Collins signs with Raiders

ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) -- Kerry Collins believed he had a better long-term outlook backing up a 38-year-old quarterback coming off an injury than a hotshot rookie who was the top pick in the draft.
So Collins signed with the Oakland Raiders to play behind 2002 NFL MVP Rich Gannon rather than sticking with the New York Giants to help smooth the way for Eli Manning's entry into the NFL.
"Obviously I've played a lot in this league and started a lot of games," Collins said Tuesday. "But when I came here they made it clear what the situation would be. I understood that Rich would be the starter and I will be the guy that's there if something happens to Rich. That will be my approach."
The addition of a big, strong-armed quarterback who led a team to the Super Bowl just more than three years ago gives the Raiders insurance should Gannon go down with another injury. He hurt his shoulder on Oct. 20 and had season-ending surgery to repair a torn labrum.
Backup injured, too
Backup Marques Tuiasosopo also got hurt, contributing to Oakland's slide from AFC champions to 4-12 -- the worst drop ever for a Super Bowl team.
Seeing what happened to the Raiders and Atlanta -- who lost star quarterback Michael Vick in preseason for most of the year -- motivated new coach Norv Turner to seek a more experienced backup.
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