Tennessee Titans Midseason Report Card: Quarterbacks

by Jimmy on Nov 4, 2008 3:30 PM CST in Midseason Evaluations Comment 25 comments

		Passing									Rushing					Sacks
	G	Rating	Comp	Att	Pct	Yds	Y/G	Y/A	TD	INT	Rush	Yds	Y/G	Avg	TD	Sack	YdsL
2008 - Kerry Collins	8	72.9	117	207	56.5	1236	154.5	6.0	3	3	16	35	4.4	2.2	0	3	21

This is going to be a bit redundant after the fantastic job that Beans did breaking down Kerry Collins's performance earlier this week, but I figured I would go ahead and throw my 2 cents in. Collins has done exactly what this team has needed him to do so far this season. He has thrown just 3 picks in his 7 games started and has only fumbled twice. For that he gets an A.

The other very impressive part of Collins's performance is that he has only been sacked 3 times in 8 games. Now a lot of that credit goes to the offensive line, but Collins gets some of the credit for the clock he has in his head for getting rid of the ball and for the 15 pounds he lost in the offseason to help with his mobility. This offense is only going to be productive when it is manageable down and distance situations. He, along with the offensive line, get an A on this front as well.

Now we get to the part of his performance that hasn't been so good. The biggest reason people say Vince Young will never be a good QB in this league is because he isn't accurate. Vince completed 62% of his passes last season. Collins is only completing 57% of his passes this season. Collins is obviously making better decisions than Vince did (Vince threw 8 picks in his first 7 starts last season), but he is going to need to be more accurate for the Titans to keep winning games. Collins gets a D- for accuracy.

Collins appears to really have this team behind him. A quarterback controversy is the quickest way to divide a lockerroom, and Collins has done and said all of the right things to keep that from happening. In this offense leadership is the 2nd most important thing for the quarterback to have behind ball security. Collins has proven to me that he has the mentality to take this team all the way. He gets an A for leadership.

So far this season Collins has done the job that he has been called to do, nothing more and nothing less. I would give him an A if his completion percentage were highter, but with those numbers it is impossible for me to give him anything higher than a B, just as Beans did.

I will stop this position evaluation there because there is really no reason to rehash any of the VY stuff at this point. Vince will get his shot again at some point, and we will evaluate him at that point. For now all we can do is hope that he is taking this time to soak up all of the knowledge he needs to be an NFL quarterback.

Obviously there is not any available info to use to evaluate Chris Simms, but we do know that he no longer has a spleen. That has to count for something.

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As a huge VY defender, I have to say KC is where it's at this year.

I’ve seen Vince several games at home since he’s been here, and on the road in Buffalo and Denver, and I’ve always believed that he could overcome his deficiencies. He can and will be a great QB for the forseeable future of this franchise.

That being said, KFC (Kerry Freaking Collins) has been exactly what this team needed this year to give them the confidence to play at the level they are at right now. His veteran leadership has allowed the defense to play a little more confidently knowing that Kerry can pick up the slack if needed. His ability to recognize 9-man fronts and audible hot-routes to the receivers and TE’s has been irreplaceable this year, and as much as I hate to say it, not a skill that VY is particularly adept at quite yet. And if we do make it to the big dance this year, having a starting QB who has been there already is worth its weight in gold. You can also add that Fisher handled the QB controversy with more grace and intelligence than I’ve ever seen in a situation like this, ie- “as long as we are winning, he’s the starter”.

At this point of the season I’m simply thrilled to see KFC get the recognition that he hasn’t seen since his Giants days, as he deserves it for what he put up with VY’s rookie season. And let’s not forget, VY has been watching Kerry like a hawk these last few weeks, and this chance for VY to learn from KFC is also invaluable.

WAY TO BE KFC!!!!!!!!

The greatest accomplishment is not in never falling, but in rising again after you fall.
Vince Lombardi

by TmanInTn on Nov 4, 2008 4:37 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Question...

Thusfar, Kerry has been good for this team. With the exception of the Packers game, he’s played well. Let’s face it though, he’s not the gamechanger that VY can be. Obviously with that gunslinging/competitive mentality comes some errors. I happen to think at some point this team will need that spark, though. What say ya’ll?

Do you think Kerry brings enough to the table for us to win a Superbowl? If not, is Vince an upgrade?*

*Since we don’t know for sure, for the sake of this argument let’s assume it’s 2006 Vince, not 2007 Vince. I think that’s a reasonable assumption given the perspective he’s gotten while riding the pine and the enthusiasm I’ve seen on the sidelines…

by SuperHorn on Nov 4, 2008 4:56 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

In the absence of proof of change all I can go on is the Vince of late

No offense to you personally but we both know you’re a VY apologist. I have blind allegiances to folks as well. Hell I’m a Cub fan. But, I don’t think Vince can be an upgrade at this point. KC did a decent job in the GB game. They have one of the toughest secondarys in the league. As I said in a previous post though; why rock the boat? We are undefeated! If we drop 3 games in a row and Kerry is the cause of it then replace him but until that time let’s get behind our field general and roll.

