Former Redhawks lineman agrees to contract with Titans

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Titans agreed to terms with veteran guard Eugene Amano on a multiyear contract, the team announced Wednesday.

Amano is a former All-American at Southeast Missouri State. He was a four-year starter at Southeast from 2000 through 2003 under former coach Tim Billings.

Keeping Amano is a key piece to maintaining the Titans' offensive line -- considered one of the best in the NFL. The Titans still must sign veteran center Kevin Mawae to keep the line together.

Over the last two years, the offensive line has ranked second in the league in rushing yards (4,791) and is tied with Indianapolis for the fewest sacks allowed (27). Last year, the offensive line paved the way for running back Chris Johnson to become just the sixth player in NFL history to gain 2,000 yards in one season.

Additionally, the Titans became the first NFL team to allow 15 or fewer sacks and average more than five yards per carry.

Entering his seventh season, Amano has started 41 games, including 31 in the last two years.

"Eugene has come into his own as a starter for us on a talented line," Titans general manager Mike Reinfeldt said. "His signing gives us some flexibility moving forward in a couple of different areas, so it was good to get this done and feel good that the play this line has shown over the last couple of years will continue."

Amano was to have become an unrestricted free agent March 5. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.