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http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050721/SPORTS01/507210415/1328/SPORTS
No reunion with Titans for George
Still hopeful of getting another opportunity
Jeff Fisher and Eddie George are so close that the Titans coach was reluctant to completely close the door on a possible reunion even after Tennessee solved its depth problems at running back by acquiring Travis Henry.
If another team is considering George, Fisher will provide a resounding reference.
"Eddie was one of a kind with what he was able to contribute to this organization," Fisher said. "I went into the offseason hoping maybe we could put the Dallas experience behind him and work something out. …
"I'm confident Eddie still has it, that he can be productive and play, that he can be the back for somebody. And I am hopeful that he gets the opportunity. Selfishly I thought maybe it would come here. But the way things look with Travis and Chris (Brown), it appears to be unlikely."
Fisher said the 2005 Titans' double-barreled backfield signals a philosophical shift for the franchise, away from the sort of workhorse back role George filled.
George said he had good conversations with Fisher and General Manager Floyd Reese.
"I wish them well, I wish them luck and c'est la vie," George said. "I'm a little disappointed that it didn't work out, and I've got to find some opportunity elsewhere. ...
"I think it will definitely help Chris out. He's a tremendous talent and doesn't have to carry the whole load, doesn't have to carry 30-35 times a game. He's proven he can get 100 yards with between 15 and 25 carries, and with the addition of Travis they bring in a durable running back, a strong and powerful running back. I think it'll be a great addition to what they are trying to accomplish."
Titans fullback Troy Fleming said the way teams fill out their rosters with running backs now makes George's eight-year tenure with the franchise "more special."
"The guy never missed a game in his career here," Fleming said. "You look at running backs today, there isn't a single season where a running back isn't hurt and misses a game or two.
"Lots of teams have a main guy, but they have one backup who's able to come in and produce and you don't fall off. It makes what Eddie did look even better."
The Houston Oilers made the Heisman Trophy winner from Ohio State the 16th pick in the 1996 draft after St. Louis took Lawrence Phillips sixth and Carolina took Tim Biakabutuka eighth.
Both of those backs were busts, while George was an iron horse for the Houston Oilers, Tennessee Oilers and Tennessee Titans, never missing a start in and racking up a franchise record 10,009 yards.
He set a tone of professionalism for the whole locker room to follow and was the face of the franchise as it evolved from middling movers to AFC champions and consistent contenders. But his run with the team came to an ugly end a year ago tomorrow.
Battling over $1 million in contract negotiations with the Titans, George ultimately asked to be released, and the team set him free. He signed a one-year, $2.2 million deal with Dallas, where it quickly became clear he was more the choice of owner Jerry Jones than Coach Bill Parcells.
George finished with career lows in carries (131), yards (430) and touchdowns (four). His running back record of starting the first 130 games of his career came to an end, and he was inactive for the first time in his career for a Dec. 12 game against New Orleans.
He said he had no regrets at all about how things unfolded last summer and last season.
Since the season ended and he became a free agent again, George and his wife have lived primarily in Nashville. He plans on maintaining a long-term presence in town personally and professionally.
George has spoken of how fresh his legs are because his workload was so light in Dallas.
He will be 32 the day before Week 3 of the NFL season, and running backs over 30 are hardly a hot commodity.
"There are guys older than him in the league," Fleming said. "If they can do it, a 100 percent Eddie George can do it."
Fisher said there is still plenty of time for an opportunity to arise.
"Eddie's career is winding down, but he still has skills and tools," Fisher said. "I'm sure he's in the best shape of his life. …
"He's going to watch the injury reports. If somebody needs a backup running back, or even a starter, they need to get Eddie into camp."
George said he was watching the running back situations in Jacksonville, Minnesota and with the New York Giants. He'd happily field a call from any team looking for help during training camp or even after the season starts.
"The bottom line is, I have a deep desire to play football. All I need is to land my feet somewhere," he said. "It's going to take a situation where a coach needs a guy like myself, they believe in me whether as a situational guy, one of the two backs that they can rely on.
