The Associated Press

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Tennessee Titans are trying to decide what to do with Eddie George.

George, the franchise's top career rusher, rejected Tennessee's latest pay cut offer Monday night and asked to be released. He wants a quick decision with training camps starting to open July 27.

The Titans aren't ready to act quite so fast.

"We want to take our time and make sure everyone involved understands the ramifications of this action," general manager Floyd Reese said Tuesday in a statement that was the team's first comment on George's request. "I don't think taking a day or two of reflection for something of this magnitude is a bad thing."

George, an eight-year veteran, asked to be released after rejecting the Titans' offer to reduce his pay from $4.25 million to approximately $1.5 million for the 2004 season.

The team is trying to clear cap room to sign its 13 rookies.

"Basically, we're just talking about taking a straight pay cut," George said Monday night. "I didn't see the win-win situation. If I'm helping the organization out, I thought they would help me out and have a win-win situation and I would basically make my money up in incentives."

George, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, wants to start seeking a new job as soon as possible.

"I hate to sever the ties here," he said. "My first and only option was to finish a Tennessee Titan under fair circumstances. Unfortunately, that's not how I perceive it at this point."

George is only the second NFL running back to rush for 10,000 yards while never missing a start, joining Jim Brown. Only Walter Payton (170) has started more consecutive regular-season games than George's 128. George has 64 touchdowns since being drafted in 1996 out of Ohio State, where he won a Heisman Trophy.

Eddie George's career rushing stats

Year	Team	G	GS	Att	Yards	Avg	Lg	TD
1996	Houston Oilers	16	16	335	1368	4.1	76	8
1997	Tennessee Oilers	16	16	357	1399	3.9	30	6
1998	Tennessee Oilers	16	16	348	1294	3.7	37	5
1999	Tennessee Titans	16	16	320	1304	4.1	40	9
2000	Tennessee Titans	16	16	403	1509	3.7	35	14
2001	Tennessee Titans	16	16	315	939	3.0	27	5
2002	Tennessee Titans	16	16	343	1165	3.4	35	12
2003	Tennessee Titans	16	16	312	1031	3.3	27	5
TOTAL		128	128	2733	10009	3.7	76	64

Source: NFL.com

BUCCANEERS: Offensive guard Matt O'Dwyer tore his left pectoral and will have surgery. His status for this season is unclear.

• The team signed wide receiver Bill Schroeder, who totaled 72 receptions and seven touchdowns in 30 games with Detroit the last two seasons. He began his career with Green Bay in 1997 and has 297 career catches for 4,427 yards.

BROWNS: Cleveland signed defensive end Jamal Reynolds to a two-year contract. Reynolds, a first-round pick of Green Bay in 2001 who was bothered by a knee injury his first two seasons, recorded 17 tackles and three sacks in 18 games over three seasons.

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