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NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The CJ2K era is over in Tennessee, just the latest step by the Titans in their franchise makeover. The Titans told Chris Johnson they are releasing him Friday after six seasons to avoid paying $8 million the running back is due in 2014, along with the final three seasons left on the $53.5 million contract he signed in September 2011. His release comes before the Titans start their off-season program Monday with new coach Ken Whisenhunt. General manager Ruston Webster said the Titans thank Johnson for his contributions, setting so many franchise records and being durable over his six seasons with Tennessee. "We have had an open dialogue with Chris agent, Joel Segal, over the last few weeks, and we appreciate the patience and professionalism they have shown throughout this process," Webster said in statement. "We made an effort to trade Chris but were unable to do so." The Titans have been busy working to replace Johnson, who turns 29 in September. They agreed with Dexter McCluster on a three-year deal at the start of free agency after signing Shonn Greene in March 2013. The Titans also re-signed Jackie Battle recently, along with reaching a one-year deal for kick returner and running back Leon Washington on March 11. Adding another running back in the May draft also is expected. It didnt help that Johnson repeatedly said he wouldnt take a pay cut. The Titans didnt face a deadline that would have guaranteed the $8 million Johnson was due in 2014 until the first week of the regular season, but Johnson planned to report for the start of the off-season program Monday. He flew into Nashville late Thursday night to meet with the Titans on Friday. "Id like to thank all of my teammates, the fans, the staff and the coaches who have supported me throughout my journey with the Titans," Johnson said in a statement." I have grown so much as an individual and as teammate over the past few years, and I am excited about the opportunity to bring my experience and talents to a new organization. Im looking forward to the next chapter and cant wait to contribute to my new team." Johnson got that big contract in 2011 after holding out through the preseason, calling himself a playmaker who deserved to be paid. He does have the most touchdown runs of 80 yards or longer in NFL history with six — twice the total of anyone else in a group including Adrian Peterson, Barry Sanders and O.J. Simpson. He also has 12 career TD runs of at least 45 yards, trailing only Sanders (18) and Jim Brown (13) in that category. He is just the sixth player to rush for 1,000 yards in each of his first six seasons, along with Sanders, Curtis Martin, LaDainian Tomlinson, Eric Dickerson and Corey Dillon. But Johnson has fallen far short of the 2,006-yard season he posted in 2009, the sixth man to rush for at least 2,000 yards. He earned the nickname CJ2K for such exploits, but last season he went until the final game to top 1,000 and finished with 1,077 yards — the second lowest total of his career. He also had a career-low 3.9-yard average. He was at his best catching 42 passes for 345 yards with four TDs, including a long of 66 yards. Greene, speaking on SiriusXM radio Friday, called Johnson a great teammate he had hoped would be back. Greene credited Johnson with teaching him a lot. "I still think he has a lot more, and hes going to prove that," Greene said. The Titans have been remaking the franchise this off-season since owner Bud Adams died in October. His son-in-law, Tommy Smith, took over as president, and the Titans fired coach Mike Munchak in January. Whisenhunt was hired to get this franchise back into the playoffs after a five-year drought, and he kept Sylvester Croom as the Titans running backs coach. Durability remains Johnsons best attribute. The 24th pick overall in 2008 out of East Carolina, Johnson has never missed a game because of injury. He had surgery after the season to repair a torn meniscus that he played with most of the year. Wholesale Shoes UK . - The Kansas City Royals are hoping All-Star catcher Salvador Perez will be back in a few days. Fake Shoes UK .K. Subban and Matt Duchene will be the two skaters sitting out the teams opening game. https://www.shoesukonline.com/ . 