Eddie George To Dallas? - USA Today

[big dog cowboy]

I think that all you have to do is closely examine the track record of bringing in players since BP got here. There is no way Eddie George is even on the radar screen. Thand God!

[Clay_Allison]

A bit of a sweeping statement, there. I think George is poised for retirement. No one will pay him more than the vet minimum plus incentives. He is being offered more than that by Tenn. It's not like Tenn has no playoff hopes and he's trying to give away money to win a superbowl as a backup. There's no reason for him to leave unless he has come to the conclusion that he is too worn out to start.

[Nors]

Originally Posted by jdnalls

Oh hell no! He's finished.

Ask the Raven defense in the playoffs about that

If healthy he would be a TREMENDOUS backup and teacher to Jules.

I go get him

[Ken]

even though the article is pure speculation, I wouldn't mind picking up George for insurance.

He is a tough SOB. In a limited role, he could be very productive. The change of pace between George and Jones would be a dynamite thing, IMO.

If we could get him for a very reasonable deal, I would be all for it.

[Typhus]

When Stephen Davis was available people were talking the same about him.
30 yr old back, at the end of his career, lost a step,, well,, he showed his
doubters that he was still a seviceable back. Davis and George are both
the same age, and in the right system, like Davis, George could still be productive.

We have high hopes for Julius, but he is un-proven, and how comfortable is
everyone with the likes of Bickerstaff, Cason, and Lee as the depth?

[dbair1967]

Originally Posted by Lord Sun

By Jim Wyatt, The Tennessean



NASHVILLE — Eddie George spent last weekend on foreign land surrounded by cameras, playing a role that would ultimately end in his death. Into the Sun is Steven Seagal's newest action movie, currently being filmed in Thailand. George has a part in the film, but he admits it's brief.

"I'll put it to you this way: You better get there bright and early," George said. "There's some speaking stuff, then I get shot up and killed."

When the running back arrived back in Nashville, he once again was faced with reality. Will his life as a Tennessee Titan soon end as well?

[View Full Quote]Right now, nobody knows for sure. But if that ends up being the case, it will have been a long and painful death for one of the most heroic players in the franchise's history.

For the past several months, George has fielded one question after another about his future with the team. Meanwhile, those around him wait for answers. George's ongoing contract situation used to be a joking matter for some of his closest friends in the locker room, but not any more.

"I don't kid him about it like I used to," cornerback Samari Rolle said. "It's too serious of an issue right now."

Titans quarterback Steve McNair said he can tell just by looking at George that he's "mentally drained of the whole situation.

"If Eddie's not back, it would be a very disappointing day for the Titans, I'll tell you that," McNair said. "For the past eight years I have had Eddie in the backfield and it would be strange not to see No. 27 in the backfield. I hope that's not the case."

George, 30, didn't need to be reminded that when he walked off the practice field with his teammates on Thursday, it could have been for the last time as a Titan. The Titans don't practice again until June 15, two weeks after the key June 1 date when teams around the league can release players and ease salary cap problems for this year.

George, who turned down the team's initial request to take a substantial pay cut, is hoping for answers by then as well.

"I really don't want to wait around until July or August to find something out," George said. "This has gone on long enough, c'mon. Let's either get something done or move on if that's what it's going to have to be. I'd love to stay here, but we have to see if we can work something out."

Titans General Manager Floyd Reese spent the week out of town and was unavailable for comment. George's agent, Lamont Smith, has not returned calls to The Tennessean over the past few weeks.

According to George, there has been no dialogue between the sides after the Titans asked him to trim his scheduled base salary of $4.25 million roughly in half. If neither side is willing to budge — assuming talks resume — the possibility of George being released is real.

"But until something (new) is on the table, I really can't go into depth about what I am going to accept vs. what I won't. When we get to that bridge we'll handle it and we'll see if we can work something out," George said.

"I just know I can still play this game. I am in my prime. I just want to be able to run. All I want to do is run and be the best player I can possibly be and help a team win a championship."

It's hard to picture the Titans without George. Since the team's first game in the state of Tennessee, he has been one of the team's leaders, or "the face of the franchise" as Rolle called him.

George has rushed for 10,009 yards during his eight-year career, and he never has missed a game. He has led countless pre-game pep talks. His No. 27 jersey is all over town, and a banner of George hangs on the outside wall of the Coliseum.

"Eddie is one of the foundations of this franchise," linebacker Keith Bulluck said. "You think about the Titans, you think about Eddie George. If he's not here, it would hit really close to home for a whole bunch of people. I think he needs to stay."

While George is cautiously optimistic a deal can be worked out, many of his teammates say they expect it to be. Without George, the Titans would need big things out of second-year running back Chris Brown, who struggled staying healthy last year, and Robert Holcombe could play a bigger role as well.

The Titans also have former University of Tennessee back Troy Fleming, but he's working at fullback, along with undrafted free agent running back Jarrett Payton.

"They are going to go to the 12th hour on this, but I have faith it's going to get worked out," receiver Derrick Mason said. "Eddie is a great player, and you don't let great players go.

