The Tennessean from Nashville, Tennessee • Page 31

www.tennessean.com THE TENNESSEAN Saturday, July 28, 2001 5C spomiTrANS Rolle signs for now, awaits longer deal leave camp or anything like that I am here now for the duratioa" McCrary skipped two days of practice last year with the Baltimore Ravens over a contract dispute. Until recently, Rolle's agent Lamont Smith, hadn't ruled out the possibility of his client not reporting to camp if a long-term deal with the Titans wasn't worked out Instead Rolle signed his tender offer of $L488 million which allows him to practice with the team today. "If General Manager Floyd Reese and President Jeff Diamond say they are going to get it done, they are going to get it done," Rolle said 'Tve played three years and I wasn't a millionaire then, so Pve got to make my money." He admitted the buzz surrounding his contract situation has been on his mind but said "by the time we put on the helmets and pads, I think it will be behind me." Smith wants a long-term deal done by the start of the regular season and said he will be upset if negotiations drag on much longer. If the two sides can't agree to a deal by next March, Rolle would become an unrestricted free agent free to sign with any team. "I think the difference in having a long-term deal now is Til be a Titan for life, where come January or February, then my options are wide open and I could go anywhere," Rolle said 'This is where I want to be.

The money thing has never been an issue with me. I think they respect me and I 'Tve played three years and I wasn't a millionaire then, so I've got to make my money." -Pro Bowl cornerback Samari Rolle, on the Titans' promise of a long-term deal respect them, so if just time to move forward I think last year and the year before that I showed what I was worth." Reese, who has not had a player hold out since safety Blaine Bishop in 1997, said Rolle should now concentrate on football and leave the negotiating to Smith and the Titans' brass. "He is going to be practicing twice a day for the next month," Reese said "If you can find time for him to sit around and talk about a contract for a couple hours a day, he is not working hard enough. "When it gets to a point when it is done or close to done, then I am sure Smith will go to Samari and say, Tley, what's this look like? and Samari will say yea or nay." Accepting tender offer gets cornerback in camp By JIM WYATT Staff Writer On a football field, the large media gathering around Samari Rolle's locker yesterday would have qualified as a zone defense. Reporters and cameramen had an eye on every door, waiting for the Pro Bowl cornerback to make an appearance.

When he showed just after signing his one-year tender offer from the Titans the group converged on him. "I think I showed a commitment by coming to camp," Rolle said "I am not going to do a Michael McCrary and TITANS UPDATE Training camp Where: Titans headquarters, also known as Baptist Sports Park, at 460 Great Circle Road in MetroCenter. Getting there: Take 1-65 (formerly 1-265) to MetroCenter Boulevard. Heading away from downtown, take Metro-Center Boulevard to Athens Way. Go right on Athens Way to Great Circle Road and take another right into the parking lot.

From the parking lot, you'll ride a shuttle bus to the practice facility. There is no parking for fans at the facility and picking up or dropping off people in front of the facility is prohibited. There is also no parking in the lots of businesses adjacent to the facility. Parking and the shuttle ride are free. Shuttles will operate before and after each practice.

You should know. There is no shade or water fountain at the facility, but concessions, including bottled water, are available for purchase. Cameras are allowed, but no camcorders. And if you're taking the kids, some words of warning: Dont be surprised to hear plenty of "colorful" language it's football practice, after all, not choir practice. For more information: Call 565-4190.

Upcoming schedule Training camp practices are open to the public beginning today. Upcoming practice and shuttle schedule: Today-Monday: 1 :30 a.m., p.m. Tuesday: 1 :30 am Autographs Certain Titans are pre-selected to sign Coaching intern gets back on field By PAUL KUHARSKY and JIM WYATT Staff Writers Fred Barnett the NFL Minority Coaching Fellowship intern for the Titans, was on the field with the rookies Thursday. Barnett played for the Philadelphia Eagles (1990-95) and Miami Dolphins 096). A third-round draft pick by the Eagles out of Arkansas State in 1990, the wide Best Values of The Year! Hurry Special Factory Incentives End Soon 2001 GMC SONCg icljj autographs following afternoon practices.

Other players may also choose to sign, but it's up to the individual player. Bring whatever you want autographed and a pen. The upcoming schedule: Today: Kevin Carter, Joe Nedney, Keith Adams, Robby Snelling, Drew Bennett. Tomorrow: Eddie George, Barry Hall, QB Chris Sanders, Shawn Johnson, Reed Diehl. Monday: Neil O'Donnell, Fred Miller, Keith Bulluck, Juqua Thomas, Jimmy Redmond.

Tuesday: Aric Mom's, Bobby Myers, Marshaun Tucker, Dante Marsh, Andre Dyson. Titans spotlight DAN ALEXANDER Position: Running back. NFL experience: Rookie. College: Nebraska. 2001 GMC JIMMY 1-3378.

