NASHVILLE, TN, Feb. 25, 2009 — The NFL's unrestricted free agency period is scheduled to begin on Friday, February 27 at 12:01 a.m., ET. Projected to be under the NFL's salary cap of $123 million, the Titans will be able to sign players from other teams whose current contracts have expired. !
Veteran QB Kerry Collins is among the unrestricted free agents the Titans would like to re-sign for next season.
This will be the third free agency period under general manager Mike Reinfeldt, who was hired in February 2007. In his first two off-seasons, Reinfeldt led the effort to bring in free agent wide receiver Justin Gage (Chicago), cornerback Nick Harper (Indianapolis), linebacker Ryan Fowler (restricted free agent from Dallas), guard Jake Scott (Indianapolis) and defensive back/returner Chris Carr (restricted free agent from Oakland).
In 2008, the Titans lost a total of eight players as unrestricted free agents: guard Jacob Bell (St. Louis), running back Chris Brown (Houston), LB Gilbert Gardner (Detroit), tight end Ben Hartsock (Atlanta), defensive end Travis LaBoy (Arizona), defensive end Antwan Odom (Cincinnati), defensive tackle Randy Starks (Miami) and tight end Ben Troupe (Tampa Bay).
The Titans currently have 12 unrestricted free agents: Carr, quarterback Kerry Collins, defensive back Vincent Fuller, defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, punter Craig Hentrich, cornerback Reynaldo Hill, wide receiver Brandon Jones, cornerback Eric King, guard/tackle Daniel Loper, wide receiver Justin McCareins, cornerback Tyrone Poole and quarterback Chris Simms. The Titans do not have any restricted free agents this year, and they have only one exclusive rights player, linebacker Colin Allred.
Tight end Bo Scaife was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent, but the team designated him as its franchise player. He may sign with other clubs, but the Titans would have the right to match any offer or receive compensation from his new club.
Questions and answers regarding free agency:
Q – When can players start being signed in the 2009 free agency signing period?
A – Beginning at 12:01 AM ET on Friday, Feb. 27.
Q – What are the categories of free agency?
A – Players are either "restricted" or "unrestricted" free agents. Within the categories are also "transition" and "franchise" players.
Q – What is the difference between a restricted free agent and an unrestricted free agent?
A – Players become restricted free agents when they complete three accrued seasons and their contract expires. Unrestricted free agents have completed four or more accrued seasons with an expired contract.
Q – Who are the Titans' free agents in 2009?
A – The Titans have 12 unrestricted free agents in 2009: defensive back/returner Chris Carr, quarterback Kerry Collins, defensive back Vincent Fuller, defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, punter Craig Hentrich, cornerback Reynaldo Hill, wide receiver Brandon Jones, cornerback Eric King, guard/tackle Daniel Loper, wide receiver Justin McCareins, cornerback Tyrone Poole and quarterback Chris Simms. The Titans do not have any restricted free agents this year. They have only one exclusive rights player, linebacker Colin Allred.
Q – Who are some of the notable unrestricted free agent acquisitions by the Titans in recent years?
A – Included in Tennessee's unrestricted free agent signings in recent years were guard Jake Scott (2008), wide receiver Justin Gage (2007), cornerback Nick Harper (2007), linebacker David Thornton (2006), center Kevin Mawae (2006), safety Chris Hope (2006) and defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch (2005).
Q – What is the time period for free agency signings this year?
A – For restricted free agents, from February 27 to April 17; for unrestricted free agents, from February 27 to July 22 (or the first scheduled day of the first NFL training camp, whichever is later); and for franchise players, from February 27 until the Tuesday after the 10th week of the season (November 17).
Q – What constitutes an "accrued season?"
A –Six or more regular-season games on a club's active/inactive, reserved-injured or "physically unable to perform" lists.
Q – Other than accrued seasons, what determines a restricted free agent?
A – He has received a "qualifying" offer (a salary level predetermined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the league and its players) from his old club. He can negotiate with any club through April 17. If the restricted free agent accepts an offer sheet from a new club, his old club can match the offer and retain him because it has the "right of first refusal." If the old club does not match the offer, it can possibly receive draft-choice compensation depending on the amount of its qualifying offer. If an offer sheet is not executed, the player's rights revert to his old club after April 17.
Q – What determines an unrestricted free agent?
A – A player with four or more accrued seasons whose contract has expired. He is free to sign with any club, with no compensation owed to his old club, through July 22 (or the first scheduled day of the first NFL training camp, whichever is later). On July 23, his rights revert to his old club if it made a "tender" offer (110 percent of last year's salary) to him by June 1. His old club then has until the Tuesday after the 10th week of the season (November 17) to sign him. If he does not sign by November 17, he must sit out the season. If no tender is offered by June 1, the player can be signed by any club at any time throughout the season.
Q – What determines a transition player?
A – A club can designate one transition player (or one franchise player) in any given year. The player's club must offer a minimum of the average of the top 10 salaries of last season at the player's position or 120 percent of the player's previous year's salary, whichever is greater. A transition player designation gives the club a first-refusal right to match within seven days an offer sheet given to the player by another club after his contract expires. If the club matches, it retains the player. If it does not match, it receives no compensation.
Q – What determines a franchise player?
A –A club can designate one franchise player (or one transition player) in any given year. The salary level offer by a player's club determines what type of franchise player he is. An "exclusive" franchise player -- not free to sign with another club -- is offered a minimum of the average of the top five salaries at the player's position for the current year as of April 17, or 120 percent of the player's previous year's salary, or the average of the top five salaries at his position as of the end of last season -- whichever of the three is greater. If the player is offered a minimum of the average of the top five salaries of last season at his position, or 120 percent of the player's previous year's salary, he becomes a "non-exclusive" franchise player and can negotiate with other clubs. His old club can match a new club's offer, or receive two first-round draft choices if it decides not to match.
Q – Did the Titans designate a franchise player for 2009?
A – Yes, the franchise designation was applied to tight end Bo Scaife.
Q – *Can a club decide to withdraw its franchise or transition designations on a player? If so, can it then use them on other players? *
A – A club can withdraw its franchise or transition designations and the player then automatically becomes an unrestricted free agent either immediately or when his contract expires. The club cannot name a new franchise or transition player that year. It can name a new franchise or transition player the next year.
Q – Prior to this year, had the Titans used the franchise or transition designations recently?
A – Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth received the franchise designation in 2008. Haynesworth eventually signed and played under his one-year tender. Prior to Haynesworth, the Titans had not applied the franchise tag to a player since Blaine Bishop in 1997. The team most recently gave the transition designation to punter Craig Hentrich in 2003. However, the tag was removed after one week, and he was signed by the team to a long-term contract.
Q –What is the salary cap for 2009?
A – The salary cap for 2009 is $123 million per club, increased from the $116 million cap in 2008.
Q – Who is responsible within the Titans organization for managing the salary cap?
A –The employees primarily responsible for managing the Titans' salary cap are Senior Executive Vice President/General Counsel Steve Underwood, Executive Vice President/General Manager Mike Reinfeldt and Senior Director of Football Administration Vin Marino.
