By: Jeremy SmithThe first ever draft pick for the Carolina Panthers, Kerry Collins was selected 5th overall out of Penn State in the 1995 NFL Draft. While with the Panthers, Collins battled with alcoholism and before the 1997 season he used racial slurs to describe teammates Muhsin Muhammad and Noberto Garrido while in a drunken state at a bar in Spartanburg, SC. Collins later admitted that this was a mistake and sought rehab for his alcohol problem. Super Bowl 35 against the Ravens, Collins and the Giants went on to lay an egg and lose 34-7, and after the game said, "I sucked today. I was prepared. I was ready. I just played terrible."
These are some examples of what I mean when I say Kerry Collins makes "no excuses" because he doesn't. The man stands up in front of God and the whole world and admits what he did wrong and then fixes the problem. Now a starter for the Tennessee Titans, Collins' career has been rejuvenated. Despite the AFC Divisional playoff loss to Baltimore, the Titans went 13-3 and won the AFC South for the first time since 2002. I know that Chris Johnson is a big reason for the Titans success and I feel the same way, Johnson was very valuable to the offense, but without Kerry Collins the offense would not have had the balance that it did and with Collins, opposing defenses had to respect his arm, he doesn't have over 37,000 pass yards for nothing.
Collins is now a free agent. I know there are other big name Titans that have yet to be locked up such as Bo Scaife, Rob Bironas, and oh yea...Albert Haynesworth. But the Titans really need to find a way to keep Collins in Nashville. After a full season as a starter, Collins will not be satisfied as a backup to Vince Young, which is why the Titans should bring him back as the starting quarterback. He is a big reason why the Titans had the success that they did, and with him back in 2009, the Titans can pick back up with that same chemistry and consistency that Kerry Collins gives you. No he's not flashy. He won't put up 300 yards a week but he manages the game well and if counted on to win the game he often comes through. Even after the playoff loss to Baltimore on Saturday, Collins didn't place blame on any one player but just said that they as a team didn't make enough plays to win the game. He is a class guy and an outstanding leader. As a fellow Titans fan, I feel that with Collins back the Titans can be expected to compete for the division title and Super Bowl once again next year. It depends how bad the Titans want to win. Leave your team in the hands of an unproven quarterback who just isn't mentally there and may never be in Vince Young or let a good solid veteran quarterback with all the intangibles to win in this league lead the team, and like I said before, someone who won't make excuses....Kerry Collins.
I agree with you, sir. Collins is THE reason the Titans finished with a 13-3 record. Collins is THE reason head coach Jeff Fisher will be back next year. And considering all that Collins has been through, he tried to mentor to Young this season, to help him get through his tough times. Young wanted no part of it. He turned his shoulder to Collins. Young is NOT the answer. And Collins may not be THE answer for the Titans, but he's definitely a better alternative than VY. But we shall see what happens.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Kerry Collins is the answer for the Titans at QB. I wouldn't be surprised if they either try to cut, or trade Vince Young before the season. As far as it goes about Fisher's job, Bud Adams might keep him around. Whether you guys agree or not. Adams doesn't care, the bottom line is that the Titans need to be in the Super Bowl and WIN. Yes, they had a great season, but if you get a first round bye and them lose, then it makes the season pointless. They worked very hard and have nothing to show for it. The playoffs are a win an in, from week to week. We all know this. The only team out of four home teams that won was the Steelers. Adams will be considering this going in. I honestly don't think a winning season will be enough to keep Fisher, he may not be gone after this season, but I'm pretty sure Adams will be watching.
ReplyDeleteKenny
Put in vince in wildcat formation
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ReplyDeleteI think the best idea would be to keep Collins and Simms and get rid of VY. That would clear up money to resign Albert. It would give you a QB of the present and future and lock up your best player on defense.
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Yea I definitely hope that the titans keep Collins around. Of course Albert and Bo and Rob are very important, but ya gotta believe the titans can afford bo and rob for sure and surely kerry. Albert will be the big question mark.
ReplyDeletei agree with everything except the fact that unless the titans for sure will be able to keep our core intact including the free agents then they should not trade VY. It's very unlikely they will be able to but albert is way more important than Bo or even Rob Bironis even though he is probably a top 3 kicker in the league... and NO way Vince Should Start next year no way. Kerry will be there and will start, or at least he better. If Jeff has Any say so he will and if Heimerdinger has any say i'm sure he'll want him back starting under center as well. No Kerry isn't flashy but this team is about Defense and running the ball. They need a good reciever in the 1st 2 rounds this year, and Kerry could be very consistent next year too i think. My worries lie somewhere that noone is talking about for our Titans though. AGE. next year will see Collins in his 15th season, Bulluck 10th year, Crumpler an Ancient 9th season, Nick Harper, KVB, and Justin McCareins in thier 9th as well, Craig Hentrich's 16th season, Jevon's 11th, Chris Hope and David Thornton's 8th, Kevin Mawae's, 16th not to mention he's played more games than any offense lineman still in the league. I mean outside of maybe a couple of our big players almost all are not only vets, but OLD. That's what scares me the most. And health scares for age we were VERY lucky last year not having injuries at all until the end of the year when they didn't matter much to KVB, Albert, and of course the 2 that did: Chris and Kevin in the playoffs
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