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HOT TOPIC
Brad Hopkins made official what most presumed to be the case when he retired at a press conference at Titans headquarters on June 13.
The left tackle who played 13 quality seasons, was released by the Titans on March 1 as they trimmed salary cap costs and made room for last year's second round pick, Michael Roos.
Hopkins fielded legitimate interest from the Jets, the Bucs and the Falcons and the consensus was he could have played another two or three years. But he decided he didn't want to leave Nashville, where he's likely to become part of a local television sportscast and said he'll pursue a second career as a game show host.
"This is the place where I grew up. I was a big ole fat kid coming out of Illinois some 13 years ago and I didn't know what was going to happen in my life," said Hopkins, who turns 36 in September. "We had great times, we had bad times. It was such a roller-coaster ride for me. ... We cried together, we broke bones together, pulled ligaments together, fought together.
"The career I had here, I can't say that at ever one time it was just about me. It was about all these relationships."
Eddie George attended the press conference, as did offensive coordinator Norm Chow and other former Hopkins teammates who are now Titans executives -- Al Smith and Marcus Robertson.
Hall of Fame guard Mike Munchak, who is the Titans offensive line coach, talked about how he and Bruce Matthews arranged for Hopkins to pay the tab for a month's worth of offensive line eating and drinking at a Texas restaurant at the conclusion of Hopkins' first training camp.
"I don't know if there is a better athlete that has ever played the game at the offensive line position," Munchak said. "I can't say enough about the guy. We're really, really going to miss him."
PLAYER NOTES
--Undrafted rookie cornerback Keon Raymond, who played locally at Middle Tennessee, intercepted quarterback Matt Mauck twice in a recent OTA practice.
As Raymond ran the first towards the goal line, he held the ball up and did a bit of a dance, drawing the ire of some coaches.
"They were basically telling me, make sure you get in the end zone before you start dancing and all that," he said. "I can understand that. That was a little rookie mistake by me."
--Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth had reckless endangerment charges against him tossed in two different counties east of Nashville. The charges stemmed from an alleged highway confrontation between Haynesworth and two separate cars driven by members of the same family.
-- After the press conference announcing his retirement started roughly 20 minutes late, Jeff Fisher shared a sheet of paper he had handed LT Brad Hopkins. It was paperwork for a $750 fine for "being late to your retirement press conference."
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
With roughly $9.1 million of salary cap room the Titans will be in healthy shape even after they sign their rookie class of 10. They will be in position to make a move or two in free agency, though indications are they've never really put themselves in the running for cornerback Ty Law. They will be combing the market for cornerbacks and perhaps a versatile veteran offensive lineman who can provide depth. It appears they are content with Billy Volek ahead of Vince young with Matt Mauck at quarterback, though if they change their mind they could make inquiries about Kerry Collins or Jay Fiedler.
FRANCHISE PLAYER: None.
TRANSITION PLAYER: None.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
--CB Tony Beckham (not tendered June 1).
--LS Jon Dorenbos (not tendered as RFA).
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None.
EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS
--QB Matt Mauck: Expected to be the third quarterback if the Titans draft the QB of the future and either let Steve McNair go or Billy Volek is traded.
--RB Jarrett Payton is making progress, but isn't going to be more than a role player.
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED
--DE Kyle Vanden Bosch: Potential UFA; $22M/4 yrs, $14.5M guaranteed/$4.75M SB).
--S Donnie Nickey: RFA; $721,600/ 1 yr.
--LB Marcus Randall: ERFA; terms unknown.
--LB Cody Spencer: ERFA; terms unknown.
PLAYERS ACQUIRED
--WR David Givens: UFA Patriots; $24M/5 yrs, $6M SB/$2M RB '07; 2006 cap: $2M.
--S Chris Hope: UFA Steelers; $32M/6 yrs, $5M SB.
--C Kevin Mawae: FA Jets; terms unknown.
--LB David Thornton: UFA Colts; $22M/5 yrs, $8.5M SB.
PLAYERS LOST
--LB Rocky Boiman: UFA Cowboys; $3.5M/3 yrs, $1M SB.
--C Justin Hartwig: UFA Panthers; $17M/5 yrs, $7M SB.
--OT Brad Hopkins (released).
--LB Brad Kassell: UFA Jets; terms unknown.
--QB Steve McNair: Traded Ravens.
--S Tank Williams: UFA Vikings; $900,000/1 yr.
MEDICAL WATCH: No updates.
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