The cagey veteran shows no signs of inactivity, stepping in for an injured Steve McNair.
By JOANNE KORTH
Published December 29, 2003
NASHVILLE - Two weeks ago, Neil O'Donnell was in a lounge chair at his New Jersey home, working a remote control and wishing he were still in the NFL.
Just one more chance.
On Sunday, O'Donnell ran off the field at the Coliseum with his helmet raised after leading the playoff-bound Titans to a 33-13 victory over the Bucs.
"It felt great to be back out there with all the guys, just having fun again," said O'Donnell, who started just 10 days after getting a retirement reprieve. "I've had a lot of tough Sundays the past four months, but this was one of the better ones. I was excited. The team did great."
With Steve McNair nursing an injured calf muscle and backup Billy Volek on injured reserve with a lacerated spleen, the Titans signed O'Donnell on Dec. 18. O'Donnell, 37, was McNair's backup the past four seasons, but was released at the end of training camp.
McNair played last week in a playoff-clinching victory against the Texans, but coach Jeff Fisher decided Sunday it would be smart to rest McNair for the playoffs. O'Donnell learned he was starting against the Bucs about an hour before kickoff.
No problem.
O'Donnell was 18 of 27 for 232 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. His 23-yard scoring pass to Derrick Mason in the second quarter was his first since Jan. 6, 2001. He added a 34-yarder to Mason late in the third.
"I'm not at all surprised by his demeanor or his leadership abilities," running back Eddie George said. "He just brings so much confidence to this team. I'm glad he's back."
O'Donnell did not look like a quarterback who had thrown only five passes since the start of 2002. The speed of the game was his biggest adjustment, and it didn't take long. He felt in rhythm by the second quarter, able to move defenders with his eyes.
"I don't know where he's been," Bucs safety John Lynch said. "He came out slinging the ball well. He put the ball right on the money and the receivers made big plays. ... We didn't know until right before the game he was going to start, and he played extremely well."
With superb protection - the Bucs did not register a sack and rarely applied pressure - O'Donnell zipped passes over the middle and threw timing routes with accuracy.
"To be honest with you, I wasn't throwing much," O'Donnell said. "We had six inches of snow up in New Jersey. To go outside and try to find someone to throw a football is kind of hard."
At the end of the first half, O'Donnell executed the two-minute offense, driving the Titans 49 yards in the final 1:16 to set up a 43-yard field goal by Gary Anderson.
"I love calling the plays and getting involved in that," O'Donnell said.
O'Donnell played for the Bengals (1998), Jets (1996-97) and Steelers (1990-95), leading Pittsburgh to Super Bowl XXX. After 13 seasons, he was not ready to retire when the Titans released him in August. Given the chance to make a triumphant and improbable return, O'Donnell expects that lounge chair to be a little more comfortable next year.
"I don't plan on being in anyone's camp next year," O'Donnell said. "When I leave this time, I have a clear mind. ... I always had that, "What if?' I'd watch games on Sunday and think, "That guy's not that good. I could have been there.' That's the hardest thing to live with."
McNair, who has a reputation for playing hurt, is expected to start for the Titans against the Ravens in the AFC wild-card game. O'Donnell hopes McNair takes every snap.
All the way to the Super Bowl.
"I've been blessed with 14 great years," O'Donnell said. "I looked at this as a little opportunity that could turn into something humongous, meaning the Super Bowl."
