By Terry McCormick, sports@timesfreepress.com

NASHVILLE — Kerry Collins can be an unrestricted free agent after the 2008 season and said Wednesday he would like to return to the Tennessee Titans.

But now that he has had a taste of being a starter again, Collins doesn't appear overly interested in being a backup next season.

Collins, barring injury or prolonged ineffectiveness, will be the starter in place of Vince Young for the rest of the season, but what happens beyond that with Young or Collins appears uncertain.

Collins, 35, said he had had some preliminary overtures about a contract extension from the Titans during training camp, but that was when he was still the second-teamer before Young's injury.

“There's been a little talk, but it was mainly in training camp,” Collins, 35, said. “Certainly a lot of things have changed since then. I'm probably more inclined to kind of wait till the end of the season to see how things play out, because at this point in my career, it's going to be hard for me to back up anymore. It really will.”

Collins has been solid in leading the Titans to a 4-0 record, heading into this week's game at Baltimore. He has completed 47 of 83 passes for 577 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.

He said that the opportunity to start full-time again has helped rekindle his starter's mentality.

“After sitting for two years and now being the starter, I know I can still do this at a high level, and to me, it's going to have to be a starting job, or I'm going to have to make some decisions on what I'm going to do,” Collins said.

Collins said going through the rigors of training camp and off-season work might not be worth as much to him if he knows he is in a situation where he had no chance to start.

“I think going through training camp, it’s getting to the point now for me, to go through the off-season, it's getting questionable to me whether or not it's worth it just to back up,” Collins said. “I feel like my abilities are the abilities of a starter, and after how everything has gone, from being a backup and not playing, and knowing I can do it, and knowing I can do it at a high level, it's going to be hard for me to go back to being a backup.”

Titans general manager Mike Reinfeldt said the team is interested in keeping Collins, but did not elaborate on any specifics of what might transpire.

“Kerry is a good player for us,” Reinfeldt said. “He's a guy that we've always valued and would like to keep him here and have him here in the future. He’s a valuable guy for what we do.

“We have 13 guys that are up (at the end of the year), so I'm not going to comment specifically on any of those individuals.”

Collins said he enjoys playing for the Titans and being in Nashville, but he is content to let the 2008 season play out before making any major decisions.

“I would love to stay here. I really would,” Collins said. “I love playing for Jeff. I love playing in Nashville. I really feel like I fit well as a part of this team. Having said that, who knows what's gonna happen. Certainly, I think I'm better off just waiting until the end of the year and seeing how it all plays out.”

Still, he would be open, if the Titans were to make an extension offer that included a promise to compete for the starting role in 2009.

“That would definitely be something I would consider,” Collins said.

For now, though, Collins said his focus is not on what happens in the off-season, but on quarterbacking the team this season.

“I don't think this is the right time (to discuss it). It's a lot of speculation, and I'm not worried about it, and I'm focused on what I need to do. All I'll say is I'd love to stay here,” Collins said. “I don't want to burn any bridges and I don't want to close any doors. I'm open to discussing anything, but I'm not so sure this is the right time.”

Young returns

For the first time since his knee injury and day-after meltdown, Young practiced with his teammates on Wednesday.

Young did brief work with the offensive unit and also worked on the scout team as well, but it is not known when or if he will be elevated into the No. 2 quarterback role ahead of Chris Simms.

“He was kind of limited today, and we'll just pick up the pace as the week goes on,” Titans coach Jeff Fisher said. “He looked just like I expected to see. The arm strength is good, the legs are good, and he moved around. He had a really good workout yesterday.”

Before making any decision on Young's status for Sunday, Fisher said he wants to increase his practice work Thursday and Friday.

“We're going to pick the pace up tomorrow, and see how he is. I probably won't make that decision until Sunday,” Fisher said. “I need to see him continue through the week to progress physically. He's into the game plan, that's not a concern of mine.”

Young was not available to the media on Wednesday.

Injuries

Titans receiver Justin Gage missed Wednesday's practice while wearing a brace on his right knee. Gage is Tennessee's second-leading receiver with 12 receptions this season, despite missing the Houston game.

Also, running back LenDale White was out with a shoulder problem, while cornerback Reynaldo Hill missed practice with a hamstring injury.

Comments