Turner considering benching QB Collins

[BigPlayShay]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2248941

ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Marques Tuiasosopo probably will get his shot as Oakland's starting quarterback this week.

Coach Norv Turner is leaning demoting the struggling Kerry Collins and plans to make his final decision before the Raiders take the practice field Wednesday to prepare for the lowly New York Jets -- though it sure seems Turner has all but made up his mind.

The coach already spoke to Collins about the potential change for Sunday's road game.

"I wouldn't have brought it up if it wasn't something we're considering strongly," Turner said Monday on the heels of the Raiders' second straight defeat and fourth loss in five games, 34-10 at San Diego.

"We're going to look at the quarterback situation and say, 'Hey, is it time to look at Tui?' With his mobility, would that help us?"

The 26-year-old Tuiasosopo has been a backup since the Raiders drafted him out of Washington in 2001. He started one game in 2003 in place of injured 2002 MVP Rich Gannon, but hurt his knee during Oakland's third offensive series on a hard hit by Boss Bailey in a 23-13 loss at Detroit and hasn't played in a regular-season game since.


This preseason, Tuiasosopo threw for 343 yards and completed 29 of his 44 passes with four interceptions and no touchdowns. He has been taking snaps with the first-team offense at times and is more athletic than Collins, allowing him to move more in the pocket.

The fans have been calling for him to get an opportunity for weeks now, chanting "Tui! Tui!" when the offense takes the field.

After a promising start to the season, the 32-year-old Collins has lately found himself facing constant questions -- just like his mistake-prone year last season -- about the Raiders' ineffective offense.

Collins has completed 245 of his 446 passes for 3,118 yards and 16 touchdowns, but he has thrown 10 interceptions and been sacked 32 times for 194 lost yards.

His recent struggles have been surprising after his strong start in his first full season as starter. Collins didn't throw an interception until his 141st pass in Week 5 against San Diego, then didn't give up another pick for 95 more attempts. Seven of his 10 interceptions have come in the past four games, including three in a 31-17 home loss to Denver on Nov. 13.

"It's been a variety of things," Collins said after Sunday's game. "Certainly, I take as much responsibility as anybody. It seems like it's been different things at different times, where the players get penalties or non-execution. Like I said, I'm not going to point fingers. I know that I didn't live up to the expectations I had for myself this season."

Turner isn't about to name a quarterback for the final four games, meaning Collins potentially could be benched this week and get another chance.

"Kerry wants to play," Turner said. "He's a competitor. He's a strong guy. He gives everything he's got. There's no question he wants to continue to play, and I appreciate that."

[Lidderer]

as an andrew walter fan, I'm disappointed Tui is still getting looks. Walter would work wonders in that offense, with Jordan functioning(or thereabouts) as a rudy burgess type player.

[Taco John]

Maybe a young quarterback is just what that team needs... Someone who when they're in trouble will think, "aw to hell with this, I'm just going to launch it to Randy Moss and let him worry about it."

[Play2win]

I would. I saw Tui ("Tuey") at Washington, and at least he is a play-maker. He makes things happen. On second thought, no, I would keep colllins in there...;D

[rbackfactory80]

After watching the game last night the one who should have been benched was Lamont Jordan.

[RhymesayersDU]

Keep Collins in! At least till after x-mas. ;)

[DomCasual]

Keep Collins in! At least till after x-mas. ;)
I have Kerry Collins on one of my fantasy teams. He sucks, but there's slim pickings right now to replace him. So I'm gonna need them to go ahead and keep playing him for awhile.

[Lidderer]

After watching the game last night the one who should have been benched was Lamont Jordan.

they should package picks for reggie bush.

[Sodak]

I was wondering why they didn't put Tui in a long time ago.

They should pass the bottle to Collins before the game to calm his nerves.

[Raider Bill]

I was wondering why they didn't put Tui in a long time ago.

Norvulous aint the sharpest tool in the shed.

[Bronco LB 59]

as an andrew walter fan, I'm disappointed Tui is still getting looks. Walter would work wonders in that offense, with Jordan functioning(or thereabouts) as a rudy burgess type player.

Even though I like Walter's long-term prospects, rookie QBs take their hard knocks and I would love to see him start in Denver on Christmas Eve.

Coyer sending the wolves after a rookie would be great stuff while the Chargers and Chiefs are busy knocking heads.

[watermock]

Remember the media's nose up the Collins/Moss/Foster signings?

At the same time they were bashing Bronco Billy...I hate to lose him, but Detroit needs him more...

[Lidderer]

Even though I like Walter's long-term prospects, rookie QBs take their hard knocks and I would love to see him start in Denver on Christmas Eve.

Coyer sending the wolves after a rookie would be great stuff while the Chargers and Chiefs are busy knocking heads.

ya, I'm not suggesting he'd be the saviour from the get-go---or even long-term maybe. But tui is not any kind of logical answer to this team's personnel questions; Walter was drafted relatively high for a reason, and a very good one. Wasting time with tui is wonderful for all our christmas wishes, but as a raider fan it's just purgatory until they let walter take some snaps.

[watermock]

I think Tui is going off contract next year...i don't see the sense of signing Collins if they thought Tui was the answer...I don't know why he would want to stay in Oakland...He's ridden the bench for years there....

