Titans Land Kamerion Wimbley With 5-year Contract

Titans Give Kamerion Wimbley $35 Million Over 5 Years

The Tennessee Titans wanted to get into the Mario Williams derby, but that was derailed by owner Bud Adams, who insisted on going after Peyton Manning. The Titans lost out on Manning and Williams, but still went looking to help out their pass rush. The Titans signed defensive end/linebacker Kamerion Wimbley on Tuesday morning, according to a report by Adam Caplan.

The Tennessee Titans and Kamerion Wimbley have agreed to terms on a 5-year, $35 million deal with DE/OLB Kamerion Wimbley. #freeagency

— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) March 20, 2012

Wimbley was originally drafted by the Cleveland Browns and got off to a hot start playing outside linebacker in the 3-4, picking up 12 sacks his rookie season. Wimbley's play tailed off a bit after that and he was traded to the Oakland Raiders before the start of the 2010 season. The Raiders were forced to release Wimbley last week in a cost cutting move to make cap room. For the Titans, Wimbley will play full-time defensive end, something he's never done in his career in the NFL.

For more on the Titans, check out Music City Miracles. Follow all the free agent news and rumors at SB Nation's NFL hub.

Kamerion Wimbley, Titans Are Nearing An Agreement, According To Report

The Tennessee Titans weren't able to land Mario Williams in free agency but they may pick up the next best pass rusher on the market. According to a report from Adam Caplan, the Titans and free agent Kamerion Wimbley are nearing an agreement.

Wimbley visited Tennessee on Monday and Caplan reports he's staying in Nashville overnight, which is a good sign things are progressing well.

The contract would reportedly be for five years.

Wimbley was released by the Oakland Raiders last weekend in a cost-cutting move. Wimbley had signed a five-year, $48 million deal last year before the Raiders salary cap issues forced them to cut him.

Wimbley, who has 16 sacks in the last two seasons, would be a defensive end in Tennessee 4-3 defense. He was originally a first round pick by the Cleveland Browns in the 2006 NFL draft.

For more on the Titans, check out Music City Miracles. Follow all the free agent news and rumors at SB Nation's NFL hub.

Titans Issue Statement On Losing Peyton Manning Sweepstakes

"I want to thank the whole organization for their efforts in trying to sign Peyton and also to Peyton for the time he put into the process. Peyton called me this morning to inform me of his decision and obviously I am disappointed, because I thought we would be a perfect fit. Now that we move forward, I want our fans to know that our expectations haven't changed - winning a championship is still the goal. I like our quarterback situation moving forward and we will continue to build the team through free agency and the draft with that goal in mind. I also want to commend Matt Hasselbeck and Jake Locker. They were thrown into a very difficult situation. Matt was very good for us last year; and at some point, we expect Jake to be our future franchise quarterback."

Steve Hutchinson Joins Titans, According To Report

The Tennessee Titans signed free agent offensive guard Steve Hutchinson to a three-year deal on Thursday, according to John Clayton at ESPN. The move addresses an interior line that ranked as one of the Titan's most important needs of the offseason. The move may also have been done with the intention of luring another free agent, quarterback Peyton Manning, according to Clayton and other league insiders.

Manning and Hutchinson are said to have a close relationship. Adam Schefter described the connection and the potential link to the Titans on Tuesday as the NFL free agent period opened.

Better protection was essential for the Titans no matter who plays quarterback in 2012. Hutchinson, a seven-time Pro Bowl player, turns 35 in November, and his age brings questions about his effectiveness in the later stages of his career.

For more on the Titans, check out Music City Miracles. Follow all the free agent news and rumors at SB Nation's NFL hub.

John Abraham Drawing Interest On Free Agency Market

About 48 hours into the 2012 NFL free agency period and DE John Abraham remains unsigned. According to NFL Network, at least a couple of teams are interested in Abraham, including the Tennessee Titans and Denver Broncos. It was reported earlier this week that the Titans had interest in Abraham., but their interest could be contingent on what DL Jason Jones does in free agency.

Abraham is looking for another pay day in his career. He has 22.5 sacks in the last two seasons, so he can still play. At 34 years of age, though, you have to wonder how long he can continue to play at a high level.

It's been quiet on Abraham through the first two days of free agency. We haven't heard of any visits scheduled with him.

Abraham played in New York with the Jets for the first six years of his career and then with the Atlanta Falcons for the last six years.

For all news and information regarding the Tennessee Titans, please visit Music City Miracles. And for the Broncos, visit Mile High Report.

Free Agent John Abraham Drawing Interest From Titans

The NFL kicked off its free agent season on Tuesday. Already, teams and players are in hot pursuit of one another, with free agents making visits to interested teams and agents fielding any number of calls. One of the latest reports ties the Tennessee Titans to free agent defensive end John Abraham, who has been with the Atlanta Falcons since 2006.

Mike Florio at ProFootballTalk reports that the Titans are definitely interested in the four-time Pro Bowler.

As we understand it, the Titans and Abraham were trying to schedule a visit, but that the Peyton chase has delayed things. With coach Mike Munchak and others traveling to meet with Manning, a visit with Abraham has not been scheduled.

