Caveat Emptor: Chris Mortensen Says Titans Want Kerry Collins to Start in 2009

ESPN's Chris Mortensen might not always get the facts right, but he is persistent. After reporting that the Chiefs were in talks with Mike Shanahan about the head coaching vacancy, Mortensen later backed off the story after NFL Network's Adam Schefter kindly set him straight.

But you can't keep Mort down for long. Today one of his sources (hopefully not the same one who fed him the Shanahan-to-the-Chiefs scoop) spills the beans on Kerry Collins' future: Titans head coach Jeff Fisher wants Collins back as the team's starting quarterback in 2009.

Fisher had made public remarks that Collins deserved to be the starter based on his performance this season, but a source said his private reaffirmation thrilled Collins, who has said he will retire if he does not get a contract as a starting quarterback.

If any of this is remotely true, it's bad news for Vince Young. The Titans' alleged quarterback of the future came under scrutiny during the season for his apathetic sideline demeanor. And if he can't be bothered to feign interest during games, you'd have to think his future in Tennessee is in doubt. (On the upside: owner Bud Adams says VY "is not going anywhere." So there's that.)

As for the 36-year-old Collins, it sounds like he'll be the starter heading into the season for the first time since 2005, when he was with the Raiders. Assuming the Titans' defense continues to be one of the best in the league, Collins' job description won't change much: manage the game, get Chris Johnson and LenDale White involved, avoid sacks, and complete the high-percentage passes.

It's a formula that worked well in 2008, and one that is perfectly suited to Young's talents. Unfortunately, through three years, that hasn't been the case.

Unrelated, seemingly arbitrary, but still worth pointing out: the Jets would've been a much better team if they had traded for Collins over Brett Favre. I know, I know. Hindsight and whatnot. But it's amazing to think that anybody outside of Collins' immediate family would've ever been able to make that argument.