NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Eddie George's career with the Tennessee Titans is over.
The team granted George's request Wednesday and released the franchise's all-time leading rusher - a move forced by salary cap pressures and perhaps George's declining skills.
"The best thing for Eddie George would be for him to finish his career here," general manager Floyd Reese said at a news conference. "For a number of reasons, we were unable to get that done."
The eight-year veteran, who turns 31 in September, rejected the Titans' latest offer and asked for his release Monday so he would have time to catch on with another team before training camps open next week.
The team's final offer was $1.5 million in base salary - considerably less than the $4.25 million he expected to make this season.
George, who has never missed a start in his career, was popular with Titans fans, but his production slipped in recent years. In 2000, he ran for 1,509 yards, averaging 3.7 yards per carry. But last season his average fell to 3.3 yards per carry, and his total was 1,031.
The Titans' offense has also changed and now emphasizes the passing of Steve McNair, the NFL's co-MVP in 2003.
The Titans are looking at free agent running back Antowain Smith, who reportedly visited the Titans on Tuesday. Smith, who has averaged 3.9 yards per carry over his seven-year career, has won two Super Bowl rings with the Patriots.
George has said he wants to play for a team with a chance to win the Super Bowl, specifically mentioning Tampa Bay, Dallas and his hometown of Philadelphia.
He is only the second NFL running back to rush for 10,000 yards while never missing a start, joining Jim Brown. Only Walter Payton (170) has started more consecutive regular-season games than George's 128.
TV TALK: The ever-present gossipmongers in the television world worked overtime a while back when Dick Ebersol, chairman of NBC Sports, had lunch at an expensive New York restaurant with NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue.
That must mean, went the rumors, that NBC is back in the picture for a piece of the NFL's television contract, which it lost when CBS jumped back in after the 1997 season.
Right. And wrong.
NBC might be interested, but only Fox is in serious negotiations, according to both industry and NFL sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Both sides said they have discussed substantive issues but have arrived at nothing definitive.
"The price will be whatever the NFL can generate," says Neal Pilson, a television sports consultant who is the former president of CBS Sports. "It's the most valuable property in television, and nobody wants to get left out."
The eight-year $17.6 billion contract between the NFL and the networks ends after the 2005 season.
WHERE'S JERRY MAGUIRE? First-round pick Sean Taylor's contract talks with the Washington Redskins can start. He has finally hired an agent.
Taylor, a safety from Miami, selected Eugene Mato to represent him. Mato said Wednesday he expects to complete a deal before training camp starts July 31.
Mato said the deal might even be done in time for a three-day passing camp that begins Monday, ahead of the full-fledged training camp.
Taylor, the fifth overall pick in April, fired Drew Rosenhaus after the draft and was without an agent.
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