"Plus, Floyd loves him, he drafted him. Coach (Jeff) Fisher loves him, so they are going to do all they can to keep him here and I know Eddie is going to do all he can do to finish his career as a Titan."

McNair not only is confident George will be back, but he believes he has a chance to be as productive as ever.

George rushed for 1,031 yards in '03, averaging 3.3 yards per carry. George has rushed for 1,000 yards or more in eight of his nine seasons, but he hasn't averaged more 3.5 yards per carry since the 2000 season, something his critics point to when they say it's time for George to move on.

Of all the NFL teams, Dallas could be watching George's situation the closest. The Cowboys could use a veteran back.

"With all that Eddie has done for this organization and what he can do for this organization, everybody has said Eddie has lost a step," McNair said. "Well, Eddie has been in the league for (eight) years and when you have injuries, that slows you down a little bit. But Eddie still has it in him. I have the utmost respect and confidence that Eddie can still be the same back as he was when he came into the league."

That, of course, remains to be seen. Just like questions about what uniform he'll be wearing in 2004.

As George walked the streets of Chiang Mai, it was one of the few times he'd been able to escape from his world of uncertainty.

Yes, he'd love to retire a Titan. But no matter what happens, he said he's prepared to face whatever is in store for him.

"It is what it is, and this is where I am at in my career right now," George said before slinging a backpack over his right shoulder and heading out of the locker room.

"All this is making me stronger and when I come out of it, whether I am here or somewhere else, I will be a better man all around because of it."

This has about zero chance of happening...Hambrick was better than George last yr and is more versatile and about 5yrs younger too...then factor in the pay difference and George has about zero chance of being here, Hambrick had a far less supporting cast than George as well

David

[dbair1967]

Originally Posted by Nors

Ask the Raven defense in the playoffs about that

If healthy he would be a TREMENDOUS backup and teacher to Jules.

I go get him

what is there to teach? how to take a handoff?

George is washed up, and has been for several seasons now

David

[Nors]

Originally Posted by dbair1967

what is there to teach? how to take a handoff?

George is washed up, and has been for several seasons now

David

So was OJ Anderson when picked up. A Veteran backup goes a long way here. Bill likes a Big back. After Julius who do we REALLY have?

[junk]

Originally Posted by Nors

Ask the Raven defense in the playoffs about that

If healthy he would be a TREMENDOUS backup and teacher to Jules.

I go get him

Well, he was running at Terrell Suggs alot...

[Nors]

Originally Posted by big dog cowboy

I think that all you have to do is closely examine the track record of bringing in players since BP got here. There is no way Eddie George is even on the radar screen. Thand God!

Adrian Murell

[junk]

I do think there will be one more RB in the mix this year, but I don't know if he is on the roster yet or not.

I am still expecting a RB by committee type approach with JJ, Anderson and somebody else. Maybe Bick or Lee steps up or Dallas brings someone in.

I never did get to see Lee in preseason, but people seem to think highly of him. How did he play when given the chance? Who is his running style comparable to?

Can't wait for all preseason games to be broadcast on NFL Network this fall.

[Lord Sun]

Eddie George
Height: 6-3
Weight: 235
Born: 09/24/1973
College: OhioState
NFL Experience: 9
2003 Tennessee Titans 16 G, 312 ATT, 1031 YDS, 3.3 YPC, 5 TD
Career 128 GS, 2733 ATT, 10009 YDS, 3.7 YPC, 64 TD

Antowain Smith
Height: 6-2
Weight: 232
Born: 03/14/1972
College: Houston
NFL Experience: 8
2003 (New England Patriots) 13 G, 182 ATT, 642 YDS, 3.5 YPC, 3 TD
Career 102 G, 1481 ATT, 5713 YDS, 3.9 YPC, 47 TD

Pretty clear, I go with Eddie.

[Clay_Allison]

Yeah, BUT what if Eddie wants money, and Smith will come for the minimum, flat?

There is always the possibility that Eddie is confused as to what he's worth.

[Nors]

Originally Posted by Clay_Allison

Yeah, BUT what if Eddie wants money, and Smith will come for the minimum, flat?

There is always the possibility that Eddie is confused as to what he's worth.

wants a new start - to be reborn

[ghettogandhi]

[color=RoyalBlue][size=4] if anyone watched him run this past year would realize that he is not washed up- the tennesse offense has been historically one dimensional with mcnair there- they have been a run first and run second type of team- other teams stacked their d line with linebackers and safeties forcing them to throw the ball.
Eddie George runs each play as if it were his last - the opposite of hambone- and he lowers his shoulder and will pick up three yards if you need three and four if you need four-
HE IS EVERYTHING PARCELLS LOOKS FOR IN A PLAYER- a hard worker on and off the field, a relentless trainer, a fearless runner , a team leader and a great example to the young players.

If he becomes available we should do what we can to get him in here- how bout an incentive laden contract.

Parcells, Jones go get this guy