in 2009. Collins is a free agent in March. Is this a "positioning" by the Titans to pump up Collins value for a trade to another team in need of a starter before the draft? Or could it be that Vince is done in Tennessee and Collins really IS their guy? The Link: captain Greybeard to start in 09
The idea that they would sign him now and try to trade him before the draft makes no sense at all, so I suspect they really want him to start.
The Titans like Collins and think that Simms is coming along nicely. If they sign him before the draft, they can concentrate on getting him some WRs to throw to.
In VY's short career he's already been a spectator to a whole slew of veteran QB's with agendas -- McNair, Volek, Collins. Collins's recent statements asking to give him the starting job before he'll sign a contract are just the latest. Add in Fisher's agenda, the tenn press, espn and rumours about the owner and it's all just a big soap opera. They hardly have enough time to play any football in the NFL.
I began following the Titans again when they picked up Bo. I enjoy watching their games, and, of course, I enjoy watching the Texas players who play for them. I also enjoy watching the Patriots (primarily because of David Thomas) and the Broncos (when Selvin is healthy, which isn't very often lately). As I have written before, I have nothing against any of the pro teams--or against people who enjoy rooting for them. One of my best friends from college is an Episcopal priest now and an avid Philly fan, and I still like him just fine. Go, Titans!
Just for the record, the Houston Oilers (aka Tennessee Titans) won 2 pre-merger AFL Championships in 1960 and 1961. Also, the Cardinals performance in the playoffs may allow them to pass the Texans in the all-time rankings of NFL Frnachises. Cold Hard Facts That said, I don't think the Titans will ever go anywhere with Collins at the helm.
Titans overview: The Oilers/Titans have never truly been dominant. And 47 years have elapsed since the organization's last championship, back in the early days of the upstart AFL. But the franchise has been consistently competitive, with high-quality, playoff-caliber teams in the early 1960s, late 1970s, late 1980s/early 1990s, and pretty regularly over the past decade. With a championship or two over the next few years, this organization, like Jacksonville at No. 21, could move fairly quickly up the franchise rankings. But until then, they inhabit a place here at No. 19, amid the pack of teams that boast only institutional mediocrity. I think mediocrity would sum it up best, from a one time...long time Oiler fan.
Maybe I'm just naive, but I don't buy that wanting Collins to come back as a starter next year means they're done with Vince. They wanted him to sit, learn and mature - does that really happen in the space of a year? If you have a veteran guy who led you as well as Collins did this year, why not get another year out of him if you can and let Vince continue the learning process? As for Collins, why wouldn't he ask for an agreement up front? He just had a great season, he probably feels like he can start for someone, so why would he want to sign with the Titans if they're going to turn around and bench him? Not very unreasonable, IMO. I don't think saying he has an "agenda" is really fair - his agenda is he wants to start, just like any other QB in the NFL.
It doesn't look all that complicated. Vince is still a great prospect, but obviously not a lock to be great next year. Collins played at a fairly high level this year--almost enough to win it all. Why let go of Collins? and, if bringing him back, why not start him at starter? Vince still has the chance to beat him out, and Collins still has a chance to be hurt or start looking awful (again) at some point.
Collins' QB rating was 23rd in the NFL - that is not that good. Not explosive - this team will never win a SB with Collins at QB. He would have not lasted the season had they thrown the ball more often. The great D and running game is the only reason they won every game. They better open up this competition
As a Cowboy fan that puts the Titans at #2 due to Vince, I see lots of irony if Vince ends up in Houston. As my all-time favorite player, I'm not sure what I'd do if that was the case. It would be some sort of paradox that could end the universe as we know it. The football board would collapse upon itself.
I think it's safe to say, that Collins will go back to the mediocrity-to-sucktitude that has primarily been his NFL career. This was one of those, I'll show them, years. Next year when it's all on him again, he'll fall apart. VY will come in, get a few great wins, but then they'll have a QB controversy and the Titans will plummet like a rock.
It's safe to say both franchises pretty much suck. Arguing over which one sucks more kinda seems like a waste of time. "Your team sucks." "Your team sucks more!" Meh...
Houston passed on him once. Doubt they'll give him a look this time around, especially with this self-imposed implosion.
