solidify Trenches
The Titans moved up to get DJ Grimes but made sure to keep their other two first round picks that were inside the Top 20 intact. With the thirteenth picks (via Pittsburgh) the Titans were hoping to look into Ja'Darius Brantley, however, Cincinnati stunned the Titans War Room by taking him twelfth. Thus they went to their backup plan, with a little bit of luck, linebacker Corey Boals (a projected Top 10 pick) had slipped to them and was taken by the Titans. Five picks later, the Titans went right back to the trenches signing offensive tackle Corey Jennings. With both Michael Roos and David Stewart turning 32 this year, Jennings is a versatile player that could slip into either spot.
In round two the Titans elected to stick to their guns and not go after the offensive guard they were in desperate need of following the retirement of Steve Hutchinson. They elected to find another backup to Roos and Stewart with Kelcy Bradley out of Wisconsin. It wasn't until the third round that the Titans elected to find Hutchinson's replacement, Temple guard Kyran Powers. When asked why the Titans waited so long to go after a left guard despite not having any on the roster, general manager Mike Reinfeldt stated, "we were very pleased with Kyran's work out with us and felt that despite the need, he would be our guy." Powers was a projected fourth round pick. The rest of the draft was considered depth.
Round 3-Pick 28 | CB Billy Brooks
Round 4-Pick 28 | WR Deandre Patterson
Round 5-Pick 28 | DT Kevin Hunter
Round 6-Pick 28 | CB Reggio Jones
Round 7-Pick 28 | MLB Darius Johnson |
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