Volek OK with backup plan for now
But goal for 2006 is to start somewhere
By JIM WYATT
Staff Writer
As quarterback Steve McNair looks to the future, his best-case scenario is pretty simple.
It goes something like this: McNair has a banner 2005 season, stays healthy, leads the Titans back into playoff contention, then signs a new multiyear contract.
Billy Volek's best-case scenario? That's a little trickier.
The backup quarterback has NFL starter talent, a no-trade clause in his contract, a recently hired superagent and a five-year friendship with McNair.
"Billy was one of the guys that went out of his way to support me and encourage me to come back this year,'' McNair said. "He'd always say, 'Come on back and let's have fun and get back to the playoffs.' He's done nothing but encourage me. He was very supportive of my decision to return. We work well together and I don't see that changing.''
Volek started eight games last season when McNair was injured and completed 61.1 percent of his passes for 2,486 yards, 18 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. The performance opened eyes around the league.
McNair could suffer through another injury-plagued season this fall and decide to retire, which would give Volek the Titans reins full-time in 2006.
But what if McNair's best-case scenario does indeed pan out? Where does that leave Volek?
"I don't know,'' Volek said with a smile. "I just know I can't worry about any of that now. I try and take things one year at a time. But I will say I hope Steve has a phenomenal year and he gets to MVP status that he was two years ago. ...
"Right now, this year, yes, I am (OK) with my role. I am a back-up and I plan on being the best back-up in the NFL. I'll do whatever I can to help this team win.''
McNair was the talk of Baptist Sports Park during the May minicamp. Coming off sternum surgery, he looked leaner and faster than he did last season, and his mood was upbeat.
"Mac is back,'' running back Chris Brown said.
Volek, meanwhile, returned to the No. 2 role he won in 2003 by beating out veteran Neil O'Donnell. But after shoulder surgery in January, Volek is clearly more worried about his own well-being than being back in McNair's shadow.
"Three months ago I was really scared,'' said Volek, who made the Titans as an undrafted free agent in 2000. "I took the sling off and I could hardly lift my arm. I thought, 'I am not going to be able to throw the football again.' ''
Volek estimated his shoulder strength is at about 90 percent, but he'll be closer to full strength by June 14 when the Titans return to the field for six more days of minicamp. He said he'll be 100% when training camp begins on July 30.
"Billy understands his role here, but I would also like to think that Billy wants to be a starter in this league and is not satisfied with just being a backup," Titans Coach Jeff Fisher said. "It is what has gotten him to this point, his drive to play and be the guy. He understands the circumstances and the situation from the standpoint of backing up Steve.
"But I think most of Billy's time right now has been preoccupied with getting his arm back, and once he gets back he'll step back into his role as one of the top backups and a potential starter in this league.''
McNair, heading into his 11th NFL season, hasn't made any promises about how much longer he'll play. He has said it's year-to-year, but the Titans will need a decision from him by March.
In reworking McNair's contract last offseason, the Titans added a $50 million option bonus. To avoid paying the bonus and landing in a major salary cap mess, the Titans could rework the contract (it would likely include an extension) or release McNair.
As for Volek, last offseason he turned down offers from other teams to sign a deal with the Titans through 2008 (an option year) that included a no-trade clause.
"I thought (McNair) would come back for one more year,'' Volek said.
But if McNair plays beyond 2005, Volek may want to move on in order to fulfill his quest to be a starter. Perhaps with that in mind, Volek recently switched agents, signing up with the aggressive Drew Rosenhaus.
Volek could waive the no-trade clause if he sees an attractive opportunity with another team, and Rosenhaus could ignite trade talks if his client is still a backup at this time next year.
"Obviously in the ideal world, as his agent I'd like for Billy to get a chance to play and start. It is what it is for this year, and all we can do is look at this year. But as far as after this year, all bets are off at that point,'' Rosenhaus said.
"(If McNair comes back) there is no question that (a trade) is something we'd pursue at that time, but I don't want to make a controversy over something that may or may not happen.''
Volek won't think about it now.
"I am fortunate to be working with Steve for five years going into our sixth. He's helped me out a ton and I want to try and help him out and get back to where he was two years ago because that is the role I have with this team. If he goes down I have to go in there and keep the team moving,'' Volek said.
