Titans Pay $1 Million Fee to Keep McNair for 2006

The Tennessee Titans decided Thursday they would pay a $1 million fee to keep quarterback Steve McNair this season but allow him to become a free agent after 2006.

The move means the Titans won’t have to pay a $50 million option that would have extended McNair’s contract through 2009, said Bus Cook, the quarterback’s agent. Still, Cook estimated McNair, 33, will take up more than a quarter of the team’s salary cap space.

The future of the NFL’s 2003 co-MVP had been in doubt with the Titans facing pressure to get under the cap.

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The prosecutor in the Minnesota Vikings’ boat party case denied that race played any role in his decision to charge four African American players and not two white men for their alleged conduct on a cruise last October.

Lawyers for Viking players Daunte Culpepper and Moe Williams accused prosecutor Steven Tallen of racial discrimination. They served a motion on Tallen asking for the dismissal of charges against the two players, according to documents obtained by the Associated Press.

Culpepper, Williams, Fred Smoot and Bryant McKinnie face trial on misdemeanor charges of indecent conduct and lewdness for their alleged behavior on two cruise boats last October on Lake Minnetonka. They have pleaded not guilty.

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The Seattle Seahawks cut cornerback Andre Dyson and linebacker Jamie Sharper and got more time to work on a new contract for NFL MVP Shaun Alexander.

Any moves made by teams could be rescinded because the league and players’ union agreed to extend labor talks until Sunday evening. If no agreement is reached by then, any moves would become official.

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The Oakland Raiders cut defensive lineman Ted Washington, offensive lineman Ron Stone and defensive back Denard Walker, saving the team more than $12 million in salary cap room.... The Green Bay Packers released linebacker Na’il Diggs and punter Ryan Dutton.

Veteran receiver Eric Moulds’ future with the Buffalo Bills became more uncertain after he rejected the team’s second request this week to take a pay cut.... The Carolina Panthers released linebacker Brandon Short, saving almost $2 million, and safety Mike Minter finalized a restructure of his contract.... The Kansas City Chiefs cut cornerbacks Eric Warfield and Dexter McCleon and linebackers Shawn Barber and Gary Stills.