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Thursday, May 9 Defensive tackle Salave'a stays with Titans By Len Pasquarelli ESPN.com |
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The Tennessee Titans have retained unrestricted free agent defensive tackle Joe Salave'a, a key veteran in the team's front four rotation, with a one-year contract. The re-signing of Salave'a, who missed the final three games of the 2001 season and was slowed by ankle and shoulder injuries much of the year, has been rumored for weeks. He has been working out in Nashville, was a spectator at a recent mini-camp, and was intent on staying with the Titans. His one-year deal has a base salary of $525,000, the minimum for a four-year veteran. While the retention of Salave'a might not seem key, its significance is enhanced by the fact the Titans during the offseason lost both their starting defensive tackles from 2001. Jason Fisk signed with San Diego as an unrestricted free agent and Josh Evans faces a league suspension of at least one full year. The Titans did select former University of Tennessee standout Albert Haynesworth in the first round of the draft. A former University of Arizona standount, Salave'a joined the Titans as a fourth-round choice in the 1998 draft. He has played in 49 games and started one in four seasons but, even as a backup, logged considerable playing time. Salave'a, 27, has recorded 44 tackles, five sacks and three pass deflections. Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com. |
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