Kerry Collins free agency

Kerry Collins should not be too worried about financially supporting himself in 2006. With the recent hiring of Art Shell, more clues have been dropped as to the future of Collins. Up to this point, Shell has expressed loyalty towards Collins, but he is yet to convey any decisive conclusion about the quarterback's future. Regardless, Collins will be a starting quarterback in the NFL next season, whether he is wearing the silver and black or not.In the dawn of the Art Shell hiring, all signs have pointed to a Collins/Raiders contract extension. Already this offseason, owner Al Davis and head coach Art Shell have verbally defended and supported Collins.In a press conference after the firing of Norv Turner, Al Davis defended Kerry Collins saying, "I think Kerry did adequately well considering other factors maybe not seen by the press or fans. He had no running game, and our pass protection slipped." Essentially, Davis was correct in his statements. The running game produced a fourth-lowest 85.6 rush yards per game, and provided no explosive threat to the offense. In fact, the Raiders longest rush last year was just 27 yards-the lowest mark in the NFL. The pass protection also could be placed at the center of the blame, as injuries and poor performances plagued the front five. Mammoth guard Langston Walker played just six games due to injury and third-year linemen Robert Gallery and Jake Grove struggled all season.Head coach Art Shell has also appeared to be pro-Collins. In his preliminary press conference, Shell stated, "All I can say is Kerry Collins has been an outstanding quarterback. Matter of fact, I just spoke to Kerry before I came down here. He is excited about moving forward next year. He is an exciting quarterback. I think he has a chance to be great for us. But those issues will be addressed down the road." The fact that Shell publicly complemented and spoke to Collins within the first few days of his head coaching term also points to a Collins contract extension.But remember, a good 90 percent of fans and the media believed that Ken Whisenhunt would be coaching the Raiders next season. So what if the attitudes of Davis and Shell take a sudden U-turn? Collins could land in Baltimore, with a familiar face at offensive coordinator.Last season, the Baltimore Ravens were the 22nd in passing yardage; in 2004 and 2003 they were last in the NFL, and in 2002 they were 27th. As an offensive coordinator in the NFL, it's nearly impossible to hold your job with such low ranks year-in and year-out. If Collins is released into the market, Ravens offensive coordinator Jim Fassel will not 43 Polamalu black jersey
be shy in showing his support for the quarterback. As a head coach in 2000, Fassel led Kerry Collins and the NY Giants to Super Bowl XXXV, where he ironically lost to his future employer, the Baltimore Ravens. And while the Ravens passing offense improved in Fassel's first year as offensive coordinator, he would most certainly push for Collins if the Raiders were to let him go.At any rate, fans will able to watch Kerry Collins play quarterback next year. Most fans would rather see him play in purple. But up to this point, the bold number "5" appears that it will remain painted silver at home and black on the road.Anthony Carroll can be reached at