Collins to Raiders

[Hostile]

Collins connects
with Raiders

Three-year deal likely to sack Gannon

By GARY MYERS
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER


Kerry Collins has reason to clap as he's about to become the Raiders' starting quarterback.


Rich Gannon

Former Giants quarterback Kerry Collins is headed cross-country, from one 4-12 team to another. One month after Eli Manning turned Collins into the Giants' quarterback of the past, Collins becomes the centerpiece of the Raiders' attempted revival.
He has decided to accept Oakland's offer, a three-year deal, sources told the Daily News yesterday. The agreement should be finalized this week and is expected to lead to Oakland releasing Rich Gannon, the 2002 NFL MVP. Collins picked the Raiders over a backup job with the Ravens, where former Giants coach Jim Fassel is now a consultant.

Gannon is 38 years old, is coming off shoulder surgery that ended his '03 season after seven games and is due a base salary of $7 million this season. The word is Gannon is not agreeable to a salary cut, which may cost him his job as Oakland was just $75,000 under the salary cap at the end of last week.

Although the Raiders still may attempt to keep Gannon at a reduced salary and let him compete with Collins, that seems like a longshot. Clearly, the Raiders are not signing Collins for him to sit on the bench.

Collins is seven years younger than Gannon and has a stronger arm that would allow the the Raiders to play the vertical passing game preferred by owner Al Davis. Collins also gets to play for new Raiders coach Norv Turner, one of the best in the NFL at working with quarterbacks.

The Raiders would have selected Manning with the second overall pick in the April 24 draft - if San Diego had not taken him first and then traded him to the Giants. So, Collins will have Iowa rookie tackle Robert Gallery blocking for him after all. It will just be with the Raiders instead of the Giants.

The Giants wanted to keep Collins after trading for Manning on draft day. But he rejected their attempt to restructure the final year of his contract, although he would have been paid the $7 million he was due.

Collins recently visited the Raiders and 49ers on a trip to the Bay area and last week canceled a visit to Green Bay, apparently because he was close to a deal with Oakland.

In the end, it came down to the Raiders and Ravens. Baltimore got into the derby last week after it learned backup QB Anthony Wright needed shoulder surgery. But the Ravens wanted Collins as a backup to Kyle Boller and offered him a one-year contract.

That would have allowed Collins to go into the free agent market next March, probably as the No. 1 quarterback available. Although Ravens coach Brian Billick changes quarterbacks often, meaning Collins could have been the starter when the Ravens play the Giants on Dec. 1, Oakland offered a better deal: more money and a starting job.

Considering it was almost May when Collins started looking for work, he came out of this in good shape. The Giants are expected to sign Rams quarterback Kurt Warner after he is cut by St. Louis next week and have him on the field in time for their June 7 minicamp.

The Raiders won four games just one season after getting to the Super Bowl. They should be improved after an active offseason that included the signing of Warren Sapp and the drafting of Gallery.

Originally published on May 23, 2004

[Nors]

Where does Gannon end up? - I call Ravens

[Hostile]

Where does Gannon end up? - I call Ravens
I'd say Tampa.

[Nors]

I'd say Tampa.

Maybe Arizona to backup?

Ravens he can start. San Fran? Jets?

He's **** canned 6-2 so he can start exploring. I don't want him here. I like Romo to win 2 job and Henso to run scout team and 3rd. Peddle Hutch.

[Hostile]

Maybe Arizona to backup?

Ravens he can start. San Fran? Jets?

He's **** canned 6-2 so he can start exploring. I don't want him here. I like Romo to win 2 job and Henso to run scout team and 3rd. Peddle Hutch.
I figure Brad Johnson can't run Gruden's offense at the same level as Gannon. Simms is their future QB. Gannon will be his Mentor.

Just gut feelings.

[Erik_H]

I figure Brad Johnson can't run Gruden's offense at the same level as Gannon. Simms is their future QB. Gannon will be his Mentor.

Just gut feelings.

I agree that Gannon to Tampa is extremely likely. I may be jumping to the gun here, but it seems as though this is a foregone conclusion.

In turn I also see Brad Johnson then heading to the Ravens (with his successful history with Billick). To me it just seems like these QB moves all make sense for the teams involved.

Collins is a great fit in Oakland, Gannon fits well in TB, re-uniting with Gruden (although I tend to think Johnson is the better QB) and Johnson is also re-united with the coach who helped him achieve the most success in the NFL.

That pretty much just leaves Couch to Green Bay. What I don't get is why Couch thinks he is worth as much as he is. Personally I have seen nothing from him since he's been in the NFL.

If the Packers grow tired of Couch's demands, they may very well be interested in Hutch after all. For my money, I do think that Hutch would be a good fit there as well, it would be nice to get something in trade for him.

