Titans and McNair

[MarkPope]

How can they say they didn't allow him in there now?
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/5506274

[skineg]

You know, it's one thing to say, I think it's time to move on and find another QB, it's another to say "Don't come back because if you do, we'll have you thrown out." :gripe: Wasn't it just last season that the Titans said they were bringing him back? The man's a warrior, a former MVP, and he had NO ONE to throw to last season. I'm not a big Titans fan, but I am a McNair fan, and the way this team treated him I hope they go 0-16 next season :doublefin .

PEACE
Brett

:banana: :drinkin: :drunk2: :yikes: :jump: :Pimp :hi5: :band:

[skineg]

The Tennessee Titans must allow Steve McNair to work out on their property as long as he has a contract with the team, an arbitrator ruled Wednesday.

Arbitrator John Feerick heard more than seven hours of testimony May 16 on charges that the Titans breached McNair's contract by barring him from working out at the team's headquarters. The union filed the grievance, arguing he should be allowed to work out on the property or be released.

General Counsel Richard Berthelsen called it a victory for the NFL Players Association and McNair, but he said it was unfortunate they had to go through this process.

"We've said since the beginning that this was a clear violation of his contract with the club," Berthelsen said.

The Titans originally told McNair on April 3 he wasn't allowed to work out on the property because they feared the liability of a $23.46 million salary cap hit if McNair got hurt. Negotiations to reduce that cap number have been nearly nonexistent.

Titans general counsel Steve Underwood said he believed the decision reflected some quirks of Tennessee state law but did not find that the team violated the league's collective bargaining agreement.

The Titans said they would welcome McNair back into the offseason program.

"I also would expect to see discussions between the Titans and Bus Cook reopened in an attempt to work out something that would be beneficial to both sides," Underwood said in statement issued by the team.

Bus Cook, McNair's agent, told ESPN's Chris Mortensen that McNair probably won't report to the facility until Monday because the quarterback is hosting a youth football camp in the Nashville, TN., area the rest of this week. The Titans are not scheduled for another on-field practice session again until June 13.

"I guess we'll find out right away of what this was about," said Cook of the lockout. "Did they really fear the consequences of an injury or were they trying to force Steve's hand on taking a new three-year contract that would pay him less than money than he would make with the Baltimore Ravens in one year?"

The NFL said it was gratified the arbitrator rejected numerous claims from McNair and the union, including that he be released from his contract and be paid for the missed workouts.

"The decision also makes clear that the club's actions did not constitute discipline and that players do not have an absolute right under the CBA to offseason workouts at a club's facility. The arbitrator went out of his way to say that this is an unusual and narrow case, and that only under these unique circumstances must the club grant the player a right to work out at its facility," league officials said in a statement.

McNair, who is under contract for the 2006 season and due a salary of $9 million, has the parameters of a deal established with the Ravens that is believed to pay him $12 million in his first year, counting bonuses. But the Ravens and Titans stalemated on draft pick compensation in trade talks after Tennessee granted McNair permission to speak with the Baltimore club.

The Ravens have offered a fourth-round choice that could conditionally upgrade to a third-round pick based on McNair's playtime and performance. The Titans wanted a third rounder that could upgrade to a second-round choice.

If no trade is made, or the Titans do not release McNair, Cook said the quarterback will plan to play for Tennessee in '06.

"Steve wasn't the one who locked himself out of camp," Cook told Mortensen. "There's been a lot of damage done but he doesn't have a choice of where he plays if push comes to shove and [the Titans] don't do anything. He's under contract so, yes, he'll play."

The 33-year-old McNair has won more games for the Titans than any other quarterback and helped lead the team to the playoffs in four of five seasons through 2003.

But releasing him would create some much-needed salary cap space for a team that doesn't have enough room to start signing its rookies. The team traditionally doesn't begin signing rookies until July.

After slashing payroll and fielding the NFL's youngest team last season, the Titans finished 4-12. McNair played in 14 games, but his quarterback rating was 18th in the league at 82.4.


--I know the Titans want to trade him, but come on. Treating their former MVP like this? I'm glad McNair went to the union and then the arbitrator, it should show the franchise they can't treat someone like this. The Titans suck.

PEACE
Brett

[Durango53]

Cut him if you dont want him. Everyone knows that the Titans dont want McNair (Why I dont know! I know that McNair said he didnt want to teach anyone but Young could learn a ton just by being around him) so they wont get crap for him and most teams that do want him are just waiting for him to be cut.

[PissedPrincess]

Yeah, I'm pretty disgusted with how they treated Mc Nair. I hope Vince Young falls on his face.:angry:

[skineg]

Cut him if you dont want him. Everyone knows that the Titans dont want McNair (Why I dont know! I know that McNair said he didnt want to teach anyone but Young could learn a ton just by being around him) so they wont get crap for him and most teams that do want him are just waiting for him to be cut.

I agree 100%. How many more years do they think he's going to play anyway? He's thought about retirement every offseason for the last three years. It sure couldn't hurt to have Young around him for one year as his back up.

PEACE
Brett

[DaCubz]

McNair was their franchise for about 5 years, and now they pull a stunt like this. Those are the people that suck. They're out just to please themselves and don't even worry about others.:nono1:

If they don't want him, I'm sure da Bears'll take him off of their hands.:devillol

[redsfan]

The bears could really use him. I could see him going to the Browns too. They need a veteran to help Frye.

[Durango53]

FOXSports.com has learned that the Titans have agreed to trade the quarterback to the Ravens for a fourth-round pick. However, the trade is contingent on McNair passing a physical with the Ravens.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/5673440

[skineg]

It's about damn time, I hope the Titans go 0-16 and the Ravens go to the Superbowl.

PEACE
Brett