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Friday, 06/01/07
June loses its luster for Titans
This date once was busy one for moves
By JIM WYATT
Staff Writer
NFL general managers used to have June 1 circled on the calendar.
Teams in need of salary cap relief released expensive veterans on that date, and teams with cap room were poised to bid for their services.
It's not such a free-for-all any more. Recent developments in the collective bargaining agreement could make today and the days that follow pretty uneventful. But that doesn't mean Titans GM Mike Reinfeldt isn't looking for other ways to upgrade his roster.
In recent days, he's had conversations with veteran running back Chris Brown about possibly returning to the Titans and has started working to sign some of this year's draft picks.
Reinfeldt said he also hopes to begin discussing long-term deals with some veterans who have one year remaining on their contracts — a group that could include guard Jacob Bell and defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth.
He'll also keep an eye on the waiver wire.
As Reinfeldt watched the Titans finish off their final practice of the May minicamp Thursday, the first-year GM knew there probably would be some changes to the roster by the time training camp begins at the end of July.
"There are some spots where we may add more depth,'' Reinfeldt said. "I think wide receiver is one area and potentially the halfback is, too. A defensive lineman is a possibility.
"It is a year-round process, and we will continue the process. As people get released, potential trades are out there. … And those are things we continue to evaluate as we try and get our roster where we need it by the start of the regular season.''
Former Titans on radar
With the extension of the collective bargaining agreement last year, the salary cap rose significantly, leaving fewer teams scrambling for ways to get under it.
A rule was added that allows teams to release two players before June 1 and still get post-June 1 benefits, such as being able to stretch out the salary cap hit over two seasons instead of one.
"It won't be as big a day or dramatic a day as it has been in past years,'' Reinfeldt said. "There will probably be a couple of surprises, a couple of people you won't expect. There will be some activity, but not a flood of activity.''
One player the Titans have an eye on is New York Jets receiver Justin McCareins, whose $2.9 million cap figure makes him a candidate to be cut. Brown is in the picture perhaps because of uncertainty with running backs LenDale White and rookie Chris Henry.
White returned to the practice field Thursday after missing three weeks with a hamstring injury. Henry has gotten a lot of reps, but hasn't been overly impressive.
Brown spent the past four seasons with the Titans, but was demoted to the No. 3 back last year behind Travis Henry and White.
"It is possible that Chris could come back, I wouldn't rule that out,'' Reinfeldt said. "He is a veteran who has lined up and done it and that is always a good thing.''Working on draft picks
Instead of waiting until mid-July to finish contracts for their 10 draft picks, Reinfeldt has already started the process.
Although deals for first-round pick Michael Griffin and second-round pick Chris Henry are likely a ways off, the Titans already have made offers to at least seven other picks. Reinfeldt said about 25 draft picks around the league have agreed to deals so far.
"Of course it still takes two sides to make the deal, but if you make a good-faith effort to get it done early and get an offer to a player, it helps clear things up before training camp and you can focus more on on-the-field stuff instead of off-the-field stuff,'' Reinfeldt said. "I think that is a positive and I think that is the right way to do it, to be proactive.''
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When Wyatt talks...listen
I wouldn't jump off the Lendale bandwagon just yet....and definitely wouldn't jump on the Henry one
Lendale has football talent...just not committed.....Henry not as much football talent...and very committed...Chris Brown...football talent....just can't stay healthy(or at least not in the past) I still think Lendale will be the starter but Henry and maybe Brown will spell him...if needed
Friday, 06/01/07
June loses its luster for Titans
This date once was busy one for moves
By JIM WYATT
Staff Writer
NFL general managers used to have June 1 circled on the calendar.
Teams in need of salary cap relief released expensive veterans on that date, and teams with cap room were poised to bid for their services.
It's not such a free-for-all any more. Recent developments in the collective bargaining agreement could make today and the days that follow pretty uneventful. But that doesn't mean Titans GM Mike Reinfeldt isn't looking for other ways to upgrade his roster.
In recent days, he's had conversations with veteran running back Chris Brown about possibly returning to the Titans and has started working to sign some of this year's draft picks.
Reinfeldt said he also hopes to begin discussing long-term deals with some veterans who have one year remaining on their contracts — a group that could include guard Jacob Bell and defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth.
He'll also keep an eye on the waiver wire.
As Reinfeldt watched the Titans finish off their final practice of the May minicamp Thursday, the first-year GM knew there probably would be some changes to the roster by the time training camp begins at the end of July.
"There are some spots where we may add more depth,'' Reinfeldt said. "I think wide receiver is one area and potentially the halfback is, too. A defensive lineman is a possibility.
"It is a year-round process, and we will continue the process. As people get released, potential trades are out there. … And those are things we continue to evaluate as we try and get our roster where we need it by the start of the regular season.''
Former Titans on radar
With the extension of the collective bargaining agreement last year, the salary cap rose significantly, leaving fewer teams scrambling for ways to get under it.
A rule was added that allows teams to release two players before June 1 and still get post-June 1 benefits, such as being able to stretch out the salary cap hit over two seasons instead of one.
"It won't be as big a day or dramatic a day as it has been in past years,'' Reinfeldt said. "There will probably be a couple of surprises, a couple of people you won't expect. There will be some activity, but not a flood of activity.''
One player the Titans have an eye on is New York Jets receiver Justin McCareins, whose $2.9 million cap figure makes him a candidate to be cut. Brown is in the picture perhaps because of uncertainty with running backs LenDale White and rookie Chris Henry.
White returned to the practice field Thursday after missing three weeks with a hamstring injury. Henry has gotten a lot of reps, but hasn't been overly impressive.
Brown spent the past four seasons with the Titans, but was demoted to the No. 3 back last year behind Travis Henry and White.
"It is possible that Chris could come back, I wouldn't rule that out,'' Reinfeldt said. "He is a veteran who has lined up and done it and that is always a good thing.''Working on draft picks
Instead of waiting until mid-July to finish contracts for their 10 draft picks, Reinfeldt has already started the process.
Although deals for first-round pick Michael Griffin and second-round pick Chris Henry are likely a ways off, the Titans already have made offers to at least seven other picks. Reinfeldt said about 25 draft picks around the league have agreed to deals so far.
"Of course it still takes two sides to make the deal, but if you make a good-faith effort to get it done early and get an offer to a player, it helps clear things up before training camp and you can focus more on on-the-field stuff instead of off-the-field stuff,'' Reinfeldt said. "I think that is a positive and I think that is the right way to do it, to be proactive.''
................................................................................
..........................................
When Wyatt talks...listen
I wouldn't jump off the Lendale bandwagon just yet....and definitely wouldn't jump on the Henry one
Lendale has football talent...just not committed.....Henry not as much football talent...and very committed...Chris Brown...football talent....just can't stay healthy(or at least not in the past) I still think Lendale will be the starter but Henry and maybe Brown will spell him...if needed
