He is the Nittany Lion in winter.
Thirteen years removed from Penn State, Kerry Collins will be back in his customary role as interested bystander Sunday when the Titans play Carolina.
At this point in his NFL career, Collins is a valuable insurance policy. In a perfect world, Vince Young takes every meaningful snap for the Titans, Collins hardly plays.
But the NFL is an imperfect world.
Thirteen years removed from Penn State, Kerry Collins will be back in his customary role as interested bystander Sunday when the Titans play Carolina.
At this point in his NFL career, Collins is a valuable insurance policy. In a perfect world, Vince Young takes every meaningful snap for the Titans, Collins hardly plays.
But the NFL is an imperfect world.
2 weeks ago, with Young nursing a leg injury, Collins played every offensive down in the Titans' 38-36 comeback at Houston. His completions of 17 and 46 yards to Roydell Williams set up the last of Rob Bironas' eight field goals.
"I had a blast," Collins says.
After working his last-minute magic at Houston, Collins simply steps aside, Young is healthy....it's his team.
Collins will watch and wait.
"I had a blast," Collins says.
After working his last-minute magic at Houston, Collins simply steps aside, Young is healthy....it's his team.
Collins will watch and wait.
"Don't get me wrong. I'd love to keep playing," he says. "But this is my role and I'll continue to support Vince. If I'm needed again, I'll be ready to play."
This is the confounding job description of a No. 2 quarterback in the NFL. One week, you throw more passes, notch more completions and accumulate more yards than Young has managed in any game this season.
This is the confounding job description of a No. 2 quarterback in the NFL. One week, you throw more passes, notch more completions and accumulate more yards than Young has managed in any game this season.
The next week, you're on the bench.
Is the grass greener ?
It comes with the turf, this is why Collins was re-signed in the offseason.
He is the ideal No. 2 quarterback — which is something of a back-handed compliment.
"He's got a wealth of experience," Titans Coach Jeff Fisher said. "He's a competitor, and he has still got the arm. He sees well and makes good decisions."
Is the grass greener ?
It comes with the turf, this is why Collins was re-signed in the offseason.
He is the ideal No. 2 quarterback — which is something of a back-handed compliment.
"He's got a wealth of experience," Titans Coach Jeff Fisher said. "He's a competitor, and he has still got the arm. He sees well and makes good decisions."
And he doesn't live in a vacuum. Collins can't help but glance elsewhere around the league and see that as many as one-quarter of the NFL teams would love to have him as their quarterback of record right now.
Consider AFC South rival Jacksonville, which must put the ball in the hands of unproven Quinn Gray while David Garrard recovers from a sprained ankle.
Consider AFC South rival Jacksonville, which must put the ball in the hands of unproven Quinn Gray while David Garrard recovers from a sprained ankle.
And what of the situations in Miami, St. Louis, & Carolina ?
With a durable physique, a live arm and a helmet full of experience, Collins would be a significant upgrade over what those teams are lining up at quarterback and he knows it.
"I think it's only natural to think about those things, about maybe being a starter somewhere else," he says. "But those opportunities didn't present themselves when I was a free agent after last season. That's why I'm here."
Regardless of the season, the lion still has a bite.
Regardless of the season, the lion still has a bite.
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