CANTON, Ohio — Kerry Collins was sharp and Vince Young tentative for the Titans in overshadowing Terrell Owens’ debut for the Bills.
With a little trickery and a solid performance by the Collins-led starting offense, Tennessee opened the preseason with a 21-18 win in the Hall of Fame game Sunday night.
If this was the NFL’s throwback weekend to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the American Football League, then this also resembled the Titans’ quarterback situation at the beginning of last year. That’s when Young got off to a terrible start and lost his starting job to Collins by Week 2.
Collins, already selected the starter, quickly began delivering on the faith the Titans put in him after being signed to a two-year, $15 million contract this offseason. He went 7-of-10 for 82 yards in producing two touchdown drives, one capped by reserve punter A.J. Trapasso’s 40-yard run on a perfectly executed fake punt on the opening possession. Collins was especially efficient in going 3-for-4 for 49 yards on third down.
In five series, Young went 5-of-10 for 39 yards.
Laurinaitis getting a good look
EARTH CITY, Mo. — James Laurinaitis is downplaying his increased time with the Rams’ first-team defense.
The rookie middle linebacker from Ohio State played with the starters during a morning workout, but he and coach Steve Spagnuolo say the added work with the first team is a reflection of his increased comfort with the system and not a move up the depth chart.
Footnotes.
Cornerback Malcolm Jenkins, the 14th overall pick in the draft out of Ohio State, and the Saints agreed to terms on a five-year contract.
• Steelers nose tackle Casey Hampton left practice with a knee injury, but coach Mike Tomlin said the four-time Pro Bowl player is expected to be fine.
• The Lions signed linebacker Spencer Smith and released linebacker Curtis Gatewood.
The Associated Press
