Players vow support for McNair but also profess faith in Volek
By JIM WYATT
Staff Writer
In his 32 years at the collegiate level, Titans offensive coordinator Norm Chow dealt with uncertainty at the quarterback position often.
"Every two or three years, you're not sure who is going to be the guy,'' Chow said. "But you kind of enjoyed the chase to find out who the right guy is. It's a challenge.''
In his second season in the NFL, Chow is faced with something entirely different. So is the entire Titans organization. For the first time since the Titans have been in Tennessee, they don't have a starting quarterback to pencil in ? with just over two months left until training camp.
All those who've written down Steve McNair probably have an eraser nearby.
"My ears are about done hearing that. I hear that question every single day, whether it's at church, at home, walking down the street, at a restaurant, whatever. 'Hey, what are y'all going to do with Steve?' " tight end Erron Kinney said.
"I don't know. I'll know when you know. When a reporter says, 'Steve McNair is here,' I will rejoice like you will. But if they say he's moved on, and he's playing for someone else, then best of luck to him, and I hope it all works out.
"For me and the guys in this locker room, we just have to stay focused and not get distracted.''
That, of course, is easier said than done.
Questions about McNair, who didn't take part in the team's on-field workouts Monday, dominated talk in the locker room afterward. Some players said they are hoping his fate will be determined soon so all parties can move forward.
An arbitrator is scheduled today to hear McNair's grievance against the team, and the hearing could bring his future into better focus.
"I know there have been numerous talks about him going other places, and I am sure he wants to figure out if he's going to be here or if he's going to be somewhere else,'' linebacker Peter Sirmon said. "Any time there is indecision, I think everyone wants it done yesterday, the sooner the better.''
In the meantime, Billy Volek has been working with the first-team offense in organized workouts, with Matt Mauck, last year's No. 3, backing him up. Rookie Vince Young, the third overall pick in the NFL Draft, is scheduled to be on the field with the veterans for the first time on Wednesday. So far, Young has worked only with members of his rookie class.
Volek, 30, has been McNair's backup since the 2003 season.
"Billy's role right now, he is our most experienced guy and he is the starter. If there comes a point where that ends up being the way we are going to go, Billy will be ready to step in there,'' Titans Coach Jeff Fisher said. "He has no other choice right now other than to do what he has been doing, and that is run the huddle and execute the offense and assume that leadership role that he has so far this offseason.
"If for some reason it works out where Steve is not going to be here, then Billy is going to get himself ready to play, but that is a hypothetical situation, and I'll deal with that when we are able to be certain about which direction we're going.''
Volek, who has started 10 games in six NFL seasons, threw the ball well in practice Monday, connecting with receivers on both deep balls and short- to mid-range passes. When Volek has played, he has produced ? he ranks first since 1970 for most yards by a quarterback in his first 10 starts, with 2,789 yards.
But some in the organization still have their doubts about him, even in the short term. One question is his durability ? his 2003 season was cut short because of a spleen injury, and he was knocked out of the season finale in '04 because of a separated shoulder. Volek didn't complete the Arizona game ? his only start last season ? because of a concussion.
Veteran Kerry Collins is on the team's radar, but whether he joins the squad ? and in what role ? remains to be seen.
"Right now it looks like Billy and Matt, and obviously Vince coming in,'' center Kevin Mawae said. "We are going to think in those terms until Steve does or does not come back.''
Almost to a man, players on Monday pledged their support for McNair while indicating they have faith in Volek as well. Young isn't expected to contend for a starting spot early, but could work his way up the depth chart if he picks up the offense in a hurry.
In his locker, linebacker Keith Bulluck has a newspaper photo of McNair holding up his Most Valuable Player trophy from the 2003 season. In his mind, it will be the only locker McNair will be inside at Baptist Sports Park this fall.
"Me personally, I don't think (Steve will be back). I don't think so from the standpoint of just how they treated him as a person. That is just the business matter of it. It would be great if Steve was here, but if he isn't, we just have to move on with the guys we have here,'' Bulluck said.
"Billy is going into his seventh year. ... As of right now he is our starting quarterback if we have to play a game tomorrow. He has to have his mind right; Vince has to have his mind right. We won nine games in the last two years, and that is not fun at all, especially being out of the playoffs before October even starts.
"These guys have to not worry about if Steve McNair is coming back. Steve is one of the best, and he'll be all right. But the guys that have to step in for Steve are going to really have to put 150 percent into it.'' ?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RANKING THE QUARTERBACKS
STEVE MCNAIR
Coach Jeff Fisher said McNair gives the Titans the best chance to win in 2006, but his chances of returning don't look good.
BILLY VOLEK
With McNair in limbo, Volek is the favorite to be the starter this season. Can he handle the job full time?
MATT MAUCK
Coaches love his fiery approach, and think he could one day be a No. 2. Depending on McNair?s situation, that could be this fall.
VINCE YOUNG
Titans would like him to be a spectator early on, but some think he could work his way into the action late in the season.
