Collins To Meet With Packers

[Tom Kessenich]

PACKERS: Collins piques Packers' interest
11:26 PM 5/17/04
Jason Wilde Wisconsin State Journal

Next up in the Green Bay Packers' search for a backup quarterback: Kerry Collins. <

The ex-New York Giants quarterback is scheduled to arrive in Green Bay tonight and visit the Packers' Lambeau Field headquarters Wednesday, an NFL source said Monday. <

Although Cleveland quarterback Tim Couch remains the Packers' top choice, contract talks with Couch have stalled, so the Packers are exploring alternatives. <

Damon Huard, who backed up Tom Brady in New England last season, visited last week, and now Collins, the best remaining quarterback on the free-agent market, will meet with Packers coach and general manager Mike Sherman and his staff. <

Collins, 31, was released by the Giants April 28. He was scheduled to receive a $7 million base salary this season, but wouldn't restructure his deal after the Giants traded for No. 1 overall pick Eli Manning on draft day. <

Collins, who completed 284 of 500 passes for 3,110 yards, 13 touchdowns and 16 interceptions for a passer rating of 70.7 in 13 starts last season, visited the Oakland Raiders last week. He is hoping for a chance to start, but after initially turning down the Packers' overtures, he has agreed to visit the club and at least entertain the idea of backing up Brett Favre. <

The fifth overall pick in the 1995 NFL draft by Carolina, Collins led the Panthers to the 1996 NFC championship game against the Packers. His career nosedived after that, however, and two years later, struggling with an alcohol problem, he quit the team. <

New Orleans signed him for the remainder of the 1998 season, and he joined the Giants in 1999, turning around his life and football career. In 2001, he led the Giants to Super Bowl XXXV, throwing for 381 yards and five touchdowns in the NFC title game. <

The Packers have 36-year-old Doug Pederson as Favre's primary backup and 2002 fifth-round pick Craig Nall as their No. 3. While Pederson performed well in the post-draft minicamp, Nall struggled with his accuracy and could be playing his way out of a job. <