Collins wants to stay, would retire rather than be backup

Kerry Collins says he wants to remain a starter in the NFL and doesn't want to be a backup again. File

The direction the Tennessee Titans will head at the quarterback position for 2009 has three distinctly different vantage points.

Incumbent starter Kerry Collins is a free agent, and said Monday he would rather retire than serve as a backup in Tennessee or anywhere else in the league.

Vince Young, the first-round pick in 2006 relegated to the bench after a season-opening injury, needs to get with the program in a manner of speaking — specifically being dedicated to the Titans’ off-season program in order to have a chance to compete and be a starter.

And as for Chris Simms, who is also a free agent, Titans coach Jeff Fisher likes the strides he has made and believes the left-hander has the potential to be a starting quarterback in the NFL.

The quickest, most likely and perhaps best solution for the Titans at quarterback in 2009 is to re-sign Collins and maintain the status quo for team that finished 13-3 with the league’s best record.

“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.”

Both Collins and Titans coach Jeff Fisher said they hoped the quarterback could be re-signed.

“Certainly getting Kerry back is very important to us. Kerry is important to us. 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, is all for staying put, too, but knows how fickle the business side of the NFL can be as well.

“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 reiterated what he said early after assuming the starting role from Young that he has no interest in being a backup anywhere in the NFL.

“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 seemed OK with Collins having that approach to the situation.

“Kerry has one or two options. He starts, and hopefully, it’s for us, or he’s on his tractor on his farm. … Kerry has no interest in backing up. He wants to start, and rightfully so,” Fisher said. “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 said he is prepared to move on, if need be, but that he would be choosy, preferring a good situation and calling the Titans likely the best fit out there for him.

“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. I’m a starter in this league, and like I’ve always said, I will retire [if I can’t find the right situation],” Collins said.

As for Young, Fisher said he learned from the experience of sitting and watching Collins, but strongly hinted that the Titans need a full commitment from him this offseason. Young spent last season bouncing back and forth between taking classes in Austin, Texas, and working with new offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger. Apparently splitting time for Young this offseason won’t be an option.

“We expect 100 percent commitment from Vince, and we’ll accept nothing less than that,” Fisher said.

Young, who still has three years remaining on his contract, declined to grant an interview in the locker room to a reporter on Monday. Fisher reiterated that Young would be under center again, but wants to see the third-year quarterback devoted to improving this offseason.

“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 he 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.

Fisher acted as if there is a scenario where the Titans would again have three quarterbacks on the roster again next year. He was clearly impressed with the way Simms improved after working with trainers and strength coaches to regain his conditioning after having his spleen removed in 2006 while with Tampa Bay.

“I really like what I saw out of Chris. Chris was very thankful for his opportunity, and I thanked him for 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.”

The Titans signed Simms after he was released by the Buccaneers to back up Collins while Young was out with a knee injury. Simms hopes to stay, but wonders if there is room for three quarterbacks again on the roster in ’09.

“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.”

Indeed, there is much to be sorted through as the Titans head into the offseason.