NASHVILLE - The Tennessee Titans chose a variety of moves to slip them under the NFL's salary cap that included releasing their 13-year veteran left tackle and declining to extend quarterback Steve McNair's contract through 2009.
The NFL announced Thursday afternoon that teams had been given an extra 72 hours before the start of free agency. But the Titans went ahead and discussed a variety of moves, with the most important being the decision not to pay McNair $50 million to extend his deal three more seasons.
Instead, the Titans will pay a $1 million fee not due until Sept. 1 that keeps him under contract through 2006.
The Titans, who released left tackle Brad Hopkins on Wednesday, also declined options on backup quarterback Billy Volek and linebacker Peter Sirmon. Volek is signed through 2007, and Sirmon's deal now runs through this season.
Team officials exercised options on offensive tackle Michael Roos and cornerback Pacman Jones that added a year to each of their deals. They also exercised an option on free safety Lamont Thompson and extended his deal for three years.
They extended one-year tenders to quarterback Matt Mauck, running back Jarrett Payton, converted safety Marcus Randall, linebacker Cody Spencer and safety Donnie Nickey.
They also renegotiated right guard Benji Olson to a four-year extension that he signed Thursday and running back Travis Henry to a new deal.
