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Eddie George: Should I Stay Or Should I Go?

Eddie George: Should I Stay Or Should I Go?

The contract dispute between Eddie George and the Tennessee Titans has been the most annoying recurring news item of this year's offseason. The Titans have been extremely clear from the onset of negotations that if George was going to stay in Tennesse he would have to accept a significant paycut and a reduced role on the team. George has been sitting on the Titans final offer now for over a month, and despite training camp being less than two weeks away, George continues to play tomfoolery with the Titans organization. If there was an interested market for Eddie George elsewhere, it certainly would've transpired by now. But the inescapable truth for George is that he is a player who is undeniably on the decline.

Averaging just 1045 yards, and a detestable 3.2 yards-per-carry average over the last 3 seasons all serve to validate what the Titans have been saying to George from the very beginning; take a pay cut and a reduced role, or be cut. Furthermore, George's tactic of waiting until the final hour to sign the Titans offer is fooling nobody because the best of what Eddie George has left to offer; his leadership, his team spirit are intangibles that the Titans will value far more than some other team where George is just another strange face in a huddle.

Eddie was once a war horse but now he's aging and ailing. He doesn't pack his old punch on the field or at the negotiating table. For everybody's sake he should get this settled before ill sets in and begins to fester.
- Larry Woody: The Tennessean

The Titans are correct on all accounts here. George isn't worth a penny more than the $1.5 million the Titans have put on the table, and furthermore, the Titans must give opportunities to Chris Brown in an effort to groom him as George's replacement. Ultimately, George should sign the Titans contract offer and accept being a role player to close out his career. But it is the 6'3, 220-pound youngster Chris Brown that fans and fantasy owners are patiently waiting to see perform. Jeff Fisher has given George 8-straight 300+ carry seasons, making the starting running back job for Tennessee one of the more lucrative in the league. Brown's fantasy value should be held in check by George's continued presence, but that shouldn't stop you from taking a gamble on him. Perhaps more of a prized asset in keeper leagues, Chris Brown could become an adequate 3rd option for fantasy owners this season. But if by chance Eddie George should call the Titans' bluff and get released, Brown's stock is likely to blow sky high.

FOOTBLOG UPDATE: Eddie George has just rejected the Titans offer and publicly pleaded for his release.

"I'm not accepting it," George told The Associated Press on Monday night. "My expectation when making the decision is to be released. At that point, I'm looking at other options." - Associated Press

Chris Brown instantly becomes the hottest thing since Rudi Johnson!

George's contract on list of sports mysteries [Tennessean]
George rejects Titans' latest offer [SignOnSanDiego.com]
Photo: [AP]

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