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NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Titans have no timetable for hiring a new general manager. They want someone who knows what he's doing. And no, coach Jeff Fisher has not asked for more control than he already has in negotiations for his own contract extension.

"You have my word on it," chief operating officer Steve Underwood said. "Jeff is not going to be our next general manager."

The Titans are looking to replace Floyd Reese, who resigned Friday as the franchise's winningest general manager with a record of 111-102 over 13 seasons. Underwood is heading up the search, and he said he isn't putting a deadline on having a replacement hired.

"As long as it takes to get the right person, however long that is," Underwood said Friday.

In reality, the Titans don't have that much time to find Reese's replacement. Now is the time for NFL teams not in the playoffs to plan for next season. The Senior Bowl is Jan. 27, the NFL Combine is Feb. 21-27 in Indianapolis, free agency starts March 1 and the NFL draft is April 28-29.

Underwood, who was unavailable Monday, planned to have a "significant" list of candidates by this week. Each of the previous three general managers for the franchise were promoted from within, and Rich Snead, director of player personnel, has been asked to oversee some things temporarily.

The Titans know what they want: someone who understands the NFL salary cap, contract negotiations and is media savvy.

"Some of those things we have some expertise already in-house," Underwood said. "Most of our salary cap work over the years has been done in my department, but we will need someone who is well-versed in both pro and collegiate scouting."

The Titans had mixed results in key drafts in 2003 and 2004 when salary cap problems became so tight that they couldn't even fill their practice squad late in 2004. Cornerback Andre Woolfolk, 2003's top pick, had trouble staying healthy or getting on the field when he was, and second-round pick receiver Tyrone Calico was a bust.

But Tennessee is coming off an 8-8 season with a young team led by Vince Young, the 2006 offensive rookie of the year. The Titans have 11 draft picks in April and about $40 million under the salary cap to pursue free agents.

"We're going to look both in-house and outside, far and wide, to find the right person," Underwood said.

"He will have to have on the ground hands-on experience as an assistant G.M. or G.M. We're not going to hire someone that doesn't know a lot about what they're doing."

If the Titans want someone with experience, Miami general manager Randy Mueller, who was brought in by former Dolphins coach Nick Saban, might be a candidate because he is not involved in the coaching search there.

If they choose someone who hasn't been a general manager, that could include Mike Reinfeldt, a vice president of the Seahawks who played for the then-Houston Oilers between 1976 and 1983. Others mentioned as potential candidates include Ruston Webster, the Seahawks' vice president of player personnel, and Reggie McKenzie, director of pro personnel in Green Bay.

Underwood said the new general manager will answer only to owner Bud Adams and himself, and they want someone who isn't afraid to share his opinions, even if he disagrees with Fisher. The Titans are negotiating a contract extension with Fisher that Underwood expects to conclude in "due course."

"That kind of interplay with one another is a good thing," Underwood said.

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press