The Associated Press

DETROIT - Barry Sanders, one of football's smoothest backs, admits the way he left the Detroit Lions was awkward.

During his first news conference since his retirement on the eve of training camp in 1999, Sanders said Tuesday, "The way it was done may have been a little clumsy."

Sanders announced his retirement through a written statement released by his hometown newspaper, The Wichita Eagle.

"Even had I retired in a more graceful way, it still would've been taken the wrong way by a lot of people because I retired after 10 years," Sanders said. "The issue was not how I retired, but when I retired."

Sanders did say he should have returned calls from former Lions coach Bobby Ross, who tried unsuccessfully to contact him before the 1999 season.

"It took a long time to figure out what I wanted to do and how I wanted to say it," Sanders said.

Sanders ran for 15,269 yards during his 10-year career. He walked away from the NFL with Walter Payton's rushing record well within reach.

"At that time, I knew that I just didn't have it in me anymore to continue," said Sanders, who is eligible for election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in January.

Sanders, never comfortable talking to reporters, acknowledged he agreed to have a news conference solely to promote his book, Barry Sanders: Now You See Him... which was released this week.

"It was probably good that I did the book, because I'm not sure when or if something like this would've occurred," Sanders said of his talk with reporters.

MONDAY NIGHT RECAP: The Tennessee Titans have no time to worry about a missed opportunity. They must prepare for Sunday's AFC South showdown with Indianapolis.

Beating the Colts (9-3) would give the Titans (9-3) a one-game lead with three remaining as they try to win the division for a second consecutive year. They also would take a big step toward hosting a playoff game.

But if they had beaten the New York Jets on Monday night, the Titans could have clinched a playoff berth with a victory and some help Sunday.

With their 24-17 victory, the Jets prevented the Titans from clinching anything this week - and might have taken away their best chance at a first-round bye. New England (10-2), which handed the Titans their last loss Oct. 5, now has the edge for the AFC's No. 2 seed.

The Jets also exposed some problems the Titans disguised during a stretch in which they won eight of nine games.

Steve McNair, the league's top-rated passer, had compensated for an offense with the NFL's worst rushing average.

Eddie George averaged 4.1 yards a carry Monday night, but the Titans couldn't open a hole for him to reach the end zone from the Jets 3 in the fourth quarter. McNair, who played despite a strained right calf, threw three straight incomplete passes to turn the ball over with 5:21 left.

McNair said his leg didn't bother him. But he didn't run, even faking a draw play once and getting intercepted when he could have run on third-and-9.

BROWNS: The Cleveland Browns learned Tuesday that William Green's NFL-imposed suspension for violating the league's substance-abuse policy has been extended.

The league's decision to lengthen the running back's ban indefinitely makes it unlikely he will play again this season.

The second-year back was suspended four games Nov. 8 for a violation involving alcohol. He already was enrolled in the second stage of the league's treatment program.

Green, who was eligible to return to the team Monday, will remain suspended for "treatment purposes."

The Browns could have some tough choices to make on Green. Do they give him a second chance, bring him to training camp and risk Green having a relapse? Or do they release him and move on?

Browns coach Butch Davis refused to address questions about Green's future.

BUCCANEERS: Tampa Bay lost two more starters for the season when wide receiver Joe Jurevicius and cornerback Tim Wansley were placed on injured reserve Tuesday .

The Super Bowl champions also released fullback Vinny Ciurciu, and signed safety Scott Frost, receiver Marvin Minnis and cornerback Ronyell Whitaker.

CARDINALS: Linebacker Raynoch Thompson has been suspended for the final four games of the season for violating the league's substance abuse policy.

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