Titans sign Patriots free agent Smith
A day after cutting Eddie George, the Tennessee Titans signed running back Antowain Smith, New England’s leading rusher the past three seasons.
Smith, 32, agreed Thursday to take substantially less than the $2.5 million base salary demanded by George. The Titans have been fighting the salary cap to fill out their roster and sign all their draft picks.
The battle over money led to the departure of George, who was offered a $1.5 million deal before he was released Wednesday.
Smith, who led the Patriots with 642 yards rushing (3.5 yards per carry) last season, reportedly will make $660,000 with a $25,000 signing bonus. He will compete for time with second-year man Chris Brown and Robert Holcombe.
“Tennessee presented the best option to me to win a third Super Bowl ring,” said Smith, who was on New England’s two Super Bowl winners.
The 6-foot-2, 232-pound back led the Patriots in rushing each of his three seasons there. Over a career that includes four seasons with Buffalo — where he was a first round pick in 1997 — he has rushed for 5,713 yards and has a 3.9 yards per carry average.
McNair charges gutted
Prosecutors seeking a DUI conviction against Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair received a blow Thursday when a judge ruled the arresting officer didn’t have “sufficient basis” to pull him over.
Davidson County Criminal Court Judge Cheryl Blackburn granted McNair’s request to suppress all evidence relating to the May 2003 stop, saying officer Shawn Taylor’s observations did not provide “specific and articulable facts that (the) defendant was driving under the influence.”
Rison case dismissed
A judge in Flint, Mich., has dismissed a felony charge accusing former NFL player Andre Rison of failing to pay more than $90,000 in child support. Genesee County District Judge Ramona M. Roberts ruled that the Flint native had paid enough to meet his court-ordered obligation, despite missing one or two payments.
Extra points
Eddie George’s first visit as a free agent will be with the Dallas Cowboys today. … First-round draft pick Michael Clayton (WR, LSU) agreed to terms on a contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. … Steelers linebacker James Farrior , the team’s leading tackler, re-signed for five years and $16.4 million.