As always the backup QB is the most popular player on the team.

The PAIN TRAIN is comin baby!

by BigW on Nov 4, 2008 7:27 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

"Decent game"

Maybe we were watching different Green Bay games because I saw at least two sure interceptions that the Green Bay secondary dropped. Surely you can’t believe that going 18/37 (48.6%) with 0 TD’s/INT’s is a decent game? If just one of those throws goes for an INT we’re looking at a loss.

I see what you’re saying about the backup being the most popular player on the team (though I think “always” is a stretch…I can only think of a handful of teams calling for the backup QB). In this case, that backup happens to be the second best athlete on the team (#1 being CJ) and one that started the turn around of this team two years ago. We’ve seen him change games in single plays. Kerry is the antithesis of Vince, both from a ball control and big play standpoint.

My concern is that Fisherball is not enough to take us deep in the playoffs without that spark at the QB position. We are relying on the defense to win games for us, and I don’t think the D is good enough to carry us through the playoffs. According to FO, it’s not even the best defense in the league. Our offense ranks 14. The Ravens did it in 2001 (against KC btw), but that may have been the best D in NFL history.

At the end of the day all that matters is that we win. While I’ve “blindly” defended VY in the past, this is not one of those times. This is the Titans season to make a move. The traditional powerhouses are having a down year. A Superbowl win is the goal this year. I happen to believe that we will need Vince in the post season to get us there. I hope I’m wrong, because I don’t see Fisher making a change at this point. But, let’s be clear, my motivation is to have the best quarterback under center and win it all; not to defend Vince.

by SuperHorn on Nov 5, 2008 8:40 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Vince turns the ball over too much

That is the bottom line. Since the defense is only the 2nd best in the league, this team cannot afford turnovers. That is the difference. Vince has proven he can change the game in a single play, but unfortunately sometimes he changes it the wrong way.

Titans Blogger at Music City Miracles even though gramsey hates it.

by Jimmy on Nov 5, 2008 8:52 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I guess all this depends on what Vince we'd get

2007 Vince turns the ball over too much (12 TDs/17 INTs). 2006 Vince does not (19 TDs/13 INTs).

by SuperHorn on Nov 5, 2008 9:04 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Even 13 is high.

And that doesn’t count fumbles, which he’s had a few of as well.

Kerry is on pace for what, 6 INTS, 0 fumbles?

by hartley on Nov 5, 2008 9:47 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

And, 6 TDs

Even with Vince’s 3 fumbles lost, it’s still better numbers.

by SuperHorn on Nov 5, 2008 11:33 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Is it though really?

I will trade the TDs for less turnovers.

Titans Blogger at Music City Miracles even though gramsey hates it.

by Jimmy on Nov 5, 2008 12:00 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Qualified agreement.

So long as we get the TDs on the ground.

by hartley on Nov 5, 2008 12:07 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah. They're not throwing for TD's because LenDale is scoring on 1st or 2nd Down.

DannoE

"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one."
Go Titans!

by DannoE on Nov 5, 2008 12:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

At the very least...

I would hope we can agree that they are equal numbers. Something else we wouldn’t see in the numbers is a possible increase in ypc for the running backs with the additional threat of VY running the ball…

by SuperHorn on Nov 5, 2008 12:49 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

It's an apples to oranges comparison anyway because 'Dinger is so much better in the Red Zone.

DannoE

"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one."
Go Titans!

by DannoE on Nov 5, 2008 2:03 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm just not going to get onboard with VY

starting anytime soon. Or even seeing the field for that matter. I have nothing against the kid personally and I’m not attacking him but Kerry is simply a better field general. Any comparison we attempt to make is purely conjecture and pointless. As I’ve said before and will say again; until we falter there is no reason to make a change whatsoever.

The PAIN TRAIN is comin baby!

by BigW on Nov 5, 2008 2:51 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Fisherball is DEFINITELY enough to get the team deep into the playoffs.

We don’t have to look far back into the past to see this:

1999 – Superbowl
2000 – Divisional Round of Playoffs (best team, worst playoff performance by far)
2002 – AFC Championship Game
2003 – Divisional Round of Playoffs

This year’s team has a better offense than those heydey teams and a better defense than all of them but the 2000 team.