V-6. Automatic, Sunroof 7371 Titans running backs coach Sherman Smith is among the current NFL coaches who got their initial opportunity through the fellowship program, which began in 1987. In uniform: Eddie George and Kevin Dyson strolled, through the locker room yesterday dressed as if they were going to play one-on-one basketball. George wore a blue, Allen Iverson Philadelphia 76ers jersey. Dyson was in a red, Julius Erving Sixers jersey.

"He's no fan, he just does it for the look," said George, a Philadelphia native who was disappointed to see his team lose the NBA Finals to Los Angeles. "It sickens me that he cheered for the Lakers this year and he's wearing a Sixers jersey." George, still recovering from offseason surgery on the big toe of his right foot said he will only be doing rehabilitation work through the first week of camp. He said he expects to begin limited practice Aug 6. New kicker The Titans have added kickerpunter Jason Witczak to the roster to help spell veteran punterkicker Craig Hentrich and kicker Joe Nedney during camp. Witczak, a rookie from Southeast Missouri, is familiar with Adelphia Coliseum.

Last season he played his last college football game there against Tennessee State. Titans Foundation: The Tennessee Titans Foundation presented $80,000 to 16 area charities yester-. day. The gifts were proceeds of the third annual Tennessee Titans Charity Golf Tournament 2001 GMC SIERRA 1500 SLE EXT 01-3328 Vortec V-8, Automatic, 40R, CD receiver caught 334 passes' for 5,196 yards and 31 touchdowns in 90 career games. Still, Titans rookie receiver Justin McCareins didn't realize who Barnett was during the morning practice.

McCareins recognized the name when asked about it later. "I know he knows his stuff and I appreciate having him out there," McCareins said "Now I am going to really pay attention to what he has to say." Barnett coached tight ends for the Memphis Maniax of the XFL Titans Coach Jeff FLsher called Barnett to see if he'd be interested in the Titans' internship. "At first I was kind of hesitant, because I still wanted to play. My wife talked me out of it," said Barnett, 35, who still hasn't ruled out playing again. "It's hard being on the field and not being on the field" Fisher and Barnett crossed paths in 1990, when Fisher was still on Buddy Ryan's staff in Philadelphia Fisher Said he remembered Barnett making a real impression despite missing training camp due to complications that weren't the receiver's fault 2001 GMC SIERRA 'T1 $47 SL Hometown: What are you afraid "Sometimes you're afraid of not living up to expectations.

That's the scariest thing for me." What did your family call you as a 01-3395, Automatic, AC, Vortec, Stereo 2001 BUICK CENTURVl 1 -3S7 "My mom called me Sweet Pea." What was your first "An '89 RolmkrSii JkJ 2001 BUICK LESABRF 01-2064. 01 Full-size Car -y www tjm In The World! 2001 BUICK PARK AVE. 28.SOO 01-2051; Leather, CD, Dual Power seatSje uuai-tone au Mans: Cornerback, DT strong positions 2002 BUICK 1 FROM RENDEZVOUS 02-2000; All New 25,900 Plymouth Horizon." What is in your CD player right "Carl Thomas, Emotional." What Is your favorite "Gladiator." Preseason calendar Today: First full-squad practice. Aug. 2-3: Practices with Indianapolis Colts at Titans practice facility, 8:30 am and 3:30 p.m.

Aug. 4: Scrimmage with Colts at Adel-phia Coliseum, 10:30 a.m. Aug. 1 1 Preseason game against Chicago Bears at Adeiphia Coliseum, 7 p.m. Aug.

17: Preseason game at St. Louis Rams, 7 p.m. Aug. 21: Training camp breaks. Aug.

23: Preseason game against Philadelphia Eagles at Adelphia Coliseum, 7 p.m. Aug. 28: Roster cut to 65 players. Aug. 30: Preseason game at Detroit Lions, 6:30 p.m.

Sept Roster cut to 53 players. Ticket update Free tickets to the Aug. 2-3 Titans-Colts practices wll be distributed at the Adelphia Coliseum box office beginning at 10 am today. There will be a limit of four per person, and all four tickets must be to the same practice session. There will be 2,000 tickets available for each of the four practices.

