QB Kerry Collins re-signs with Titans

One of the more amazing stories of the 2008 NFL season was the professional rebirth of Tennessee Titans QB Kerry Collins.  Collins was the beneficiary when phenom Vince Young struggled with some mental issues and became the Titans starter.  Collins was under center as the team posted a NFL best 13-3 record.  On Friday, the Titans rewarded Collins by signing the veteran signal caller to a two year, $13 million contract.

By re-signing Collins, it also makes him the de facto starter over Young.  There were a number of questions heading into the post season about the status of both Young and Collins, with Collins an unrestricted free agent.  Though no ‘official’ statement has been made by Titans head coach Jeff Fisher, he lobbied hard for the team to re-sign the 36 year old Collins.  He also made this statement prior to the start of the free agent signing period which certainly indicates that Collins will get the starting nod:

"If he comes back, for all intents and purposes, he's our starter, and Vince waits.”

Titans’ general manager Mike Reinfeldt praised Collins in a statement announcing the contract:

"Kerry did a great job for us last year stepping back into the starting role. He has veteran leadership, tons of game experience and we expect him to continue to play at a high level for us."

Collins was also pleased that things worked out the way they did:

"This is where I wanted to be, and my family loves Nashville. It is just part of the process. Free agency comes about, and there are lots of talks and rumors. At the end of the day, this is where I want to be, and I am happy it worked out."

Though Collins was approached by other teams, he said that he put them on the back burner when negotiations with the Titans began to produce results. He said that his focus now is on getting the team deep in the playoffs:

"We need to look at taking it a step further. We had a great regular season, and it didn't end up the way we wanted it to in the playoffs, but we have the nucleus and the people to take another run at it and I am glad to be a part of it."

The re-signing of Collins was a much needed boost for the Titans, who lost All Pro defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth to free agency earlier this week.  Haynesworth signed a seven year, $100 million deal with the Washington Redskins.