Arbitrator to decide McNair?s Titan future
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But his future with the Titans is up in the air, as the team and the players? union begin haggling over an impasse centered around McNair?s hefty salary cap number.
Arbitrator John Feerick began to hear arguments Tuesday morning over a grievance filed by the NFL Players Association last month when the Titans had a trainer tell McNair he couldn?t work out on their property for fear of injury.
The union wants McNair to be allowed to work out or be released.
The Titans have denied any breach, and the problem is money. They want protection from the potential liability of a $23.46 million salary cap hit if McNair is hurt or a new, cheaper contract to reduce that cap number for a player who has missed 10 games the past two seasons.
McNair and his agent, Bus Cook, see a quarterback who completed 61.3 percent of his passes in 2005 ? his 11th season ? and deserves a multiyear extension.
General manager Floyd Reese said he has a plan whether the Titans win or lose the hearing. But he isn?t expecting a quick decision. The arbitrator who heard the Terrell Owens? grievance last November rendered a decision five days later.
?Historically for us, it?s not been something that happened immediately. Now could it happen (Tuesday)? I guess it could. But it would be a first,? Reese said.
McNair and his agent were due to attend the hearing. Feerick was scheduled hear arguments from NFLPA general counsel Richard Berthelsen with the Titans represented by Daniel Nash of the Akin Gump law firm in Washington and Dennis Curran, general counsel for the NFL?s management council.
This is the messiest situation since this team relocated to Tennessee because it revolves around the most well-known player left from the franchise?s lone Super Bowl appearance in 2000 and a streak of four playoff berths in five seasons.
Reconciliation is remote because talks between the Titans and McNair?s agent have been nearly nonexistent.
The Titans also allowed McNair?s agent to negotiate with Baltimore during the NFL draft, and Cook got an offer that included an $11 million signing bonus. But the Titans declared trade talks dead for lack of a better offer from the Ravens.
The arbitration hearing is McNair?s best chance for a quick release, which would give him valuable time to learn a new team?s offense.