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Michael Griffin, Titans agree to five-year deal

The Tennessee Titans agreed to terms with veteran free safety Michael Griffin on a multiyear contract Tuesday.

A source with direct knowledge of the negotiations told NFL.com reporter Ian Rapoport that Griffin's deal is worth a little more than $7 million per year over five years.

"Michael is a talented and successful young player for us," Titans general manager Ruston Webster said in a statement released by the team. "The goal is to keep a core of talented young players together and let them grow and Griffin fits in that group. He showed a great deal of professionalism in how he dealt with this situation and he is invested in making this team better."

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Griffin never signed his franchise tag with the team, but continued to work out with the Titans this offseason. His decision to participate in workouts was in contrast to last season's approach by Cortland Finnegan, who skipped a series of team activities in protest over being franchised. Finnegan is with the St. Louis Rams now, but Griffin's approach seems to have paid off.

Griffin said being with the Titans was more important than negotiating a new deal.

"There was no pressure at all; I just continued to play football," Griffin told reporters Tuesday. "Wasn't really talking to my agent or whatnot. I think both sides, the organization and myself, handled it great."

Griffin has started 73 games with the Titans over five seasons and will pair alongside strong safety Jordan Babineaux. The knock on Griffin is his inconsistency at stretches, but the Titans remain enamored with his athleticism and durability. He's missed only one game in the past four seasons.

Griffin added that he "can't wait for training camp, just to get back around this group of guys. Just to be around them. You know, this is my job, this is like my family and whatnot, so I just enjoy being around them."