By Terry McCormick, Correspondent

NASHVILLE — It couldn't have worked out any better for Ingle Martin than it did in Friday night's 17-16 victory over the Oakland Raiders.

Martin, who played locally at Montgomery Bell Academy in Nashville as a prep star, rallied the Titans to victory with an 82-yard drive in the final minutes capped off by another in-state hero in kicker John Vaughn, who made a 33-yard field goal.

On second thought, it could get better for Martin. Maybe, just maybe, Martin played well enough in that game, completing 6 of 11 throws for 103 yards, to earn a spot on a 53-man NFL roster, whether in Tennessee or somewhere else.

“It felt great, and to have a guy like John Vaughn from Brentwood Academy come out here and nail a kick,” Martin said. “You couldn't have written it much better than that, and I know the two of us are thrilled to be a part of something like that.”

The question now becomes whether or not Martin opened enough eyes among the Titans coaching staff and front office to pull an upset and make the club.

It's still a long shot, as most believe the Titans will continue the trend of recent years in having only two quarterbacks — Vince Young and Kerry Collins — on the active roster and stashing a third one on the practice squad. Martin is still eligible for the practice squad provided he was to clear waivers after final cuts are made.

Martin, signed by the Titans to their practice squad last year after one season in Green Bay, knows he has to show plenty to make the active roster.

“I don't know if there's anything I need to show them in particular,” he said. “The bottom line is, you've got to be in the top 53. The teams have to feel like the third quarterback is in their top 53. Spots these days with the roster being so small are so valuable that (they often put) an extra receiver or extra linebacker on there.”

Titans coach Jeff Fisher said losing players to the waiver wire is a risk that happens oftentimes when tough roster decisions are made at the end of preseason.

“There's always that concern, at any position, that if a player plays well at his position in the preseason and doesn't make your 53-man roster, there's always the possibility that he will be claimed,” Fisher said.

That said, Martin's play in preseason might well be an audition of sorts for the other 31 teams in the league, as well as his quest to make the Titans' roster.

“It's good anytime you can do something on film that other teams look at and say this guy could help us out somewhere down the road,” Martin said. “For people that are on the bubble, every time you get a chance, you've got to take advantage of it, and this being my third training camp and third preseason, it's the most comfortable I've been since I've come out of college.”

Martin credits quarterbacks coach Craig Johnson and offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger with helping hime become comfortable enough to compete in this camp.

“With Coach Johnson and Coach Heimerdinger and their coaching, this is the most comfortable I've felt, and it's an important time when you get those chances to get on film,” Martin said. “Mainly, I'm wanting to show the guys here that I can help out, and if not, we'll see what happens.”

If Martin is looking for a patron saint of project quarterbacks, he can turn to one he once attended a high school football camp with — Derek Anderson of the Cleveland Browns.

The one-time Baltimore Ravens draftee went from aspiring late-round pick into a star who threw 29 touchdown passes and for more than 3,700 yards a year ago.

“He and I were at the Elite 11 camp my senior year of high school together, and he came out a year before me and was drafted by Baltimore, gets cut and picked up by Cleveland, just kind of as a potential guy, and gets a shot and he's made the most of it,” Martin said. “The bottom line is when you get those chance to get on film, you take advantage of it. You show your coaches and your teammates that you're capable of handling the load whenever that load is put on your shoulders.”

Injury update: The Titans got several injured players back on the practice field Sunday. Among those were tight end Dwayne Blakley (groin), linebacker David Thornton (ribs), defensive end Jacob Ford (hamstring) and receiver Roydell Willams (ankle), all of whom missed the game Friday with injuries.

All of those players should have a chance to play Friday night against the Atlanta Falcons.

Several other players remain out, including linebacker Keith Bulluck (calf), kicker Rob Bironas (groin), cornerback Nick Harper (concussion), cornerback Cary Williams (quadriceps), linebacker Kurt Campbell (ribs), receiver Lavelle Hawkins (ankle) and cornerback Chris Carr (shoulder).

Hawkins and Cary Williams are likely out this week, and Bulluck could be held out as well.

Tackle David Stewart is still out after knee surgery, and tight end Alge Crumpler was given a day off to rest.

E-mail Terry McCormick at sports@timesfreepress.com

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