Ready to Start Something

The Tennessee Titans, tied for the division lead, are 4-1 with backup quarterback Neil O’Donnell in the lineup while Steve McNair recuperates from back surgery. But McNair is expected to move back into his starting role when he’s ready to return, perhaps next week.

That isn’t a popular position among Titan fans, who see O’Donnell as a seasoned veteran with playoff experience, compared to McNair’s 17-16 record as a starter since 1997.

But McNair, not surprisingly, said it makes perfect sense to him.

“This team is used to having a mobile quarterback and a guy that can make things happen and make defenses worry about a lot of different things,” said the elusive quarterback. “When defenses have got us covered, I can easily get outside the pocket and give my receivers another chance to get open.”

A slow start by the offense has overshadowed the fact that the Jacksonville Jaguars are among the few Super Bowl favorites living up to expectations.

“Do I feel like a 5-1 team?” Coach Tom Coughlin said. “Damn right. You think it was easy getting to 5-1? I feel very good about being 5-1. We were projected to be in the hunt, and at 5-1 we’re in the hunt.”