The Titans are also rumored to be pursuing top free agent linebacker/defensive end Mario Williams. They will most likely not be able to afford picking up both Williams and Abraham, who will both command top dollar on the open market.

For all news and information regarding the Tennessee Titans, please visit Music City Miracles. For updates and perspective on the Atlanta Falcons, head on over to The Falcoholic. For complete coverage of all things free agency, stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated NFL free agency hub.

Free Agent Jason Jones Visiting Seahawks, Rams

The NFL free agent season has begun. The Tennessee Titans are attempting to put together all of the pieces they will need to be in place by the time the 2012 season kicks off. The first step on that road begins in free agency, as the Titans decide which players they will attempt to lure back and which external options they will pusue.

One of the former Titans players who has just become an unrestricted free agent is defensive tackle Jason Jones. Jones appears to already be in high demand, according to Titan Insider. Jones has visits planned with the St. Louis Rams and the Seattle Seahawks, two teams that could certainly use some assistance on their defensive line next season.

It remains to be seen how stridently the Titans will pursue retaining Jones' services, but he appears to have plenty of suitors thus far.

For more on the Titans, check out Tennessee Titans blog Music City Miracles.

Free Agent Cortland Finnegan Visiting Jeff Fisher, Rams

The St. Louis Rams will host free agent cornerback Cortland Finnegan for a visit, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The Rams have major issues at cornerback and will be looking for all the help they can get, so this visit shouldn't be a big surprise.

It also shouldn't be a surprise because of who is now running the Rams -- Jeff Fisher. That's Finnegan's former coach with the Tennessee Titans.

Finnegan has known for some time now that he'd be hitting the free agent market, as the Titans seemed resigned to the fact that he would be leaving. That likely gave his agent plenty of time to scope out the market and get a sense of what kind of money Finnegan might receive.

For more on the Rams' free-agent dealings, be sure to check out Rams blog Turf Show Times. And for more on St. Louis sports, check out SB Nation St. Louis.

Free Agent Steve Hutchinson Visiting Tennessee Titans, According To Report

Recently released Minnesota Vikings guard Steve Hutchinson is free to sign with any team and is drawing some interest already. Hutchinson is set to visit the Tennessee Titans, according to Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter of ESPN.

But Hutchinson was on the Titans' radar even before the Manning pursuit began, as they want to beef up the interior line with a veteran leader. Hutchinson is close to Titans quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, as well, from their days together in Seattle.

The Titans do need some help on the offensive line, but there is risk bringing in a 34-year-old offensive lineman who's coming off an injury after missing the last five games of the 2010 season and being on injured reserve for the entire 2011 season. It's unlikely Hutchinson will get a big deal and the Titans will certainly need to check out his health, but he can provide a boost to their offensive line in the short-term.

For more free agency updates, go to SB Nation's Titans blog, Music City Miracles.

Titans Free Agency 2012: Cortland Finnegan Is Leaving

The Tennessee Titans were led by veteran quarterback Matt Hasselbeck in 2011, a season that included miserable stats for running back Chris Johnson. While the team did make it to a 9-7 record, they missed out on the playoffs. Johnson, who held out through the majority of the limited offseason workouts waiting for a new contract, struggled throughout the season. He had a couple big games like usual, but he also had many games in which he barely made an impact. He still finished with over 1,000 yards.

With free agency starting soon, the big named players that are likely leaving Nashville include Cortland Finnegan, Jordan Babineaux and Donnie Avery. They used the franchise tag on safety Michael Griffin, which ensured Finnegan's status as a free agent. Jason Jones is also a free agent and will get paid by someone else. The Titans have plenty to spend in free agency if they want to, but they're still likely to let Finnegan go.

When it comes to bringing people in to the organization to help the team, the Titans could help themselves by signing a defensive lineman or two. Players like Red Bryant or Pat Sims could help the Titans' defense, which struggled at times to stop the run. They would be smart to find another wide receiver to help Hasselbeck or Jake Locker spread the ball around. Finding more depth on the offensive line wouldn't hurt either.

For more free agency updates, go to SB Nation's Titans blog, Music City Miracles.

Cortland Finnegan Is Free Agency Bound

The Tennessee Titans placed their franchise tag on safety Michael Griffin, which means that cornerback Cortland Finnegan is destined to hit free agency in the 2012 offseason. From the sounds of Finnegan's reaction, it doesn't sound like he plans to be back with the Titans at all. Finnegan spoke with the Tennessean after he was not hit with the franchise tag.

"It is bittersweet," Finnegan said. "For six years I played in the Titans organization. I am grateful and humbled that the Titans took a chance on me and the way they matured me over the years. But they wanted to move on. ... I don't know why, and I don't know what else a guy could do career-wise and in the community. But that's part of the business, and you have to move on. I'll have great memories of my time with the Titans. It just didn't work out."

Finnegan is expected to be one of the top-tier cornerbacks hitting the free agent market, along with Brandon Carr. There have already been multiple teams linked to Finnegan in free agency, so it's doubtful that he will make it back to the Titans, who don't seem interested in bringing him back in the first place.

