Fleming in the fold

Tennessee Titans general manager Floyd Reese continues to plug away at having all the team's 13 draft picks under contract by the time the team opens training camp Saturday.

Tuesday the Titans agreed to terms with sixth-round pick Troy Fleming, a local product from Battle Ground Academy and the University of Tennessee.

Fleming, who is the state of Tennessee's all-time leading high school rusher, agreed to a three-year deal. He will receive base minimums of $230,000 in 2004, $305,000 in 2005 and $385,000 in 2006. The signing bonus in the deal is worth around $62,000.

The University of Tennessee standout played in 46 games during his four years with the Volunteers, totaling 73 receptions for 492 yards and 84 rushes for 342 yards.

Fleming split time between the tailback and fullback positions while at UT, but the Titans will play him exclusively at fullback early in his professional career.

He will also be counted upon to play a variety of roles on special teams.

Fleming's agreeing to terms now gives Tennessee six of its league-high 13 draft picks in the fold. Reese said the team is not that far from getting the remaining seven draftees under contract by Saturday's self-imposed deadline.

Bryan Mackler, who represents third-round cornerback Rich Gardner, anticipates a deal with his client being completed sometime today.

"That's certainly always been our objective, and historically, we've been pretty respectable at doing that," Reese said. "So it's certainly something we'd like to keep up."

Since Reese took over as the franchise's general manager in 1994, his lone holdout was defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, the team's first pick in 2002.

Trimming the roster

Reese was busy not only adding to the team's roster Tuesday, but also making some necessary cuts as well.

The Titans released defensive tackle Grant Bowman, safety Steve Smith, linebacker Maurice Sonnier, linebacker Drew Wahlroos and wide receiver Kevin Wolcott Tuesday. Receiver Chad Lucas had been let go last week.

Of those players, Smith, who had spent some time in the Titans camp last year and was allocated to NFL Europe this spring, was the only one with any measurable experience.

Wahlroos, who had been an NFL Europe allocation of the Philadelphia Eagles and was signed by the Titans a few weeks ago, never participated in any practices with the team.

Back in touch?

Reese also said Tuesday the Titans still have some interest in talking to safety Scott McGarrahan about a possible return to the team. He said he could reopen dialogue with agent Brett Tessler about McGarrahan as early as today.

McGarrahan, who had played for Miami and Green Bay during his six-year NFL career, was picked up by the Titans after final roster cuts were made in 2003 and played in the team's nickel and dime packages last year, as well as on special teams.

If McGarrahan returns to the Titans, he would provide additional depth behind starters Tank Williams and Lance Schulters and give them another veteran option on special teams.