Tag: sean murphy-bunting

Two of Titans’ free agent signings eyeing jersey No. 0

Two new Titans are eyeing jersey No. 0.

One of the cooler things to come out of the NFL owners meetings this week was the rule change allowing players to wear the No. 0 on their jersey — and now a pair of new Tennessee Titans have their eyes on it.

Unfortunately for the big boys in the trenches, offensive linemen and defensive linemen are still not allowed to wear the number, but every position aside from those now can.

Here’s a look at the digits each position can wear:

Quarterbacks, punters, kickers: 0-19

Punters, kickers: 0-49 and 90-99

Defensive backs: 0-49

Running backs, fullbacks, tight ends, wide receivers: 0-49 and 80-89

Offensive linemen: 50-79

Defensive linemen: 50-79 and 90-99

Linebackers: 0-59 and 90-99

After news broke of the rule change, several players took to Twitter showing interest in wearing it, including new Titans cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting, who wore No. 23 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

However, new Titans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair looks like he’s going to be gunning for the jersey number, also.

 

The passing of the jersey No. 0 rule wasn’t the only change the league made this week. For a full list of all the changes, check out this article from our friends at Touchdown Wire.

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Full contract breakdown for Titans’ deal with Sean Murphy-Bunting

The full contract breakdown for Sean Murphy-Bunting’s deal with the Titans.

When the news of the Tennessee Titans’ signing of cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting first broke, the agreement between the two was reported to be for one year and up to $5 million.

However, the specifics of the deal were not revealed until Sunday morning, when Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 revealed the details. Per Wilson, SMB’s contract has a base value of $3.5 million (guaranteed).

The deal includes a $2.42 million signing bonus, base salary of $1.08 million (guaranteed), and a $1.5 million playtime-interceptions incentive. Murphy-Bunting’s deal also has a pair of void years, which has been common in Tennessee’s free-agent deals so far this offseason.

The void years help keep the 2023 cap hit low and will only cost Tennessee $1.6 million in dead cap in 2024 and $806,668 in 2025, per Over the Cap.

Now that we have all six of Tennessee’s free-agent signings added to the pile, the Titans sit with $7.1 million in cap space, also per Over the Cap.

Overall, this is once again a solid deal for Tennessee. At the very least, SMB provides much-needed depth in the secondary for cheap and without a long-term commitment.

And, at 25, his best football may still be in front of him, making it possible the veteran corner becomes a long-term solution in Nashville.

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Projecting Titans’ starting defense after first wave of free agency

Shaun Calderon takes a crack at a way-too-early starting defense projection for the Titans.

We continue our current (and way-too-early) starter projections after the first wave of free agency by taking a look at the Tennessee Titans’ talented defense.

As things stand now, the defense is undeniably the Titans’ best chance at being a competitive football team in 2023.

Over the last few years, Tennessee has largely had a tremendous defense whenever their actual starting unit is healthy and playing together. Last season alone, the Titans were allowing an average of 15.1 points per game from Weeks 3-10.

The unfortunate part is that was around the time when things started to completely unravel, as key starters started to drop like flies. The ones that remained were often playing through injuries of their own that severely hampered their production.

Tennessee hopes it will have much better luck on the injury front this time around, while also looking to get the most out of some of the promising players they’ve signed in free agency.

Yesterday, we made our starter projections on offense, so now we turn to the defense to see which players we think are likely to see the starting lineup in 2023.

Titans’ Sean Murphy-Bunting signing could net the Bucs a compensatory draft pick

The compensatory pick formula isn’t public, but Murphy-Bunting’s salary could potentially get the Bucs a late-round pick.

The full contract details of Sean Murphy-Bunting’s deal with the Titans has been revealed, and it could net the Tampa Bay Buccaneers an extra draft pick.

Over the Cap reported that Murphy-Bunting’s contract is worth $3.5 million, and as FOX Sports’ Greg Auman pointed out, that number could potentially get the Bucs a compensatory draft pick — the keyword, though, is potentially.

The actual formula for how a compensatory draft pick is handed out is unknown, but it’s based on a few different factors. Playing time, average value postseason awards all factor into it, and in this case, Murphy-Bunting’s value from his contract could be enough to warrant that pick. His playing time would be a bit dicier, as injuries have kept him sidelined for the last two years.

If the Bucs were to get that pick, it would be a seventh-round draft pick, but it’s not entirely clear if Murphy-Bunting’s case would be enough. Time will tell though, and time will also tell how the Bucs will replace him on the field for 2023.

Poll: Give your grade for Titans signing Sean Murphy-Bunting

Let us know what you think about the Titans’ Sean Murphy-Bunting signing in the poll within the article.

