Billy Volek

Volek is the primary backup to Philip Rivers and has demonstrated a few times over the past two seasons that he can successfully lead the team when called upon.

Volek gives the Chargers a veteran backup at the quarterback position. He did not play at all in 2008, but during the 2007 playoffs he came off the bench to lead the Bolts on a game-winning drive versus the heavily favored Colts proving that he is more than capable of taking over the reigns if needed.

Volek came off the bench in the AFC Divisional Playoffs and lead a come from behind victory at Indianapolis. He will once again serve as the primary backup to Philip Rivers.

Volek enters the 2007 season as the primary backup to Philip Rivers. He only attempted two passes for the Bolts last season, both in mop-up situations, but he had some success as a sometimes starter in Tennessee.

With Steve McNair gone, Volek will almost certainly open the season as the Titans’ starting quarterback. Volek spent most of ’05 as McNair’s backup and when he did play, looked nothing like what he showed in ’04. The truth about Volek likely lies somewhere in the middle. Don’t expect Vince Young to play in non-emergency situations this year because the Titans are looking to replicate their success with McNair, which they attribute to sitting him his first two seasons. The good news for Volek owners is the Titans will stink again and struggle on defense. Last year, they finished sixth in percentage of passing plays overall, fourth on first down and sixth in the red zone. Those are all good indicators for a 20-plus TD year and top-10 yardage finish if Volek is close to the passer he showed in ’04. But that is the rub. The Titans added David Givens to start opposite Drew Bennett, who is not cut out to be a No. 1 receiver. Neither is Givens, but maybe they both can be 1A types when called upon.

In nine games in place of an injured Steve McNair, Volek put up gaudy counting numbers that prorate to 4,419 yards and 32 touchdowns over a full season. But before we get too excited, it’s worth noting that Volek’s per-pass numbers clock in at a pedestrian 6.96 YPA. Essentially, he did most of his damage by throwing a ton of passes in shootouts against the Colts, Chiefs and Raiders. On the plus side, Tennessee’s defense figures to struggle again this season, and McNair’s durability is only getting worse as he ages, so Volek could see significant time in shootouts again this season.

The only way Volek would have fantasy value in 2004 is if McNair were to ever get injured enough that he missed a significant amount of time, which doesn't seem possible given his history of playing through injuries.