Collins connects with Raiders

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RAS 925

RAS 925

Sicc OG
#1
Jan 4, 2003
4,549
5
0
#1
Not sure if this is true or just a rumor but if its true like numerous sites are reporting then it'll prob. be official by the end of this week

http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/196218p-169416c.html

Three-year deal likely to sack Gannon

By GARY MYERS
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

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
 
RAS 925

RAS 925

Sicc OG
#2
Jan 4, 2003
4,549
5
0
#2
Yup,,,Its true,,,whenever raiderfans.net posts something its true and IT HAS BEEN POSTED!!!!

Collins will become a Raider
May 23, 2004
By Victor Cotto Raiderfans.net Staff Columnist

After being pushed out the door in New York, the Raiders lay the welcome mat out for quarterback Kerry Collins.

The 6-5, 248 pound signal caller will become a member of the Silver and Black. The Giants released Collins on April 28th, just days after acquiring Eli Manning via trade during the NFL draft. Collins refused to take a pay cut, and it became apparent that the Giants will hand over the reigns to Manning. By cutting him, New York saved about $8 million in cap space in 2004.

The move could wind up forcing Rich Gannon out of Oakland, a member of the Raiders since 1999, and the NFL MVP during the 2002 season. He led the Raiders to their first Super Bowl appearance in 19 years, and shattered club and NFL records while doing so.

Gannon, 38, who had season ending shoulder surgery in 2003, participated during the clubs first mini-camp a few weeks ago. Oakland officials appeared optimistic about Gannon regaining his old form, yet there was doubt on whether or not he would have the starting nod. First year Raider head-coach Norv Turner did not officially announce Gannon as his starter for the upcoming season leading many to believe that the addition of Collins could be a possibility.

In 1995, Collins was the fifth overall selection by the Carolina Panthers in their inaugural campaign. In 1996, he led a Panther team to a 12-4 record, and a berth to the NFC Championship game. During his final seasons at Carolina, Collins struggled to stay afloat in the NFL, mired in alcohol problems and even being arrested on a DWI charge in 1998 while with the New Orleans Saints. There even was an incident between himself and teammate Mushin Muhammad, in which reportedly a racial slur was used by Collins.

In 1999, the Giants signed Collins, and in 2000, he enjoyed the most satisfying season in his career. Collins led the Giants to a Super Bowl berth, and an impressive NFC Championship game victory in which he compiled 380 yards passing and five touchdowns. Collins has also been one of the NFL’s most durable players, becoming the first player in the history of the NFL to throw every pass for the same team in two consecutive seasons, in 2000 and 2001.

Collins will become the starter in Norv Turner’s running back friendly, long ball oriented offense. The former Penn State star is seven years younger than Gannon, and is widely considered a better deep ball passer, a facet on offense that long-time owner Al Davis has always preferred.

Gannon’s departure is stemming from his huge cap number, $7 million due for the 2004 season. It is reported that Gannon is not agreeing to a pay cut and keeping both quarterbacks on the roster will seem unlikely unless the former MVP agrees to renegotiate.

The 49ers, Packers and Ravens all showed interest in Collins but, the Raiders were able to offer the right of amount of money and a greater chance of a starting job.

It is believed that the Raiders will now gain much salary cap relief in their efforts to try to sign their 2004 draft picks, which features second overall selection, Robert Gallery.

NFL insider Gary Myers reports that the deal is worth three years, and could be finalized this week.
 
RAS 925

RAS 925

Sicc OG
#4
Jan 4, 2003
4,549
5
0
#4
Tui has been a back up for quite sometime now and they might try to keep rich if he restructures to have gannon,collins,and tui battle it all out and see who deserves to start
 
RAS 925

RAS 925

Sicc OG
#6
Jan 4, 2003
4,549
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#6
I heard Keenan Mcardell doesn't like Jon Gruden and isn't attending the mini camps hell give us Mcardell + some picks or whatever and they can have Gannon
 
S

SnikoDawg

Sicc OG
#8
May 9, 2002
1,773
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#8
it just said that we were 75,000 under the salary cap....and now we are going to release gannon to free up his 7 million dollars (but we will take a cap hit)...so now we will have money for this three year deal with collins and sign our rookies
 
RAS 925

RAS 925

Sicc OG
#13
Jan 4, 2003
4,549
5
0
#13
well from this raiders insider guy he said Gannon will be staying and will be starter and he hasen't been wrong about stuff like this he said if you want just believe what the media says but he can almost gurantee Gannon will still be here and starting..I dont know if this mean raiders wont sign C. Woodson or what the deal is but Gannon will be the raiders starter
 
RAS 925

RAS 925

Sicc OG
#14
Jan 4, 2003
4,549
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0
#14
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=1809247

told you guys

Gannon to remain Raiders' starting QB

Rich Gannon will be the Raiders starting quarterback this fall, according to Oakland coach Norv Turner.


Speaking on a conference call with Raiders beat reporters, Turner said Kerry Collins was signed Monday with the idea of being Gannon's backup. It was a situation that Collins was comfortable accepting.


"Obviously I've played a lot in this league and started a lot of games," Collins said on the conference call Tuesday. "But when I came here they made it clear what the situation would be. I understood that Rich would be the starter and I will be the guy that's there if something happens to Rich. That will be my approach.


"I'll be coming here as the backup.Then, we will look at the possibility of a long-term future. It's a great opportunity."