"I believe in my heart I have a few good years left in me."
No reunion with Titans for George
Still hopeful of getting another opportunity
Jeff Fisher and Eddie George are so close that the Titans coach was reluctant to completely close the door on a possible reunion even after Tennessee solved its depth problems at running back by acquiring Travis Henry.
If another team is considering George, Fisher will provide a resounding reference.
"Eddie was one of a kind with what he was able to contribute to this organization," Fisher said. "I went into the offseason hoping maybe we could put the Dallas experience behind him and work something out. …
"I'm confident Eddie still has it, that he can be productive and play, that he can be the back for somebody. And I am hopeful that he gets the opportunity. Selfishly I thought maybe it would come here. But the way things look with Travis and Chris (Brown), it appears to be unlikely."
Fisher said the 2005 Titans' double-barreled backfield signals a philosophical shift for the franchise, away from the sort of workhorse back role George filled.
George said he had good conversations with Fisher and General Manager Floyd Reese.
"I wish them well, I wish them luck and c'est la vie," George said. "I'm a little disappointed that it didn't work out, and I've got to find some opportunity elsewhere. ...
"I think it will definitely help Chris out. He's a tremendous talent and doesn't have to carry the whole load, doesn't have to carry 30-35 times a game. He's proven he can get 100 yards with between 15 and 25 carries, and with the addition of Travis they bring in a durable running back, a strong and powerful running back. I think it'll be a great addition to what they are trying to accomplish."
Titans fullback Troy Fleming said the way teams fill out their rosters with running backs now makes George's eight-year tenure with the franchise "more special."
"The guy never missed a game in his career here," Fleming said. "You look at running backs today, there isn't a single season where a running back isn't hurt and misses a game or two.
"Lots of teams have a main guy, but they have one backup who's able to come in and produce and you don't fall off. It makes what Eddie did look even better."
The Houston Oilers made the Heisman Trophy winner from Ohio State the 16th pick in the 1996 draft after St. Louis took Lawrence Phillips sixth and Carolina took Tim Biakabutuka eighth.
Both of those backs were busts, while George was an iron horse for the Houston Oilers, Tennessee Oilers and Tennessee Titans, never missing a start in and racking up a franchise record 10,009 yards.
He set a tone of professionalism for the whole locker room to follow and was the face of the franchise as it evolved from middling movers to AFC champions and consistent contenders. But his run with the team came to an ugly end a year ago tomorrow.
Battling over $1 million in contract negotiations with the Titans, George ultimately asked to be released, and the team set him free. He signed a one-year, $2.2 million deal with Dallas, where it quickly became clear he was more the choice of owner Jerry Jones than Coach Bill Parcells.
George finished with career lows in carries (131), yards (430) and touchdowns (four). His running back record of starting the first 130 games of his career came to an end, and he was inactive for the first time in his career for a Dec. 12 game against New Orleans.
He said he had no regrets at all about how things unfolded last summer and last season.
Since the season ended and he became a free agent again, George and his wife have lived primarily in Nashville. He plans on maintaining a long-term presence in town personally and professionally.
George has spoken of how fresh his legs are because his workload was so light in Dallas.
He will be 32 the day before Week 3 of the NFL season, and running backs over 30 are hardly a hot commodity.
"There are guys older than him in the league," Fleming said. "If they can do it, a 100 percent Eddie George can do it."
Fisher said there is still plenty of time for an opportunity to arise.
"Eddie's career is winding down, but he still has skills and tools," Fisher said. "I'm sure he's in the best shape of his life. …
"He's going to watch the injury reports. If somebody needs a backup running back, or even a starter, they need to get Eddie into camp."
George said he was watching the running back situations in Jacksonville, Minnesota and with the New York Giants. He'd happily field a call from any team looking for help during training camp or even after the season starts.
"The bottom line is, I have a deep desire to play football. All I need is to land my feet somewhere," he said. "It's going to take a situation where a coach needs a guy like myself, they believe in me whether as a situational guy, one of the two backs that they can rely on.
"I believe in my heart I have a few good years left in me."