The Tennessee Titans added to their secondary recently when they signed veteran cornerback and former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Sean Murphy-Bunting to a one-year deal worth up to $5 million.

The addition of Murphy-Bunting is a good one, as he provides the team with another solid option and brings speed, versatility (he can play inside and out) and experience to the team’s young cornerbacks room.

While there is a thought out there he could be a starter in Nashville given the uncertainty at the position, mostly thanks to past injury woes the Titans have seen, those who cover the Bucs aren’t that high on him.

“I don’t (view him as a quality starter),” Bucs Wire managing editor River Wells told us. “Murphy-Bunting is a talented piece that could serve as good depth and he’s shown some potential over the years, but even when he has been on the field after recovering from his injuries, he’s been a very frustrating corner to watch on game days.”

While those certainly aren’t ringing endorsements, our Shaun Calderon is optimistic about Murphy-Bunting and gave the Titans a “B” grade for the signing. However, he did express concern about SMB’s injury history.

Murphy-Bunting is a long and athletic cornerback who isn’t afraid to challenge receivers at the line of scrimmage.

Truthfully, he has all of the physical tools to become a top-notch cornerback if he can ever get to a point where his natural instincts and technique are on par with his natural talent and athleticism.

One of the biggest concerns with Murphy-Bunting is his injury history. The Central Michigan product has missed 13 games since 2021. Nevertheless, he provides the type of invaluable versatility that the Titans love in their players.

Even if Murphy-Bunting doesn’t prove to be a starting-caliber corner, the Titans may only need him to serve as the No. 4 if Kristian Fulton, Roger McCreary and Elijah Molden can stay healthy and play at a high level.

With all the information in front of you, let us know the grade you give the Murphy-Bunting signing in the poll below.

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Gallery: Sean Murphy-Bunting’s time in Tampa Bay

Murphy-Bunting is best known for his three-game interception streak in the 2020 playoffs.

Cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting hasn’t had the most consistent of tenures as a Tampa Bay Buccaneer, but he’s definitely delivered some play that Bucs fans will remember forever.

Murphy-Bunting signed with the Tennessee Titans in free agency, but the first four years of his career have been with the Bucs. Drafted out of Central Michigan in 2019, Murphy-Bunting has played both outside and in the slot, and his loss in free agency will see Tampa Bay look to secure some more depth at cornerback before the 2023 season. Murphy-Bunting is most known among Bucs fans for his three-game streak of interceptions in the 2020 playoffs where he picked off the likes of Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees.

Check out some moments from his tenure as a Buccaneer below:

What Titans are getting in CB Sean Murphy-Bunting

We sat down with the managing editor of Bucs Wire, River Wells, and asked him some questions about new Titans CB Sean Murphy-Bunting.

The Tennessee Titans made their first addition of the offseason to the secondary via free agency on Monday when they agreed to terms with ex-Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback, Sean Murphy-Bunting.

The veteran cornerback, who is fresh off his best season in terms of coverage numbers, adds some depth, speed, experience and versatility to Tennessee’s group, which has a lot of promise but major concerns due to injury history.

Murphy-Bunting figures to factor in as the No. 4 cornerback behind the trio of Kristian Fulton, Roger McCreary and Elijah Molden, but there is certainly an avenue for him to have a bigger role depending on how things unfold.

But is that something he’s ready for? And just what should Titans fans expect from the team’s newest corner?

We sat down with the managing editor of Bucs Wire, River Wells, and asked him five questions about Murphy-Bunting. And, just say that, based on his answers, some of the hype associated with this signing needs to be toned down a bit.

Logan Ryan heaps praise on new Titans CB Sean Murphy-Bunting

Sean Murphy-Bunting has a big fan in his former Bucs teammate and ex-Titans CB Logan Ryan.

The Tennessee Titans added to their secondary on Monday with the team agreeing to terms on a one-year deal worth up to $5 million with former Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback, Sean Murphy-Bunting.

Murphy-Bunting gives the Titans more experience, versatility, speed, and depth in their secondary, with the depth part being perhaps the most important aspect with the group’s injury history.

Murphy-Bunting’s coverage numbers have been very impressive over the past few years, especially in 2022 when he posted career-bests in passer rating allowed (59.6) and completion percentage against (51.2). He also notched an outstanding Pro Football Focus coverage grade of 80.9.

Upon seeing those numbers, I was no doubt excited; however, people who cover the Bucs have poured some cold water on that. It’s clear the numbers don’t match what they saw on the field.

“He’s pretty bad fellas,” former Bucs beat writer and NFL draft analyst Jon Ledyard tweeted. “Not trying to be a downer. He has awesome tools. But some of the worst instincts I’ve seen. Played in basically every coverage scheme and inside and outside too. For a team that has developed a ton of good [defensive backs]. Nothing worked.”

