TITANS NOTEBOOK: Fuller stays with Titans

The Tennessee Titans agreed to terms on a three-year contract extension with defensive back Vincent Fuller on Friday.

Terms were not immediately known.

“Vinny is a valuable piece of the puzzle for our secondary,” said Titans general manager Mike Reinfeldt. “He has been a solid performer for us at the nickel position and keeping continuity in the secondary group will be beneficial.”

 Fuller has spent three of his four years with the Titans as the team's nickelback and will continue in that role. In 50 career games with one start and has 93 tackles (73 solo), a sack, two interceptions and 10 passes defensed in four NFL seasons.

Fuller's agent Mitch Frankel said Thursday just before the free agency period began that Fuller would have to make a decision between retaining his role as a nickelback in Tennessee or exploring an opportunity for a starting role elsewhere in the league.

Former Titans defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, now head coach of the Detroit Lions, was believed to have interest in Fuller had he left Tennessee.

As it is, the Lions appear to be interested in visiting with Titans kicker returner/defensive back Chris Carr, who also could draw interest from the Minnesota Vikings.

Titans finalist for Washington

As reported by The City Paper earlier this week, the Tennessee Titans have free agent wide receiver Nate Washington of Pittsburgh on their radar. Washington apparently has the Titans on his wish list as well.

Agent Brian Overstreet, who represents Washington, confirmed Friday evening to <I>The City Paper</i> that the Titans are a finalist for the wide receiver, along with the Detroit Lions. Washington spent Friday visiting with the Lions.

“With the salary cap and all that, it just kind of boils down to what they’re willing to do and where he fits in financially,”  Overstreet said. “There are a number of clubs that are interested. But he has one of his old teammates over there in Chris Hope. So it’s definitely something that’s doable.”

Washington spent last season as the third receiver for the Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers, catching 40 passes for 631 yards and three touchdowns.

The Titans have two unrestricted free agent receivers of their own in Brandon Jones and Justin McCareins.

No visit from Canty

A report surfaced early Friday morning that Dallas Cowboys free agent defensive lineman Chris Canty, was scheduled to visit with the Tennessee Titans on Saturday, but that has since been shot down.

Canty's agent Brad Blank said a visit was set for Saturday in Tennessee, but apparently no visit will take place this weekend, and it is uncertain if the Nashville visit was ever finalized or not.

The Titans appear to be employing a strategy similar to last year when they allowed the fluidity of the market to subside and waited for it to settle before hosting or signing any free agent players.

Canty, who played end in a 3-4 scheme at Dallas, was scheduled to visit the Washington Redskins today, but that visit was also canceled in the wake of Washington signing former Titan Albert Haynesworth to a record-setting $100 million earlier today.

The Titans are believed to have at least some interest in several defensive tackles on the market now that Haynesworth is gone, including former Vanderbilt star Jovan Haye of Tampa Bay, Rocky Bernard of Seattle and Dewayne Robertson, who was recently released by Denver. Canty could still be on that list, but is likely not at the top of Tennessee's wish list.

Matthews joins Texans staff

Hall of Fame offensive lineman Bruce Matthews, who spent his entire 19-year career with the Tennessee Titans organization, will join the Houston Texans staff, according to the Houston Chronicle.

Matthews will join the Texans as an offensive assistant. He retired from the Titans in 2001 and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007.

49ers courting Brandon Jones

Tennessee Titans free agent receiver Brandon Jones is drawing great interest from the San Francisco 49ers early in free agency, and is scheduled to visit with the team.

Craig Domann, who represents Jones, confirmed to The City Paper that a visit is scheduled for Jones in San Francisco.

Jones is coming off a career-high 41 receptions in 2008, playing mostly as a slot receiver.

The St. Louis Rams also have  an interest in Jones as well, according to Domann.