After being convinced that I need to look past the sack=fumble issue that tended to get me to foam at the mouth, I can see that Hutch does actually have some value. It's well known that Green Bay did have interest in Hutch at one time. I do think that this is a distinct possiblility after NFLE finishes up.

[Hostile]

I agree that Gannon to Tampa is extremely likely. I may be jumping to the gun here, but it seems as though this is a foregone conclusion.

In turn I also see Brad Johnson then heading to the Ravens (with his successful history with Billick). To me it just seems like these QB moves all make sense for the teams involved.

Collins is a great fit in Oakland, Gannon fits well in TB, re-uniting with Gruden (although I tend to think Johnson is the better QB) and Johnson is also re-united with the coach who helped him achieve the most success in the NFL.

That pretty much just leaves Couch to Green Bay. What I don't get is why Couch thinks he is worth as much as he is. Personally I have seen nothing from him since he's been in the NFL.

If the Packers grow tired of Couch's demands, they may very well be interested in Hutch after all. For my money, I do think that Hutch would be a good fit there as well, it would be nice to get something in trade for him.

After being convinced that I need to look past the sack=fumble issue that tended to get me to foam at the mouth, I can see that Hutch does actually have some value. It's well known that Green Bay did have interest in Hutch at one time. I do think that this is a distinct possiblility after NFLE finishes up.
Really good post. That leaves us and the Giants fighting over Vinny and Kurt Warner. Personally I think the Giants will get Vinny. He is a NY guy. If we go vet QB because they aren't happy with Hutch's development then I think Warner might be the guy. I know that won't be a popular thought.

[Tobal]

Really good post. That leaves us and the Giants fighting over Vinny and Kurt Warner. Personally I think the Giants will get Vinny. He is a NY guy. If we go vet QB because they aren't happy with Hutch's development then I think Warner might be the guy. I know that won't be a popular thought.


I have no problem with Warner with an incentive laden short contract.

[Hostile]

I have no problem with Warner with an incentive laden short contract.
I realy like the idea actually. He was out of football for a while and we have two QBs that he could give advice about that to. Good character guy. That never hurts a team.

[Clay_Allison]

Gannon might go to Tampa, but I still want him damn it.

Hell, if that means they cut Johnson in favor of Gannon/Simms, I'll take him. Johnson would be a quality starter for Baltimore, though, and Billick likes him. He also has history with Dennis Green. It looks like when this mania is all sorted out, whoever goes where, there will be quality veteran backups to spare.

We can wait around for the desperate to make their choices, then take the last guy and he will probably still be a decent backup as long as his name doesn't start with a "K" and end in "ordell Stewart".

[junk]

So, how about this scenario? Gannon gets cut, goes to the BFQ. The BFQs, in turn, cut Brad Johnson. Does Dallas take a look at Johnson? I would rather have him than Vinny as the vet option.

[Erik_H]

Really good post. That leaves us and the Giants fighting over Vinny and Kurt Warner. Personally I think the Giants will get Vinny. He is a NY guy. If we go vet QB because they aren't happy with Hutch's development then I think Warner might be the guy. I know that won't be a popular thought.

The talk here in NY is that Warner to the Giants is pretty much a done deal.

Personally, I'm fine with that. I may be guilty of being a little too quick to judge based on "snapshot" moments, but last year against the Giants Warner looked a done as a QB could be. It was pretty nasty out there.

I never really got on the Warner bandwagon at all, his success out of the blue was predicated (in part) by a great set of WRs, Marshall Faulk and Orlando Pace. The stars aligned and Warner had a few great years. I expected the situation to be short-lived and was not surprised when his status fell.

Hey, maybe I'm a mean guy, but I never bought into the whole feel-good story about him. Too many other factors assisted him IMO.

That being said. if he were to somehow end up behind center in Dallas, I'll be rooting for him all the way and hoping my views were entirely wrong.

I'm thinking he's a Giant though.


As far as Vinny is concerned, there are a few questions yet to be answered.

First and foremost is whether we are actually in the market for a vet QB. If thats the case, then Vinny will probably end up here. He's cheap as they come, and he's proven to not only be a dyed in the wool BP guy, but also has the mental make-up and skills to be a good mentor for a young QB.

From my standpoint, Vinny going to the Giants would actually be a better choice thatn Warner. But I am not Ernie Accorsi and I get the distinct feeling from various reports that he feels differently.

My take is that if Vinny doesn't go to Dallas, he retires.

At this point in time (doing my best JJ voice:D), I think our QB situation is hinging on what happens with Hutch. This is another question will will need to be resolved first as I see it.

I would think that once the NFLE season finishes, we will be looking to move him. If we do move or cut him, then we'll be more likely to bring in a Vet QB. If we cannot find any takers for Hutch, there's still a good chance he sees Training Camp, but if thats the case, then the Vet QB scenario won't come about until late August.

