By Terry McCormick
sports@timesfreepress.com
NASHVILLE — The offseason arrived sooner than expected for the Tennessee Titans, but the question of the team’s quarterback situation for 2009 came right on time.
It was the main topic of discussion at Monday’s season-wrap news conference and locker-room clean-out, just as expected once the season ended.
The Titans have to decide what to do in regard to Kerry Collins, Vince Young and Chris Simms.
Collins led the Titans to the NFL’s best record this year, but he is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent, as is Simms. Young is the only one under contract, but questions exist about his role next season. Certainly, the Titans want to see him more involved in the offseason program.
Collins has said he would love to come back to the Titans but not in a backup role. In fact, he said Monday, he would rather retire than accept a backup spot anywhere in the NFL.
“I think I made my case known that I’d like to be here for several more good seasons, and give them several more good years,” Collins said. “At this point, I think everybody just needs to decide what they want to do.”
Titans coach Jeff Fisher said he would like to work out a deal for Collins to remain.
“Certainly getting Kerry back is very important to us. Kerry is important to us,” Fisher said. “Kerry played very, very well for us, and in particular Saturday afternoon (vs. Baltimore), I thought it was his best game for us against a very, very difficult defense.”
Collins, 36, would like nothing better but also knows the reality of the business side of the NFL, given his 14 years of service.
“I’d like to be here. I’ve got good years left in me. I know that. I like playing here,” Collins said. “My family likes Nashville a lot, and I hope it works out. But this is the NFL, and nobody knows what’s going to happen.”
Collins took over when Young was injured in the season opener and threw 12 touchdown passes to just seven interceptions. He backed up Young for most of 2006 and all of 2007.
“It’s just that I’ve played so much of my career and been a starter for so long that I still feel I am a starter,” Collins said. “There’s things that I’m looking forward to in my life after football. I’m at peace with my career to a certain extent. I still feel I have more to do, but if it comes down to it, there’s so much preparation that goes into it and so much practice time, that to do it and be a backup is just not what I’m interested in doing right now.”
Fisher was fine with Collins’ attitude.
“Kerry has one or two options. He starts, and hopefully, it’s for us, or he’s on his tractor on his farm,” Fisher said. “Kerry has no interest in backing up. He wants to start, and rightfully so. He’s adamant about that, and I think he’s earned the right to say that. Again, we’ve got a lot of time, and we’ll work things out.”
Collins believes the Titans are likely the best fit for him and said he would take less money than in taking a starting role for a rebuilding club to stay, but he kept all options open.
“I will pack up and go somewhere else. I don’t want to, but that’s the reality of this business,” Collins said. “Like I said, I really like it here. My family really likes it in Nashville, and I think there’s something special here that I’d like to be a part of. But there is a business side to it, too, and if it comes down to it, I’ve got to be able to pack up and move on.
“I’m at the age where I’m completely comfortable with shutting down, if that’s what happens. I know I can do it,” Collins said.
Regarding Young, Fisher said he believes the 2006 first-round pick and NFL offensive rookie of the year learned some things this season by sitting and watching, but now he wants to see Young completely committed to the offseason work. Last season, he took classes at the University of Texas and was in and out of town working with offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger.
“We expect 100 percent commitment from Vince, and we’ll accept nothing less than that,” Fisher said.
Young declined a request for an interview in the locker room Monday, but Fisher said he wants to see Young dedicate himself to improving.
“This is about Vince Young and this is about spending the time here, about committing himself to the offseason program and just doing the best he possibly can to make himself a better football player, and to take advantage of the experience he gained this year, despite the fact that he didn’t play,” Fisher said.
As for Simms, signed after being released by Tampa Bay, Fisher liked the work he put in on the field and in the weight room, two years after having his spleen removed because of an in-game injury in 2006.
“I really like what I saw out of Chris. Chris was very thankful for his opportunity, and I thanked him or his commitment,” Fisher said. “He’s a different player than he was when he got here. He has worked extremely hard and put himself into the position where he can play in this league. And that was as a result of the commitment he made back in the weight room and in the training room with the staff. I think he can play in the league.”
Simms hopes to stay with the Titans as well, but he wonders if there is room for three quarterbacks on the roster again next year.
“I sure would like to be here. I don’t think there’s any doubt about it. I’ve never wavered from that,” Simms said. “Like I said, I’m just happy that I feel really good again and I’m extremely grateful to this team and this organization that they were patient with me and helped bring me along. Whatever they deem necessary, that’s how I look at it. ... I don’t imagine all three of us being back here, but we’ll just see what happens.”
Titans fans will be doing the same thing.
Or login with:
New Account