Well let's try it this way. Here's an AP story: (notice the attack it contains on Drew Bennett)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- The Titans apparently have decided to cut their way back under the NFL's salary cap in moves that will result in their most tumultuous offseason since relocating to Tennessee in 1997.
The Titans must trim approximately $27 million from their payroll before the March 2 deadline, and
The Tennessean reported Sunday that team officials have decided to cut six key veterans in an announcement that could come as early as Monday.
The players include
Derrick Mason, who led all NFL receivers last season with a career-high 96 catches; defensive lineman
Kevin Carter; cornerback
Samari Rolle; right tackle
Fred Miller; fullback
Robert Holcombe and kicker
Joe Nedney.
A Titans spokesman said Sunday that the team had nothing planned.
But the NFL scouting combine begins Wednesday in Indianapolis and runs through March 1 -- the day NFL teams must be below a cap expected to be $86 million.
The Titans also are trying to restructure contracts with a handful of other players, most notably quarterback
Steve McNair who has yet to announce if he will return for the 2005 season or retire. The team also will not exercise options on either tight end
Shad Meier or reserve receiver
Eddie Berlin.
Neither agent Harold Lewis, who represents both Carter and Miller, nor Lamont Smith, who represents Mason and Rolle, immediately returned telephone messages left by The Associated Press on Sunday.
But Miller, a nine-year veteran who started at right tackle the last five seasons for the Titans, had not heard anything on Sunday afternoon. His cap figure is $9.32 million for 2005.
"I know my agent has talked with them about possibly working something out," Miller said.
Cutting Mason would hurt the Titans the most. The eight-year veteran is the first player in franchise history with four consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons. He had 1,168 yards and seven touchdowns in 2004, but he is due a $1.5 million roster bonus with a base salary of $3.2 million.
That would leave the Titans very bare at receiver. They hold the No. 6 pick overall in the April draft, but
Drew Bennett was inconsistent last season before an outstanding run in December. Promising
Tyrone Calico missed 15 games with knee injuries last year.
Carter has a team-high salary cap figure of $13.97 million including a $6.75 million salary for 2005. He was the veteran on a very young defensive line last season in which he played both end and tackle while mentoring the Titans' five draft picks.
Rolle has been considered among the NFL's top cover cornerbacks, but he was arrested last week on a domestic assault charge. A Pro Bowler in 2000, he played in 12 games last season before having surgery on his left knee, and he had only one interception and 28 tackles.
Holcombe's roster spot has been in jeopardy since the Titans drafted
Troy Fleming last April, and Fleming had better numbers rushing and catching.
Nedney has missed all but one half of the past two seasons with a torn ACL, then a torn hamstring. He is set for $1.4 million in salary, but the Titans have worked out six kickers already this offseason.
Copyright 2004 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
