Almost two weeks ago the New York Jets released wide receiver Eric Decker as part of their effort to purge their roster of veterans and clear out a ton of cap space for next season. Now, he has finally signed with a new team, the Tennessee Titans. There was also sad news to hit the NFL community, as former Jets linebacker Larry Grantham has passed away. His death is only the latest, as former Seattle Seahawks punter Rick Tuten sadly passed away a few days ago.
Eric Decker signs with the Tennessee Titans
For former New York Jets wide receiver Eric Decker, signing a one-year deal with the Tennessee Titans is a homecoming of sorts.
Decker lives near the city of Nashville where the Titans play since his wife Jesse James Decker is a country singer. Last season, Decker was limited by a hip injury that he had to have surgery on and only played in three games. Now, he is fully healthy and was practicing with the Jets before his release. His signing shows the Titans' continued efforts to surround Marcus Mariota with playmakers as they drafted Corey Davis in the first round and Taywan Taylor in the third round of this year's draft.
A third-round pick by the Denver Broncos out of Minnesota in 2010, Decker spent four seasons with Denver and the last three with the Jets. For his career, he has played in 95 games and started 75 of them.
The Titans get a proven receiver in Decker, as he recorded 326 receptions for 4,341 yards and 41 touchdowns between 2012 and 2015. He will also give the Titans a veteran presence at the position that will be dependable and can help to mentor their younger wide receivers.
The career of Larry Grantham
Larry Grantham spent his entire 13-year career in the AFL/NFL playing for the New York Jets as their defensive leader.
The undersized linebacker was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in 1960, but spurned them to play for the newly founded New York Titans of the AFL. During his time with the franchise, Grantham developed an ironman reputation playing 175 out of a possible 182 games. For his career, Grantham recovered 10 fumbles and has 24 interceptions.
He was a five-time AFL All-Star and was also named a five-time First Team AFL All-Pro and a three-time Second Team AFL All-Pro by the AP. Grantham was also responsible for calling defensive signals in the Jets stunning upset of the Colts in Super Bowl III. In 2011, he was inducted into the Jets Ring of Honor and is in the Ole Miss Sports Hall of Fame.