For updates and perspective on the Tennessee Titans, head on over to Music City Miracles. For complete coverage of football free agency, stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated NFL hub.

Titans Free Agency: Franchise Tag For Michael Griffin

The Tennessee Titans aren't willing to take any chances with safety Michael Griffin, reportedly informing him on Monday that they'll place the Franchise Tag on him while they continue to negotiate a longer-term contract (via TitansOnline.com). Monday is the final day that NFL teams can use that designation and this means the Titans will have a chance to match any offer Griffin receives or be granted two first-round picks if he were to leave.

That the Titans would choose to use the tag on Griffin should not be a huge surprise. He's been one of the team's defensive leaders since appearing in all 16 games in 2007, his rookie year. Since then, he's started all but one game and appeared in all 64 of the Titans' games. He's made 389 tackles during his five years, made 17 interceptions and forced seven fumbles. He's also made two Pro Bowls (2008 and 2010).

For more on Griffin's contract situation, be sure to check out Titans blog Music City Miracles.

Michael Griffin 'Likely' To Get Titans Franchise Tag

The Tennessee Titans have a few pending free agents in their secondary, but it looks as if the impending losses have been cut down. The Titans are likely to franchise safety Michael Griffin, according to a report by Adam Schefter of ESPN.

The Tennessee Titans are likely to use their franchise tag on safety Michael Griffin, according to a league source. Griffin was tied for the team lead with two interceptions last season. He also had 75 tackles and a forced fumble.

There were some reports over the weekend that noted the Titans could use their tag on free agent cornerback Cortland Finnegan, but it now looks like Finnegan will hit the open market with the tag being applied to Griffin. Griffin has been with the Titans since he was drafted by the team in the first-round of the 2006 NFL draft and is a two-time Pro Bowler.

For updates and perspective on the Tennessee Titans, head on over to Music City Miracles. For complete coverage of football free agency, stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated NFL hub.

Free Agent Lofa Tatupu Visits Saints, Titans

Lofa Tatupu sat out the 2011 season after he was unable to come to a contract agreement with the Seattle Seahawks. The linebacker was drafted by Seattle in 2005 and spent six seasons with the team before becoming a free agent. Although he did not play last year, he appears to be drawing interest from at least two teams for the upcoming 2012 season.

Jason La Canfora of NFL.com reports that Tatupu visited the New Orleans Saints on Monday and the Tennessee Titans on Tuesday. Both teams could greatly benefit from an improved pass rush in 2012.

The three-time Pro Bowl selection has career totals of 543 tackles, 8.5 sacks and 10 interceptions.

For all news and information regarding the New Orleans Saints, please visit Canal Street Chronicles. For updates and perspective on the Tennessee Titans, head on over to Music City Miracles. For complete coverage of football free agency, stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated NFL hub.

NFL Free Agency 2012: Cortland Finnegan Drawing Interest From Detroit Lions

Tennessee Titans free agent cornerback Cortland Finnegan is drawing interest from teams, including the Detroit Lions according to a report.

Stanford Routt Visiting Bills, Titans After Release From Raiders

The Oakland Raiders made the somewhat surprising decision to release CB Stanford Routt just one year into a five-year contract he signed last year. This means that Routt becomes an unrestricted free agent eligible to sign with any team and he's already setting up visits with potential suitors.

ESPN's Josina Anderson reports via Routt's agent that the former Raider already has visits set up with the Buffalo Bills and Tennessee Titans. Both teams make sense for Routt, especially the Titans who could lose Cortland Finnegan in free agency.

There are a lot of good cornerbacks on the market so it'll be interesting to see when Routt signs and how much he's able to get. Free agency starts on March 13 so Routt has a head start on everyone else now that he's been released.

Routt is a solid cornerback who obviously won't have trouble gaining some attention on the open market. Al Davis overpaid for him last year so his release isn't necessarily a reflection on how good he is. This was more of a money situation for Oakland.

For more on the Raiders' off-season moves, pay attention to Silver And Black Pride.

Titans Free Agents 2012: Key Defensive Contributors Could Leave

With the Jacksonville Jaguars and Indianapolis Colts in transition, the AFC South is not the powerhouse division it has been in the past. The Houston Texans are a solid team, but there are wins up for grabs. The Tennessee Titans could capitalize on these developments, but only if they keep their defense intact. Some of their best defensive contributors are unrestricted free agents, and they'll be hard pressed to keep all of the players that they want to keep around. Additionally, key offensive lineman Jake Scott is an unrestricted free agent.

Here's a complete list of Titans free agents, via Mac's Football Blog.

Exclusive Rights Free Agents (2)

DT Malcolm Sheppard
OL Fernando Velasco

Unrestricted Free Agents (17)

FB Ahmard Hall
WR Donnie Avery
WR Lavelle Hawkins
OT Michael Otto
OL Jake Scott
DE Dave Ball
DE William Hayes
DT Jason Jones
LB Patrick Bailey
LB Barrett Ruud
LB Tim Shaw
CB Cortland Finnegan
S Jordan Babineaux
S Michael Griffin
S Chris Hope
S Anthony Smith
LS Ken Amato

For more on the Titans, check out Tennessee Titans blog Music City Miracles.