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Bucs FB Neal signs 4-year deal with Titans By RICK STROUD © St. Petersburg Times, published March 2, 1999 TAMPA -- Bucs free agent fullback Lorenzo Neal will produce hits in the Music City next season. He reached an agreement Monday on a four-year contract with the Tennessee Titans. Terms of the deal were not released, but Neal is expected to average about $1.5-million per season. Neal, acquired last season in a trade with the New York Jets for a fifth-round draft pick, was released by the Bucs Feb. 12 to save room under the salary cap. He was scheduled to earn $1.1-million in '99. The Bucs had hoped to re-sign Neal for a lower salary, but he received immediate interest from Miami, Minnesota and the Titans (formerly the Oilers). Neal is the Bucs' second unrestricted free agent to sign with another team. Placekicker Michael Husted signed a three-year contract with the Oakland Raiders last week. Quarterback Scott Milanovich, a restricted free agent, was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the NFL expansion draft. Last year, Neal was used almost exclusively as a blocking fullback and formed half of the Bucs' "Rhino" backfield with Mike Alstott. He carried just five times for 25 yards and caught five passes for 14 yards. In Tennessee, Neal is expected to be used as a lead blocker for 6-foot-3, 238-pound running back Eddie George. The Titans will be the fourth team in as many seasons for Neal, who played for the Saints, Jets and Bucs. DOLPHINS: Guard Kevin Gogan, a Pro Bowl selection in each of the past two seasons for San Francisco, was acquired in exchange for an undisclosed draft pick. COLTS: The team signed linebacker Cornelius Bennett, released by Atlanta last month in a salary cap move, and unrestricted free agent defensive end Chat Bratzke, who was second on the Giants in sacks last season with 11. FALCONS: Quarterback Danny Kanell, released last month by the Giants, met with coach Dan Reeves to discuss a free-agent contract. PANTHERS: The team acquired Broncos backup quarterback Jeff Lewis for draft choices in 1999 and 2000. TITANS: Unrestricted free agent linebacker Eddie Robinson, who started all 16 games for Tennessee last season, agreed to terms on a multiyear contract. Action | Alive! | Business | Citrus | Columnists Opinion | Entertainment | Hernando | Pasco | Sports State | Tampa Bay | Travel | World & Nation | Taste © Copyright 1999 St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.