"After that, we'll see. I hired a new agent and that is what he is there for.'' •
But goal for 2006 is to start somewhere
By JIM WYATT
Staff Writer
As quarterback Steve McNair looks to the future, his best-case scenario is pretty simple.
It goes something like this: McNair has a banner 2005 season, stays healthy, leads the Titans back into playoff contention, then signs a new multiyear contract.
Billy Volek's best-case scenario? That's a little trickier.
The backup quarterback has NFL starter talent, a no-trade clause in his contract, a recently hired superagent and a five-year friendship with McNair.
"Billy was one of the guys that went out of his way to support me and encourage me to come back this year,'' McNair said. "He'd always say, 'Come on back and let's have fun and get back to the playoffs.' He's done nothing but encourage me. He was very supportive of my decision to return. We work well together and I don't see that changing.''
Volek started eight games last season when McNair was injured and completed 61.1 percent of his passes for 2,486 yards, 18 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. The performance opened eyes around the league.
McNair could suffer through another injury-plagued season this fall and decide to retire, which would give Volek the Titans reins full-time in 2006.
But what if McNair's best-case scenario does indeed pan out? Where does that leave Volek?
"I don't know,'' Volek said with a smile. "I just know I can't worry about any of that now. I try and take things one year at a time. But I will say I hope Steve has a phenomenal year and he gets to MVP status that he was two years ago. ...
"Right now, this year, yes, I am (OK) with my role. I am a back-up and I plan on being the best back-up in the NFL. I'll do whatever I can to help this team win.''
McNair was the talk of Baptist Sports Park during the May minicamp. Coming off sternum surgery, he looked leaner and faster than he did last season, and his mood was upbeat.
"Mac is back,'' running back Chris Brown said.
Volek, meanwhile, returned to the No. 2 role he won in 2003 by beating out veteran Neil O'Donnell. But after shoulder surgery in January, Volek is clearly more worried about his own well-being than being back in McNair's shadow.
"Three months ago I was really scared,'' said Volek, who made the Titans as an undrafted free agent in 2000. "I took the sling off and I could hardly lift my arm. I thought, 'I am not going to be able to throw the football again.' ''
Volek estimated his shoulder strength is at about 90 percent, but he'll be closer to full strength by June 14 when the Titans return to the field for six more days of minicamp. He said he'll be 100% when training camp begins on July 30.
"Billy understands his role here, but I would also like to think that Billy wants to be a starter in this league and is not satisfied with just being a backup," Titans Coach Jeff Fisher said. "It is what has gotten him to this point, his drive to play and be the guy. He understands the circumstances and the situation from the standpoint of backing up Steve.
"But I think most of Billy's time right now has been preoccupied with getting his arm back, and once he gets back he'll step back into his role as one of the top backups and a potential starter in this league.''
McNair, heading into his 11th NFL season, hasn't made any promises about how much longer he'll play. He has said it's year-to-year, but the Titans will need a decision from him by March.
In reworking McNair's contract last offseason, the Titans added a $50 million option bonus. To avoid paying the bonus and landing in a major salary cap mess, the Titans could rework the contract (it would likely include an extension) or release McNair.
As for Volek, last offseason he turned down offers from other teams to sign a deal with the Titans through 2008 (an option year) that included a no-trade clause.
"I thought (McNair) would come back for one more year,'' Volek said.
But if McNair plays beyond 2005, Volek may want to move on in order to fulfill his quest to be a starter. Perhaps with that in mind, Volek recently switched agents, signing up with the aggressive Drew Rosenhaus.
Volek could waive the no-trade clause if he sees an attractive opportunity with another team, and Rosenhaus could ignite trade talks if his client is still a backup at this time next year.
"Obviously in the ideal world, as his agent I'd like for Billy to get a chance to play and start. It is what it is for this year, and all we can do is look at this year. But as far as after this year, all bets are off at that point,'' Rosenhaus said.
"(If McNair comes back) there is no question that (a trade) is something we'd pursue at that time, but I don't want to make a controversy over something that may or may not happen.''
Volek won't think about it now.
"I am fortunate to be working with Steve for five years going into our sixth. He's helped me out a ton and I want to try and help him out and get back to where he was two years ago because that is the role I have with this team. If he goes down I have to go in there and keep the team moving,'' Volek said.
"After that, we'll see. I hired a new agent and that is what he is there for.'' •
