NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Jeff Fisher issued his most positive report yesterday on Vince Young's status, but the Tennessee Titans coach still is not prepared to declare that the quarterback is to start tomorrow's AFC wild-card playoff game against the Chargers.
Young is dealing with a right quadriceps injury.
“He's better, like I anticipated,” Fisher said after the Titans had worked at their indoor facility. “Took his normal reps. Didn't get to full speed, but we're hoping he will continue to improve.
“He's a quick healer. So we can overcome some different things rather quickly. We're optimistic at this point.”
Fisher said he won't determine who is to quarterback the Titans, Young or Kerry Collins, until after he sees how freely Young can move during warm-ups tomorrow.
“We're going to take him out and see how he is in the pregame, make sure he can run around and get close to full speed. Then we'll make a decision,” Fisher said.
White returns
LenDale White, the USC contemporary of Reggie Bush who is the Titans' leading rusher, rejoined the squad yesterday after being excused in order that he could attend his grandmother's funeral.
When White was preparing to come into the NFL draft, some scholars of the procedure gave him poor marks because he appeared overweight. Fisher was not put off by White's weight.
“He's a big back,” Fisher noted. “He played in the Rose Bowl at 250. He's not a 220-pound back. He's worked hard, he's gone through some difficult times with injuries, but what is most important is what he has done recently, and what he has done is carry the ball very effectively.”
Fans prefer Young
On its Web site, The Tennessean, a Nashville newspaper, is polling those who tap in concerning who should start at quarterback for the Titans, Young or Collins.
At midday yesterday, Young led 56 percent to 44 percent. For a time, Collins had led.
Getting their kicks
The Titans are one of those field goal teams. They have scored so many that a running joke in Nashville is that Fisher has confused football with golf, in which the low score wins.
Fisher's kicker is Rob Bironas, who had eight successful placements (and no misses) in a game in Houston against the Texans on Oct. 21. One of the balls Bironas kicked was sent to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which also wanted Bironas' cleats. This time a year ago, Bironas, feeling he had little security on the Titans, was living in a hotel. Now he's bound for the Pro Bowl.
He's secretive
The Titans are to fly to San Diego today and work out following their arrival. Fisher wasn't saying where the workout is scheduled.
Jerry Magee: (619) 293-1830; jerry.magee@uniontrib.com
