George Carries The Load Running Back Stands Out As The Impact Player In Tennessee’S Offense

In a quiet conversation before Sunday’s AFC divisional playoff game, Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher reminded star running back Eddie George of his suddenly expanding role.

“I told him when we traded up in the 1996 draft to get him, this was the reason,” Fisher said. “You need the running back to win games like this.”

It has become clear, two rounds into the NFL’s postseason tournament, that the Titans will go as far as George can carry them. After rushing for 106 yards in a 22-16 win over the Buffalo Bills, George powered for 162 yards in a 19-16 decision over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.

Next stop: Jacksonville for this Sunday’s AFC championship game showdown with the Jaguars. Once more, he can expect a heavy workload.

In the regular season, the four-year veteran got the ball on 36.3 percent of the team’s offensive snaps - 320 rushes and 47 receptions.

In two playoff games, he has gotten the ball on 48.8 percent of the Titans’ snaps, consisting of 55 runs and five receptions.

In a season of diminishing returns and early exits for some of the league’s best running backs, George is still going strong.

“Eddie has been a solid player for us since his rookie year,” Fisher said. “He’s playing as well as he’s played since he’s been here right now, and his role has increased all the way to the playoffs.

“He believes he can carry this team. He showed that he has every reason to believe that. But we have to do more than just run the football on Sunday, obviously.”

The Titans’ offense has been decidedly one-dimensional this postseason. Offensive coordinator Les Steckel has called 51 passes to 72 runs in two games. George’s ground yardage has out-gained quarterback Steve McNair’s passing yardage 268 to 188.

The run-pass ratio and the yardage totals should change in the championship game, though. That’s because in the Titans’ two wins over Jacksonville this season, quarterbacks Neil O’Donnell and McNair enjoyed big passing games.

With McNair sidelined by back surgery, O’Donnell started the Sept. 26 game and passed for 204 yards and two touchdowns in a 20-19 victory.

In Tennessee’s 41-14 rout on Dec. 26, McNair threw for 291 yards and five touchdowns. In those two games, George ran for 57 and 102 yards. He was the only 100-yard rusher against the Jaguars this season.

Jacksonville’s rush defense ranked third in the NFL this season, giving up 90.3 yards a game. The Titans’ rush offense ranks 13th (113.2).

Reaction costs Moss $40,000

The NFL fined All-Pro wide receiver Randy Moss was fined $40,000 by the NFL on Thursday for squirting a water bottle at an official in the Vikings’ playoff loss to the Rams.

The Minnesota star, who was fined $10,000 earlier this season for verbally abusing an official, is appealing.

“Our position is that the fine is excessive,” agent Dante’ DiTrapano said, adding that the first fine was also under appeal.

Moss squirted the plastic bottle at field judge Jim Saracino during the game last Sunday, which the Rams won 49-37.

The NFL said Moss, standing near the Vikings bench during the fourth quarter, squirted Saracino after an incomplete pass and his unsuccessful plea for a defensive interference penalty. Vikings spokesman Bob Hagan said the bottle probably contained water.

Saints interview Seahawks exec

Randy Mueller, who started as a Seattle Seahawks ball boy and now serves as vice president of football operations, has been interviewed by the New Orleans Saints for their vacancy at general manager.

The St. Maries, Idaho, native was interviewed Wednesday in San Antonio en route to Mobile, Ala., to attend practices for Saturday’s Senior Bowl college all-star game.

The Seahawks hired Gil Haskell, an 18-year NFL coaching veteran, as offensive coordinator, replacing Mike Sherman, who left to become coach of the Green Bay Packers.

After spending the last two seasons as Carolina’s offensive coordinator, Haskell rejoins Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren. In Green Bay, where Holmgren was head coach from 1992-98, Haskell coached wide receivers for three seasons and running backs for three.

Fazio gives notice

Foge Fazio has resigned as Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator to become linebackers coach for the Washington Redskins, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported.

Washington also is expected to hire former Green Bay coach Ray Rhodes as its defensive coordinator.

Sunday’s games AFC: Tennessee at Jacksonville, 9:35 a.m. TV: CBS. NFC: Tampa Bay at St Louis, 1:15 p.m.. TV: Fox.