Steve McNair's tenure with the Tennessee Titans could be over within the next 24 hours, according to his agent. Team officials don't agree, even though they gave permission for McNair's agent to talk with the Baltimore Ravens. Agent Bus Cook said Sunday the team was considering releasing McNair or trading him to the Ravens, with something possibly worked out by Monday. General manager Floyd Reese said a few hours later the Ravens indeed had discussed a trade with Tennessee. But the Ravens' offer was insufficient, and Reese said the talks died right there. "Steve's a Tennessee Titan. That has not changed," Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said. Asked about McNair being released within hours, the Titans general manager had a short answer. "That's not going to happen, no," Reese said.

The only Trojan who had a worse day than Matt Leinart was LenDale White, who had to wait all the way until the 45th pick of the draft, when he was selected by the Tennessee Titans. White's stock dropped sharply in the weeks leading up to the draft when his work ethic was questioned and was unable to run the 40. The Titans come out of Day 1 with two of the stars of the 2006 Rose Bowl, as they picked Vince Young with the 3rd choice.

Indications are that the Titans will select Texas quarterback Vince Young, whom many within the Titans organization view as the next McNair. Southern Cal's Matt Leinart remains a possibility as well, in part because he's regarded as the most NFL-ready quarterback. Vanderbilt quarterback Jay Cutler remains on the radar, but isn't considered an option unless the Titans trade back in the draft order. An extra splash of intrigue was added to the top of the draft last night, however. The Texans, who have the No. 1 overall pick, signed North Carolina State defensive end Mario Williams to a six-year, $54 million contract. That left USC running back Reggie Bush, who for months was the favorite to be the No. 1 pick, as a possibility for the Saints at No. 2 or ? perhaps ? the Titans.

According to Paul Domowitch of the Philadelphia Daily News, it's looking increasingly likely that the Tennessee Titans are going to select Texas quarterback Vince Young with the third pick in this weekend's draft over USC's Matt Leinart. Even though Leinart is considered more NFL-ready, even though the Titans' offensive coordinator, Norm Chow, was Leinart's offensive coordinator at USC for 3 years, even though there's a very good chance incumbent quarterback Steve McNair won't be returning because of his $23 million salary-cap cost, Titans general manager Floyd Reese sees a bigger long-term upside with Young.

The NFL Players Association wants a quick hearing on Steve McNair's grievance against the Tennessee Titans. The union had the option to request an expedited hearing to be held within 10 days after the Titans answered the grievance, in which McNair claims Tennessee breached his contract when it barred him from working out on team property. General counsel Richard Berthelsen said Monday that the hearing will depend on the arbitrator's schedule and that a date might not be available for three weeks. "We're insisting that it be sooner rather than later," Berthelsen said.

The agents for both Vince Young and Matt Leinart both indicated to The City Paper Tuesday that, if drafted by the Titans with the third overall pick, their clients could get the chance to play right away. ?The indications I got from them was that if they drafted Vince, they would like him to be ready to come in and be able start this year,? said agent Major Adams, who accompanied Young to Nashville last week. Chuck Price, who is one of the representatives for Leinart, said his client left Nashville last Wednesday morning with a similar impression. ?I believe the impression Matt got from the Titans was that he could have a chance to come in and play right away,? Price said.

The NFL Players Association is ready to take the next step for Steve McNair, but first it wants another answer from the Titans. In their response to a grievance filed by the NFLPA on behalf of the veteran quarterback, the Titans denied they breached the player's contract, according to NFLPA general counsel Richard Berthelsen. But Berthelsen said the Titans have made it clear they still don't want McNair working out at Baptist Sports Park, which the NFLPA considers a breach of contract. "They said they disputed our factual allegations asserted in the grievance, and our main allegation was that they were refusing to allow him to participate with players in activities with the club," Berthelsen said yesterday.

ESPN's Ron Jaworski has a very strong opinion as to who he would take if he had the Tennessee Titans? No. 3 overall pick in the April 29-30 draft. And it might surprise you. ?It?s not my decision, obviously. It?s a tough decision,? Jaworski said. ?I have studied all the quarterbacks, and I like [Jay] Cutler the best of them.?

Nearly two weeks ago, Tennessee asked Steve McNair not to work out on the team's property for fear an injury would give the Titans a devastating salary cap hit. Now his agent says the Titans have told McNair to continue to stay away. "They've instructed him to work out somewhere else other than their facility," agent Bus Cook said Friday.

Southern Cal's Matt Leinart will visit with Titans officials today at Baptist Sports Park, and Vince Young, who played at Texas, is scheduled to be in Nashville tomorrow for a pre-draft visit.