Coach Fisher in free-fall
Steve McNair retires after 13 NFL seasons
Former Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair has announced he is retiring after 13 NFL seasons.
McNair, who left the Titans for the Baltimore Ravens two years ago, informed teammates of his decision during an emotional meeting Thursday morning.
McNair, 35, led the Ravens to a 13 and three record in 2006.
In 2007, however, groin, back and shoulder injuries limited him to just six games where he threw just two touchdown passes while losing seven fumbles and throwing four interceptions.
The Ravens struggled with a five and 11 record.
McNair led the Titans to the Super Bowl in 1999.
He was also named co-MVP of the league in 2003, sharing the award with Peyton Manning.
'08 Titans' schedule released
The Tennessee Titans’ schedule for the 2008 season was released Tuesday.
The team will open up the season at home against Jacksonville on September 7 and conclude the regular-season as they did last season, against division rivals, the Colts.
Additionally, the team will play a big Monday night game at LP Field against the Colts and on Thanksgiving, against the Lions in Detroit.
The schedule is as follows: (All times are listed in Central.)
Sept. 7: Jacksonville Jaguars @ 12 p.m.
Sept. 14: at Cincinnati Bengals @ 12 p.m.
Sept. 21: Houston Texans @ 12 p.m.
Sept. 28: Minnesota Vikings @ 12 p.m.
Oct. 5: at Baltimore Ravens @ 12 p.m.
Oct. 12: Bye
Oct. 19: at Kansas City Chiefs @ 12 p.m.
Oct. 27: Indianapolis Colts (Mon.) @ 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 2: Green Bay Packers @ 12 p.m.
Nov. 9: at Chicago Bears @ 12 p.m.
Nov. 16: at Jacksonville Jaguars @ 12 p.m.
Nov. 23: N.Y. Jets @ 12 p.m.
Nov. 27: at Detroit Lions (Thurs.): @ 11:30 a.m.
Dec. 7 Cleveland Browns @ 12 p.m.
Dec. 14: at Houston Texans @ 12 p.m.
Dec. 21: Pittsburgh Steelers @ 12 p.m.
Dec. 28: at Indianapolis Colts @ 12 p.m.
DE Jevon Kearse returns to Titans
The Tennessee Titans have agreed to terms with former defensive end Jevon Kearse.
Kearse, now 31, was drafted by the Titans in 1999 as the 16th overall pick.
A fan favorite, he totaled 47.5 sacks with the team and made three Pro Bowl teams.
In 2004, Kearse left for a free-agent deal with the Philadelphia Eagles.
With the Eagles, however, he never achieved the success he did in Music City, totaling just 22 sacks.
He also suffered a knee injury that cost him much of the 2006 season.
Kearse was released by the Eagles last week.
Free Agency officially underway
Free agency officially opened at 11 p.m., Central Time, Thursday night.
The Tennessee Titans have tendered seven restricted free agents with one-year contract offers:
- K Rob Bironas, 2nd round compensation
- FB Casey Cramer, 7th round compensation
- S Vincent Fuller, 4th round compensation
- CB Reynaldo Hill, 7th round compensation
- OL Daniel Loper, 5th round compensation
- TE Bo Scaife, 2nd round compensation
- T David Stewart, 1st round compensation
Restricted free agents are eligible to sign contract sheets with other teams and the Titans would have one week to match the offer or receive a 2008 draft pick as compensation for loosing the player.
WR Gage will remain with Titans, Team releases Givens
The Tennessee Titans and wide receiver Justin Gage have agreed to a multi-year contract.
The team’s lead receiver for the 2007 season with 750 yards, Gage was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on February 29.
“Justin is a player who made the most of an opportunity and we expect him to be a significant contributor to our offensive success,” said Mike Reinfeldt, Titans General Manager. “He can play outside or inside, has the ability to make tough catches and should continue to grow as a receiver as he and Vince play together more.”
2007 was Gage’s first season with the Titans and fifth season in the NFL.
He was originally drafted by the Chicago Bears in 2003, where he stayed until being picked up the Titans as an unrestricted free agent in March 2007.
In 65 career games, Gage has produced 119 receptions for 1,658 yards and six touchdowns, two of which were with the Titans.
Gage played in all 16 games with the Titans and totaled eight starts. Of his 55 receptions, 45 of them, or 81.8%, resulted in first downs.
Also Wednesday, the Titans released wide received David Givens.
Titans designate Haynesworth ‘Franchise player’
The Tennessee Titans designated defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth a “franchise player” Wednesday, restricting his status when unrestricted free agency opens on February 29.
“This is a step in the process with Albert,” said Titans General Manager Mike Reinfeld. “This designation gives us more time to work on a long-term contract with him. He was a dominant player for us this past season and one of the key components to our success on defense.”
The designation means while other teams have the ability to sign Haynesworth, the Titans would have the option to match the contract terms or be compensated with two first-round draft choices.
Multi-year deals must be made by July 15. After that, only one-year deals can be signed by NFL teams and players.
NFL teams have until 3 p.m. Thursday to designate players as their “franchise players.”
Titans Fire Offensive Coordinator Chow
After three seasons with the team, the Tennessee Titans fired offensive coordinator Norm Chow Tuesday.
In a statement, Titans’ Head Coach Jeff Fisher said “Over the last week, we have done a lot of self-evaluation and I think we still have work ahead of us to reach our ultimate goal. I have informed Norm that he will not be retained as our offensive coordinator. I appreciate all the hard work and contributions he made to the organization during his time here, but I have decided to go in a different direction and will start the process of finding a new offensive coordinator. We wish Norm and his family they best in their future endeavors.”
The Titans finished the regular season 10-6, making the playoffs for the first time in four years.
The Titans lost in the first round in San Diego, 17-6.
Overall, the Titans finished tenth in the AFC in total yards.
Chow, who was previously the offensive coordinator at USC, was interviewed for UCLA’s head coach opening in December but withdrew his name from consideration.
**ESPN.com contributed to this report.
FOR THE TITANS TO MAKE THE PLAYOFFS..
Alright folks here is a breakdown of what needs to happen for the Titans to make the playoffs. First and foremost they must win their final two games at Buffalo and at home against the Patriots. Then they need some help. The Titans need the Bengals to run the table or at least beat the Broncos and Steelers. Then the Titans need the Broncos and Jets to lose their final two games. It doesn’t stop there. The Titans need the Steelers and Jaguars to lose at least one of their final two games. If that happens the Titans are in as the last wild card team and would be seeded 6th in the AFC Playoffs.
Is it possible, yes. Is it likely? You tell me. How can you say it won’t happen after what has happened the last 5 weeks. Anything is possible with Titans crew.
5 IN A ROW! ASK THE COACH…..
If someone would have said to me October 8th “I’ll bet you the farm the Titans will win 7 games this season”. I would have said “YOU’RE ON”. The Titans won their 5th straight game Sunday beating the Jags 24-17 and improving to 7-7. I am out of superlatives to describe this teams turnaround. I asked Jeff Fisher after the game if he had ever been a part of a game were his defense was on the field for what seemed like all day and still win. He said “no”.
But 3 defensive touchdowns more than enough to win and keep your playoff hopes alive. Tonight on Sports Extra we go 1-on-1 with Jeff Fisher and Keith Bulluck. And David Thorton joins us live. Maybe he can loan me a new superlative. I’ve already used up remarkable, incredible, fantastic, unimaginable and many others.
Hope to see you tonight on Sports Extra. Let me know if you’ve got a superlative to describe the Titans 5 game winning streak.
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