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The big fish in this year's free agent pool is Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth. A dominating force in the middle of the Titans defense the past two seasons, the 27-year-old Haynesworth has already mentioned he would like to remain in Tennessee but would not be willing to do so for a hometown discount. In other words, if the Titans don't pay him the money he's looking for prior to February 27th, he'll be shopping his services to a team that will. Perhaps a team like Tampa Bay.
Due to a clause in his contract, the Titans are not able to place the franchise tag on him, meaning he's allowed to shop his services to the 31 other NFL teams on February 27 when free agency begins.
According to Stephen Holder of the St. Petersburg Times, a "growing chorus of people around the NFL are talking about the Bucs" when Haynesworth's name is discussed.
It certainly makes sense because Tampa Bay's run defense was gashed over the final month of the season, as the Buccaneers went from a playoff-lock at the start of December, to what had to be a disappointing 9-7 finish.
Beyond that, Tampa Bay is in the envious (if you like free agents) position of having over $40 million in cap space, meaning they would certainly be able to entertain Haynesworth and his contract demands. Demands that are likely to make him one of the highest paid defensive players in the league.
Perfect situation, right? Maybe.
If there's one concern about Haynesworth, it's that his two best seasons in the league (the past two seasons) have come when he's been in contract years.
Buyer beware.
Over the first five seasons of his career nobody was really giving Haynesworth positive reviews, now, all of a sudden, he's in line to become the highest-paid defensive player in the league.
That's not to say Haynesworth would sign a massive contract and instantly revert back to being a disappointing first-round pick. It's entirely possible (if not likely) that he was just a late-bloomer and has finally developed into the consistent run-stuffing, pass-rushing monster he was always supposed to be.
Either way, there's no doubt Tampa Bay is the perfect storm of a team having a need for Haynesworth's abilities, while also possessing the massive amount of cap space it would require to sign him.
The Buccaneers finished 19th against the run this season, while giving up 756 yards on the ground during their season-ending four-game losing streak. Beyond that, Haynesworth's 8.5 sacks (in just 14 games) would have led a Tampa Bay team that finished the season with just 29.
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