Bears sign veteran QB Collins as backup has 0 comments

Aug 23rd 2010, 21:19 | FFN-Score: 14 points

In 15 NFL seasons, quarterback Todd Collins owns only 20 regular-season starts, only seven of them since opening 13 contests as the starter for the Buffalo Bills in the 1997 campaign.

But that's still 20 more starts than the three other quarterbacks on the Chicago Bears' roster -- Caleb Hanie, Matt Gutierrez, and rookie Dan LeFevour -- own in their combined careers. And a principal reason why the Bears on Monday signed the 38-year-old Collins to a one-year contract to contend for the No. 2 role behind starter Jay Cutler.

"We simply had to have (some insurance)," said one Bears assistant Monday morning of the move, which was first reported by the Chicago Tribune.

The club had twice attempted, and failed, to lure Trent Green out of retirement. Unlike Green, Collins, who was released in the offseason, has never played for Bears' first-year offensive coordinator Mike Martz. But like Green, he is familiar with the Martz-designed offense, and should not struggle with the learning curve.

Cutler has been notably durable in his career, but the Bears were uncomfortable still with the depth behind him. Plus, Hanie, in whom the coaches have expressed solid support, is currently battling a right shoulder sprain. A sixth-round draft choice this year, LeFevor has struggled in camp and the preseason.

The Bears carried only two quarterbacks in 2009, and may do so again this year, and so there is a chance Collins won't even make the regular-season roster. But for now, he provides the staff some peace of mind, insurance against Hanie's injury lingering into the season, and a veteran presence.

Plus, the Bears have not been to the playoffs since their Super Bowl XLI trip in 2006, and there is pressure on coach Lovie Smith and general manager Jerry Angelo to win this season.

In stints with three different teams, most recently Washington, Collins has completed 381 of 674 passes, for 4,479 yards, with 22 touchdown passes, 19 interceptions, and a passer rating of 76.0. His one-year contract is worth about $ 1 million, with about $100,000 of that guaranteed.

He appeared in three games in 2009, with only 23 attempts, and has not started a game since 2007.