Newly-signed quarterback Chris Simms spent this week learning the Titans system, just in case he has to enter Sunday’s game at Cincinnati in place of starter Kerry Collins (who replaced an injured Vince Young).Simms, a former third-round pick of Tampa Bay, is the No. 2 Titans quarterback.Craig Johnson, quarterbacks coach for the Titans, said earlier this week that he has prepared Simms by utilizing three tactics: Film study, test study and walkthroughs (at practice). Everything a quarterback in a new system needs to know to prepare for defenses.“They’re going to test him,” said Johnson, who compared a veteran learning a new system in less than one week to a rookie quarterback. “Does he know his hots [routes] on the blitzes? Can he handle zone? Can he handle man adjustments?”The Titans terminology is similar to previous systems Simms has played under, which is good. What he needs to continue doing is translating it fast.Think of it in terms of learning French, an example Johnson gave. If Simms needs has to stop and say “Um,” he’s taking too long. He has to be able to react, and fast.
