NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -Kevin Mawae is 35, heading into his 13th NFL season after missing the final 10 games of 2005 with a torn left triceps, and couldn't be happier.
Just don't ask him about his former team, the New York Jets.
His new team, the Tennessee Titans, open the season Sunday by hosting the Jets and the coach who apparently decided they didn't need a six-time Pro Bowl center anymore.
``I'm not going to address it, not one bit,'' Mawae said politely, but firmly. ``It's not about me and the Jets. It's about the Titans, and I'm not going to address anything. I know what the media is like up there.''
After the Jets cut Mawae, he said he was told new coach Eric Mangini wanted smart players willing to do the little things the right way. Those comments made Mawae think he'd fit right in - until he was released March 5.
The Titans chased Mawae to replace Justin Hartwig, who signed with Carolina. He agreed to a four-year deal without visiting Nashville, instead talking with coach Jeff Fisher and former left tackle Brad Hopkins.
Fisher said Thursday that Mawae brings the subtle reminders before breaking the huddle, communication throughout the line and experience that allows him to alert linemates when to anticipate audibles.
``Those are the kind of things that help to settle things down. He's working well with the quarterbacks and the check systems and the audibles. I'd like to think we'll have fewer mistakes, assignment-type mistakes, than we have in years past,'' Fisher said.
Mawae certainly is recovered from the torn triceps and hasn't worn a brace since joining the Titans. The 6-foot-4, 289-pound center prides himself on staying healthy and started 177 straight games before last year's injury ended his season.
He spent the previous eight seasons with the Jets and played 118 games, a stretch that included six straight Pro Bowl berths between 1999 and 2004.
Mangini called Mawae an outstanding player and person and pointed out he was with the Jets when Mawae was brought over from Seattle.
``That's the tough part of this business sometimes. You've got to make difficult decisions, and we had to make one which we thought was in the best interest of the team,'' Mangini said. ``I really wish him well. He's a player that I respect and like as a person quite a bit.''
The Jets replaced Mawae by drafting Nick Mangold with the 29th pick overall in April.
Jets linebacker Jonathan Vilma remembers how Mawae would get him ready for games by holding him back in practice. Now he has the chance to go against Mawae in a game that counts.
``It's going to be interesting, because even though we were in practice, he'd find a way to get up to the linebacker. It's going to be a good battle,'' Vilma said.
The Titans also needed the work ethic and professionalism Mawae has brought to the locker room, especially on an offensive line where right guard Benji Olson had been their most senior player with eight years in the NFL.
Left guard Zach Piller, heading into his eighth season, said Mawae can only improve the Titans and fills a spot similar to that once occupied by Hopkins, who retired after 13 seasons with the franchise earlier this year, and Bruce Matthews, a 19-year veteran who retired after the 2001 season.
But Piller hasn't noticed Mawae acting any differently because they are playing his former team.
``I'm sure because he played there eight years he wants to prove something. But he's just going out there just as if it's any other game,'' Piller said.
Mawae is happy with his decision, even though he's part of a team that, like the Jets, went 4-12 in 2005. He sees potential in the Titans.
``I'm excited about this season. I missed so many games last year, it's a chance for me to bounce back. I'm excited about it,'' he said. ``I'm excited about the change of scenery and being here in Nashville.''
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