Kerry Collins: Version 3.0

So who would've thunk it? Just two seasons ago, Kerry Collins was benched in the early moments of the season after throwing six interceptions in just three games. The Titans were 0-3, and the steering wheel was handed to Vince Young. Collins's roller coaster career looked to be over.

Kerry Collins began his career in 1995 with the Carolina Panthers, where he led them to the NFC Championship game and was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1996. Version 1.0 of Kerry Collins looked good until off-the-field issues, which included DUI's and drunken racial slurs to teammates. This sent his career into a tailspin.

After a few mediocre years in New Orleans and New York, Collins's career would experience another resurgence in 2000. Kerry Collins Version 2.0 had begun. Collins led the New York Giants to Super Bowl XXXV to lose to the Baltimore Ravens.

Then Collins would go through another setback, this time on the field. Collins was cut by the Oakland Raiders in 2006, and once again, Collins's career looked to be over.

Now Collins is displaying one of the best comeback stories the NFL has seen in a long time. Despite being downgraded to a backup for the 2007 season, Collins stuck with the team. He didn't mind standing in the shadow of Vince Young to help the team.

But now, however, Collins has gotten his chance to resurrect his career. Collins has not done it with flashy numbers, just throwing for a modest three touchdown passes all season as of Week Eight. Instead, Collins has managed games and shown why backup quarterbacks are so vital in the NFL.

Now the question lingers if Version 3.0 of Kerry Collins can keep it up. Unfortunately, past trends say no. But you cannot look at the situation at just face value.

Worst case scenario, Collins has bought time for Vince Young to get a little more time to develop as a NFL quarterback. That was the original plan to start with going into the 2006-2007 season.

Of course, Collins and the undefeated Titans are not thinking that way. They are thinking Super Bowl, and it all hinges on what version of Kerry Collins will finish this season off.

You get one version, and the Titans could be staring at another first-round playoff exit. You get the other version, the Titans could be bringing the Super Bowl title to the Music City.