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03-14-2005, 01:32 PM
Fisher open to George return
By Jim Wyatt, The Tennessean
The Titans recently said goodbye to star players Derrick Mason, Samari Rolle and Kevin Carter, but there's a chance they will say hello again to Eddie George.
George is the Titans all-time leading rusher with 10,009 yards.
Mark Humphrey, AP
Coach Jeff Fisher yesterday opened the door to the possibility that the Titans could re-sign George, the franchise's all-time leading rusher who was released in July and played for the Dallas Cowboys last season.
"I am not ready to put a percentage on it right now, but there is a chance," Fisher said. "I always thought Eddie should finish his career here, but there are a lot of things we have to work through."
Fisher said he has not had any specific conversations with George on the subject and his preference would be to get past next month's NFL draft before making too many roster decisions.
George, who was not re-signed by the Cowboys, is up for a return to Tennessee. He said he's already talked to his agents about the possibility.
"I definitely have an interest in coming back. I never had any ill feelings toward the organization," George said.
"Things didn't work out for me in Dallas and I am just looking for a place where I could help the team and play a few more years. Coming back to Tennessee would be ideal for that because I am familiar with the city and the team."
George rushed for 10,009 yards and 64 touchdowns for the Oilers/Titans from 1996-2003. He asked to be released after a contract squabble when the Titans asked him to take a $2.75 million pay cut.
Last season with the Cowboys he rushed for a career-low 432 yards and four touchdowns.
"I have all of the respect in the world for Eddie and I believe Eddie can still play," Fisher said. "We have made a lot of hard decisions in the last two or three weeks to put ourselves in a cap situation where we can now move on and make the right decisions.
"Eddie George could certainly be a part of our future, but there are a lot of things to be discussed and right now it is too early to comment on anything any further."
Attempts to reach Titans General Manager Floyd Reese last night were unsuccessful. One of George's agents, Peter Schaffer, said "no comment" when asked about the potential for George's return to the Titans. George's other agent, Lamont Smith, did not return a phone message from The Tennessean.
If George, 31, returns to Tennessee it would be as a backup to third-year pro Chris Brown. George's reluctance to be Brown's backup last season was a factor in his request to be released.
Brown rushed for 1,067 yards and six touchdowns last season, his first as a starter, but missed five games with injuries. Veteran Antowain Smith, who was Brown's backup last season, is a free agent. He recently visited the New Orleans Saints.
George indicated he'd be OK playing backup this time around.
"It would be different — my role would definitely be different and the team is different now," George said. "There is a lot to think about and a lot to consider but I wouldn't rule it out. I am definitely not opposed to it at all."
Last month the Titans released six players, including Mason, Rolle and Carter, to get below the NFL's salary cap. With approximately $3 million in cap room, Tennessee probably won't be able to offer George much more than the NFL veteran minimum salary of $665,000, though some incentives could be worked into the deal. He played for the veteran minimum in Dallas, but also received a $1.54 million bonus.
George has kept his home in Nashville and has said he plans to live here when his career is over. He said he knows the Titans have plenty of holes to fill on their roster, and so far he hasn't lined up visits to any other teams.
"I know they have a lot of things to worry about more than me coming back. They have needs at a lot of other positions," George said. "They might draft a back in one of the rounds of the draft, so we'll see. We'll see if it leads to something."
By Jim Wyatt, The Tennessean
The Titans recently said goodbye to star players Derrick Mason, Samari Rolle and Kevin Carter, but there's a chance they will say hello again to Eddie George.
George is the Titans all-time leading rusher with 10,009 yards.
Mark Humphrey, AP
Coach Jeff Fisher yesterday opened the door to the possibility that the Titans could re-sign George, the franchise's all-time leading rusher who was released in July and played for the Dallas Cowboys last season.
"I am not ready to put a percentage on it right now, but there is a chance," Fisher said. "I always thought Eddie should finish his career here, but there are a lot of things we have to work through."
Fisher said he has not had any specific conversations with George on the subject and his preference would be to get past next month's NFL draft before making too many roster decisions.
George, who was not re-signed by the Cowboys, is up for a return to Tennessee. He said he's already talked to his agents about the possibility.
"I definitely have an interest in coming back. I never had any ill feelings toward the organization," George said.
"Things didn't work out for me in Dallas and I am just looking for a place where I could help the team and play a few more years. Coming back to Tennessee would be ideal for that because I am familiar with the city and the team."
George rushed for 10,009 yards and 64 touchdowns for the Oilers/Titans from 1996-2003. He asked to be released after a contract squabble when the Titans asked him to take a $2.75 million pay cut.
Last season with the Cowboys he rushed for a career-low 432 yards and four touchdowns.
"I have all of the respect in the world for Eddie and I believe Eddie can still play," Fisher said. "We have made a lot of hard decisions in the last two or three weeks to put ourselves in a cap situation where we can now move on and make the right decisions.
"Eddie George could certainly be a part of our future, but there are a lot of things to be discussed and right now it is too early to comment on anything any further."
Attempts to reach Titans General Manager Floyd Reese last night were unsuccessful. One of George's agents, Peter Schaffer, said "no comment" when asked about the potential for George's return to the Titans. George's other agent, Lamont Smith, did not return a phone message from The Tennessean.
If George, 31, returns to Tennessee it would be as a backup to third-year pro Chris Brown. George's reluctance to be Brown's backup last season was a factor in his request to be released.
Brown rushed for 1,067 yards and six touchdowns last season, his first as a starter, but missed five games with injuries. Veteran Antowain Smith, who was Brown's backup last season, is a free agent. He recently visited the New Orleans Saints.
George indicated he'd be OK playing backup this time around.
"It would be different — my role would definitely be different and the team is different now," George said. "There is a lot to think about and a lot to consider but I wouldn't rule it out. I am definitely not opposed to it at all."
Last month the Titans released six players, including Mason, Rolle and Carter, to get below the NFL's salary cap. With approximately $3 million in cap room, Tennessee probably won't be able to offer George much more than the NFL veteran minimum salary of $665,000, though some incentives could be worked into the deal. He played for the veteran minimum in Dallas, but also received a $1.54 million bonus.
George has kept his home in Nashville and has said he plans to live here when his career is over. He said he knows the Titans have plenty of holes to fill on their roster, and so far he hasn't lined up visits to any other teams.
"I know they have a lot of things to worry about more than me coming back. They have needs at a lot of other positions," George said. "They might draft a back in one of the rounds of the draft, so we'll see. We'll see if it leads to something."