QB KERRY COLLINS
On how well he feels the Ravens' defense is playing right now:"They're playing very well. Obviously, [they're] getting the turnovers that they've been getting and making it difficult for people to put drives together. So, they're playing very well."
On what he feels makes the defense unique compared to other defenses around the NFL:"I think, schematically, they're unique. Obviously, in third-down situations, they bring blitzes from a lot of different places. I'm not sure we see any more exotic blitzes from anybody else."
On how S Ed Reed has been playing, especially over the last few games of this season:"The guy is doing what he's done his whole career – find the ball. He's extremely smart. He studies, you can tell. He knows your tendencies and plays to them. I think that's what puts him in a lot of positions to make plays. He's a guy who you've just always got to know where he is."
On if the Ravens and the Titans seem like mirror images, other than the Ravens' rookie coach and rookie quarterback:"I think so. I think the philosophies are generally the same – a good defense, run the ball, try to be efficient at the passing game. That's a formula that both us believe in."
On how this playoff push feels to him compared to his previous runs earlier in his career with the Panthers and Giants:"Obviously, I've got a lot more experience. I think I appreciate it more knowing that I am in my 14th year. I know opportunities don't come along like this all the time and this may be my last best opportunity. So, I'm trying to take advantage of it the best I can."
On if he is surprised by the way the Titans' season has progressed and how he ended up in this position:"It certainly isn't what I expected when I started the season, but I'm not surprised that we've been successful and that we've had a good year. I never want to be surprised when I'm successful or the team I'm on is successful."
On if the Ravens' defense appears similar to him to the defense he faced as Giants QB in the Super Bowl XXXV:"They're similar, yes. It's hard to say that any defense is better than the one I played in the Super Bowl in 2000. They were phenomenal. This defense is certainly very good in their own right, but that defense I think will be the best I've ever played."
On if he tells the younger players on his team not to take playoff opportunities for granted:"Yeah, that's definitely a message. I remember my second year I went to the NFC championship game and I thought, 'This is going to happen every year.' And, it doesn't happen that way. So, the veterans definitely try to convey that message around here."
On if he sees an irony in the connections between the 2000 Super Bowl year when the Ravens beat Tennessee, then played him as QB of the Giants and now when he is facing the Ravens again:"It was a long time ago, but obviously there are some connections there. It is what it is. But, regardless of what happened in the past, I think everybody is focused on what we're trying to accomplish this weekend."
On what he sees from the Ravens' defense since the Titans played them in October and the game against the Dolphins:"They're not too much different. I think they believe in what they do. I think they played very well. I don't see anything that's just completely different. They do what they do and they do it real well."
On the strengths of RBs LenDale White and Chris Johnson and the success of the Titans' running game:"Obviously, [they are] two different kinds of backs. Chris is more of a slasher/speed guy and LenDale is more of a grind-it-out kind of guy. But, they have obviously been a big part of our success this year, and they have a big challenge this weekend running against a good run defense."
On if he thinks the Titans' offensive line has not gotten enough credit this season:"I don't think so. They've done a phenomenal job this year, both in the run and the passing game. I think around here they certainly are well-appreciated."
On why he thinks the offensive line has worked so well together this year:"I think they play well together. I think they're smart guys. I think they're very well-coached. I think Mike Munchak is one of the best position coaches I've ever been around. I think they're a cohesive unit and they've played very well, very consistently this year."
On what impresses him about LB Ray Lewis' career and how he is playing at this time:"The guy just still makes plays – makes big plays – runs sideline to sideline. I think that's what we were most impressed about when we played them the first time is just his ability to still go sideline to sideline and make all the plays."
On what he remembers most about the 2000 Super Bowl:"I didn't play very well. Obviously, it was a tough day. We played a good defense and it was their year. Hats off to them."
On what the bye week has meant to the Titans in helping their injured players and preparing for this week:"I think it's allowed some guys to get healthy, allowed some guys to rest up. I think we got a lot of work done last week, and I think it can benefit us this week."
On if the Titans' run game and offensive line have made his job easier than he might have expected at the start of the season:"Yeah. A running game is always a good friend to the quarterback. It creates that balance and has allowed us to do some things from a play-action standpoint. It's all about that balance, and I think we've been fairly balanced all year."
On how helpful it has been to have a veteran player like C Kevin Mawae to help the Titans' young offensive line:"He's done a tremendous job. His leadership is great. Obviously, he's seen everything. He plays very smart. I wish he was out there with us this weekend, but I think Leroy Harris is stepping in and will do a good job."
On how his success this season has affected the way he reassess his career future in the NFL and how long would he like to keep playing:"The way I'm feeling now, I still feel like I've got a lot of good football in me. I'm focused right now on what we're doing, but whatever happens in the offseason will take care of itself. But, I know I can still play and still play at a high level."
On what it is about Titans head coach Jeff Fisher and what has he built in Tennessee:"I think guys like playing for him. He's very player-friendly. He gives the opportunity to be professionals and to do your job, and he takes care of us – I think more so than any coach in the league. He's aware of the longevity of the season and what it takes to play at your best week in and week out and gives us the opportunity to do that."
On whether the job-sharing with the Titans' running backs just happened or was it how the coaches planned:"It was a plan going in. I think anymore today you need two backs. If you look at a lot of good running teams in the league they have two backs that contribute."
On if he knows when which guy will be in the backfield:"No, not really."
On what the presence of DT Albert Haynesworth has meant to the team:"He's just a huge, disruptive force. He is so big and athletic and penetrating and likes attacks. Obviously, he's one of the biggest forces in the NFL right now."
On how much Haynesworth has matured and evolved over the last few seasons:"I think he is much more understanding of himself, of his role, how good he can be. I think so much of this league is personal maturity, and he's just coming into his own because he understands how good he is and how good he can be. It shows in the way he prepares and the way he plays."
On if he's talked with White about taking a No. 2 role because of his career experiences:"No. I haven't seen that be a problem with him. I never got any indication that it was really upsetting to him. He's still getting his carries. Obviously, we use him in short-yardage and goal-line situations, and he's been a big factor for us there. So, I haven't seen any reason why he needed to be talked to."
