"If you check the current roster, you'll notice that the Titans are not totally devoid of quarterbacks, even with Kerry Collins' surprising retirement announcement.

Second-year pro Rusty Smith is on the roster. So, too, is Brett Ratliff, who has been in the league three seasons but has yet to play a down.

And then there is Vince Young.

Yes, Vince Young.

Contractually, he's still the Titans' property. And with Collins' retirement, the chorus has come loud and strong from Young supporters that the team must reconsider its previous stance and install him at quarterback instead of trying to trade him or cut him.

You've got to admire the zeal and dedication of Young's fans. They quote his stats, his won-lost record, even his college résumé. They contend that he got a bum rap, that previous Coach Jeff Fisher never wanted him and did everything he could to undermine his progress.

In short, the VY Fan Club - from Joe Blow to Bud Adams - lives in a fantasy world.

Nice try, folks. But it's not going to happen. Young is still a member of the Titans only because the NFL lockout prevents them from getting rid of him.

Whether the Titans throw rookie first-round pick Jake Locker to the wolves (actually the Jaguars on Sept. 11, assuming the regular-season schedule isn't altered) or make a deal for a veteran quarterback, the one certainty is that Young is not an option.

The Titans are going in a different direction. Fisher finally had enough of the drama. Backed by GM Mike Reinfeldt, Fisher convinced Bud that the Titans were better off without Young.

Fisher's successor as head coach, Mike Munchak, is of the same mindset.

He's never gone public about it and won't do so now, but the sense around Titans Central is that Munchak, when he was an assistant coach, wasn't much of a fan of Young. There was a disconnect somewhere. The two view the game of football from completely different perspectives."