Tickets will be handed out on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets for the Aug. 4 scrimmage between the Titans and Colts at Adelphia are $10 each. They are available at Adelphia, all TicketMaster outlets, online at www.tjcketmaster.com, or by calling 255-9600. Ticket windows will open at 9 am.

the day of the scrimmage if tickets are BellSouth Buicks In Stock Mow! 2001 PONTIAC SUNFIRE SE 01-1091; AC, Digital Stereo wCassette left 2001 PbMTlAC fx, Crowded spots Positions at which the Titans are crowded heading into today's first practice of training camp, 'Current" category does not include undrafted rookies with one-year contracts): DEFENSIVE TACKLES Start of 2000 season (5): Jason Fisk, John Thornton, Henry Ford, Joe Salave'a, Robaire Smith. Current (6): Fisk, Thornton, Salave'a, Josh Evans, Smith, Rod Walker (Ford is now playing end). CORNERBACKS Start of 2000 season (5): Samari Rolle, Denard Walker, Michael Booker, Dainon Sidney, George McCullough. Current (6): Rolle, DeRon Jenkins, Booker, Donald Mitchell, Andre Dyson, Sidney OMalker left as a free agent McCullough was released). TIGHT ENDS FULLBACKS Start of 2000 season (4): Frank Wycheck, Erron Kinney, Lorenzo Neal, Mike Roan (replaced after injury by Mike Leach).

Current (6): Wycheck, Kinney, William Floyd, Shad Meier, Brian Natkin, Leach (Neal was released). -PAUL KUHARSKY 01-1036: Loaded with sunroof and CD changer 2001 FIREBIRD 01-1043; T-Tops, Automatic, Monsoon Sound wCD I fetefrEM played five defensive tackles, but they finished the season with six. John Thornton started every game. Jason Fisk and Joe Salave'a missed one each because of injuries. Henry Ford who is shuffling from tackle to end this season, missed two.

Robaire" Smith played in eight games. Walker never played after he was signed off the practice squad Dec 1 to prevent him from going to the Carolina Panthers. Josh Evans is back in the mix after a serving a yearlong suspension for violations of the league's substance abuse policy. Because the Titans regularly rotate their linemen, carrying six tackles again could work, leaving them room to deal with injury. Smith, with experience at end could also shift outside.

"Defensive-line numbers are very important because of the way we roll our guys in waves," Schwartz said "One guy doesn't play 60 snaps inside; four guys play 30. Thaf to our advantage because we wear teams out" A year from now, the Titans could wind up thin at defensive tackle. Fisk and Evans will be unrestricted free agents after this season and Thornton will be a restricted free agent Evans is also just one positive test away from being suspended indefinitely. As for cornerbacks, the Titans had five at the end of last season, with one, George McCullough, inactive nearly half the time. Now, in addition to Pro Bowler Samari Rolle, they have five talented players competing for the starting job on the left side and roles in the nickel (five defensive backs) and dime (six) packages DeRon Jenkins, Michael Booker, Donald Mitchell, Andre Dyson and Dainon Sidney.

They will probably only wind up keeping five, and the guys who wind up at the bottom of the group mast contribute on special ALL PRICES PLUS TAXISI AND LICENSE AND AFTER ALL REBATESINCENTIVES APR IFD giAURKlSJUKW ORMimtOWIliWQtSimi LOW ON CERTAIN MODELS THRU GMAC IN LIEU Of REBATES SEE DfcALER E0R DETAILS DUE TO AU DEADLINES SOME UNITS MAY BE SOLD AND MAV DIFFER fHUM PICTURES INCENTIVES HAVE GEOGRAPHIC LIMITS AND ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE THESE OFFERS END 73001 SMART PEOPLE REAB THf FINE PRIM AMD IUY A7CUNNINOHAMI Remember, You can count on still available. Tickets to preseason and regular-season games are sold out Kickoff party Some hard-core Titans fans will commemorate the start of training camp today with Titans Training Camp Tailgate 2001 The event is co-sponsored by Kroger and Steak-n-Shake. Festivities will start at the North entrance to Adelphia Coliseum, where tailgaters will meet around 10 am. to form a caravan through downtown Nashville, arriving at 11 am. at a parking lot on Great Circle Drive in MetroCenter, where the party will be held.

Caravan participants are asked to decorate their car, with a prize going to the best decorated vehicle. A limited supply of food and beverages will be available on site and door prizes will be awarded all afternoon. Tailgaters are asked to bring canned food items to be donated to The Second Harvest Food Bank in the name of The Chris Sanders Foundation The party will last until 3 pm, when fans will hop the shuttles to the Titans afternoon practice. -TENNESSEAN STAFF REPORTS PROFESSIONAL GRADE BuiCKgSj ITS all good teams. The large numbers at the two positions are kind of happy accidents, Reese said.

'It's interesting how at times they get bunched up," he said. "All of the sudden you draft a couple low-round guys, you pick up a free agent along the way and you hope one or two hit All three hit and you've got a group. It's a luxury and it's a pleasure. Things haven't always haven't always fallen exactly the way we wanted them to. But hopefully you get the best 53, which is the Visit Our All NEW Dealership -2516 Memorial Blvd.

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