Levitre heads south

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - The Tennessee Titans promised to move quickly once free agency started, and they are doing just that after going 6-10 last season.

Once free agency began Tuesday, the Titans agreed to terms with Buffalo guard Andy Levitre and San Francisco tight end Delanie Walker, a person familiar with the situation said. The person spoke to The Associated Press Tuesday on condition of anonymity because the deals both are pending the players passing physicals.

Levitre will help plug a big hole on the Titans' offensive line after five-time All-Pro left guard Steve Hutchinson announced his retirement earlier Tuesday. The Titans finished last season with four offensive linemen on injured reserve, and improving the line to help protect Jake Locker in his third season was a top priority. The 6-foot-2, 305-pound Levitre has started all 64 games in his four seasons with Buffalo.

The Tennessean, which first reported the deals for Levitre and Walker, says Levitre's deal is for six years, $46.8 million.

This is a big change for Tennessee after preferring to wait a few days into free agency in years past, looking for good bargains. The NFL lockout wiped out a real free agency before Munchak's first season in 2011, and the Titans spent the first week of free agency chasing Peyton Manning under orders from owner Bud Adams before losing the four-time MVP to Denver.

The Titans got started in free agency last month when they signed veteran safety Bill George Wilson to a contract after he was cut by the Bills as a salary cap casualty.