Jordan

Babineaux

It was the reserve’s first workout since offseason shoulder surgery.

The sides can’t sign off on the deal until March 13, but Babineaux is fully expected back in Nashville. With Michael Griffin sporting the franchise tag, the Titans can address the rest of their roster with both safety spots lined up.

The Titans can’t formally sign Babineaux until after the free agency period because they exercised an option in his 2011 contract to lower his cap number. However, they are clearly interested in retaining him. The sides could get a deal worked out in principle before March 13. Babineaux just can’t officially sign on the dotted line until that date.

The Titans can’t officially re-sign Babineaux until the start of free agency because he played under a “minimum salary benefit” contract in 2011, but was always expected to return to Tennessee. Babineaux exceeded expectations after signing a one-year deal in August, starting 14 games while making 93 tackles and one interception. Along with franchise player Michael Griffin, he’ll form one half of the Titans’ safety battery in 2012. Free agent Chris Hope is unlikely to be re-signed.

“We made more of an effort to get Chris in there,” Titans coach Mike Munchak said of Hope’s increased role against Buffalo in Week 13. Hope was credited with four tackles (all solo), while the starter Babineaux managed just two (one solo). This has become a situation to avoid in IDP leagues.

Hope returned last Sunday, but was limited to roughly 30 snaps. Coach Mike Munchak plans to go with a similar rotation in Week 11. Babineaux’s 61 tackles are second on the Titans.

“He is at a position where he could be worked in some plays,” said coach Mike Munchak. It sounds like Hope won’t necessarily get his starting job back from Jordan Babineaux, who’s racked up at least seven tackles in four straight games.

Johnson’s rookie season was marred by injury and ineffectiveness. Now he’s healthy and standing out as one of the bigger surprises at Titans camp. Babineaux, who piled up 91 tackles and one interception last year, projects to keep the job but Johnson is gaining ground.

Babineaux had 93 tackles in 14 starts last season, so this is an IDP battle to monitor. Johnson, a playmaker at Utah who played sparingly the past two years, is coming on fast with a strong camp. He’s started the past two preseason games, seeming to move ahead of Babineaux. We’d grab Johnson in deep leagues for now.

Babineaux was responsible for Cecil Shorts’ 59-yard touchdown catch. He was replaced by Robert Johnson. “I didn’t make the play,” Babineaux acknowledged, professionally. “The coach is the one who makes the move, and what can you do? RoJo went in and I had a conversation with him about what to expect.”