HEAD COACH JEFF FISHER (on how important it was to make QB-Kerry Collins the starter)
"I think any time there's uncertainty at any position, but especially for the quarterback position, then you have tremendous cause for distractions and people wondering. Distractions are the very thing that we try to avoid, and we just felt it was important to lay it out there, 'Here we go, let's go,' and turn this into a positive situation for the ball club."
HEAD COACH JEFF FISHER (on if he has extra confidence since Collins is a veteran)
"He's benefitting from the vast experience that he has. The game has slowed down for him right now. When it's slow, then it's easier to make split-timing decisions. He's enjoying the game, he's practicing well, we're keeping him healthy and we're running the football. When you run the football, you can't help but be productive and efficient at the quarterback spot."
HEAD COACH JEFF FISHER (on the toughness of Collins)
"He can overcome a negative situation very, very quickly. He puts it behind him very quickly. The position itself is difficult. You're not going to play perfectly, and he has that experience to just put things behind him and move on. He's very patient. He's a lot like (Colts QB) Peyton (Manning) from the standpoint of, '3rd-and-13, if it's not there, just throw it on the ground and we'll punt and we'll get it back.' That's the approach he's taken."
HEAD COACH JEFF FISHER (on OG-Jake Scott)
"Jake's done a real nice job for us. The system's different, but he came in and spent a lot of time early with Munch (OL Coach Mike Munchak), and he's done a real good job. He's been having fun and he likes the run game and that's a big part of our success."
HEAD COACH JEFF FISHER (on Tennessee's OL)
"The tackles are improving each year and Jake's played well. (OG) Eugene (Amano) is a very strong and smart player. We've definitely upgraded the line over last year, and (C) Kevin (Mawae) is still playing particularly well."
HEAD COACH JEFF FISHER (on Tennessee only giving up two sacks this season)
"Well, you credit (the offensive line), you credit the tight ends and backs and, of course, the quarterback. He just has to get rid of the ball. Now, we don't expect to go the rest of the year without giving up sacks, and certainly that's going to be a huge challenge for us this Monday night with the great job (the Colts) do pressuring the passer."
HEAD COACH JEFF FISHER (on RB-Chris Johnson)
"He's everything that we thought. There are surprises at times in some of the subtle parts of his game. But, we saw a football player with track speed that was tough to catch and that could go the distance. We've been very pleased with his inside run ability and his toughness. He can make people miss and really can accelerate."
HEAD COACH JEFF FISHER (on the contrast between Johnson and RB-LenDale White)
"I think it's obvious. LenDale's a power back with great vision. He'll push piles and make people miss and run through tackles. Of course Chris is a guy that can go anytime he touches the ball. Certainly, LenDale's effort last week (at Kansas City) was very, very impressive. He's had a real good camp and he's off to a good start. We got in a couple of ballgames where our numbers and carries and snaps got a little skewed, but we got back on track and that's what we hope for, is balance between the two."
HEAD COACH JEFF FISHER (on how important the running game is)
"It makes the defense's job easier. Obviously, it burns time off the clock and allows you to drive the football and create manageable third-down situations. It's always been a part of what we do."
HEAD COACH JEFF FISHER (on DE-Jevon Kearse)
"We've been very pleased with him. Initially, when we were able to put the deal together, the thought was, 'Maybe he'll platoon with a younger player and split reps.' But, he's played a lot more than we expected and he's playing well. He works hard and he's just real happy to be back here and be that edge rusher and run defender that he was so good at when he was here (from 1999-2003)."
HEAD COACH JEFF FISHER (on if Kearse is the same player that he was when he came into the league)
"I don't know that there are many players that have started as quickly as he has and later in their career are the same. But, I think, just based on the fact that number 90 is on the back of his jersey, people are playing close attention to him and he's getting the double-team attention and the chip attention. But, he's still capable of making big plays, and he's done that for us."
