j25352857
07-22-2004, 09:11 PM
Titans cut salary and find a good replacement for George. Smith can do the job when not asked to do it all (2 SB wins in New England). Though Brown will probably be the starter, should be interesting to watch.
July 22, 2004
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- A day after cutting Eddie George, the Tennessee Titans signed another running back Antowain Smith, New England's leading rusher the past three seasons.
Smith, 32, agreed Thursday to take substantially less than the $2.5 million base salary demanded by George. The Titans have been fighting the salary cap to fill out their roster and sign all their draft picks.
The battle over money led to the departure of George, who was offered a $1.5 million deal before he was released Wednesday.
Smith, who led the Patriots with 642 yards rushing for a 3.5 average last season, reportedly will make $660,000 with a $25,000 signing bonus. He will compete for time with second-year man Chris Brown and Robert Holcombe.
``Tennessee presented the best option to me to win a third Super Bowl ring,'' said Smith, who was on New England's two Super Bowl winners.
The 6-foot-2, 232-pound back led the Patriots in rushing each of his three seasons there. Over a career that includes four seasons with Buffalo -- where he was a first round pick in 1997 -- he has rushed for 5,713 yards and has a 3.9 yards per carry average.
His last 1,000-yard season was in 2001.
``I am not here to fill Eddie George's shoes. Those are very large shoes to fill,'' Smith said. ``I am here to do whatever is asked of me, help the team win and not step on any toes.''
The team also signed two draft picks: lineman Jacob Bell and center Eugene Amano.
The 6-4, 306-pound Bell was selected in the fifth round of the draft out of Miami (Ohio). Amano is a 6-foot-3, 295-pound 7th round pick out of Southeast Missouri State.
July 22, 2004
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- A day after cutting Eddie George, the Tennessee Titans signed another running back Antowain Smith, New England's leading rusher the past three seasons.
Smith, 32, agreed Thursday to take substantially less than the $2.5 million base salary demanded by George. The Titans have been fighting the salary cap to fill out their roster and sign all their draft picks.
The battle over money led to the departure of George, who was offered a $1.5 million deal before he was released Wednesday.
Smith, who led the Patriots with 642 yards rushing for a 3.5 average last season, reportedly will make $660,000 with a $25,000 signing bonus. He will compete for time with second-year man Chris Brown and Robert Holcombe.
``Tennessee presented the best option to me to win a third Super Bowl ring,'' said Smith, who was on New England's two Super Bowl winners.
The 6-foot-2, 232-pound back led the Patriots in rushing each of his three seasons there. Over a career that includes four seasons with Buffalo -- where he was a first round pick in 1997 -- he has rushed for 5,713 yards and has a 3.9 yards per carry average.
His last 1,000-yard season was in 2001.
``I am not here to fill Eddie George's shoes. Those are very large shoes to fill,'' Smith said. ``I am here to do whatever is asked of me, help the team win and not step on any toes.''
The team also signed two draft picks: lineman Jacob Bell and center Eugene Amano.
The 6-4, 306-pound Bell was selected in the fifth round of the draft out of Miami (Ohio). Amano is a 6-foot-3, 295-pound 7th round pick out of Southeast Missouri State.