A Look at Andy Levitre - The Titans Bright Shiny New Toy

The Titans made moves early yesterday following the beginning of the new league year (Happy New Year!) and both moves made a lot of sense and filled positions that needed bolstering. The Titans generally shy away from "big name" signings but couldn't resist the lure of former Bills left guard Andy Levitre. You might recall I wasn't a big fan of the signing before free agency began. The OG Conundrum: What Should the TItans Do

After I wrote that blog, left guard Steve Hutchinson opted to retire due to problems with a right knee injury suffered in a 24-10 loss to the Houston Texans on December 2, 2012. Hutchinson also saw his 2010 and 2011 seasons cut short due to injuries. Given that the Titans already had a glaring hole at right guard a move to replace Hutchinson made a ton of sense. Enter Levitre.

The Buffalo Bills drafted Oregon State left guard Andy Levitre in the second round (51st overall pick) in the 2009 NFL draft. Levitre was very well regarded offensive line prospect coming out of Oregon State and immediately made his way onto the starting roster, playing all 16 games and only missing 15 snaps in his rookie season. How well did he do overall? Let's take a look.

As referenced earlier, he started immediately but it safe to say his rookie season was less than noteworthy as he understandably struggled in his transition to the big leagues. According to PFF, he ranked 72 out of all guards. He had 5 penalties, allowed one sack, 9 quarterback hits, and 11 quarterback hurries. The Bills run game was average and Fred Jackson rushed for 1067 yards with a 4.5 YPC.

Fortunately, his next few years were much better as he gradually improved. In 2010, he again played all 16 games but he did miss more snaps at 52 (all in the second game versus Green Bay). He struggled some but overall his play was an awful lot better and he finished 36 among all guards according to PFF. He had 8 penalties, allowed 2 quarterback sacks, 3 quarterback hits, and 13 quarterback hurries. Unfortunately, the run game was nothing special as Fred Jackson rushed for 939 yards with a 4.2 YPC and CJ Spiller rushed for 283 yards with a 3.8 YPC.

I think its safe to say that in 2011 Levitre fulfilled the promise that led the Bills to draft him in the second round. He played 16 games, didn't miss a snap, was excellent overall and finished 6th in guard rankings by PFF. He had 5 penalties, and allowed 5 quarterback sacks, 1 quarterback hit, and 11 quarterback hurries. This was by far Levitre's best year in the run game as both Fred Jackson and CJ Spiller had good years. Jackson rushed for 934 yards with a 5.5 YPC while Spiller added 601 yards and a 5.6 YPC.

Levitre continued his excellent play in 2012 once again playing all 16 games, never missing a snap and finishing as the 9th ranked guard according to PFF. He had 5 penalties, and allowed one sack, 3 quarterback hits and 7 quarterback hurries. CJ Spiller racked up 1244 yards with a 6.0 YPC and Jackson added 437 yards with a 3.8 YPC.

Having determined that Levitre is a good player, did the Titans make a good decision with the contract offered him? That's probably debatable but you don't get good players cheaply. Full contract details are unknown, but the deal is a 6 year, $46.8 million with a $10.5 million dollar signing bonus. The deal averages to 7.8 million dollars per year but Jason La Canfora reported on twitter that the first year salary was $13 million, and that the second year was $6.5 million ($19.5 million over the first 2 years) or a $9.75 million average over the first 2 years.

Realistically, the odds of Levitre completing the full length of the deal are debatable and the real value is not yet known. He would be 33 years old at the completion of the contract assuming he does complete it.

A front loaded deal isn't terrible since the Titans currently have the money, there is a minimum requirement that each team spend 89 percent of the salary cap each year beginning in the 2013 league year, and the signing bonus and first year salary for Levitre will go toward satisfying that requirement.

Moreover, after the first 2 years, the contract value is $16.8 or a $4.2 million average per year. The contract is certainly big but you weren't going to sign one of the best guards on the market for peanuts. Louis Vasquez, the other top rated guard, signed with the Denver Broncos for approximately $6 million per year with $13 million guaranteed.