Vinny will still be around then if needed. In August we'll also know more about Quincy's progress, Henson's progress and Romo's progress along with Hutch's situation.

This isn't a take on what I want to happen, but more of an opinion of how I think things will play out.

___

Moving on to far more baseless and speculative ideas, There could be a scenario where Carter and Hutch are both traded, with Vinny being brought in to start for half a season (yikes). If Henson is wowing everyone, perhaps Q goes to AZ, and GB takes Hutch. leaving us with Vinny, Henson and Romo. However, if that were really a consideration, Id have to think we would have been more interested in going after Collins.

How's that for a shot outta nowhere?

[TruBlueCowboy]

Gannon might go to Tampa, but I still want him damn it.

Hell, if that means they cut Johnson in favor of Gannon/Simms, I'll take him.

I'd rather have Brad Johnson over Vinny too. But I seriously doubt Tampa Bay cuts him. Even if they bring in Gannon, it's too risky to cut Johnson with Gannon's injury and age. They've signed a lot of vets this year so that tells me Tampa Bay wants to win now and not rebuild just yet even though Sapp and Lynch are gone.

[jobberone]

All football. Gannon to Tampa seems good. After that the dominos fall. Just a guess though.

I'm not sure we are ready to settle on a vet at this time, but I personally can't stomach the thought of going into the season without someone who can win backing up Carter . I just don't think Hutch can do it but I admit that's just an opinion. Henson is not ready to lead a team into the playoffs. Hutch is more ready based on experience.

A vet pickup just has a lot of pros and cons. If we pick up a vet we have to cut one or two QBs. We have to trade Romo or Hutch before we pick someone up or most likely teams will just wait to pick one up after the cut.

Interesting problem. We at least have some options out there due to the fallout with Warner, Collins and now Gannon.

[junk]

All football. Gannon to Tampa seems good. After that the dominos fall. Just a guess though.

I'm not sure we are ready to settle on a vet at this time, but I personally can't stomach the thought of going into the season without someone who can win backing up Carter . I just don't think Hutch can do it but I admit that's just an opinion. Henson is not ready to lead a team into the playoffs. Hutch is more ready based on experience.

A vet pickup just has a lot of pros and cons. If we pick up a vet we have to cut one or two QBs. We have to trade Romo or Hutch before we pick someone up or most likely teams will just wait to pick one up after the cut.

Interesting problem. We at least have some options out there due to the fallout with Warner, Collins and now Gannon.

I still think Romo ends up on the PS. I know people are high on him, but he is an UDFA without any game experience. He looked good in preseason, do we really think some team would sign him to the active roster based on that? I seriously doubt he gets many snaps this preseason either. Those are probably going to Henson and Carter.

[TheHustler]

I realy like the idea actually. He was out of football for a while and we have two QBs that he could give advice about that to. Good character guy. That never hurts a team.

come on hostile, you think his wife would stand idly by while warner, 2 time MVP plays backup to QC?

[TheHustler]

So, how about this scenario? Gannon gets cut, goes to the BFQ. The BFQs, in turn, cut Brad Johnson. Does Dallas take a look at Johnson? I would rather have him than Vinny as the vet option.

so BFQ refers to tampa, but what does BFQ stand for?

[Hostile]

come on hostile, you think his wife would stand idly by while warner, 2 time MVP plays backup to QC?
Not sure how you want me to answer that.

[TheHustler]

Not sure how you want me to answer that.

you dont need to. just pointing it out that while he may be a high character guy, his wife would create a lot of distractions that we don't need.

[Hostile]

you dont need to. just pointing it out that while he may be a high character guy, his wife would create a lot of distractions that we don't need.
Or she could be completely happy and supportive.

[Cajuncowboy]

you dont need to. just pointing it out that while he may be a high character guy, his wife would create a lot of distractions that we don't need.

The Brenda Warner thing was blown way out of proportion. I happen to know that she is a very nice lady and she would not cause any problems. Kurt is only looking for a chance to preove that he can still play and get a fair shot at starting. If Kurt comes here that is what will happen. And by the way, if Parcells has an open competition at QB then Warner will be the starter. My little birdies tell me that he may end up in ......Suprise, San Diego and they cut Brees. HE starts and mentors Rivers. IMO that is the scenario that would be best in Dallas, that he comes here with an incentive laden contract and if he wins the starting job in camp, we trade QC and Henson watches warner for a year and a half or 2 untill he is ready. Remember that Hutch has been in the league now two years after being out and he still doesn't look ready. So this could be ideal for Kurt.

[TheHustler]

Or she could be completely happy and supportive.

did you miss the warner stuff from last year? when she complained to radio stations about the rams and martz?