NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Coach Jeff Fisher lashed out at critics
of the Tennessee Titans' dealings with Billy Volek, saying
Wednesday that Volek lied to him and never took advantage of the
opportunity to be the starter.
The Titans finally traded Volek on Tuesday to the San Diego
Chargers for a sixth-round draft pick that could become a
fifth-rounder depending on playing time. Fisher said Volek asked to
be traded the day the Titans signed Kerry Collins late last month.
"I never at anytime in my career have gone into such detail
[about a trade]. But I felt the responsibility, as Billy felt he
was thrown under the bus," Fisher said. "Billy threw this
organization under the bus, along with a number of his teammates."
It was unprecedented public criticism by Fisher, who repeatedly
has protected his players.
Volek inherited the quarterback job when the Titans traded Steve
McNair to Baltimore in June, and Fisher claimed it was in the first
week after Volek was made the starter during the offseason that the
quarterback lied to the coach.
Fisher wouldn't say what the lie was.
"Billy threw this
organization under the bus, along with a number of his teammates."
-- Jeff Fisher
Fans have been vehemently critical of the Titans for not giving
Volek the chance to start the season, and the team is 0-2 with
Collins as a starter.
Fisher said he met with Volek in his office Tuesday and was told
the quarterback had no hard feelings.
Volek told several reporters on his way to the airport that he
got a raw deal and didn't know why he went from starter to
third-stringer before the season.
"He felt compelled to set a record straight, which is not
accurate," Fisher said. "His record and his comments were not
accurate."
Fisher said Volek was told he was the starter and that Collins
was brought in for his experience and to create competition with
Volek. But Fisher said Volek came to his office and went to general
manager Floyd Reese the same day asking to be traded.
The coach also charges that Volek never took advantage of his
opportunities once told he was the starter.
"There's a difference between assuming a role as a starter and
a backup role. There's a distinct difference between those two
positions. In the club's opinion based on what transpired, he was
not suited to be the starter," Fisher said.
Volek was enjoying what he called a good start Wednesday in his
first practice with the Chargers. He said Fisher's comments
surprised him and he had no clue why his former coach would say
such things.
But he added he had been competing for the starting spot.
"If he wants to say that, he's going to say that," Volek said.
"I'm not going to stand up here and argue with him. He's been a
great coach for me for six years. When you're losing, when you're
0-2, every little small bruise turns into a large bruise."
For now, the Titans have only Collins and rookie Vince Young on
the roster going into Sunday's game at Miami (0-2).
Matt Mauck was signed Wednesday to the practice squad after
spending most of last season on the roster. Fisher said they have
needs at other positions, which is why they'll stay with only two
quarterbacks. But Mauck can be elevated at anytime by signing a
contract.
If Collins is hurt during a game, that leaves the Titans with
only Young, who has played in spot duty the first two weeks.
Collins must improve after posting a 1.3 passer rating in last
week's 40-7 loss at San Diego, and he called the Titans'
quarterback soap opera life in the NFL.
"It's a great game, but it can be a tough business. That's the
bottom line. Is it always fair? No. I played in New York five
years, went to the playoffs two times, they sent me on my merry
way. What're you going to do? I mean, move on," Collins said.
Linebacker Keith Bulluck said the quarterback situation has hurt
the Titans more on the field than in the locker room.
"You never know who we're going with or which way it's going,"
Bulluck said. "That's the only way I would say."