Did the Titans "overpay" in signing Levitre? Maybe so. If it allows Jake Locker to develop and improves the Titans run game will anyone really care? Probably not.

For those who are interested, here is a link to the Titans salary cap information per spotrac.com.

The OG conundrum - What Should the Titans Do?

There is little question the Titans have to address their interior offensive line. It is widely expected the Titans will look to the draft at the position, and it is also widely reported they are looking at Buffalo guard Andy Levitre. My initial thought was that it didn't make a lot of sense financially to sign Levitre and after looking at the issue I remain convinced it's not. Why do you say? Well, let's take a look.

First, let's debunk the myth that it is financially unsound to draft an offensive guard in the first round. Chance Warmack has long been on my wish list. Does it make sense economically to draft him at #10? Well, let's look at what the 10th round draft pick received as his rookie deal. All contract information came from the excellent website www.rotoworld.com

2012 NFL Draft #10 – Stephon Gilmore

4 year 12.084 million dollar fully guaranteed contract

7.228 million signing bonus

2013 939,280

2014 1,488,559

2015 2,037,839

TITANS STARTING OFFENSIVE LINE CONTRACTS

Steve Hutchinson 

3/15/2012: Signed a three-year, $16 million contract. The deal contains $6 million guaranteed, including a $4.5 million signing bonus. 2013: $4.75 million (+ $500,000 roster bonus), 2014: $5 million, 2015: Free Agent

Eugene Amano

2/15/2010: Signed a five-year, $26.247 million contract. The deal contains $10.337 million guaranteed -- a $7.25 million signing bonus and $3.087 million of his first-year salary. 2013: $3.685 million, 2014: $4,187,500, 2015: Free Agent

Michael Roos

4/25/2008: Signed a six-year, $43 million contract. The deal contains $15 million guaranteed, including a $9 million signing bonus and a second-year roster bonus of $4 million. Another $1.5 million is available through escalators. 2013: $6 million, 2014: $6.625 million (Voidable Year), 2015: Free Agent

Dave “Big Country” Stewart

6/27/2008: Signed a six-year, $38.9 million contract. The deal contains $10 million guaranteed, including a $6 million signing bonus and a first-year roster bonus of $2 million. 2013: $5 million (+ $1 million roster bonus), 2014: $6.4 million (Voidable Year), 2015: Free Agent

The Titans are talking to Leroy Harris about his return to the team, and I don't hate that move if they are looking to move him back to center where he played much better. The Titans are expected to tender RFA Fernando Velasco a guard the Titans moved to center last season when Amano was lost for the season and who played very well.

TOP OFFENSIVE GUARD CONTRACTS

Jahri Evans

5/5/2010: Signed a seven-year, $56.7 million contract. The deal included a $12 million signing bonus. An annual $200,000 workout bonus is available throughout the life of the contract. 2013: $3.04 million (+ $4.16 million "signing" bonus), 2014-2015: $6.8 million (+ $500,000 roster bonuses), 2016: $8 million (+ $500,000 roster bonus), 2017: Free Agent

Evan Mathis

3/17/2012: Signed a five-year, $25 million contract. The deal contains $7 million guaranteed, including a $5 million signing bonus. Another $6.25 million is available through incentives. 2013: $2 million (+ $1 million roster bonus due 3/24), 2014: $5 million, 2015: $5.5 million, 2016: $6 million, 2017: Free Agent

Marshal Yanda

7/29/2011: Signed a five-year, $32.5 million contract. The deal included a $10 million signing bonus. 2013: $4.5 million, 2014-2015: $5.5 million, 2016: Free Agent

Alex Boone

12/8/2011: Signed a five-year, $7.450 million contract. The deal contains $2.24 million guaranteed, including a $1.7 million signing bonus. Annual $50,000 workout bonuses are available throughout the contract's life. 2013: $950,000 (+ $600,000 roster bonus), 2014: $950,000 (+ $400,000 roster bonus), 2015: $1.2 million (+ $400,000 roster bonus), 2016: Free Agent

