NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- After the Tennessee Titans traded a second-round pick in 2010 to draft South Carolina tight end Jared Cook in the third round, their franchise player Bo Scaife joined the team's offseason program and signed his one-year tender.
Scaife's agent said that was a coincidence and that the tight end decided last week to sign his $4.46 million tender. Kevin Robinson noted the Titans also drafted a tight end in the third round a year ago.
"Anytime a player has the production that Bo has had I think he's going to be viewed as a real commodity on any team," Robinson said.
The Titans used the franchise tag on Scaife in February, and he had been working out on his own in Denver. A sixth-round pick in 2005 out of Texas, Scaife led the Titans with career-high 58 catches and ranked seventh in the league among tight ends last season.
Robinson said a couple teams expressed interest in trading for Scaife during the NFL draft, but he didn't know how serious the inquiries were.
Seattle removed the franchise tag from linebacker Leroy Hill after drafting Aaron Curry on Saturday. Titans general manager Mike Reinfeldt said Sunday night they had no intentions of making such a move with Scaife.
"We put it on for a reason, and we will leave it on for the same reason," Reinfeldt said.
Cook, 6-foot-5, 246 pounds, posted the fastest 40-yard dash of all tight ends at the combine. He also caught 37 passes for South Carolina last season. Cook must improve his blocking, but the Titans like his potential to be another target in the passing game.
The Titans also have veteran Alge Crumpler on the roster, but he is under contract only for 2009. Scaife would also be a free agent unless the Titans work out a long-term contract. Reinfeldt said that played into the decision to trade a pick to select Cook.
"Not only the talent of Cook but also the fact that after this season potentially we will have two tight ends with their contracts up. That is part of it," Reinfeldt said.
Robinson said they hope Scaife signing his tender will be a show of good faith as they continue trying to negotiate a new contract with Tennessee.
"He's a consummate player, and Bo, he really wanted to rejoin his teammates and really show his commitment to the Titans and also his commitment to get to the Super Bowl and try to win a Super Bowl," Robinson said.