With Collins, Redskins Have Plenty in Reserve

Despite the outcome of yesterday's NFC first-round playoff game between Washington and Seattle, the accomplishments of Redskins quarterback Todd Collins the past four weeks have left some experienced NFL observers in awe and this scribe searching the archives.

"I don't know if the NFL has ever seen a Todd Collins before," said Gil Brandt, the longtime personnel director the Dallas Cowboys who currently serves as an analyst for NFL.com.

"Ten years between snaps; that's unheard of. What it tells you is that the offensive coordinator [Al Saunders] who brought Collins to Washington and paid him a lot of money is pretty good and knew what he was doing."

Consider these numbers: In one relief appearance after Jason Campbell dislocated his left kneecap on Dec. 6 and three subsequent starts, Collins has completed 67 of 105 pass attempts for 888 yards and five touchdowns and a passer rating of 106.4. Okay, so it's only four games and Tom Brady (117.2), Ben Roethlisberger (104.1), David Garrard (102.2), Peyton Manning (98) and Romo the Celeb (97.4) did their work over a full season.

Observed Sonny Jurgensen, the retired Redskins Hall of Fame quarterback turned broadcaster: "If this opportunity had not arisen, Collins might have spent the rest of his life wondering if he could play this game. But he's gotten his chance and taken advantage."

How?

"By being a student of the game," Jurgensen replied. "He came here with Al Saunders from Kansas City, so he knows the offense. He knows where to go, and he makes good decisions quickly."

Those of us old enough to care about such matters recall Earl Morrall replacing the injured Bob Griese (broken leg) five games into the Miami Dolphins' 1972 season and quarterbacking the team to a 14-0 regular season record. But after winning one playoff game, Miami Coach Don Shula replaced Morrall with the recovered Griese, who led the Dolphins past Pittsburgh in the AFC title game and the Redskins in Super Bowl VII.

"But please, don't compare Collins with Morrall," admonished another NFL sage. "Morrall had been the MVP in the league for the Colts in [1968] and won Super Bowl V for the Colts. He played 21 seasons."

Still, Shula saw something in Morrall at the start of the 1972 season, claiming him off waivers for $100. Morrall remained Miami's backup for the next four seasons.

I also remember George Blanda doing good things in relief of Daryle Lamonica at quarterback for several games for Oakland in 1970, when he was 43. Blanda was a place kicker, as well. But at 36, Collins is seven years younger than Blanda was at the time and in a much better situation to earn a fat new contract next season than he was a month ago.

"You'd want Todd Collins on your team," said Jurgensen, ignoring the obvious: The Redskins may not be the only NFL team with such intentions.