Michael Griffin says his 10-year NFL career was a blessing that lasted far longer than some of his former teammates at the University of Texas.

The two-time Pro Bowl safety officially ended that career Monday by signing a one-day contract with the Tennessee Titans and retiring with the franchise that drafted him with the 19th pick overall in 2007. Griffin Deatrich Wise Jr Jersey , who wore No. 33 in his career, retired at the age of 33.

"I can't say enough, thank y'all, just thank y'all," Griffin said at a news conference inside the team's indoor practice field. "That's probably all I can say is just thank y'all because it's a blessing, and I'm so thankful to have that opportunity for the last nine years to play for this organization."

Griffin started 10 games as a rookie and played 141 games over nine seasons with Tennessee, including 103 straight between 2007 and 2013. He remains the franchise's all-time leader in tackles by a safety with 912. Griffin also had 25 interceptions, seven sacks Dean Lowry Jersey , 11 forced fumbles and six fumble recovers with his best season in 2008 with seven interceptions.

Controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk thanked Griffin for his nine seasons with the Titans and wished him the best in retirement.

"He was such a dependable player for us during his time here, missing only three games over nine seasons, and he was always among our leading tacklers," Strunk said in a statement. "His play earned him two Pro Bowl selections and the respect of his teammates. Michael also was invested in our community, finding ways to make a difference."

The Titans released Griffin in February 2016 when he was tied with Corey Graham of Buffalo for the most games played by a safety in the NFL between 2007 and 2015. Griffin signed with Minnesota but didn't play a game. He then signed with Carolina and started six of 13 games with the Panthers in 2016. He finished his career starting 134 of 154 games played in 10 seasons.

Griffin spent the 2017 season working out in case a team called and finished his degree at Texas. He said even when he was with the Vikings and Panthers he always felt he remained a Tennessee Titan.

"I was always cheering my guys on, always texting them if someone went down, ask how they were doing, keep their heads up Grady Jarrett Jersey , if someone was released whatever it may be," Griffin said. "I always stayed in contact with those guys."

Titans linebackers Brian Orakpo and Wesley Woodyard and defensive linemen Jurrell Casey and DaQuan Jones were on hand for Griffin's announcement.

After struggling with a knee injury late last season, Devonta Freeman says he is on track to returning to the form that made him the NFL's highest-paid running back.

Freeman missed two games for the Atlanta Falcons last season following his second concussion in four months. Then a sprained right knee cut into his production in the last few games of 2017. The injury helped to keep him from his third straight season with 1,000 yards rushing. It also helped to stop the Falcons' bid for a return trip to the Super Bowl.

No offseason surgery was necessary, and Freeman said Wednesday his knee is feeling better.

"I'm able to do a lot of things I couldn't do back in January and February, running, cutting, sprinting Terrell Owens Jersey , getting a little stronger," Freeman said.

Freeman said he's "making harder cuts" and "sprinting a little faster" in his offseason workouts .

He said he wants to be "100 percent healthy" for the team's minicamp in June and training camp in July.

"Be able to be ready for game one," he said.

Two straight Pro Bowl seasons earned Freeman a five-year, $41.25 million extension before the 2017 season. It was the top overall salary package for any NFL running back. Only Pittsburgh's Le'Veon Bell has a higher average salary.

Health problems quickly followed Freeman's big new deal.

He spent the last two weeks of the preseason in concussion protocol before suffering another concussion on the second play of Atlanta's 27-7 win over Dallas on Nov. 12. He missed the next two games but returned with three strong games, including a season-high 126 yards rushing at Tampa Bay on Dec. 18.

The knee injury helped to limit Freeman's production the rest of the season. He was held to a combined 59 yards rushing in the final two regular-season games and then managed only seven yards on 10 carries in a playoff loss to Philadelphia.

Following the season, Freeman said he feared he would need surgery on the right knee. No surgery was needed, so he has focused on rebuilding strength through his offseason program.

Freeman's health will be a key for Atlanta's offense, which led the league in scoring in 2016 before falling to mid-pack in the league last year. The Falcons will be closely watching Freeman's health Reggie Ragland Jersey , as top backup Tevin Coleman is entering the final year of his contract.

The Falcons selected running back Ito Smith from Southern Mississippi in the fourth round of last week's NFL draft. Smith is expected to replace Terron Ward as the team's third running back, behind Freeman and Coleman.

General manager Thomas Dimitroff said Smith was not drafted to be a safety net if the team can't re-sign Coleman.

"That's not what we're looking back," Dimitroff said Saturday. "We're looking at him being a nice addition in that third position."

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