Thread: Mawae says "finances won't play into the decision"

Mawae says "finances won't play into the decision"

Posted by Michael David Smith on February 26, 2010 2:40 PM ET
Kevin Mawae is about to become an unrestricted free agent, and he claims he wants to sign with the team will give him the most fulfilling experience in 2010, not which team will pay him the most money in 2010.

"I have played long enough where finances won't play into the decision," Mawae told Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean. "It is about whether or not I want to be the guy or if I am going to tutor or mentor or things like that."

The 39-year-old Mawae started all 16 games for the Titans in 2009, and he said he'd love to return to the Titans in 2010. But he also said the Titans have made clear that they're going to start a younger player (either Leroy Harris or Eugene Amano) at center in 2010, and Mawae isn't sure if he wants to come back as a backup.

"I have been forced into the situation that I have to either humble myself to become a backup when I know I am capable of starting, or go on the free agent market and go somewhere else. It is a lot to have to think about,'' Mawae said. "I am keeping a completely open mind. . . . To say I am never going to come back to the Titans as a backup, I think that would be too strong of a statement. And to say I am certainly going to go somewhere else would be too strong a statement as well.''

And so Mawae will shop himself around to see whether any teams offer him a starting job and a chance to get to the Super Bowl, which Mawae says is his last remaining career goal. And if two teams that offer Mawae an equal chance to start and an equal chance to get to the Super Bowl both offer him contracts, we can't help but wonder if maybe Mawae will let money be the tiebreaker, even if he says now that finances won't play into the decision.

Originally Posted by broncofaninfla

Mawae says "finances won't play into the decision"

Posted by Michael David Smith on February 26, 2010 2:40 PM ET
Kevin Mawae is about to become an unrestricted free agent, and he claims he wants to sign with the team will give him the most fulfilling experience in 2010, not which team will pay him the most money in 2010.

"I have played long enough where finances won't play into the decision," Mawae told Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean. "It is about whether or not I want to be the guy or if I am going to tutor or mentor or things like that."

The 39-year-old Mawae started all 16 games for the Titans in 2009, and he said he'd love to return to the Titans in 2010. But he also said the Titans have made clear that they're going to start a younger player (either Leroy Harris or Eugene Amano) at center in 2010, and Mawae isn't sure if he wants to come back as a backup.

"I have been forced into the situation that I have to either humble myself to become a backup when I know I am capable of starting, or go on the free agent market and go somewhere else. It is a lot to have to think about,'' Mawae said. "I am keeping a completely open mind. . . . To say I am never going to come back to the Titans as a backup, I think that would be too strong of a statement. And to say I am certainly going to go somewhere else would be too strong a statement as well.''

And so Mawae will shop himself around to see whether any teams offer him a starting job and a chance to get to the Super Bowl, which Mawae says is his last remaining career goal. And if two teams that offer Mawae an equal chance to start and an equal chance to get to the Super Bowl both offer him contracts, we can't help but wonder if maybe Mawae will let money be the tiebreaker, even if he says now that finances won't play into the decision.

He will be our first FA signee. And tutor our newest C, who will sit 1 year. J.D. walden.

Mawae says "finances won't play into the decision"

(cough) "Bull-shit!"

Originally Posted by Broncolingus

(cough) "Bull-shit!"

I buy it actually. He loves the game. Hes only got a couple years left at most and he wants to sign with the best team and have something to look back on. Working as a mercenary can only be so fulfilling. I hope we bring him on.

He could start in Denver. Would be nice to have him as a one year rental to tutor his replacement (as UR29 mentioned). He's played in power schemes (I think) so he should fit. Sure he's old as dirt, but we're talking one year. He played a lot better that Weigmann did last season. Who better for a young pup to learn from than one of the better centers to play the position.

Originally Posted by Carl

I buy it actually. He loves the game. Hes only got a couple years left at most and he wants to sign with the best team and have something to look back on. Working as a mercenary can only be so fulfilling. I hope we bring him on.

Oh, I'm not sayin I wouldn't mind seeing him here, C...

I just don't see 'finances' not playing a role...

I think any player - esp. those in his position - who doesn't take $$$ into account in matters in making a mistake...

Maybe for one year. He's no Brett Favre though. Center is a lot more physically demanding. Who knows if he can handle it?

Who knows...