"It's a fresh start. It's moving forward. People are going to talk about, 'He's this. He's that. Been here, been there.' The past doesn't matter. I'm moving forward, and I'll just make the most of this opportunity," the receiver said.

"I'm moving forward. Yeah, I took my bumps early in my career. I'm only 23. It's an opportunity with a team that has a bright future and is moving forward, something I'm not used to being around."

At least not as a pro.

The Titans are the third team for the former Southern California receiver since Detroit drafted him 10th overall in 2005. But the Lions traded Williams to Oakland this offseason, and the Raiders released him Oct. 30, two days after the receiver dropped a late third-down pass in a loss to Tennessee.

Williams said he didn't have a great first-half personally. He had seven catches for 90 yards this season and 44 for 539 yards receiving in 28 career games.

Tennessee worked him out Nov. 6. With two roster spots open, the Titans flew Williams in Wednesday and had him on the field Thursday. Titans coach Jeff Fisher, a Southern Cal grad himself, had said Wednesday that there was nothing new with Williams.

With Williams on the roster, Fisher said he thinks everyone deserves a second chance.

"We've done that at times before and we've gotten production out of players. So we're just going to see where this goes. I'm not going to make any predictions as to how soon he'll be up and active. He's got a lot to learn," Fisher said.

Williams has one advantage. When he opened the Titans' playbook Thursday, he found himself very familiar with the plays and terminology. Coincidentally, he is reunited with his college offensive coordinator Norm Chow, who has that same job now in Tennessee.

The receiver said he still has to learn the playbook but is glad to be working with Chow. Those who thought his relationship was strong with Oakland coach Lane Kiffin, who recruited him out of high school to Southern Cal, were a little off the mark.

"We have a relationship, but the relationship with Coach Chow is a lot different and a lot stronger," Williams said.

Fisher said Williams won't be active Sunday when the Titans (6-4) visit Cincinnati (3-7) and that the receiver may not be at his "optimal playing weight." But at 6-foot-5 and listed at 230, Williams offers the Titans hope of the big and physical receiver they've been looking to give Vince Young.

"We're just trying to do everything we can to get better, that's all. We've added a number of players to our roster with that only in mind just trying to get better," he said.

The Titans have needed help at receiver all season. They lost out to New England in a free agency chase for Donte' Stallworth, and they had at least four dropped passes in Monday night's 34-20 loss to Denver.

LenDale White, who played with Williams in college as a fellow Trojan, still thinks Williams' potential is unlimited. He pointed to Priest Holmes, whose career took off once he left Baltimore and landed with Kansas City.

"Whatever he wants to do, it's up to him," White said. "You know he's going to work. He's going to be all right. I think they like him a lot, or they wouldn't have brought him in here. I'm just excited for him."