Mike Iupati

7/30/2010: Signed a five-year, $18.25 million contract. The deal contains $10.8 million guaranteed. 2013: $1.002 million, 2014: $1,600,500, 2015: Free Agent

Josh Sitton

9/2/2011: Signed a six-year, $34.95 million contract. The deal contains $8.9 million guaranteed, including a $6 million signing bonus. Annual $300,000 workout bonuses are available in years two through six. 2013: $3.4 million (+ $650,000 roster bonus), 2014: $4.5 million (+ $400,000 roster bonus), 2015: $4.85 million (+ $400,000 roster bonus), 2016: $5.9 million (+ $400,000 roster bonus), 2017: Free Agent

Ben Grubbs

3/14/2012: Signed a five-year, $36 million contract. The deal contains $15.9 million guaranteed, including a $10 million signing bonus and all of his first two base salaries. Grubbs is eligible for annual $100,000 workout bonuses throughout the contract's life. 2013: $1.2 million (+ $4 million "signing" bonus), 2014: $6 million, 2015: $6.5 million, 2016: $7.2 million, 2017: Free Agent

Jon Asamoah

Rookie contract - 7/22/2010: Signed a four-year, $2.702 million contract. The deal included a $912,120 signing bonus. 2013: $1.323 million, 2014: Free Agent

Rob Sims

10/8/2010: Signed a five-year, $8.051 million contract. 2013: $1.85 million, 2014: $2.2 million, 2015: Free Agent

Kevin Zeitler

5/25/2012: Signed a four-year, $7.544 million contract. The deal contains $6.124 million guaranteed -- a $3.926 million signing bonus and Zeitler's first three base salaries. 2013: $732,918, 2014: $1,075,836, 2015: $1,418,754, 2016: Free Agent

Chris Snee

6/24/2008: Signed a six-year, $41.25 million contract. The deal contains $17 million guaranteed, including a $13.5 million signing bonus. Another $2 million is available through escalators. 2013: $6.7 million, 2014: $6.95 million (Voidable Year), 2015: Free Agent

Chris Chester

7/28/2011: Signed a five-year, $20 million contract. The deal contains $6.5 million in bonus money. An annual $400,000 roster bonus is due to Chester in years two through five. 2013-2014: $3 million (+ $100,000 workout bonus), 2015: $3.5 million, 2016: Free Agent

While not a top 15 guard but informational 

Richie Incognito

3/03/2011 signed a 3 year 12.9 million dollar guaranteed deal

3.25 million signing bonus and 1.1 million in incentives

2013 4 million + 100,000 workout bonus

THE FREE AGENT MARKET AT GUARD

Top free agents offensive guards are Andy Levitre and Louis Vasquez although it is widely reported Vasquez will get a new deal from San Diego. Brandon Moore (almost 33) is a guy I wouldn't mind the Titans looking at. He is unlikely to command the attention (or money) that Levitre and Vasquez will and is highly regarded in both pass protection and run blocking. 

Levitre (almost 27) plays left guard is expected to command between $6 million and $8 million ANNUALLY on the open market and if Vasquez (almost 26) who plays right guard hits it he will get similar numbers. Of the two Vasquez is considered the better run blocker so he would make the most sense for the Titans. Levitre’s run blocking has been described as average. Ouch.

What I Would Do

Steve Hutchinson is still a decent option at left guard and the real issue for the Titans is RIGHT guard and center. Assuming the Titans tender Velasco and another team doesn't snatch him (which I doubt), then center seems to be addressed for the moment. 

At the guard position, I would sign Brandon Moore who plays right guard, and draft at least one guard in the draft and I would take Warmack if he is there at 10. Kyle DeVan and Deuce Lutui are both free agents and I would let them walk and give some undrafted free agents a chance to make a mark in camp.

Let's not forget that for all the money the Titans have tied up at tackle, Roos and Stewart are 30 and the Titans will need to address that area sooner rather than later. Tying big money up for Levitre or Vasquez doesn't make a ton of sense to me when you are looking to rebuild an offensive line.