5 Trade Deadline is drawing closer and teams will be deciding on whether to buy or sell. Wholesale Shoes UK Free Shipping . The native of Mont-Tremblant, Que., captured a World Cup downhill event Saturday, his second this year and fifth career victory on the circuit. Shoes UK From China .com) - Jimmie Johnson won Sundays AAA Texas 500 while championship contenders Jeff Gordon and Brad Keselowski as well as their teams were involved in a post-race fight on pit road after the two clashed in the closing laps at Texas Motor Speedway.MINNEAPOLIS -- Brian Dozier doesnt like talking about his power-hitting abilities. When told his manager referred to him as Minnesotas "igniter" over the past couple of games -- during which he homered on consecutive nights -- the Twins second baseman looked embarrassed. "The igniter? Oh goodness," Dozier said Saturday night after hitting a three-run homer that proved to be the game-winning hit in Minnesotas 4-3 victory over the Seattle Mariners. Then he was told "The Ignitor" was the nickname for Hall of Famer Paul Molitor, the former Twins player and current coach. "Thats pretty cool. . Ill take it," Dozier said with a laugh. So will the Twins. Doziers homer in the fifth inning put Minnesota ahead for good, Samuel Deduno tossed six sharp innings for his first win as the Twins moved a game over .500 -- a rarity in these parts over the past three years. With Minnesota trailing 2-1, Dozier followed consecutive singles by Aaron Hicks and Eduardo Escobar by sending a curveball from Roenis Elias (3-3) into the seats in left field. It was Doziers 11th homer of the season. "Hes our igniter," Gardenhire said. "If we can get the bottom of the order to get on base, and roll it over, hes going to come up with more and more RBI opportunities and thats kind of what were looking for, and tonight he delivered." Dozier had a solo homer on Friday night; Saturday night marked the fifth time in his career he homered in consecutive games. His 20 home runs at Target Field ties him for fourth all-time with former Twins slugger Justin Morneau. He leads the A.L. with 40 runs scored. "My job is to get on base, whether its my hits or anything, on base is my biggest stat," said Dozier, who extended his current hitting streak to a season-high eight games. Michael Saunders had a homer and two RBIs for Seattle. Deduno (1-2) struck out four, allowed two hits and retired 18 of the 23 batters he faced. Both of Seattles runs off Deduno came in the third inning after James Jones triple scored Brad Miller..dddddddddddd Jones scored on Saunders sacrifice fly to give the Mariners a one-run lead. But Deduno was otherwise solid, working efficiently through Seattles lineup over the next three innings while Elias struggled with his control. Elias allowed six hits and one walk in seven innings, but he also hit a batter, and had a wild pitch and a balk in the second inning. Elias teammates and manager sounded pleased with his performance, even saying his curveball that Dozier homered on was a good pitch. "I went back right after that inning to check where it was and I thought it was a really good pitch," catcher Mike Zunino said. "(Dozier) just dropped the head on it and was able to elevate it." Seattle pulled to 4-3 in the eighth when Saunders hit a solo homer off Jared Burton. Corey Hart doubled two batters later, but Burton got Kyle Seager swinging to end the threat. Glen Perkins worked the ninth for his 12th save in 14 chances. The Mariners have lost four straight. "Well figure it out. Its a little tough right now," Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon said. "One thing I pointed out right from the start, winning games at this level is tough. One thing here and one thing there will cause you to lose. Well figure this offence out and well be OK." NOTES: The Twins havent been above .500 since April 27. ... McClendon decided to skip RHP Brandon Maurers turn in the rotation for Seattles upcoming two-game series at Texas. Maurer (1-2) has a 6.00 ERA. . LHP James Paxton (strained back) threw a two-inning simulated game Saturday, and Tijuan Walker (shoulder) threw a bullpen session. Both players may throw more simulated games in Texas. ... Twins bench coach Terry Steinbach missed the game to attend his sons college graduation in Duluth. ... Jones has recorded a hit in all nine of his starts. He drove in his first career run. ... Minnesota goes for the series sweep on Sunday when RHP Ricky Nolasco (2-3) faces Mariners RHP Felix Hernandez (4-1) who is 6-5 in 15 career starts versus the Twins. ' ' '