McNair says he, Volek ready if Titans don’t add third QB
NASHVILLE — Keeping only two quarterbacks on the roster seems like a risky move for the Tennessee Titans considering the recent injury history of Steve McNair and backup Billy Volek.
Not to McNair.
He is feeling healthier than he has in years and believes he and Volek can stay healthy, which allows the Titans to bring in more help for other positions.
“The offense we’ve got, we can keep the quarterback healthy. I think that’s something the organization made the decision to do. We’ve just got to go out and live up to what we have to do,” McNair said.
Coach Jeff Fisher said the decision to keep two quarterbacks was purely a roster decision. The Titans kept four tight ends instead of three, and they also have 10 linemen with veteran left tackle Brad Hopkins sitting the opener Sunday at Pittsburgh out in a one-game suspension.
“We’ve got both quarterbacks who are extremely healthy right now and capable of playing,” Fisher said Thursday.
“We’ll see how it goes. His health really wasn’t a factor. The other side of that is had he been struggling and ailing with something and a question before the game, we would’ve been forced to have a third quarterback.”
McNair missed two of the final three regular season games in 2003 and half of 2004 with a bruised sternum. But for a change, he was able to start working out weeks before the team started its offseason conditioning program in late March.
Volek has had his own issues. His first start on Dec. 14, 2003, left him with a ruptured spleen, and he needed surgery on his throwing shoulder this offseason. But he led the AFC in passing in the preseason.
The Titans had two quarterbacks only on the roster for about 48 hours last year after their final roster cutdown, but they signed veteran Doug Johnson on Sept. 7 and he only played in the final two games in a 5-11 season with McNair too hurt to suit up.
This week, they signed Matt Mauck to their practice squad after he was waived by Denver. Fisher said he is paying close attention in meetings and the former LSU quarterback could be promoted if the Titans need help.
For now, receiver Drew Bennett, a quarterback in college at UCLA, will be the quarterback of last resort. He took a couple snaps from center Thursday just to refresh himself but doesn’t plan on dropping by any meetings.
“We’re going to try to keep him out until we really need him,” McNair said with a laugh.
That puts the pressure on the line to protect McNair. In 2004, an injury-riddled line gave up 44 sacks, a big jump from the 25 allowed in 2003.
With Hopkins suspended, rookie Michael Roos will start in his spot, while the right tackle spot likely will be filled by Jacob Bell who is coming off a torn right anterior cruciate ligament. He started last week in the Titans’ last exhibition game and played about 20 plays.
McNair knows from personal experience how much the Steelers love blitzing the quarterback. The Steelers had 41 sacks on defense in 2004. But he is confident in left guard Zach Piller and right guard Benji Olson helping keep him safe.
“I’m very comfortable with that regardless of who’s out there. If they can get to know the game plan, get to know their defensive scheme, they can predict what they’re going to do, so I feel comfortable with that,” McNair said.