The Facts:
The Titans say they value Cook, and made it clear on Thursday they plan on the pass-catching tight end being back for the 2013 season. But what is Cook worth? Or better yet, what is his position? Those are multimillion-dollar questions that could make for contentious negotiations between the Titans and Cook if no progress toward a long-term contract is made in the coming days. “How it gets done, we’ll see,” Titans general manager Ruston Webster said. “We’ve always wanted Jared. That hasn’t changed, and I don’t see that changing. And we are on the same page with the coaching staff that way. … He is a big part of our offense.”
Reported by the Nashville Tennessean
Fantasy Football Diehards Line:
The Titans and Cook’s agent are expected to meet at the NFL Combine here this weekend, but sources familiar with the situation told Tennessean staffer Jim Wyatt that no significant progress toward a deal is expected before March 12, when Cook would become a free agent. Without a long-term contract, the Titans would have to use the franchise tag to retain Cook, a talented player with star potential. The franchise tag deadline is March 4. Negotiations broke off last fall, at which time Cook’s representatives requested that the Titans trade him. Now there are indications the talks will revolve around whether Cook should be tagged as a tight end or a wide receiver. The latter would cost the Titans a lot more money. The franchise tag for tight ends in 2013 is projected to be around $6 million. For wide receivers: around $10.5 million. Cook sees himself as more of a wide receiver than a tight end, sources familiar with the situation tell Wyatt, and he appears to have the numbers to bolster his case. According to Pro Football Focus, of the 485 snaps Cook played last season he lined up in the slot on 276 (56 percent). He was also lined up wide on other plays, which would increase his percentage as a receiver. ... Stay tuned. The matter could eventually wind up in front of an arbitrator.
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