The NFL free agent period doesn't start until March and players will continue to join the pool as they get released and now offensive lineman Michael Oher is one of those names, as he was cut by the Titans and now teams like the Oakland Raiders, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, NY Giants, New York Jets and Miami Dolphins could be options for the right tackle.
Oher, who had his story told in "The Blind Side", was released by the Titans this past week after previously signing a four year deal last offseason. according to ESPN.com, the Titans opted to release Oher after he dealt with an injury after the season and it comes after he signed a four year, $20 million contract as a free agent. Oher previously was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens and started every game he played for the team, but last season he struggled.
The contract for Oher allowed the team to release him after just one season and $6 million without any dead salary cap money left over. Paul Kuharsky at ESPN.com wrote that Oher struggled in both pass protection and in the rushing game last season and he played in 11 games before dealing with a toe injury. The team put Oher on injured reserve in December and he was finished for the end of the season. Last season the Titans ranked 26th in the league in rushing yards per game with Shonn Greene and Bishop Sankey as the top two players on the depth chart.
Oher hits the market at a tough time, as he has struggled each of the past few seasons and on top of that, he is going to be 29 years old when the season starts. Oher likely will have to battle for a starting job and he could end up as a reserve option for teams on the market once the bigger name players sign. The Titans were expected to make some moves on the line, as Oher struggled along with left guard Andy Levitre and now his future is up in the air.
The Giants are going to be looking for some offensive line depth this offseason, while the Oakland Raiders, Arizona Cardinals, San Diego Chargers and Buccaneers could be in the mix after finishing in the bottom of the league in rushing yards per game. The Miami Dolphins are expected to shake up their offensive line, while the Denver Broncos are losing multiple starters and could look at Oher for a reserve role. The Buffalo Bills just signed Richie Incognito and now Oher joins King Dunlap, John Jerry and Bryan Bulaga as other free agents hitting the market.
Oher likely will not cost all that much after the way he played this past season and he will have to battle in training camp just to prove a roster spot. Oher comes in at an age where players are likely in reserve roles and if he can bounce back, he could be a very serviceable backup or depth option for a number of teams in the 2015 season.