Young may make first start; Volek unhappy with Collins trade

[bengaldee]

Aug. 30, 2006
CBS SportsLine.com wire reports




NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Titans might dodge the question of who their starting quarterback is by giving rookie Vince Young the start in their final exhibition game.


The Titans are stuck in a situation where Billy Volek, chosen as the starter when Steve McNair was traded, now has competition after the team signed 11-year veteran Kerry Collins on Monday. Volek isn't happy with the move and might be seeking a trade.

He declined to talk to reporters Wednesday, referring questions to his agent, Drew Rosenhaus. His agent said only, "No comment."

Young, the No. 3 overall pick in the draft out of Texas could get the start Friday when the Titans (0-3) visit Green Bay (1-2). Coach Jeff Fisher would only say that Young will play.

"He'll probably get about the same playing time he's had the past couple of weeks," the coach said.

Asked the same question, Young was equally brief.

"You've got to ask Coach Fish," Young said.

Fisher did say he had settled on a playing order for his quarterbacks that should be about even. He might even get Matt Mauck in the game.

Fisher could decide to split the game evenly between Young, who needs as much work as possible, and Collins to speed up his learning curve of the Titans' offense. That would allow the Titans not to play Volek, who had been waiting patiently for his chance to replace McNair before they signed Collins.

General manager Floyd Reese said he talked with Rosenhaus only once. That doesn't mean Volek, whose 10 NFL starts were the only such experience on the roster before Collins arrived, hasn't been the topic of conversations with other teams.

"This time of year over the next couple of days, there's an endless number of conversations you'll have with clubs in the league saying 'What if?' Some you talk to three or four times, some you talk to once," Reese said.

"Billy's name has come up from some of the clubs."

Collins' ability to pick up the offense would make Volek expendable and eliminate controversy that could divide the locker room. Offensive coordinator Norm Chow said Collins has been such a quick study he believes the veteran could be ready for the opener on Sept. 10 against the New York Jets.

Fisher said he could see Collins was much more comfortable Wednesday.

"Yesterday he got on the practice field and didn't get an opportunity to time up any routes and just went right into practice, which is difficult. Today we got him a chance to time up the routes, so he was much more comfortable today," Fisher said.

Collins agrees that he can be ready with study and more time under center.

"I have been around a lot. I know what it takes to get ready to play," he said. "Even though it won't be that much time, I can do it."

[Nati Ice]

vince young = teh suck

[Gary]

Yah, Vince Young shouldn't have been drafted as high as he was. He's going to be a bust guaranteed.

[|Bunghole|]

Volek's pretty good. I wouldn't write off Young yet, either.
But Collins sucks (tequila bottles).