What does the Zorn hiring mean for Todd Collins?

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by SC Skins Fan

I agree. Like Mark a lot, but don't think he has much left. I did, however, hear Brunell on Sirius last night and he was adament that he wanted to continue to play. He also indicated that he was a FA, which I didn't know (is that right?). Gus coming back would be wild.

His contract voids automatically on 3/1.

The Redskins would have to reach an agreement with him to keep him here under his current deal.

Anyway, there are plenty of cheap vets at the QB position out there who could bring what Brunell does at age 38.

[Oakland Red]

ESPN - Career backup Collins steps in seamlessly to lead Redskins - NFL

Todd Collins should be a high priority for the Redskins to re-sign.

On another board, someone culled these quotes from the article found at the above link:

On Todd Collins:

"One of his shortcomings might have been that he never rocked the boat more to get another shot," Dan Henning said. "That is his nature. He is a very compatible guy to the team, he is easy to coach, I never heard a word of discord from him.

Collins learned offensive coordinator Al Saunders' famously thick playbook when the two were together in Kansas City. Huard still marvels at his former teammate's total recall.

"Did you ever see the movie 'A Beautiful Mind?' This is literally Todd Collins," Huard said. "You could give this guy Al Saunders' 350 plays on a piece of paper and he would read that game plan over, take it home that night and the next day you could ask him about a play and he will give you the personnel, the shift, the movement and the formation for every one of them.

"He can go back in time and remember everything about a conversation, where we were and what we were doing. He's just brilliant."

Collins once led the Bills from a 26-0 deficit to a 37-35 victory during a 1997 game against Indianapolis. He helped that Bills team get to 4-3 before struggling and losing the starting job twice in the season's second half

" He can come up with any type of stat off the top of his head," Springs said. "He might start talking to you about protein or something. You never know what Todd is talking about. He might start talking to you about the stock market or something like that. And then I thought he had said a funny joke, but his face was so serious, you don't know if he's joking."

"He smells everything," Huard said. "He smells the first football he throws at practice. He'll grab it, bring it right by his face, smell the ball, then throw it.

"Every game plan, every newspaper you hand him, before he reads it, he smells it. Instinctively. He has this nose and palate. He remembers the smell of every wine."

[SmootSmack]

You gotta wonder what does Todd Collins want at this point in his career exactly. Does he want a chance to start, does he want a ring? Does he want to be recognized as a QB that can prosper in a system that isn't Al Saunders'?

But this is interesting

Todd Collins, Ethan Albright and Derrick Forst News - Redskins Insider

Zorn informed Collins that youngster Jason Campbell was the team's starting quarterback for 2008 and remains a cornerstone of their future, but Zorn praised Collins's production last season as well, league sources said, and told the veteran he considers him a strong No. 2 quarterback. Owner Daniel Snyder and executive vice president Vinny Cerrato expressed the same sentiment to many coaching candidates during their prolonged search, believing that Collins could be a quality backup even having to learn the West Coast offense under Zorn and no longer with his mentor, former associate head coach Al Saunders.

Collins, 36, has told friends that he is eager for the opportunity to earn a starting job, but although that is not the case in Washington he is not averse to re-signing. The Redskins have not made an offer to Collins yet - he just completed a two-year free agent deal since in 2006, but team representatives have been on contact with Collins's agent and the sides could hold face-to-face meetings next week at the combine in Indianapolis (the Redskins are likely to meet with the agents for several of their players next week as they continue to renegotiate contracts in order to clear salary cap room)..

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

Just wondering what you guys think will end up happening with Todd Collins. He's supposedly still a priority to be re-signed. Will he stay in order to shake the thought that he can only play in Saunders' system, or at his age will he be less than thrilled about the idea of learning a new system? Would he stay if he's promised anything less than a real shot at the starting job??

Finally, should he be given the opportunity to compete for the starting job here? Remember we're talking about a new head coach with no ties to Campbell. Could there be an open competition? Should there be?

You can have all the competition you want, but how in the heck can someone "win" the quarterback competition? What decides this? Is it performance in practice, or performance in preseason? Because neither of those things can accurately project game readiness and productivity.

We can pretend we are having a competition, but Jim Zorn already has a good idea who is going to start for us, and between now and September, there is really no good reason to change that opinion.

It's going to be Campbell.

[redskinsfanatic]

i think it's happy trails to collins.is'nt brunnel familiar with this type of offense?

[Paintrain]

I think Collins moves on.. He's a system QB, and a backup one at that. Yes he played great down the stretch for us, but I never thought of him as a 16 game starter. I think we bring in Trent Dilfer as a backup and draft a WCO QB in the late rounds. It probably would have been a good idea to keep Jordan Palmer on the practice squad, huh?

