Bears sign veteran quarterback Todd Collins to 1-year deal

Posted August 23, 2010 11:00 pm

By Bob LeGere

It's been 13 years since new Bears quarterback Todd Collins started more than three games in a season.

Regardless, Collins said he'll strive to be the No. 2 behind Jay Cutler by the start of the season and be ready to play like a starter if he's needed.

For now, injured Caleb Hanie remains the Bears' No. 2 quarterback, but there isn't a timetable in his rehab from the sprained right shoulder he suffered in the first preseason game. In light of that, Collins was asked if he planned to be the backup on opening day.

"Yeah, I plan to," the 38-year-old veteran said. "I'm out there to compete. I'm not gonna just sell myself short. I've been the No. 2 guy for a long time. You always try to play at the level that the starter's playing, and ideally you can step in there and contribute just like the starter did."

Collins, who was let go by Washington after last season, was courted by the Bears shortly after Hanie's injury. But he balked at an offer that didn't include enough guaranteed money or a spot on the roster once Hanie returned. Collins will reportedly make $1 million for his 16th season if he is on the opening day roster. He received a signing bonus in the low six figures.

"They tweaked the contract a little bit," Collins said, "and then talking it over with my family and friends I figured it was a good opportunity."

Rookie Dan LeFevour followed Cutler in Saturday night's 32-17 loss to the Oakland Raiders, and he clearly needs more seasoning. In two preseason games, LeFevour has completed 5 of 20 passes for a passer rating of 18.8. Matt Gutierrez, who was brought in a week ago, did not play against the Raiders.

Collins practiced Monday, and coach Lovie Smith said playing time decisions for Saturday night's third preseason game have not been made, but Hanie will not play.

"I don't know whether (Collins) will play this week or as far as where he is on the depth chart and those things," Smith said. "They'll work themselves out in time."

While Collins wants to be the first option if Cutler can't play, it remains to be seen what the depth chart will look like for the season opener.

If Hanie can't play in the preseason, it would make sense for Collins to be No. 2.

"There's no guarantees," Collins said. "But I'm familiar with the system. I agree with the philosophy. Seeing what coach (Mike) Martz has done and hearing from people who have worked with him, I figured it's just too good of an opportunity to turn down."

In 2007, the last time he started a game, Collins compiled a passer rating of 106.4 with 5 touchdown passes and no interceptions. He took over for injured Jason Campbell in a Dec. 6 game against the Bears at FedEx Field and led Washington to a 24-16 victory, completing 15 of 20 passes for 224 yards, 2 touchdowns, no interceptions and a passer rating of 144.6. Collins directed victories in the final three games of the season to get Washington into the playoffs, where the Redskins lost to the Seahawks 35-14 despite 299 passing yards by Collins.

While he was with the Chiefs (1998-2005), the 6-foot-4 Collins played in an offense similar to the one Martz has installed with the Bears.

"The core of the offense is the same (as the Chiefs)," Collins said. "He's tweaked some stuff since I was in the offense a few years back. But the base of the offense and the philosophy is the same."

Playing in Martz's offense was another reason Collins liked the situation in Chicago.

"I still want to play, and I believe I still can," he said. "The other big thing was the fit with this team, specifically the offense. Being in other offenses, I've come to appreciate this philosophy and what Martz brings to the team, so I figured I better do this before I don't get another chance."

The Todd Collins file

The Bears signed Todd Collins to a one-year contract Monday. Here's a glance at his numbers:

Position: Quarterback

Size: 6-foot-4, 225 pounds

Age: 38

Born: Nov. 5, 1971 in Walpole, Mass.

College: Michigan

Draft year: 1995 by the Buffalo Bills in the 2nd round (45th overall)

NFL teams: Buffalo, Kansas City, Washington

Games played: 47

Games started: 20

Passing completions: 381

Passing attempts: 674

Completion pct.: 56.6

Total passing yards: 4,479

Touchdowns: 22

Interceptions: 19

Passer rating: 76.0

Last season: 3 games, 12 for 23 passing for 144 yards (no touchdowns, no interceptions, no starts for Washington)

Source: NFL, Chicago Bears

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