George visits practice as he prepares for TV gig

But George wore flip-flops instead of cleats, and he was watching practice to prepare for a gig this preseason helping broadcast the team’s exhibitions on TV throughout the state of Tennessee while he hopes and waits for a call from another NFL team in need of an experienced running back.

George said it was emotional being back on the field where he spent so much time before asking to be released in July 2004 in a salary dispute.

“It’s definitely a weird situation coming out here. You expect to come out and practice. For me to come out here under these circumstances, they’re a little different. It’s good to see the old guys, see the coaches, some guys I played with and you know, it’s a good feeling,” George said.

George keeps a house here in Nashville, and he is training and staying in shape in case he does get a call. His agreement for the TV gig is that he can escape whenever he gets a telephone call because George wants a chance to add to his 10,441 yards rushing in nine seasons.

“Maybe something will come up in the next couple of weeks, but I’m not at all complaining right now (that) I have to be in camp in two-a-days,” George said.

In the meantime, he’s spending time at home with his family and a new baby. He said he’s enjoying getting to take his young son to school and see things he had missed at this time of year.

McNair said the only thing George needed was a pair of cleats and a helmet. He had hoped the Titans would find a way to bring his friend and former teammate back.

“The opportunity didn’t come,” McNair said. “I think he’s happy with what he’s doing now. Hopefully in the future, and hopefully soon, he’ll get a call from a team and be back on the playing field.”

If he doesn’t get a call, George said he’ll be ready for that as well.

“I’m going to have to be OK with it if it doesn’t work out,” George said.

———

INJURY REPORT: Defensive tackle Rien Long had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Wednesday to remove a piece of cartilage, and coach Jeff Fisher said the doctor was pleased with how easy the procedure was and that Long was feeling good.

Long, a former Outland Trophy winner, has played in 23 games with four starts over his first two seasons.

Fisher would not estimate how long Long might be out.

“Once we get him in his rehab, we’ll let you know. It’s something that Rien probably could have pushed through and played on, but it makes too much sense to do it now so we can get him back,” Fisher said.

Receiver Drew Bennett rested along with cornerback Reynaldo Hill, but Fisher said they should play Friday night in the exhibition opener against Tampa Bay. Running back Chris Brown returned with defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth who had missed three days with a tight back.

———

OLD TEAMMATES, NEW CRITICS?: Steve McNair now has the unusual task of having two former teammates helping broadcast Titans’ games. George will be working as an analyst on the exhibition games broadcast in Tennessee, while McNair’s one-time favorite target Frank Wycheck will be working on the team’s radio broadcasts.

“Both of those guys are good friends of mine and still are,” McNair said. “It’ll be very interesting in how they critique me.”

McNair pointed out that one thing could hamper both George and Wycheck in their new roles — neither knows the Titans’ new offense. But McNair said that won’t keep him from acknowledging George up in the broadcast booth.

“I might give him a nod,” McNair said.

———

DIFFERENT OFFENSE: One reason George watched practice was to get a feel for the new offense being installed by new offensive coordinator Norm Chow. He got to watch the two running backs being used now, Chris Brown and Travis Henry.

“It’s a good problem to have with two of them back there,” George said.

“Chris being able to do the things he can do and break off a run at any point in time, and Travis Henry to me is a guy that’s tough to bring down, tougher than nails. It’s going to be interesting to see how they coexist in the same backfield.”

George said it won’t be easy to split the carries by giving one 10 and the other 15, not when both are capable of rushing for 1,500 yards in a season.

“It’s going to be interesting to see how you can satisfy the appetite of both of them, and it’s going to be a good competition,” George said.

———

WATCH DADDY, KIDS: A few months ago, Steve McNair was hurting and contemplating retirement. Now he’s ready to start a new season with the Titans’ exhibition opener Friday night against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

One reason he decided to return for his 11th season was to let his four sons, who range in age from 13 to 1, see what Daddy does for a living.

“It’s rewarding to me them getting a chance to come out and see me,” McNair said Wednesday. “When they’re at a young age, they know about football. They just don’t understand it. So at this age, they understand it and have an understanding of what I do, and they have fun watching me.”

Do they know enough to be critics yet?

“No,” McNair said with a laugh.