By Stephen Hawkins
The Associated Press

IRVING, Texas - Eddie George used to watch from the sideline as opposing running backs struggled to gain yards against the Tennessee Titans. Now it's his turn.

George will be running Monday night for the Dallas Cowboys, the team he signed with after his precamp release from the Titans because of a salary dispute.

"I've been watching them for so long. They have been able to shut down any running game at will," George said. "That's going to be interesting."

The NFL's top-ranked rushing defense, which held 2,000-yard rusher Jamal Lewis to 35 yards on 14 carries in the AFC wild-card win over Baltimore in January, now faces their own franchise's career rushing leader. George ran for 10,009 yards in his eight seasons for the Titans and Oilers.

"It's not one of those things I'm looking forward to because I have to play against whoever is out there," Titans linebacker Keith Bulluck said. "I definitely understand all of the hoopla and all of the fun behind it. I just don't play into it."

Reunion aside, it's still just a preseason game.

"You always want to play well, regardless of who you are playing against," George said. "But one game, this game, is not going to mean anything. I can go out there and get 150 yards in two quarters, but we still have a season to play."

That still won't diminish the strange feelings for the Titans, who will have to stop George in a game and not on the practice field. George signed with the Cowboys on July 23, two days after being released and a week before camp began.

"At the same time, we're not playing for the Super Bowl or anything like that," said cornerback Samari Rolle, the best man in George's June wedding. "It's just a preseason game, and we're just trying to get better."

While George is likely the starter, Cowboys coach Bill Parcells plans to use Richie Anderson and rookie Julius Jones during the season, as well. He's just not saying how he'll split the carries, or if Anderson will be the third running back or open the season at fullback.

"I told you when we got (George), he wasn't going to take the whole load," Parcells said. "I am planning on three guys carrying the ball in the course of a game."

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