NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- He's Mike Ditka's kind of running back: big, strong, able to gain yards against tough defenses. Unfortunately, Eddie George plays for the Tennessee Titans, not Ditka's New Orleans Saints.

The Saints passed on George in the 1996 draft, opting instead for cornerback Alex Molden, now fourth on the depth chart. One pick later Tennessee took George, the 1995 Heisman Trophy winner, who became one of only five backs in NFL history to rush for more than 1,200 yards in each of his first three seasons. He hasn't missed a start since becoming the 14th overall player selected in 1996.

"At the time they made that decision, it was predicated on other things," said Ditka, who traded eight draft picks for Ricky Williams, expecting him to pile up similar statistics. "I don't know exactly what they were, because I never really asked. I don't really dwell on the past."

Instead Ditka is studying the future, specifically Sunday when George and the Titans visit New Orleans.

George, a two-time Pro Bowl player, enters Sunday's game as just the ninth-leading rusher in the AFC with 277 yards on 96 carries and two touchdowns. He also has 19 catches for 204 yards and three touchdowns. He is second in the AFC in scoring among non-kickers.

Still, George has not had the yardage he normally gets in the Titans' (4-1) early games, in part due to injuries and a shakeup on the offensive line. It's just a matter of time before he starts getting it, however, Tennessee left tackle Brad Hopkins warns.

"It's going to happen. It's inevitable," Hopkins said. "The believers here in the organization, those of us who know what's going on, know it's going to be one of these days where Eddie destroys a defense and the floodgates will be spread wide open and defenses are trying to dodge the bullet."

The Saints (1-3) defense has been their mainstay again this season, ranked No. 9 overall in the NFL, but 15th against the run.

Stopping Tennessee, which has the No. 11 offense and is sixth in passing, is made tougher with George in the mixture, said cornerback Ashley Ambrose.

"Because of the simple fact they got Eddie George in the backfield, he can present problems himself" Ambrose said. "A great running back back there who's capable of getting 100 yards week in and week out _ they pound it with him, then come with the play-action and suck your linebackers up."

Williams, meanwhile, has found life in the NFL much tougher than his days at Texas, where he became college football's most prolific runner.

Hampered by ankle and elbow injuries, Williams has not scored a touchdown for the Saints. He is the NFC's 10th leading rusher with 257 yards on 72 carries and has caught seven passes for 31 yards.

He's listed as questionable for Sunday's game as Ditka debates whether resting Williams would help him heal. Although he has started all four game, Ditka said Williams is only at 75 to 80 percent and might have to play hurt all season.

"There's going to be no great healing process unless we put him on a plane and fly him to Lourdes and stick him in the water over there," Ditka said. "That might work."

TENNESSEE Season schedule and results

NEW ORLEANS Season schedule and results

September 12 Cincinnati W 36-35 September 19 Cleveland W 26-9 September 26 @Jacksonville W 20-19 October 3 @San Francisco L 22-24 October 10 Baltimore W 14-11 October 17 @New Orleans 1:00pm ET October 31 St. Louis 1:00pm ET November 7 @Miami 8:20pm ET November 14 @Cincinnati 1:00pm ET November 21 Pittsburgh 1:00pm ET November 28 @Cleveland 1:00pm ET December 5 @Baltimore 1:00pm ET December 9 Oakland 8:20pm ET December 19 Atlanta 1:00pm ET December 26 Jacksonville 1:00pm ET January 2 @Pittsburgh 4:15pm ET

September 12 Carolina W 19-10 September 19 @San Francisco L 21-28 October 3 @Chicago L 10-14 October 10 Atlanta L 17-20 October 17 Tennessee 1:00pm ET October 24 @NY Giants 1:00pm ET October 31 Cleveland 1:00pm ET November 7 Tampa Bay 4:05pm ET November 14 San Francisco 1:00pm ET November 21 @Jacksonville 8:20pm ET November 28 @St. Louis 1:00pm ET December 5 @Atlanta 1:00pm ET December 12 St. Louis 1:00pm ET December 19 @Baltimore 1:00pm ET December 24 Dallas 3:05pm ET January 2 @Carolina 1:00pm ET

Records source: STATS, Inc.

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