NASHVILLE, TN, Feb. 27, 2009 – The Tennessee Titans agreed to terms on a contract to re-sign QB Kerry Collins. !
Veteran QB Kerry Collins will return to the Titans after agreeing to terms on a contract Friday afternoon.
"Kerry did a great job for us last year stepping back into the starting role," said Titans general manager Mike Reinfeldt. "He has veteran leadership, tons of game experience and we expect him to continue to play at a high level for us."
In 2008, Collins capped his third season with the Titans by being named to his second career Pro Bowl. He started the final 15 games of the season, leading the Titans to 12 victories as a starter, which tied Steve McNair's franchise record (2000) and also matched Collins' personal high (2000). With 242 completions, 2,676 yards, 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions on 415 attempts, his passer rating of 80.2 was the third-highest of his career (2000, 2002). Collins ranks 14th in NFL history and second among active players (Peyton Manning) with 37,393 career passing yards. He ranks 11th all-time with 3,160 career completions.
Prior to joining the Titans, Collins played 11 previous seasons with the Carolina Panthers (1995-98), New Orleans Saints (1998), New York Giants (1999-03) and Oakland Raiders (2004-05). He has led his teams to the playoffs a total of four times as a starter.
Collins was originally selected by the Panthers out of Penn State with the fifth overall pick in the 1995 NFL Draft. He was signed by the Titans as a free agent prior to the 2006 season.
QB KERRY COLLINS
(About the process and if it was a relief to get the contract done)
"First of all let me say I am where I wanted to be and I want to thank Mr. Adams, Mike (Reinfeldt), Jeff (Fisher) and the coaches for everyone's support. I am relieved to get it done. 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."
(What was the interest level from other teams?)
"There was definitely interest that came in today from other places, but when things got going really well with the Titans, I forgot about those other things and just concentrated on being here and I am glad it worked out."
(What are the expectations for the upcoming seasons?)
"I think 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."