Collins signed a three-year, $16 million contract that reportedly pays him $2.2 million this year. Gannon is scheduled to make $7 million. He received a call from Raiders boss Al Davis that his status wasn't affected by the signing.


The addition of a big, strong-armed quarterback who led a team to the Super Bowl just more than three years ago gives the Raiders insurance should Gannon go down with another injury. He hurt his shoulder on Oct. 20 and had season-ending surgery to repair a torn labrum.


"If something happens to Rich, we have a guy who is not just a proven player but a proven winner," Turner said.


Gannon and Turner talked about the possibility of signing Collins last week. Turner said Gannon was comfortable with the concept.


"Rich is our starting quarterback and Kerry will be our backup," Turner said. "Late last week, Rich and I had a great visit when we thought we were going in the direction of signing Collins."


"He shared my concerns and my thoughts that if we had the opportunity to add a guy who's experienced, who's played and who's won and who's taken his team to the Super Bowl that would be in the best interest of the football team," Turner said.



"Competition makes you better. Rich is our starting quarterback. When you have someone there who has played and won it's a motivational deal and it helps you play better."


Collins said it was difficult to find another starting job being released so late in the offseason. The opportunity to play for the Raiders and the knowledge that Gannon is on the backside of his career made this the most appealing spot.



"Looking at other teams, a lot of them were backup roles as this one is," he said. "This may have a little more long-term possibilities than the other situations I was looking at. … There was a lot of upside to being here."


The player most affected by Collins' signing turns out to be Marques Tuiasosopo, who had a chance to fill in for Gannon last year when he was injured. But Tuiasosopo also go hurt, contributing to Oakland's slide from AFC champions to 4-12 -- the worst drop ever for a Super Bowl team-- and could end up as the third quarterback.


Collins, a nine-year veteran, was released by the Giants on April 28, four days after they acquired Manning, the No. 1 pick in the draft. He said he was "angry" by the move but quickly moved on.



Collins has a stronger arm than Gannon and his ability to throw the deep ball should fit in well with Turner's new offense and owner Al Davis' model for a quarterback.



The 6-foot-5, 248-pound Collins was the first draft pick ever of the Carolina Panthers in 1995 and quarterbacked them to the NFC championship game in their second season.



But alcohol problems ended his career in Carolina two years later, and after a brief stop in New Orleans, he joined the Giants in 1999 and rehabilitated his life and career. The next season, Collins led them to the NFC championship before losing to Baltimore in the Super Bowl. His most productive year came in 2002 when he threw for 4,073 yards.



He is a durable quarterback who started 67 straight games before spraining his ankle last season, when the Giants' horrible offensive line was the main factor in their 4-12 finish. He threw for 3,110 yards with 13 touchdowns and 16 interceptions in 2003.



RAIDERS B!TCH!
 
S

SplitPersons_00

Sicc OG
#15
May 6, 2002
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If Gannon stays I do beleive (and I hope he does) he will go into the season as our starter. But if there is any sign of weakness, I doubt that Turner will hesitate to pull him and start Collins. If it were up to me, I'd have the "any given sunday" speech with Gannon and let him know his part as player and a teacher and hope he stays. I'd HATE him to go to Tampa.

To me Gannon is still the man.. he got broke off last year, true.. but all three of our QB'z got broke off. Our line was horrible and and it invited every D to get to our QB's even with a quik step back and release. However, I do think Collins can get it done for us too. He is a proven starter with a "just bomb it" kinda arm and he isnt afraid to run when there's an opening ..Kinda like a young Gannon! He was Good Pick up any way you look at it!
 
P

Playa510

Sicc OG
#16
May 10, 2002
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^^^ THE ONLY THING I DONT LIKE ABOUT GANNON IS HE CANT SCRAMBLE THAT WELL ANYMORE, I REMEMBER IN 2000 THAT WAS HIS STRONG POINT. I HAVE NO DOUBTS OTHER THEN THAT, BUT HES MAKING ALSO A LOT OF MONEY FOR HIS AGE AND I JUST DONT THINKS ITS WORTH IT WHEN WE COULD STILL USE A GOOD WIDE RECIEVER AND RUNNING BACK, EVERYONE KNOWS EDDIE GEORGE IS ABOUT TO BE A FREE AGENT, FUCK THAT WOULD BE THE GREATEST IF WE COULD GET HIM BUT I DONT THINK IT COULD HAPPEN.
 
RAS 925

RAS 925

Sicc OG
#17
Jan 4, 2003
4,549
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#17
Eddie George is pretty old & washed up..out of all the positions you need to try to get the youngest and healthiest runningback cuz w/o their feet they aint nothing..But who knows George might have 1 year left in him I wanna see Fargas do good though ppl say hes small but hes actually like 6'1 or 6'2 and 220 lbs so he aint that small
 
ESCOBAR 92113

ESCOBAR 92113

BARRIO LOGAN
#20
Oct 31, 2003
4,485
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SAN DIEGO
SOUTHEASTSANDIEGO.COM
#20
RAS 925 said:
Eddie George is pretty old & washed up..out of all the positions you need to try to get the youngest and healthiest runningback cuz w/o their feet they aint nothing..But who knows George might have 1 year left in him I wanna see Fargas do good though ppl say hes small but hes actually like 6'1 or 6'2 and 220 lbs so he aint that small
Click to expand...
raiders got a history of signing old vets....so eddie george will fit right in
 
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