TENNESSEE TITANS
Volek Will Feel Added Pressure As Young Waits in the Wings
For now, Vince Young, above, will back up Billy Volek at quarterback for the Titans. That may change if the team doesn't quickly improve its fortunes.
(By Doug Pensinger -- Getty Images)
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It's usually not a good sign when the backup quarterback figures to be a team's most popular player, and Billy Volek will be charged with changing that perception. Volek has the tall task of replacing Steve McNair, the face of the franchise for a decade. It's a job made even more difficult because of the Titans' fans, who will be clamoring for Vince Young, the No. 3 overall pick, to take the reins.
Volek will have help from David Givens, the former Patriot who could supplant Drew Bennett as the Titans' No. 1 wide receiver after signing a five-year, $24 million contract. Tennessee also signed free agent center Kevin Mawae, a longtime stalwart with the Jets.
For a career backup, Volek has loads of experience. He has played in 16 games over the past two seasons, starting nine. Over that span, he's thrown 22 touchdowns against 12 interceptions. For his career, he's completed 60.3 percent of his passes and has an 86.9 passer rating. He's proven to be capable, but is not as electric as the man he'll be looking at over his shoulder all season.
The backfield situation is in flux. Starter Chris Brown asked for a contract extension or to be traded during the preseason. Neither happened. Brown is a former 1,000-yard rusher, but it was not a good sign last season when the Titans acquired Travis Henry from the Bills. Henry played nine games last season and rushed for 335 yards.
The defense has some holes, though signing safety Chris Hope away from the Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers was a significant addition. Cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones has yet to perform up to his bravado.
