NASHVILLE - The Tennessee Titans plan to wrap up interviews for a new general manager by the end of this week and should have one in place next week, owner Bud Adams said Tuesday.
"We hope to have all the interviews done by the end of this week. You're going to be very happy," Adams said on WGFX-FM.
"We need to get the general manager on board."
The Titans must replace Floyd Reese, who resigned on Jan. 5 as the franchise's winningest general manager. Team officials have declined to verify any names mentioned for the vacancy.
But Adams, who has declined interview requests, was promoting ticket sales for his Arena Football League team, the Nashville Kats, when asked about his NFL team in the radio interview.
Adams said time is running short and that the Titans' general manager needs to be in place by the beginning of next week.
The search is being handled by Adams, chief operating officer Steve Underwood and coach Jeff Fisher. The Titans have about $40 million to spend when free agency starts in March.
The Titans have requested, and received, permission to interview Mike Reinfeldt and Ruston Webster with the Seattle Seahawks; Miami general manager Randy Mueller; Green Bay director of pro personnel Reggie McKenzie; and Jacksonville pro personnel director Charles Bailey.
Ron Hill, the NFL's vice president of football operations, was interviewed last week. The Titans' internal candidates include Rich Snead, director of player personnel, and Mike Ackerley, director of college scouting.
Reinfeldt may have an edge as a former All-Pro safety and AFC defensive player of the year for the then-Houston Oilers in 1979. He played for Houston from 1976 to 1983, and he has helped the Seahawks with their salary cap with key signings like Julian Peterson, receiver Deion Branch and the re-signing of running back Shaun Alexander in 2006.
Webster handles player personnel for the Seahawks and reports directly to Seattle's president.
McKenzie is a native of Knoxville, Tenn., who played for the University of Tennessee and had a seven-year NFL career at linebacker. He has worked for Green Bay since 1994 and was promoted to his current job in 1997. He interviewed last year with Houston for the general manager job.
