NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Receiver Derrick Mason and cornerback Samari Rolle were among six players released Monday by the Tennessee Titans in an effort to cut up to $27 million to get under the NFL salary cap.
In addition to Mason and Rolle, the Titans released starting defensive lineman Kevin Carter and right tackle Fred Miller. They also cut fullback Robert Holcombe and kicker Joe Nedney.
Titans owner Bud Adams said everyone on the team knew this day was coming.
"At this point, I believe this is the best option for our franchise and know it will make us stronger for the future," Adams said in a statement. "To our fans, this is not an ending. I believe in this team and I look forward to seeing them grow."
General manager Floyd Reese said the Titans want to mimic Baltimore's approach to the salary cap - slash large salaries in one lump and, hopefully, limit any damage to one season.
"We're done manipulating. Now we're going to fix this," Reese said.
Mason led all NFL receivers last season with a career-high 96 catches for 1,168 yards and seven touchdowns. The eight-year veteran was the first player in franchise history to have four consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons.
Mason said he was anxious to test free agency.
"I've got a good four, five more years in me. I want to go to a team that's going to compete for a championship next year," Mason told radio station WWTN-FM.
Rolle, considered among the league's top cover cornerbacks, was arrested last week on a domestic assault charge. A Pro Bowl selection in 2000, Rolle played in 12 games last season before having surgery on his left knee. He had only one interception and 28 tackles.
Carter was the veteran on a very young defensive line last season. He played both end and tackle while mentoring the Titans' five draft picks. Miller is a nine-year veteran who started at right tackle the last five seasons for Tennessee.
Holcombe's roster spot has been in jeopardy since the Titans drafted Troy Fleming last April. Fleming had better numbers rushing and catching.
Nedney has missed all but one half of the past two seasons with a torn ACL, then a torn hamstring.
The Titans are the league's fourth-winningest team since 1999 at 61-35.
"There's a chance we could get some of these guys back," coach Jeff Fisher told WWTN-FM. "This is a salary cap decision we have to make and to the common person, it doesn't make any sense at all. I think it illustrates how sophisticated the process is."
Reese said the cuts will clear 80 percent of the $27 million that the team is over the cap. The Titans are reworking a few other contracts, and Reese said Monday's moves will allow the team to tender offers to their 10 restricted free agents and all their exclusive rights free agents.
Tennessee has the sixth pick overall in the upcoming the draft, their highest since selecting Steve McNair third overall in 1995.
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In addition to Mason and Rolle, the Titans released starting defensive lineman Kevin Carter and right tackle Fred Miller. They also cut fullback Robert Holcombe and kicker Joe Nedney.
Titans owner Bud Adams said everyone on the team knew this day was coming.
"At this point, I believe this is the best option for our franchise and know it will make us stronger for the future," Adams said in a statement. "To our fans, this is not an ending. I believe in this team and I look forward to seeing them grow."
General manager Floyd Reese said the Titans want to mimic Baltimore's approach to the salary cap - slash large salaries in one lump and, hopefully, limit any damage to one season.
"We're done manipulating. Now we're going to fix this," Reese said.
Mason led all NFL receivers last season with a career-high 96 catches for 1,168 yards and seven touchdowns. The eight-year veteran was the first player in franchise history to have four consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons.
Mason said he was anxious to test free agency.
"I've got a good four, five more years in me. I want to go to a team that's going to compete for a championship next year," Mason told radio station WWTN-FM.
Rolle, considered among the league's top cover cornerbacks, was arrested last week on a domestic assault charge. A Pro Bowl selection in 2000, Rolle played in 12 games last season before having surgery on his left knee. He had only one interception and 28 tackles.
Carter was the veteran on a very young defensive line last season. He played both end and tackle while mentoring the Titans' five draft picks. Miller is a nine-year veteran who started at right tackle the last five seasons for Tennessee.
Holcombe's roster spot has been in jeopardy since the Titans drafted Troy Fleming last April. Fleming had better numbers rushing and catching.
Nedney has missed all but one half of the past two seasons with a torn ACL, then a torn hamstring.
The Titans are the league's fourth-winningest team since 1999 at 61-35.
"There's a chance we could get some of these guys back," coach Jeff Fisher told WWTN-FM. "This is a salary cap decision we have to make and to the common person, it doesn't make any sense at all. I think it illustrates how sophisticated the process is."
Reese said the cuts will clear 80 percent of the $27 million that the team is over the cap. The Titans are reworking a few other contracts, and Reese said Monday's moves will allow the team to tender offers to their 10 restricted free agents and all their exclusive rights free agents.
Tennessee has the sixth pick overall in the upcoming the draft, their highest since selecting Steve McNair third overall in 1995.
Fox Sports
