NASHVILLE, Tenn. --The last time Kerry Collins and Randy Moss took the field as teammates the quarterback completed seven passes to the receiver for 116 yards and two touchdowns.
It was the last day of 2005, and Collins and Moss were teammates on an Oakland Raiders team that finished 4-12 that season.
Nearly five years later a combination of factors may link the two in Miami Sunday when the Titans (5-3) visit the Dolphins (4-4) in an attempt to remain on top of the AFC South.
Collins has played in each of Tennessee's past three games in relief of Vince Young, who suffered knee and ankle sprains at Jacksonville on Oct. 18. Young did not play in the Titans' win against the Philadelphia Eagles on Oct. 24 and returned to the starting lineup against San Diego on Oct. 31 but left after aggravating his ankle.
Titans coach Jeff Fisher said Collins took most of the starters' reps and Young was limited in practice Friday. Fisher said Young is questionable for Sunday.
"It will probably be a game-time decision," Fisher said. "We'll warm him up (Sunday) and see how he does."
Moss started the season in the fourth and final year of his contract with New England. He played four games with the Patriots before they traded him to Minnesota for a third-round pick. Moss played four games with the Vikings before the franchise that originally drafted him in 1998 placed him on waivers. Tennessee claimed Moss on Nov. 3, and he arrived at Baptist Sports Park, the Titans' practice facility, Monday.
Collins, a 16-year NFL veteran, ranks 12th in NFL history in passing yards (39,205) and 10th in career completions (3,332). Moss, a 13-year pro, ranks ninth in receptions (948), fifth in receiving yards (14,778) and second in touchdown catches (153).
Collins said Moss still has all the attributes that have earned him six selections to the Pro Bowl, and that the "familiarity" between them is returning.
"Randy's so unique because he's one of the longer, taller receivers that I've ever played with," Collins said. "He's got that stride and everything. If you haven't played with a guy like that sometimes it takes a little bit of getting used to. Since I played with him, it's kind of rolling back in with the same old thing."
Moss recorded touchdown grabs in each of his first games with Minnesota (48 yards and 31 yards), Oakland (73 yards) and New England (51 yards) and in this season's return to the Vikings (37 yards).
Collins remembered the 73-yard touchdown pass to Moss with Oakland when asked if a completion between the two stood out in his mind.
Fisher said Moss has quickly picked up the terminology and playbook this week.
"He has a good understanding, I think, of just about everything we're doing, Fisher said. "I think he's got a real good chance to play.
"I think had it been anyone else but him it might have required a lot more work, but because of his talent level and his experience he has a real good feel for where he needs to go."
Collins threw extra passes to Moss after practice Friday, Fisher said, because the Titans had not had an opportunity to work in some routes during normal practice sessions. While those extra tosses were completed without defenders, Collins said Moss's ability to emerge from a cloud of defensive players and make the catch can be a temptation for a quarterback.
"He's proven time and time again that he can go up and make plays with people around him," Collins said. "So, yes, but you've got to be judicious. You can't just throw it up every time, but if he's in a good position, I certainly won't hesitate."
