By Terry McCormick, sports@timesfreepress.com

NASHVILLE — Kerry Collins now not only as the title of starting quarterback for the Tennessee Titans, he aims for another role as well: offensive leader.

“I don't know if it is (my team) yet, but I really plan on making it mine,” Collins said. “I'm excited about being part of what I think can be a good year. I think we've got a good bunch of guys, and we've got guys that work hard.”

Collins said that in ascending to the starting job it allows him to be more involved in leading the offense, much more so than from a backup's perspective.

“Knowing that I'm going to be the starter and that I'm going to be in there week in and week out makes it easier to do more leadership things, honestly,” Collins said. “As a backup, there's still a leadership role to be had, but obviously, it's different than when you're in there day in and day out and you know you're going to be in there game in and game out.”

Collins was pleased that Titans coach Jeff Fisher handed him the keys to the offense, and not just for the short haul. Fisher's move puts to rest any attempts to spark a quarterback controversy once it is determined that Young is ready to return.

“It certainly put my mind at ease, and I'm not one of those guys that looks too far into the future,” Collins said. “It just puts anything to rest about what's going to happen. Like he said, as long as we're winning and everything is going OK, I'll be in there. I'm just going to continue to be prepared to play and get ready to play on Sunday, and hopefully, win some ballgames.”

Fisher likes the demeanor and leadership qualities Collins brings to the team as a 14-year veteran.

“He's got confidence. He's got the natural leadership because of where he's been and what he's been done,” Fisher said. “And players are going to be in the right places and be where he expects them to be.”

The decision to stick with Collins long-term also sends a clear message to the locker room regarding the direction the team is heading.

“I think it's important for Kerry to get the vote of confidence,” defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch said. “I think it's important for our offense to get some kind of continuity just to know that if Kerry is playing well and we're winning, that he doesn't have to look over his shoulder or have to worry about who's behind center. I think it's important that everybody's on the same page.”

It helps to keep the entire offense united on the same front and brings continuity, said fullback Ahmard Hall.

“It definitely helps because everybody can be prepared to know what's going to happen instead of being in limbo,” Hall said. “Vince knows what his position is, and Kerry knows what his position is and not looking over his shoulder. And the receivers can prepare for Kerry to be in there and start working with Kerry every day, throwing after practice and getting on the same sheet of music.”

The only major question now is what becomes of Young's already fragile demeanor with the news that Collins is in and he is reduced to watching and learning.

Hall, one of Young's closest friends on the team and a college teammate, believes Young will handle the delicate matter well.

“It is what it is. It's the NFL,” Hall said. “He supports Kerry, and he knows what's going on. Right now, he's just focused on getting healthy. He's in there doing what he has to do to get healthy. He's being Vince. He's joking around. He understands the nature of this game.”

Collins, who saw the situation reversed between the two in 2006, believes Young will be supportive of him and that it won't affect their relationship.

“I hope it doesn't (hurt our relationship),” Collins said. “I hope it's nothing personal. I don't think it should be. I've been in this situation. I've been on the other side of it, and I know that I never held anything personally, and I don't think Vince will.

“I think we've got a strong enough relationship where that's not going to be the case. I'm sure he's disappointed, but I've been on the other end of it, too, and I know how it feels. It's not easy, but it's something that you've got to move on and make the best of it.'

Linebacker Keith Bulluck offered similar advice.

“It probably will be (disappointing),” Bulluck said. “But those things, if you're a tough person, it will make you stronger. That's a point in your career where you're coming to a realization. … and that should make you stronger. It should make you better. It should make you want to go out there and succeed. When you get your reps in practice, it makes you want to do them all right. It makes you want to be prepared for when your number is called, because we all know that regardless of the situation, 10’s number is going to be called again, and he's going to have to perform.”

NEW VANTAGE POINT

The Titans are contemplating having Young watch Sunday's game with the Houston Texans from the coaches box rather than spend the day on the sidelines with his teammates.

“There may be some advantage to having him go upstairs in the box and watching from that perspective with the call. But I haven't decided yet,” Fisher said.

The genesis of the idea apparently came from when Bulluck picked up an appreciation of that view while filling in as a broadcaster during a preseason game while he was injured.

“The response I got from Keith Bulluck when he subbed for Eddie George in Green Bay, he said it was a great experience for him just to see the game from a different perspective,” Bulluck said. “Whatever we do for Vince on Sunday will be what's best for Vince.”

Bulluck endorsed that vantage point for Young to learn as well.

“I think that would be great. That was my first time ever doing a game from the box, knowing that I was going to play next week and seeing my teammates out there playing.

I think that would be great for him, getting the perspective and knowing the plays that are being called and see how they're developing. … Players never get that view,” Bulluck said.

BULLUCK HONORED

Bulluck was selected as AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his blocked punt and recovery for a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.

“That's an award I never thought I'd get,” said Bulluck, who has not played on special teams much over the past several seasons.

INJURIES

Receiver Justin Gage (groin), cornerback Nick Harper (ankle) and linebacker Colin Allred (ankle) all missed Wednesday's practice. Fisher said all three might practice later in the week.

Defensive end Jacob Ford was limited in practice with a chest injury, while running back Quinton Ganther practiced fully after missing two games with a hamstring injury. Tight end Bo Scaife was excused for personal reasons on Wednesday.

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