As usual, the potent combination of a powerful running game and a bruising defense has lifted the sails of the Tennessee Titans. While LenDale White and Chris Johnson have been smashing and dashing through and around the opposition, Haynesworth and crew have been wreaking havoc on the defensive side of the football.
Lost amid the excitement centered upon the 6-0 Titans has been the quality performance of veteran signal-caller Kerry Collins. No offense to Vince Young, but Collins has been the stabilizing force that this team needed at quarterback.
Collins hasn’t been lights out by any stretch of the imagination and his performance isn’t going to remind anyone of a vintage Joe Montana. On paper, Kerry’s 3 touchdowns, 3 interceptions and 74.2 QB rating is anything but awe-inspiring.
However, for a team that relies upon smash-mouth football as its modus operandi, Collins has been a solid fit.
In his first action of the season, subbing for an injured Vince Young, Collins calmly led the team on an eighty-yard drive that essentially sealed a Week One Titan victory over the hated Jags.
Against Cincinnati, Kerry’s past experiences playing in the windy elements of the Meadowlands served him well, as he completed 14 of his 21 passes while leading the Titans to a 24-7 win.
Despite throwing two early interceptions, Collins came up big when he was needed the most in the 4th quarter against the Ravens. His touchdown pass to Alge Crumpler sealed a victory for the Titans against a dogged Baltimore squad.
Collins is a testament to the impact that perseverance can have on one’s NFL career. During his 14 years in the league, he has overcome questions surrounding his leadership abilities, alcoholism and 175 interceptions.
In Tennessee’s upcoming primetime matchup with their AFC South nemesis, the Indianapolis Colts, the grizzled Collins doesn’t have to be Tom Brady: he just needs to hand-off to Johnson/White, limit his mistakes and step up when the passing game is in need of a momentum-shifting play.
In other words, to paraphrase Al Davis: Just Manage, Baby!
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