After 16 NFL campaigns, veteran signal-caller Kerry Collins isn't planning to walk away just yet and would love to return to the Titans -- if the situation is right.
"I know I still have good football left in me, and I want to see where (the Titans are) at, too," Collins told the *Tennessean* in a story for Saturday's editions. "If it makes sense on both sides to do it, I'd be good for coming back."
The 38-year-old Collins told the newspaper that he's been working out and feels healthy and ready to return if the Titans choose to sign him. He was fit enough to throw 14 touchdowns and more than 1,800 yards in 10 appearances for the Titans last season, but another run in Tennessee likely hinges on Collins' willingness to mentor rookie passer Jake Locker, selected No. 8 by the Titans in April's draft.Â
Locker -- not Collins -- is viewed as the future hope for a position that's seen its share of chaos during the Vince Young era.
"I went through it with Vince (Young)," Collins said. "I would be open to it, but it would have to be the right thing. I would like to get to know Jake a little bit to make sure he'd be the type guy I'd want to help out. That won't be the sole issue either. It is not about what kind of guy Jake is. I just have to weigh a lot of things."
Titans players told NFL.com's Steve Wyche that Locker has shown some command of the attack in offseason player-only workouts. He's set players in the correct spots at the line of scrimmage and expressed a command of the huddle that caught teammates' attention. Cornerback Cortland Finnegan already coined him the "Face of The Franchise."
The Tennessean speculates that if the lockout drags on, it could help Collins' chances of being retained by the Titans, which makes sense to the veteran.
"I think it is legitimate speculation to think the longer this thing goes, the more attractive I would be to them because of my familiarity with everything," Collins said. "I know we have new coordinator (Chris Palmer), but I am sure a lot of terminology is going to be the same. On paper it makes sense to at least talk to me about coming back. The longer this thing goes, the better it could work out for me."