DannoE

"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one."
Go Titans!

by DannoE on Nov 5, 2008 9:12 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

That's encouraging

But, the end goal this year has to be a Superbowl win. Opportunities like this rarely present themselves.

And, let me reiterate what a great team I think this is. In re-reading previous posts, there is a tone that might indicate I think otherwise, which is not the case. I think we’re the best team in the NFL right now. There is always room for improvement, though, even at the top.

by SuperHorn on Nov 5, 2008 9:20 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I have no argument with that.

But the fact is that this team has scraped out a very good number of wins against very, very good teams with play EXACTLY like what we saw vs. Green Bay. Granted, the near-INTs and the missed FG were not good things, but in a whole season, you can expect to see some of that.

My point here is basically the same one I made earlier, below. And that’s that the thing KC is doing well right now is that he is—for the most part—not trying to do too much. He’s playing the game he’s asked to play, egolessly. I don’t say that Vince cannot do this as well, but all young QBs have a tendency to come in and try to do too much, and especially given the way his first year went (as well as his history of school-time heroics), that’s been doubly true for Vince. Until he learns to set his feet EVERY TIME or throw the ball away when the play simply isn’t there, he’s gonna continue to struggle. And I, for one, will not want him back until he is ready to become a complete player and not just an “athlete” or any of that other crap.

Complete player. Passer. Runner. Decision-maker. Whatever. I want a Donovan McNabb or a Steve McNair or even a John Elway. What I do not want—ever again—is a list of excuses why VY cannot grow into that guy.

DannoE

"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one."
Go Titans!

by DannoE on Nov 5, 2008 9:32 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Agree...

with all of this.

by SuperHorn on Nov 5, 2008 11:34 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Also you say

We’re relying on the defense to win games for us.

It seems to me we were doing that a helluva lot more last year than this one.

The PAIN TRAIN is comin baby!

by BigW on Nov 5, 2008 2:52 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Also

KC is making much better decisions than VY would I think anyway. I think KC has wised up a little trying to play like Favre. He is making plays, just very quietly. He is putting it in the right place and letting the person that catches it make a play. I’ll add that he didn’t show that against Green Bay, except on the last two drives with a little help from B. Jones of all people coming up with a great catch. And, yes I think KC can win a Super Bowl on this team barring any injury’s on the D.

by jtc2086 on Nov 5, 2008 12:26 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I’d rather, for the sake of argument, say it’s 2007/ early 2008 Vince, because in the absence of proof, that’s the most recent data.

In which case, no, VY is not an upgrade.

by hartley on Nov 5, 2008 9:45 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

We could go round and round about that...

But it won’t do any good. However, to suggest that Vince’s numbers wouldn’t be better than last year is, in my opinion, ignorant considering the addition of Chris Johnson and Mike Heimerdinger.

by SuperHorn on Nov 5, 2008 11:39 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The biggest problem I've seen with VY's game is that he's not at all good when the pocket collapses.

He might be more mobile than Collins, but he also takes A LOT more sacks because he won’t throw the ball away. Instead, like a lot of young QBs, he either panics or tries to make something happen, which is what IMHO leads to some of the interceptions. Now, yeah, if the Defense breaks contain, then sure, Vince will kill you with his running, but we’ve seen in several games where the better defenses can stop that from happening. At which point, we start to see the bad Vince come out. And then you get the throws off the back foot and all the rest. This is where VY’s game goes into the toilet.

What Collins does well is not try to do everything all the time. In fact, we’ve only seen about six drives all season where he’s really opened it up to make something happen, despite the fact that when he HAS opened it up, he has usually been successful. So if there’s one thing I hope VY is learning, it’s that always trying to make something happen every time actually doesn’t help.

DannoE

"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one."
Go Titans!

by DannoE on Nov 5, 2008 6:48 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

The fundamental difference between Collins and Young is decision making.

Collins wins that hands down. He hasn’t been asked to come in and light it up. He was asked to be a game manager which is kind of insulting but thats what it is. He has done his job very well with the exception of the Green Bay game. I hope I don’t have to watch him play like that anymore this year. I am overall very satisfied with how he is doing this year. I am glad to step away for a couple of days and look at things from a calmer perspective. It would be foolish to put VY in after one poor showing from Collins. Fisher would not do that and I don’t think the team wants that . The Titans are undefeated, the only undefeated team in the NFL. Now that is saying something!

I am a humble fan, a great humble fan.

by Joy Kat on Nov 5, 2008 9:25 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Overall B

I would go with an overall B. Collins has “managed the game” well and has even made key throws when needed, but is not worthy of anything over a B or B+.

by TitanRob on Nov 6, 2008 7:51 AM CST reply actions 0 recs