Collins excited about full-time starting job

Kerry Collins says he is glad he will be the starter for the forseeable future. File

Now that he has been given the keys, Kerry Collins doesn’t want a short drive around the block.

Collins, starting in place of an injured Vince Young last week, was officially elevated to the starting lineup on a full-time basis by Titans coach Jeff Fisher on Monday, a day after leading the Tennessee Titans to a 24-7 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.

Just as he ascended into the starting role, Collins now hopes to emerge as someone the offense and the team can rally around for the long haul and not just a stretch of a few games.

“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 as the starting quarterback, he would take on more of a leadership role with the team.

“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.”

Fisher’s decision to stick with Collins even when Young returns from the sprained MCL in his left knee is a pre-emptive strike against any potential quarterback controversy that might arise a few weeks down the line.

“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 said Collins’ approach to the game will be invaluable, not just for Young as a learning tool, but in running the offense.

“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 move also keeps the entire locker room unified behind one quarterback, preserving delicate chemistry.

“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.”

Fullback Ahmard Hall, a friend of Young’s and his former Texas teammate, agrees that making Collins the full-time starter will help maintain continuity at the position.

“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.”

Hall has spoken to Young and believes he will accept the demotion and work to get better while maintaining a good frame of mind.

“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 said he believes Young will be a supportive teammate, despite any disappointments of not keeping the starting job.

“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 said that would be his advice to Young as well.

“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.”

VANTAGE POINT: The Titans are toying with the idea of having Young sit in the coaches’ box Sunday, rather than 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.

He said Bulluck’s preseason broadcast while nursing a calf injury lends credence to the possibility of having Young see the game from that view Sunday.

“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,” Fisher said. “Whatever we do for Vince on Sunday will be what’s best for Vince.”

Bulluck endorsed that idea for Young 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.

HONOR: Bulluck was also named 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 did not practice because of a groin injury on Wednesday, while cornerback Nick Harper and linebacker Collin Allred missed because of ankle injuries.

Fisher said all three players would have a chance to practice later in the week.

Defensive end Jacob Ford was limited in practice with a chest injury, while running back Quinton Ganther is off the injury report and practiced fully after missing two games with a hamstring injury.

DOUBLING UP: Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth weighed in on the subject of the Titans’ quarterbacks and said the team should play both Collins and Young.

“If I was going to put my head-coaching hat on, I would honestly run a two-quarterback system with Vince and Kerry,” Haynesworth said. “Kerry is a pure passer, and Vince can create things with his legs and on the go. If it was me, I know it would be hard for them to get in sync, but I would do a two-quarterback system.

“I know this is not college, but you look at some of the college teams that have done it, and they’ve done all right.”