Saturday, July 20, 1996

Oilers give Eddie George big signing bonus

By Associated Press

SAN ANTONIO (AP) - Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George met with Houston Oilers owner Bud Adams on the first day of training camp Friday and then left the room $1.195 million richer.

Adams caught up with George in the lobby of the player's dorm on the Trinity University campus.
"You might want this," Adams joked, playing to the cameras as he handed George his signing bonus.

George accepted the check with a beaming smile and examined the first installment on his five-year contract worth $6.09 million.

"That's nice," he said. "It's going in the bank."

And so, what could be the Oilers' final season in Texas before moving to Tennessee, began on a positive note with the signing of the Oilers' No. 1 draft pick.

"I'm pleased we were able to get this done today," Adams said. "It's the first time in awhile we've had our No. 1 pick in camp on opening day."

George will compete with second year running back Rodney Thomas for the starting position.
"He knows how important it is for him to be here from day one," Adams said. "These days, you can't afford to miss any of camp."

Coach Jeff Fisher planned team meetings Friday night and the team will begin workouts on Saturday morning. The Oilers scrimmage the Dallas Cowboys on Wednesday and open exhibition play Aug. 3 against the New York Jets in Jackson, Miss.

"I've got confidence this team will be able to compete," Adams said. "We've extended Coach (Jeff) Fisher's contract, we've got great coaches and two good drafts. We expect a lot from this team."

Adams, in an impromptu news conference, said the turmoil of the team's controversial move from Texas would be eased if the Oilers have a winning season.

"It's been a fast track," Adams said. "A lot has happened. Everyday brings something new but we have a lot of staunch fans in Houston. If we come out of the blocks by winning early, the fans will come."

Adams was booed during Oilers home games last season because of the team's plans to move to Nashville but Adams doesn't plan to move out of the state.

"I'll be in Houston until they bury me," Adams said. "It's the place I came to plant my roots and that's not going to change. I'll still be a Houstonian even if the team is not there."