NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Harry Douglas left Saint Thomas Sports Park last week with nothing but good feelings after meeting with members of the Titans front office and coaching staff. Tennessee brought him in after the Falcons decided to part ways with the veteran receiver on February 27.
The Titans made it official Wednesday that the had reached a multi-year agreement with the unrestricted free agent.
Titans Online looks at the career of new Titans WR Harry Douglas, who began his first seven NFL seasons with the Atlanta Falcons. (AP Photos)
"I just felt the love from the Titans," Douglas said. "One of the reasons why I made my decision was because they showed how passionate they are about winning. Even though the record last year wasn't good, you can really tell and get a beat on people when they're talking to you that they want to win now."
It was a recruiting visit that reminded Douglas of his trip to the University of Louisville before deciding to play college football for the Cardinals.
"It felt like I'd played with the Titans for the last six years," Douglas said. "It felt good. The first thing I thought of when I left was, 'Man, I really hope the numbers work out because I can really see this being a home away from home.' It was the same feeling I had when I took my visit to Louisville. It was de ja vu all over again."
The dollars and cents did work out and now Douglas is a Titan, signing his contract from Atlanta. Douglas tallied 258 career receptions for 3,131 yards and eight touchdowns during his six seasons with the Falcons.
Playing alongside Roddy White and Julio Jones, Douglas spent plenty of time as a slot receiver. The Titans newest weapon, however, took exception to anyone trying to brand him as a "slot receiver."
His best statistical season came in 2013, a year when Julio Jones missed all but five games due to injury. The majority of Douglas's 85 receptions and 1,067 yards that season came on the outside. Douglas also said he played mostly split wide while at Louisville.
"That's the thing," he said. "I don't know how I got labeled a slot a slot receiver. I got that label when I came to the NFL and I have no idea why. When I was at the University of Louisville, I played more outside receiver than I did in the slot. Personally, I don't let people call me a slot receiver. To me, I'm a complete receiver.
"If you ask me to play anywhere on the field at receiver, I can play anywhere. In Atlanta, I knew all four or five receiver positions. When one of our guys went down, I could go outside and have the same production. When they [White and Jones] were healthy, I was able to be productive in the slot. I think that works to my advantage because I can move around the field."
In 2014, Douglas missed four games to injury but still managed 556 receiving yards on 51 receptions. Kendall Wright was the only Titans wide receiver to catch more than 51 passes with 57. He said he's a team guy and looks forward to enjoying similar offensive success that he had with Matt Ryan, Jones and White in Atlanta.
Douglas already has plenty of ties to Tennessee's coaching staff. Assistant head coach and tight ends coach Mike Mularkey was his offensive coordinator in Atlanta from 2008-11. Douglas got to know Titans receivers coach Shawn Jefferson when he was coming out of college and has kept good relations ever since. He's familiar with head coach Ken Whisenhunt from the many games he played against Whisenhunt's teams.
His role will increase now that he's with the Titans. He said he's prepared every day of his career like he's a number one receiver and that won't change now. Even though he'll be 31 in September, Douglas is confident his best football is still in front of him.
"It's exciting to have a fresh start," he said. "I never lose my hunger, but it's a different hunger. I'm excited and can't wait to get started."
