Raiders, Bears top Collins' list

On heels of 4-12 season, ex-Giant Kerry Collins finds job market to be tough.

Kerry Collins hasn't found much of a market for his services in the week since the Giants released him. At the moment, his only chance to have at least a shot at a starting job may be with either the Oakland Raiders or the Chicago Bears.

Neither team has a starting job available, but both have expressed an interest in Collins. The Bears are interested in him as a backup and possible challenger to Rex Grossman. The Raiders are interested just in case new coach Norv Turner decides 38-year-old Rich Gannon isn't his man.

Oakland is the most likely destination for the 31-year-old Collins, but it all hinges on what Turner thinks of Gannon, who reportedly performed well at the Raiders' mini-camp this weekend in his first action since having surgery on his right shoulder.

On Friday, Turner said the Raiders "maybe" would pursue Collins if he decides to accept a role as a backup. However, Turner has yet to declare Gannon his starter for this season, much like Tom Coughlin refused to do with Collins. Gannon is scheduled to make $7 million in 2004, the same salary Collins was due from the Giants.

And Gannon has vowed not to accept "a penny less."

As for Chicago, new coach Lovie Smith has publicly stated his support for Grossman, who has three NFL starts on his resume.

But because Grossman is untested, the Bears are apparently looking for insurance, or at least a better insurance policy than their recently signed No. 2 quarterback, Jonathan Quinn.

They reportedly talked to the Browns about trading for Tim Couch.

Kurt Warner, soon to be a June 1 cut by the Rams, is on their radar, too.
5/5/04

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