By JIM WYATT
Staff Writer
In his 32 years at the collegiate level, Titans offensive coordinator Norm Chow dealt with uncertainty at the quarterback position often.
"Every two or three years, you're not sure who is going to be the guy,'' Chow said. "But you kind of enjoyed the chase to find out who the right guy is. It's a challenge.''
In his second season in the NFL, Chow is faced with something entirely different. So is the entire Titans organization. For the first time since the Titans have been in Tennessee, they don't have a starting quarterback to pencil in ? with just over two months left until training camp.
All those who've written down Steve McNair probably have an eraser nearby.
"My ears are about done hearing that. I hear that question every single day, whether it's at church, at home, walking down the street, at a restaurant, whatever. 'Hey, what are y'all going to do with Steve?' " tight end Erron Kinney said.
"I don't know. I'll know when you know. When a reporter says, 'Steve McNair is here,' I will rejoice like you will. But if they say he's moved on, and he's playing for someone else, then best of luck to him, and I hope it all works out.
"For me and the guys in this locker room, we just have to stay focused and not get distracted.''
That, of course, is easier said than done.
Questions about McNair, who didn't take part in the team's on-field workouts Monday, dominated talk in the locker room afterward. Some players said they are hoping his fate will be determined soon so all parties can move forward.
An arbitrator is scheduled today to hear McNair's grievance against the team, and the hearing could bring his future into better focus.
"I know there have been numerous talks about him going other places, and I am sure he wants to figure out if he's going to be here or if he's going to be somewhere else,'' linebacker Peter Sirmon said. "Any time there is indecision, I think everyone wants it done yesterday, the sooner the better.''
In the meantime, Billy Volek has been working with the first-team offense in organized workouts, with Matt Mauck, last year's No. 3, backing him up. Rookie Vince Young, the third overall pick in the NFL Draft, is scheduled to be on the field with the veterans for the first time on Wednesday. So far, Young has worked only with members of his rookie class.
Volek, 30, has been McNair's backup since the 2003 season.
"Billy's role right now, he is our most experienced guy and he is the starter. If there comes a point where that ends up being the way we are going to go, Billy will be ready to step in there,'' Titans Coach Jeff Fisher said. "He has no other choice right now other than to do what he has been doing, and that is run the huddle and execute the offense and assume that leadership role that he has so far this offseason.
"If for some reason it works out where Steve is not going to be here, then Billy is going to get himself ready to play, but that is a hypothetical situation, and I'll deal with that when we are able to be certain about which direction we're going.''
Volek, who has started 10 games in six NFL seasons, threw the ball well in practice Monday, connecting with receivers on both deep balls and short- to mid-range passes. When Volek has played, he has produced ? he ranks first since 1970 for most yards by a quarterback in his first 10 starts, with 2,789 yards.
But some in the organization still have their doubts about him, even in the short term. One question is his durability ? his 2003 season was cut short because of a spleen injury, and he was knocked out of the season finale in '04 because of a separated shoulder. Volek didn't complete the Arizona game ? his only start last season ? because of a concussion.
Veteran Kerry Collins is on the team's radar, but whether he joins the squad ? and in what role ? remains to be seen.
"Right now it looks like Billy and Matt, and obviously Vince coming in,'' center Kevin Mawae said. "We are going to think in those terms until Steve does or does not come back.''
Almost to a man, players on Monday pledged their support for McNair while indicating they have faith in Volek as well. Young isn't expected to contend for a starting spot early, but could work his way up the depth chart if he picks up the offense in a hurry.
In his locker, linebacker Keith Bulluck has a newspaper photo of McNair holding up his Most Valuable Player trophy from the 2003 season. In his mind, it will be the only locker McNair will be inside at Baptist Sports Park this fall.
"Me personally, I don't think (Steve will be back). I don't think so from the standpoint of just how they treated him as a person. That is just the business matter of it. It would be great if Steve was here, but if he isn't, we just have to move on with the guys we have here,'' Bulluck said.
"Billy is going into his seventh year. ... As of right now he is our starting quarterback if we have to play a game tomorrow. He has to have his mind right; Vince has to have his mind right. We won nine games in the last two years, and that is not fun at all, especially being out of the playoffs before October even starts.
"These guys have to not worry about if Steve McNair is coming back. Steve is one of the best, and he'll be all right. But the guys that have to step in for Steve are going to really have to put 150 percent into it.'' ?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RANKING THE QUARTERBACKS
STEVE MCNAIR
Coach Jeff Fisher said McNair gives the Titans the best chance to win in 2006, but his chances of returning don't look good.
BILLY VOLEK
With McNair in limbo, Volek is the favorite to be the starter this season. Can he handle the job full time?
MATT MAUCK
Coaches love his fiery approach, and think he could one day be a No. 2. Depending on McNair?s situation, that could be this fall.
VINCE YOUNG
Titans would like him to be a spectator early on, but some think he could work his way into the action late in the season.
