Collins gets chance for revenge against Ravens

Jan 6, 2009 - 6:58 PM By Bob Birge PA SportsTicker Staff Writer

For Tennessee Titans quarterback Kerry Collins, January 28, 2001, is a day that will live in infamy.

Collins had one of the worst games of his career on the biggest stage, throwing four interceptions and passing for just 152 yards in the New York Giants' 34-7 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl XXXV.

Nearly eight years later, Collins will get a chance to exorcise the demons from that Super Bowl loss as the Titans host the Ravens on Saturday in an AFC divisional playoff game.

His performance in the Super Bowl against one of the most dominant defenses in NFL history brings back nothing but bad memories.

"Their team speed was just tremendous," said Collins, whose quarterback rating of 7.1 was the second-lowest in Super Bowl history behind the zero registered by Denver's Craig Morton in 1978.

In Super Bowl XXXV, the Ravens held the Giants' offense scoreless, forced five turnovers and sacked Collins four times.

Baltimore's Ray Lewis became the first linebacker on a winning team to win the Super Bowl Most Valuable Player, recording 11 tackles and breaking up four passes.

The Ravens' defense that season set NFL records for fewest points allowed (165) and fewest rushing yards allowed (970) in a 16-game season. Lewis was named the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year.

"They were all over the field," Collins added. "Obviously, a well-coached bunch. Smart players. Very sound in what they did and obviously very talented. That was by far the best defense I ever played against."

Collins took over for the injured Vince Young in Week Two of this season, and since the Titans kept winning, Tennessee coach Jeff Fisher decided not to fix something that wasn't broken.

The 36-year-old Collins, whose career had spiraled downhill after being released by the Giants in 2004, led the Titans to a 13-3 record and the top seed in the AFC.

In another ironic twist, the Titans also were the No. 1 seed when they faced the Ravens - and lost, 24-10 - in the 2001 playoffs.

"Baltimore has improved in all areas since we saw them earlier this season," Fisher said. "They are built around a strong run game and a great defense, which reminds us of the classic matchups against them in the past."

Collins faced the Ravens in Week Five - his first meeting with Baltimore since the Super Bowl debacle - and directed an 80-yard drive in the final two minutes to lead the Titans to a 13-10 victory.

That, however, was small potatoes compared to the opportunity that awaits Sunday, as a win puts Collins one step away from another Super Bowl appearance.

The Ravens' defense Collins will face Sunday is perhaps not quite as imposing as the one of eight years ago, but it is still capable of getting Baltimore back to the Super Bowl.

Just ask Miami Dolphins quarterback Chad Pennington, who was intercepted four times in last week's 27-9 wild-card loss to the Ravens after throwing just seven picks during the regular season.

"That is an ancient football rivalry," Titans safety Vincent Fuller said. "That is smash-mouth vs. smash-mouth and who is going to instill their will on the other. We know what Ray Lewis and company are going to come with. We just have to make sure we bring our hard hat, too."

While Lewis is no longer the Ravens' best defensive player, he remains the unquestioned leader of a unit that ranked second in total defense and third in scoring defense while forcing a league-high 34 turnovers.

Safety Ed Reed, who was not a member of the Super Bowl team, had two interceptions against the Dolphins, returning one for a touchdown.

Collins just hopes he doesn't have to relive a nightmare.