Friday, March 3, 2000

Jon who?

Titans come out ahead in acquiring Godfrey, Miller

By Jeff Agrest, Associate editor

After Runyan inked a six-year, $30 million deal with the Eagles, the Titans turned around and not only filled Runyan’s spot, but dramatically upgraded their MLB position. Former Rams OT Fred Miller will take over for Runyan, and former Cowboys LB Randall Godfrey will likely bump MLB Barron Wortham from the starting lineup.

"Fred is a talented and durable player who we expect to be an excellent contributor to our offensive line for years to come," Titans GM Floyd Reese said. "Randall’s production during his career and his ability as a speed linebacker make him a perfect fit for our system."

Indeed. Tennessee showed great resolve in signing the two players only two days after losing Runyan. While Runyan’s loss will probably be felt early on — after all, PFW personnel expert Joel Buchsbaum ranked him No. 2 overall in this year’s free-agent class — Miller should be a more-than-suitable replacement.

Miller (six years, $24 million) ranked 23^rd on Buchsbaum’s chart, third among offensive tackles. With only four NFL seasons under his belt, Miller's arrow is still pointing up. According to Buchsbaum, he’s improved every year, and he played very well in the Rams’ Super Bowl win over Tennessee. Mind you, he battled DE Jevon Kearse for most of the game, the same Jevon Kearse who obliterated Miller in the teams’ regular-season meeting.

Believe it or not, Miller is almost as big as Runyan. They’re both 6-7, but Runyan is about 10 pounds heavier. In the Titans' bruising running game, size does matter, but the team is confident that OL coach Mike Munchak can mold Miller into the type of lineman it needs. The Titans will tell you themselves that Munchak can mold a punter into an offensive lineman.

As Reese said, Godfrey (five years, $24 million) gives Tennessee exactly what it needs — a speedy middle linebacker who makes plays. Wortham just hasn’t been making enough of the plays that have been there for the taking. That’s where Godfrey’s speed comes in. He’s a perfect fit for the Titans’ fast and aggressive scheme, and he gives the team versatility in that he can play all three LB positions.

Godfrey has been on the Titans’ wish list for quite some time. Buchsbaum ranks him seventh among free agents (first among linebackers), calling him a "fine blitzer off the edge" with "great speed and range." This past season Godfrey led the Cowboys with 143 total tackles (six shy of his career high) and tied for the team lead with six tackles for loss. Just as impressive is how he finished the season, averaging 10.7 tackles over the final six games.

Did the Titans lose something when Runyan left for Philly? Absolutely. They lost the best right tackle in all of football. But did they make up for it? Absolutely. They signed two top free agents to fill two areas of need. In fact, it’s this writer’s belief that the Titans came out ahead — and quite nicely.

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1999 - 2000 Season