Photo Courtesy San Diego Chargers / The Collegian

It’s not Peyton Manning. It’s not Johnny Unitas. It’s not Broadway Joe Nammath or Joe ‘Cool’ Montana. It’s not even Brett Favre.

Former Fresno State Bulldog quarterback Billy Volek has only started 10 games in his 10 years in the NFL, but holds the all-time record for most passing yards in a quarterback’s first ten starts (2,789).

Not only that, he became only the fourth signal-caller in NFL history to throw back-to-back 400 yard games in 2004 with the Tennessee Titans.

Volek spent the first seven years of his NFL career with the Titans and was then traded to the San Diego Chargers.

Before playing in the league, Volek was a three-year starter for the Fresno State Bulldogs. Volek and the ’Dogs won the 1999 WAC championship – the last conference title for the football team.

The Collegian got the chance to catch up with the former Bulldog and discuss his path to the NFL, as well as life as a backup quarterback.

Q: Coach Jim Sweeney, the coach who recruited you, retired midway through your college career and current head coach Pat Hill was hired as his replacement. What was the transition like?

A: Change is good. Pat [Hill] came in and he had a lot of energy behind him, plus we still had [former offensive coordinator Jeff] Tedford, so I knew that I was OK. We had minor growing pains, but for the most part, winning that Western Athletic Conference (WAC) championship in 1999 was special. It was Pat’s only championship, and I still give him a bad time about that.

Q: What is it about Fresno State that prepares quarterbacks so well for the NFL?

A: I think it is the pro-style system and the offense. When they need to, Fresno State’s quarterbacks can throw the ball – pro scouts like to see that. I think it’s also mental toughness. You have to have that to play for Fresno State.

Q: After your career with the ’Dogs, you signed a free agent contract with the Tennessee Titans in 2000. Why did they take that chance on you?

A: Coming out of Fresno State, the word was that I didn’t have a strong arm. That was what the pro scouts heard. Going to Tennessee with Neil O’Donnell and Steve McNair, they were like, “Man, this guy has a strong arm.” They gave me a chance and I took advantage of it.

Q: How difficult was it to stick with an NFL team as a free agent?

A: I don’t think it was really that tough. I saw McNair throw the ball, and I knew I could throw the ball just as good as him, but I couldn’t run like he could. I had more zip on my ball than O’Donnell. All I needed was that opportunity and I got that.

Q: Did you have a backup plan if you didn’t stick with the Titans?

A: Not really. I kind of put all of my eggs into that basket. I really thought that I would succeed in the NFL and at least make the team that year. If anything, I wanted to coach. I think when I’m done, I want to come back and coach for Fresno State and help them win a few more WAC championships.

Q: As a backup with the Chargers, is it your main role to support Philip Rivers or to get ready as if you’re starting on Sunday?

A: There is a lot more stress being a backup quarterback; you never know when your number is going to be called. On game day, I am telling Philip [Rivers] what I see form the sideline and, yes, I am supporting him 100 percent. If he is successful, then this team is going to be successful and that is what I want.

Q: You run the scout team offense in practice. You have to know both the opposition’s offense and the Chargers’ playbook. How difficult is that?

A: It is really not that difficult. It’s a job and that is what they ask me to do and that’s what I need to do to get this team ready. Being the scout team quarterback, you have to play like the opposing team’s quarterback. When I am playing as Peyton Manning, I’m doing all the high foot, shotgun snaps and redirecting the line before the snap.

Q: Who is you favorite quarterback to mimic on the scout team?

A: Peyton, hands down. He’s the best quarterback in the NFL.

Q: Is it fun to copy his mannerisms?

A: It is, as long as you don’t pull a muscle (laughs).

Q: What is it like to be the scout team’s quarterback for a mobile quarterback, like Donovan McNabb? You have those kind of wheels?

A: Oh yeah, man (laughs). I bring out my track shoes and try to run around.

Q: You’ve had success in the league when your number has been called. Is it frustrating that you don’t have a starting position?

A: I really don’t feel like I have hit my peak yet, even though I am in year ten, I feel like I continue to get better. There is still a chance for me to go out there and be the captain of a football team and lead that team. I am excited for that opportunity when it comes.

Q: Are you preparing every week to start? Could you start Sunday?

A: I prepare each game like I am going to be a starter. It’s weird because in the back of my mind I know that I am not going to start, but still, each week I prepare to go through a four-quarter game. It’s how I’ve always prepared, even at Clovis West and at Fresno State, and now in the NFL.