[Lidderer]

I think Tui is going off contract next year...i don't see the sense of signing Collins if they thought Tui was the answer...I don't know why he would want to stay in Oakland...He's ridden the bench for years there....

oh man, their whole team is in shambles for the near future. collins signing has proven detrimental, jordan signing was grossly overpaid and has shown ZERO upgrade over the stable of backs they used last year(and at a much cheaper price), and Moss just looks lethargic out there, plus prone to injury. Gonna be a long while before this team threatens again.


Nice work getting burgess though.

[SteveTensi13]

oh man, their whole team is in shambles for the near future. collins signing has proven detrimental, jordan signing was grossly overpaid and has shown ZERO upgrade over the stable of backs they used last year(and at a much cheaper price), and Moss just looks lethargic out there, plus prone to injury. Gonna be a long while before this team threatens again.


Nice work getting burgess though.

I'm sure Moss is thinking, "Damn, this sure aint the NFC!"

[Raider Bill]

I think Tui is going off contract next year...

Tui only becomes FA next season if he get's 30% of the snaps.

[Raider Bill]

collins signing has proven detrimental

Good thing we didnt pay him that much until his 3rd year.

[Lidderer]

Good thing we didnt pay him that much until his 3rd year.

indeed. Is that lamont deal guaranteed money for the most part?

[Bob's your Information Minister]

Hopefully Tui can beat Denver!

[Play2win]

FVCK OFF Bob you miserable piece of Sh!t !!!

[Florida_Bronco]

I don't want to see Collins get benched...he's my favorite Raider :D

[Raider Bill]

indeed. Is that lamont deal guaranteed money for the most part?

His contract is pretty managable. He aint the problem anyhow. Oftentimes he's avoiding a tackler before he reaches the LOS. Our OL is pretty banged up and we lack a FB that can move guys off a spot.

7 million SB

2005 550000.00
2006 550000.00
2007 1000000.00
2008 4700000.00
2009 5000000.00

[Lidderer]

His contract is pretty managable. He aint the problem anyhow. Oftentimes he's avoiding a tackler before he reaches the LOS. Our OL is pretty banged up and we lack a FB that can move guys off a spot.

7 million SB

2005 550000.00
2006 550000.00
2007 1000000.00
2008 4700000.00
2009 5000000.00

That's like 20 dollars for every run of under 2 yards. Not too shabby.

[Hogan11]

Who's the third stringer on that squad?

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

Who's the third stringer on that squad?

George Blanda

[watermock]

Kenny Stabler

[Lidderer]

andrew walter, asu quarterback

[watermock]

Darryl Lamonica

[Bronx33]

icky woods

[Hogan11]

Damn, I was hoping Mier was still there.

Honestly, I'm just looking for someone to be concerned about.

[Raider Bill]

I know Jordan is your favorite whipping boy Lidderer, but this collective "braintrust" (and I use the term loosely) could make Barry Sanders look bad.

[Bronx33]

Damn, I was hoping Mier was still there.

Honestly, I'm just looking for someone to be concerned about.

Isn't much there anymore i almost feel bad for em, ALMOST.

[Raider Bill]

Im fine with them playing Tui.. I dont want to see Walter subject to this idiocy. I think he's going to be a pretty good one.

[Lidderer]

Im fine with them playing Tui.. I dont want to see Walter subject to this idiocy. I think he's going to be a pretty good one.

I was so angered when denver bypassed walter(admittedly it might have been a bit early grabbing him in the 2nd round, but the only reason his stock sunk was because of that nagging arm injury). I was prepared to root for whichever team he went to, and then, argh, it had to be Oakland.

He throws such a nice long ball and just never seems rattled. Could use a bit more moxy, but his arm will compensate for what he lacks in that regard.

[Raider Bill]

I wanted Charlie Weiss in the worst possible way. Freakin Al hinted that he wanted to interview one or both of those Patriots guys after the Super Bowl. I was ecstatic. Then this goddamned Turner hire came out of nowhere. I said at the time it was a huge mistake.

Come to think of it Derrick Burgess was the only thing I was wrong about. I never expected an 11 sack effort. Maybe 4 or 5.

Anyhow, Al is rumored to be real high on Walter. I'd expect our next coach to be a QB guru, and maybe even see Gannon back as a consultant if not QB coach.

[SoCalBronco]

I wanted Charlie Weiss in the worst possible way. Freakin Al hinted that he wanted to interview one or both of those Patriots guys after the Super Bowl. I was ecstatic. Then this goddamned Turner hire came out of nowhere. I said at the time it was a huge mistake.

Come to think of it Derrick Burgess was the only thing I was wrong about. I never expected an 11 sack effort. Maybe 4 or 5.

Anyhow, Al is rumored to be real high on Walter. I'd expect our next coach to be a QB guru, and maybe even see Gannon back as a consultant if not QB coach.

Nice avatar. Outside of the Denver game, I hope Oakland wins the rest of the games on their schedule so that they can play their way right out of the Top 10. I was pissed that they lost to the Dolphins.

[Raider Bill]

Nice avatar. Outside of the Denver game, I hope Oakland wins the rest of the games on their schedule so that they can play their way right out of the Top 10. I was pissed that they lost to the Dolphins.


2-2 is as good as it's going to get, 1-3 or 0-4 wouldnt supprise me however.

We're sitting at the 12th pick right now, since there are so many bad teams. Our strength of schedule is slotting us the last pick of the 4 win teams.