Titans Tell McNair to Leave training facility

[83-Steelers-43]

Agent: Titans want McNair's contract status resolvedBy Chris Mortensen

ESPN.com


Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair was asked to leave the team's training facility when he reported Monday for offseason workouts, his agent and team sources confirmed.


McNair was told by a team trainer that he would not be allowed to work out until his contract situation is resolved, according to James "Bus" Cook, who represents McNair.

"Steve was told that until he got his contract straightened out, he wasn't welcome at the facility," said Cook. "Heck, he's got his contract already straightened out and now he's trying to fulfill it by reporting for the offseason."

Cook said there had been no warning of the team's position. Titans sources said it was a decision was made by owner Bud Adams, who apparently fears that an offseason injury would make him liable for McNair's current contract.

Titans coach Jeff Fisher, who was in Los Angeles observing USC quarterback Matt Leinart in a private workout Monday, declined to elaborate but said, "Things got blown out of proportion. ... We'll get it straightened out."

McNair is scheduled to make $10 million in 2006, including a $1 million team penalty because the Titans declined to exercise a three-year option. His salary cap charge is almost $24 million, and the team is trying to get McNair to restructure his deal. It has been speculated that the team could release the quarterback if there is not a new contract in place in the near future.

"The reason his cap number is $24 million is because they kept asking him to restructure every year to create space," Cook said. "This guy has done everything for the team, and he has two or three really good years left. Now, they treat him like this."

ESPN's Chris Mortensen is a regular contributor to Insider. He chats every Wednesday in The Show.

[SteelShooter]

Wow................I don't have much else to say. Just..................Wow!

[BB2W]

Wow... that is pretty cruel to treat a player like that after all he has done for the franchise.

I think it is wrong how teams backload contracts so it doesn't hurt their present cap situation, but when it is time for the player to collect his money they restructure it. They can usually justify this because the player is now a shadow of his former self.

[clevestinks]

Hopefully his mom wont drive up there drunk with Steves kids in the car,

[Avoid Lloyd]

Some owners just have no class.

Atleast let the guy workout for God's sake....

[83-Steelers-43]

Judging that he's one the main reasons the Titans have had any success since being in TN, I would have to say that is a pretty low move from the Titan organization.

[Ambridge]

McNair likely wont be back in Tennessee so all the Titans are doing is covering their ass.
I'm sure they could have went about it in a much more diplomatic fashion instead of giving him the "bums rush" out of their facility.

[MasterOfPuppets]

mcnair will be a ratbird this season.

[tony hipchest]

Originally Posted by MasterOfPuppets

mcnair will be a ratbird this season.

i think so too. i hate to have to root against mcnair. the titans, oilers were always my favorite central opponent. they say no one ever remembers the sb loser. but i will never forget 2000 and the great comeback mcnai almost led.

[83-Steelers-43]

Ravens seem to be showing interest......

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2397172