http://www.tennessean.com/article/2...-quarterback-There-are-options-beyond-Collins
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[FONT=verdana,arial]January 5, 2011
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Next Titans quarterback: There are options beyond Collins[/FONT]
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By David Climer
THE TENNESSEAN [/FONT]With Vince Young’s exit, the Titans have only one quarterback under contract for the 2011 season — Rusty Smith, a sixth-round pick in the 2010 draft.
Other possibilities:
[SIZE=+2]Current NFL quarterbacks
Kerry Collins. He’s been with the Titans for the last five years and started 33 games during that period. Coach Jeff Fisher recently said Collins might come back for another season, although probably not as a starter.
Chris Simms. After spending parts of two of the last three seasons with the Titans, Simms knows the offense. In his eight-year NFL career, Simms has started 16 games, although only one in the last four seasons. He could serve as a veteran backup.
Kevin Kolb. He lost his job to Michael Vick in Philadelphia so he’s likely to be available but the price will be high — probably a first-round draft pick plus other concessions. Kolb is just 26 and lacks experience but he has the tools to be a solid NFL quarterback.
Kyle Orton. His availability depends on whether the next coach in Denver wants to go with Tim Tebow or not. Orton played well in the first half of the 2010 season with 13 touchdown passes and just five interceptions before cooling off and losing the job to the rookie from Florida.
Donovan McNabb. Things didn’t work out in Washington, but McNabb still has some tread left on the tires. He might fit in as a one-year stopgap starter while a young quarterback is groomed.
Tarvaris Jackson. At age 27, he enjoyed some success with Minnesota before losing his job to Brett Favre. He started 20 games in his five seasons with the Vikings and threw nearly as many interceptions (22) as touchdown passes (24).
Alex Smith. He’s another free agent and was the No. 1 draft pick in 2005, but Smith has failed to live up to expectations in San Francisco, where 53 interceptions overshadow 51 touchdown passes. A change of venue might help him resurrect his NFL career.
[SIZE=+2]Possible draft picks[/SIZE]
Andrew Luck. The Stanford quarterback has not yet announced if he will enter the draft or return for his senior season. If he’s available, Luck figures to be the No. 1 selection and wouldn’t be available to the Titans unless they traded up from their current No. 8 position.
Jake Locker. He has size (6-2, 229 pounds) and athletic ability as well as a strong arm, but scouts have differing opinions of the University of Washington senior. Playing in Coach Steve Sarkisian’s pro-style offense the last two years is a plus.
Blaine Gabbert. The Missouri junior has prototypical size (6-5, 240) and a quick release, plus he is an academic all-conference player. Since he played in a spread offense in college, there are concerns about how quickly he can adjust to a pro system.
Ryan Mallett. At 6-6¾, Mallett towers over most of the competition. His arm strength is unquestioned but he struggled this season in games against top-level competition. Some believe he needs to play his senior season at Arkansas in Coach Bobby Petrino’s pro-style offense.
Cam Newton. The Heisman Trophy winner from Auburn has a lethal combination of mobility and passing skills, but some have concerns about his work habits and off-field conduct. Most expect him to forego his senior season to enter the draft.
Christian Ponder. He is not ranked among elite college quarterbacks, but that means the Florida State product would be available in the second round of the draft or perhaps even in the third. There are concerns about his ability to make all the throws required of an NFL quarterback.
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[FONT=arial, helvetica]
[FONT=verdana,arial]January 5, 2011
[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Next Titans quarterback: There are options beyond Collins[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]
By David Climer
THE TENNESSEAN [/FONT]With Vince Young’s exit, the Titans have only one quarterback under contract for the 2011 season — Rusty Smith, a sixth-round pick in the 2010 draft.
Other possibilities:
[SIZE=+2]Current NFL quarterbacks
Kerry Collins. He’s been with the Titans for the last five years and started 33 games during that period. Coach Jeff Fisher recently said Collins might come back for another season, although probably not as a starter.
Chris Simms. After spending parts of two of the last three seasons with the Titans, Simms knows the offense. In his eight-year NFL career, Simms has started 16 games, although only one in the last four seasons. He could serve as a veteran backup.
Kevin Kolb. He lost his job to Michael Vick in Philadelphia so he’s likely to be available but the price will be high — probably a first-round draft pick plus other concessions. Kolb is just 26 and lacks experience but he has the tools to be a solid NFL quarterback.
Kyle Orton. His availability depends on whether the next coach in Denver wants to go with Tim Tebow or not. Orton played well in the first half of the 2010 season with 13 touchdown passes and just five interceptions before cooling off and losing the job to the rookie from Florida.
Donovan McNabb. Things didn’t work out in Washington, but McNabb still has some tread left on the tires. He might fit in as a one-year stopgap starter while a young quarterback is groomed.
Tarvaris Jackson. At age 27, he enjoyed some success with Minnesota before losing his job to Brett Favre. He started 20 games in his five seasons with the Vikings and threw nearly as many interceptions (22) as touchdown passes (24).
Alex Smith. He’s another free agent and was the No. 1 draft pick in 2005, but Smith has failed to live up to expectations in San Francisco, where 53 interceptions overshadow 51 touchdown passes. A change of venue might help him resurrect his NFL career.
[SIZE=+2]Possible draft picks[/SIZE]
Andrew Luck. The Stanford quarterback has not yet announced if he will enter the draft or return for his senior season. If he’s available, Luck figures to be the No. 1 selection and wouldn’t be available to the Titans unless they traded up from their current No. 8 position.
Jake Locker. He has size (6-2, 229 pounds) and athletic ability as well as a strong arm, but scouts have differing opinions of the University of Washington senior. Playing in Coach Steve Sarkisian’s pro-style offense the last two years is a plus.
Blaine Gabbert. The Missouri junior has prototypical size (6-5, 240) and a quick release, plus he is an academic all-conference player. Since he played in a spread offense in college, there are concerns about how quickly he can adjust to a pro system.
Ryan Mallett. At 6-6¾, Mallett towers over most of the competition. His arm strength is unquestioned but he struggled this season in games against top-level competition. Some believe he needs to play his senior season at Arkansas in Coach Bobby Petrino’s pro-style offense.
Cam Newton. The Heisman Trophy winner from Auburn has a lethal combination of mobility and passing skills, but some have concerns about his work habits and off-field conduct. Most expect him to forego his senior season to enter the draft.
Christian Ponder. He is not ranked among elite college quarterbacks, but that means the Florida State product would be available in the second round of the draft or perhaps even in the third. There are concerns about his ability to make all the throws required of an NFL quarterback.
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