HEAD COACH JEFF FISHER (on DT-Albert Haynesworth)
"I think Albert's only going to get better as the season goes on. He's playing very well right now. He's disruptive and been productive and playing a lot of snaps, but I think he'll get better as the season goes on."
HEAD COACH JEFF FISHER (on if this defense is the best he's ever had)
"We're just happy with our start right now and we're focused in on the game plan and the Colt game Monday night. We're trying to figure out a way to have a good week of practice and prepare and try to figure out how to win the next game. We don't concern ourselves with those things and comparing this team to anybody else. We're just having fun playing right now."
HEAD COACH JEFF FISHER (on what he sees of the inconsistent play of the Colts on tape)
"I'm not going to agree with you when you say inconsistently. I think Jim Schwartz, our defensive coordinator, summed it up best. He said, 'They're hitting line drives to the warning track right now, the ball's just not carrying over the fence.' Those balls will start going over the wall and that's the thing you concern yourself with. There are a couple of plays here and there. They're very potent and capable and I'm just very impressed with their depth and their overall team speed. At least recently, these games have been close and anything can happen. Each time we play them, something different takes place. They're the team to beat and we're just fortunate that we've gotten off to a good start and have an opportunity to play them."
HEAD COACH JEFF FISHER (on DB-Bob Sanders and Pittsburgh SS-Troy Polamalu)
"They're impact players. They minimize big plays and they can take away a deep passing game, but at the same time in the blink of an eye, knock a runner down for no gain. They're both exceptional players. I'm very impressed with Bob's backup right now. We saw some great things out of him last year, and I think Melvin (Bullitt) is playing very, very solid on their defense."
HEAD COACH JEFF FISHER (on LB-David Thornton and CB-Nick Harper)
"They're doing well. They're having fun and still in great shape. They're great practice players and great in the locker room and looking forward to this game."
HEAD COACH JEFF FISHER (on Thornton being a leader while he was with the Colts)
"That's precisely what he is here. He's a hard worker and loves to practice, loves to prepare and spends the extra time. He's been a real solid influence on the younger players."
HEAD COACH JEFF FISHER (on if the former Colts treat this as just another game)
"You're going to have to ask them. I think the approach that we're taking is, 'This is the next one on our schedule.' We're kind of excited about the fact that Monday night is back here in Nashville. It's been a long time since it's been here, and we're just all about business this week. Obviously, both teams know each other very well. I think there's a respect level for one another and this is going to be a great ballgame."
HEAD COACH JEFF FISHER (on if beating the Colts on national TV would make a statement)
"This is just the next game on our schedule, and we're going to do everything we can to play the best we can, and we'll just see what happens."
QB-KERRY COLLINS (on the first six games of the season)
"Obviously, we've gotten off to a good start. It's been a pretty simple formula. Being able to run the ball, playing good defense, making a few plays in the passing game and taking care of the football has given us a chance in every ballgame and it has allowed us to get off to a good start."
QB-KERRY COLLINS (on RB-Chris Johnson)
"I don't think we're surprised. I think it was obvious from day one that the guy had a lot of ability and had a lot of talent. Obviously, he's got great speed. You put him behind an offensive line that's smart and knows what to do and plays hard and fullbacks and tight ends, who are a big part of the running game, are doing their thing, I think it's given him a chance to have success."
QB-KERRY COLLINS (on how much it meant to him to be named the starter)
"That obviously gave me the ability to just focus in on the game plan each week and not worry about what the situation was and whether or not I was going to be in there or if (QB) Vince (Young) was going to be in there. It just gave me peace of mind to be able to go in and focus in on the game plan every week and try to play a good ballgame on Sunday. That was a good vote of confidence and I'm trying to do as much with it as I can."
QB-KERRY COLLINS (on if he has played on teams that had uncertainty with the starter)
"Not really. I've really always been in fairly clear-cut situations. I've never really seen it where it was detrimental to the team. But, I appreciate Coach (Jeff) Fisher doing it. I think it's good for the guys to know who's going to be in there."