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by Paintrain

I think Collins moves on.. He's a system QB, and a backup one at that. Yes he played great down the stretch for us, but I never thought of him as a 16 game starter. I think we bring in Trent Dilfer as a backup and draft a WCO QB in the late rounds. It probably would have been a good idea to keep Jordan Palmer on the practice squad, huh?

Chad Henne or Joe Flacco would work out well here. We will need a veteran backup to sign. I'll come up with a list of potential names.

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by Paintrain

I think Collins moves on.. He's a system QB, and a backup one at that. Yes he played great down the stretch for us, but I never thought of him as a 16 game starter. I think we bring in Trent Dilfer as a backup and draft a WCO QB in the late rounds. It probably would have been a good idea to keep Jordan Palmer on the practice squad, huh?

IMO it is very important to try and have as little as possible of a drop off when the back-up has to play. When Ben R. gets hurt Batch comes in and plays just as good if not better. This year when JC went down Collins came in and played better and DID NOT turn the ball over. When Alex Smith got hurt Dilfer came in and started a few games. We all know Smith is not a very good NFL QB. I still can't figure out why SF took him with the #1 pick. But when Dilfer came in he played probably worse than Smith. I think I remember Gus coming in a throwing 5 ints and fumbling a game away. If I'm Redskins mgt I'm doing everything I can to keep Collins here.

[GTripp0012]

KFFL - 2008 NFL Free Agents

Grossman
Culpepper
Josh McCown
Quinn Gray
Ken Dorsey
Ryan Fitzpatrick
Cleo Lemon
Jared Lorenzen
Jamie Martin

umm...disgusting. I'd see if Brunell would play one more season at league minimum. Unless Culpepper would play for beans as opposed to retire?

Of course, there are some competant names on this list:

Billy Volek
Craig Nall

[70Chip]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

KFFL - 2008 NFL Free Agents

Grossman
Culpepper
Josh McCown
Quinn Gray
Ken Dorsey
Ryan Fitzpatrick
Cleo Lemon
Jared Lorenzen
Jamie Martin

umm...disgusting. I'd see if Brunell would play one more season at league minimum. Unless Culpepper would play for beans as opposed to retire?

Of course, there are some competant names on this list:

Billy Volek
Craig Nall

Tim Rattay and Tim Hasselback in AZ are both FA. I like the fatass Lorenzen for the Freak-Show aspect he brings as well. He could take a bowling ball in the gut at halftime.

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

KFFL - 2008 NFL Free Agents

Grossman
Culpepper
Josh McCown
Quinn Gray
Ken Dorsey
Ryan Fitzpatrick
Cleo Lemon
Jared Lorenzen
Jamie Martin

umm...disgusting. I'd see if Brunell would play one more season at league minimum. Unless Culpepper would play for beans as opposed to retire?

Of course, there are some competant names on this list:

Billy Volek
Craig Nall

Some of these guys have played well and won games in the NFL. I thought Lemon played pretty well considering the circumstances. He throws a nice ball and I remember him playing pretty well against NE. Grey started a few games while Garrard was out won some games for them. McCown can play if needed. I'm not sure about Culpepper anymore. But some of these guys are not as bad as Dilfer or Gus.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

Some of these guys have played well and won games in the NFL. I thought Lemon played pretty well considering the circumstances. He throws a nice ball and I remember him playing pretty well against NE. Grey started a few games while Garrard was out won some games for them. McCown can play if needed. I'm not sure about Culpepper anymore. But some of these guys are not as bad as Dilfer or Gus.

I think the key is to settle on a guy who has had a mild degree of success wherever he goes. Rattay, or Brunell (who we pretty much have to treat as an FA at this point) qualify, as well as Nall or Volek.

Culpepper, if he could play as well here as he did in Oakland this past year, we would have a quality backup. I'm not sure Dante's ego could take a role in this league where he isn't going to compete to be the starter. I think he'd rather retire.

McCown played poorly this year, and Lemon was "meh". He wasn't total crap, but he's definately not part of the solution if your team's starter gets hurt. Quinn Gray was pretty bad behind Garrard. Cost them the New Orleans game.

But I agree that Dilfer, nor Frerotte would help any.

[SmootSmack]

I think Brunell is gone and it's over 50% chance that Collins stays. St. Louis is the only place that I can see truly making an offer for him. And from what I hear they might not be too active in free agency as they figure out their ownership situation. Of course, TC isn't likely to break the bank so he may be ok.

[irish]

I think there is a decent chance Collins stays. My prediction is that Campbell will not be the Skins starter at the end of the 2009 season.

[skinzaholic73]

I think collins leaves,probably to st.louis.I would like to see either Gus F.,Billy Volek or Josh McCown.If there is any chance we can get Seneca Wallace from Seattle that would be sweet!