The Tennessee Titans have seen Eric Decker up close, but they should pass on the veteran receiver — for the time being at least.
It never fails. Every time a veteran player is cut loose, fans clamor for their team to sign him. So it has been with wide receiver Eric Decker, released earlier this week by the New York Jets. Thing is, the Tennessee Titans went as far as to bring Decker in for a physical and meet and greet with general manager Jon Robinson and head coach Mike Mularkey on Thursday.
That’s certainly going to get the interest of fans. There’s one big problem, however: Decker is damaged goods.
At 30, his best days are behind him. He’s spent seven years playing in the NFL, toiling for Denver for four years before heading to purgatory the past three with the Jets. And he’s a guy who has taken some abuse.
Decker has never played all 16 games in his three seasons in New York. Last season, hip and shoulder injuries limited him to three games. Both required surgery and he finished the season with nine catches for 194 yards and two touchdowns. They also ended his term with the Jets, who cut him free in what has become an outright salary purge. Decker had two years remaining on a five-year, $36.5-million contract he signed with the Jets in 2014.
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Maybe the Titans feel like they can get Decker on the cheap. Perhaps they feel they can sign him to a one-year, prove-it-type deal. But is it worth it?
The Titans spent first- and third-round picks this year on receivers Corey Davis and Taywan Taylor a year after taking Tajae Sharpe in the fifth round of the draft and signing Rishard Matthews. Matthews proved to be a solid contributor and Sharpe had his moments after a slow start. Davis was the fifth-overall pick in this draft.
Decker might help out. But he also might hinder the progress of some of the younger players. There’s also the question of just how healthy is he really at this point? Decker was a good, not great, receiver before his injury issues. But he isn’t worth breaking the bank over at this point in his career.
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It’s fine to bring him in and kick the tires. Sharpe has been dealing with a foot injury. Maybe he won’t be ready for the start of training camp — though the team doesn’t think that will be the case. It’s good to have the doctors check out Decker, just in case. But sign him now?
No thanks.