Titans acquire Chris Hope

Yesterday, the Tennessee Titans signed free safety Chris Hope away from the Steelers, inking the four-year pro to a six-year contract. I'm somewhat surprised that Pittsburgh let him go in favor of Ryan Clark, as Hope is a bigger, stronger, faster player. The only explanation is that Hope was asking for more money than the Steelers were willing to commit to a free safety. Sure, Hope didn't make many plays in Pittsburgh, but that may be attributed to the Steelers' defensive scheme, which required Hope to play conservatively while wildman Troy Polamalu roamed the field.

In a somewhat ominous development several teams (including the notoriously free spending Redskins) are showing interest in CB/KR Ike Taylor, in spite of his restricted free agent status. Should another club sign Taylor to an offer sheet and the Steelers decline to match the offer, Pittsburgh would receive a first-round draft choice as compensation. Incidentally, the Redskins currently hold the 22nd pick in the first round.