When talking to the managing editor of Bucs Wire, River Wells, he had this to say when I asked him if he viewed Murphy-Bunting as a quality starter.

“I don’t [think he is],” Wells said. “Murphy-Bunting is a talented piece that could serve as good depth and he’s shown some potential over the years, but even when he has been on the field after recovering from his injuries, he’s been a very frustrating corner to watch on game days.”

Someone who clearly is not in the “down on Murphy-Bunting” camp is his former Bucs teammate and ex-Titans cornerback, Logan Ryan, who took to social media to heap praise on the 25-year-old.

The playoff interceptions Ryan is talking about came in 2020, when Murphy-Bunting tallied one in each of the Bucs’ first three playoff games en route to the Super Bowl. That experience is invaluable for a young secondary like Tennessee’s.

Someone else who is a fan of the signing is our Shaun Calderon, who gave the Titans a good grade for the move. You can read more on his take right here.

Even if Murphy-Bunting is more along the lines of what Bucs people say as opposed to what his coverage numbers say, if everyone stays healthy and the trio of Kristian Fulton, Roger McCreary and Elijah Molden can secure their roles, SMB won’t be needed as anything more than a No. 4 corner.

However, with all the uncertainty on the back-end, there’s definitely an avenue for him to have a bigger role than that.

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Grading Titans’ signing of DB Sean Murphy-Bunting

Shaun Calderon gives the Titans a good mark for their signing of CB Sean Murphy-Bunting.

The Tennessee Titans made another splash signing that will bring a talented and experienced defensive back to a secondary that needs as much help as it can get.

After spending the first four years of his career in Tampa Bay, Sean Murphy-Bunting is officially heading to Tennessee after the two parties agreed to terms on a one-year deal worth up to $5 million.

Murphy-Bunting is a long and athletic cornerback who isn’t afraid to challenge receivers at the line of scrimmage.

Truthfully, he has all of the physical tools to become a top-notch cornerback if he can ever get to a point where his natural instincts and technique are on par with his natural talent and athleticism.

One of the biggest concerns with Murphy-Bunting is his injury history. The Central Michigan product has missed 13 games since 2021. Nevertheless, he provides the type of invaluable versatility that the Titans love in their players.

Last season alone, approximately 65 percent of his defensive snaps came on the outside, while a little over 27 percent took place in the slot.

Also, according to Pro Football Focus, Murphy-Bunting finished the 2022 campaign with a coverage grade of 80.9 after allowing just 51.2 percent of the targets thrown his way to be completed and a passer rating of 59.6.

Murphy-Bunting ultimately finished the year with a respectable overall grade of 76.6.

This is clearly another relatively cheap “prove-it” type of deal for a player who has the potential to thrive now that he is in another system.

More importantly, this move now gives the Titans a deeper secondary and defense overall, and more options for a cornerbacks group that has a lot of injury concerns, but plenty of upside.

This signing, along with the others, should also allow the Titans to prioritize their offense in the upcoming draft — that is, of course, unless there is an unforeseen slide from a talented defender in which the prospect’s value trumps the team’s need at No. 11 overall.

The Titans get a strong grade for the signing of Murphy-Bunting, a move that has a ton of upside and very little risk.

Final grade: B

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Fans, media react to Titans signing CB Sean Murphy-Bunting

A look at how Titans fans and media reacted to the team agreeing to terms with CB Sean Murphy-Bunting.

The Tennessee Titans continued to add quality talent with high upside to an already stout defense after they officially announced they have agreed to terms with former Buccaneers defensive back, Sean Murphy-Bunting.

This is arguably the Titans’ biggest splash signing of the free-agency period thus far. Murphy-Bunting isn’t perfect by any means, but he’s young, experienced, and has all the tools you could want in a cornerback.

The Titans’ new cornerback is also coming on a relatively cheap deal that is sure to motivate him for a bigger one down the line. Tennessee is paying Murphy-Bunting up to $5 million on his one-year deal.

Murphy-Bunting is a versatile defender who can play both inside as a slot corner (117 snaps in 2022), and on the outside (278 snaps in 2022).

According to Pro Football Focus, the Central Michigan product finished last season with a coverage grade of 80.9 and an overall grade of 76.6.

Murphy-Bunting’s best outing of the year came against the Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes, with the 25-year-old finishing with an overall grade of 92.6 and a coverage grade of 95.0.

That type of performance at a position where the Titans have severely struggled in the past few years is a large reason why this signing was welcomed with open arms all over Titans Twitter.

Here’s how social media responded after this move became official.