QB-KERRY COLLINS (on what being the last undefeated team means to him)
"I think, more than anything, I appreciate the opportunity to play. After sitting for a couple of years, to be out here again and be playing and game planning like I'm used to doing has been something that I appreciate much more after being a backup for the last couple of years. And, besides that, it's great to be on a team that has a chance to win every Sunday. We have guys that play hard, we have a good formula, I think for winning, and I'm glad to be a part of that."
QB-KERRY COLLINS (on if it's hard not to feel "dead and buried" as a backup)
"Yes, it is. That was a role that I wasn't accustomed to, and I, at times, wondered when I was going to get back out there. Now that I have my chance, I'm trying to embrace it and trying to do everything I can to take advantage of the opportunity."
QB-KERRY COLLINS (on if wins matter more than individual stats)
"Absolutely. At this point in my career, I'm really only worried about one stat and that's how many wins I can get. But, I think overall our offense has been productive. Maybe my numbers don't jump out, but I think offensively as a whole, we've been fairly productive."
QB-KERRY COLLINS (on Tennessee's WR corps)
"I think our receivers are underrated. I think they're certainly capable of being effective and making big plays and getting chunks of yardage that I think you have to have in this league. I think there are more plays out there for the passing game and I think a lot of that falls on me, but I think everybody has been pleased with the way the receivers have played. That was probably an underrated group coming into the season."
QB-KERRY COLLINS (on what TE-Alge Crumpler has meant to the team)
"Alge brings leadership, experience, a work ethic that I think is good for everybody and gives us another guy at tight end with Bo Scaife that teams have to keep watch for. While he hasn't had a ton of catches, I think he's been very effective and has been able to be a big part of our offense in both the run and the pass game."
QB-KERRY COLLINS (on how the running game makes his job easier)
"It certainly takes some of the heat off the quarterback position. When you're able to run the ball, you stay ahead of the chains, you get in manageable third-down situations and you're able to be more efficient, as a whole, as an offense. It's a real credit to the guys up front, for everybody from the offensive line to Ahmad Hall and the tight ends and the receivers. Obviously, it's a nice thing for a quarterback to have."
QB-KERRY COLLINS (on what he expects from the Colts on Monday night)
"They're going to come in here fired up and ready to play. I don't think there's any question about that. While they have had an up-and-down season, I think they understand that it's a division game and they're going to come in here fired up with the lights on for Monday night. It's going to be a typical game between us and them where it's going to be physical and it's probably going to come down to plays in the fourth quarter to decide the game."
QB-KERRY COLLINS (on if he has any Monday Night Football memories)
"Yes, some good ones, some bad ones. I remember losing a tough game against Dallas (in 2003) on a Monday night where we came back and they put it into overtime and won in overtime. We won some games in Carolina on Monday night. I don't know how many I've played in, but for the most part I think it's gone OK. It'll be exciting to be in a big game on Monday night with a national, prime-time feeling."
QB-KERRY COLLINS (on if this is a statement game for Tennessee)
"I don't think so. We're just trying to get another win. That's the approach we're taking. We're going to try to have a good week of practice this week and try to get a win any way we can. That's the bottom line."
QB-KERRY COLLINS (on if a win locks up the division for Tennessee)
"I don't know about that. There's still a lot of football left to be played. Certainly, a lot of this is great. We've gotten off to a good start and it's great. But, to be able to do it throughout a whole season is the key. Our focus right now is on a division opponent coming in here, and we have to be ready to play."
QB-KERRY COLLINS (on his relationship with Colts president Bill Polian)
"I really have a lot of respect for Bill. Obviously, he gave me my first opportunity, but was a big supporter of mine. I appreciate the opportunity he gave me and all the good things he did for me there (in Carolina). I'm not sure there's a better GM in the league. What he's done with the Colts and what he did with us with the Panthers and the Bills before that, he's had success and he's won everywhere he's been. From a personal standpoint, he's been a big supporter of mine throughout the years and I appreciate that and have a tremendous amount of respect for him."
