Bears will start Todd Collins in place of Jay Cutler vs. Panthers on Sunday

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Oct 07, 2010
Bears will start Todd Collins in place of Jay Cutler vs. Panthers on Sunday


The Chicago Bears will start backup QB Todd Collins at QB on Sunday in place of Jay Cutler when they travel to play the Carolina Panthers.
Cutler suffered a concussion last week when he was driven from a loss to the New York Giants after being sacked nine times in the first half. His streak of 57 straight games started, which dates to his rookie year, will end.
Cutler was a limited participant in the Bears' practice on Wednesday, and coach Lovie Smith said the team was following NFL rules regarding players returning from concussions. Cutler must pass a battery of tests and be cleared by an independent doctor before being allowed to play.
Collins, 38, who suffered a stinger after he relieved Cutler in Sunday's game, will be making his first start since 2007. He started three games down the stretch for the Washington Redskins that year and helped the team clinch a playoff spot.
Those were the only three starts Collins has made since he started 13 games for the Buffalo Bills in 1997. Collins, a 16-year veteran, has played in just 20 games since 1998.
The Bears and Arizona Cardinals, who are benching Derek Anderson in favor of rookie Max Hall this week, will become the eighth and ninth teams to start new QBs this season.
-- Sean Leahy

this might suck really bad...

http://www.nwherald.com/articles/2010/10/09/r_fnvr5ryuspebcyvdjc2wvw/index.xml

Created: Sunday, October 10, 2010 12:05 a.m. CDT
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Bears’ Collins in spotlight


By TOM MUSICK – tmusick@nwherald.com

Edwin Williams probably knows Todd Collins better than anyone else on the Bears.
The pair played together last season with the Washington Redskins, where Williams was a backup offensive lineman and Collins was a backup quarterback. Both players migrated to the Bears this summer and have spent plenty of free time together since then.
Collins lives a floor above Williams in an extended-stay hotel in the northern suburbs.
“He’s one of the chillest guys ever,” Williams said. “He’s a cool guy. Really good bowler. He loves Boston – that’s where he’s from. He’s just a nice guy.”
Today, Bears fans should get to know Collins a little bit more.
All eyes will be on the 38-year-old quarterback when the Bears (3-1) visit the Carolina Panthers (0-4) for a noon kickoff at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. Collins will step in for quarterback Jay Cutler, who suffered a concussion last week against the New York Giants and was ruled out for today’s game by team and independent doctors.
Cutler had started 20 consecutive games since joining the Bears in 2009.
Bears coach Lovie Smith expressed hope that Cutler would be healthy enough to return Oct. 17 against the Seattle Seahawks. Until then, he said, Collins could maintain order.
“Todd has played a lot of football in the league,” said Smith, who cited Collins’ 16 years of NFL experience. “He’s anxious to get another opportunity to start in a game, so we’re going to pick up the pieces around Todd and play our butts off this week.”
The Bears’ offensive line was stomped to pieces by the Giants’ defense, which set an NFL record with nine sacks in the first half. The loss dropped the Bears into a tie for first place in the NFC North with the Green Bay Packers, who visit Washington today.
Panthers linebacker Jon Beason watched film of last week’s Bears game to mine for clues. He said the Giants’ success on defense was not limited to controlling the line of scrimmage.
“A great pass rush is good coverage in the back end,” Beason said, “and good coverage in the back end is a great pass rush. First off, I think the Giants did a good job of being close to the receivers and playing a lot of man coverages … and the pressure got there, as well.”
The Bears know all about pressure. It’s on their shoulders again as they face a possibility of losing to the Panthers, one of four NFL teams without a win entering Week 5.
As the Bears prepare for a week without Cutler, Carolina has its own health concerns. Four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Steve Smith will miss the game because of an ankle injury.
Bears linebacker Lance Briggs said he was bummed to hear the news.
“I want to see their best,” Briggs said. “I wish Steve Smith was playing, but that’s the way it is. I’ll live without him playing.”
Hopefully, Collins and the Bears will be able to do the same.
Williams said he had faith that his teammate and bowling buddy would come through.
“His personality is chill and laid back, but on the field, I think everyone amps their game up a little bit,” Williams said. “He knows how to throw that ball. He knows how to read coverages.
“It’s not like he’ll be making rookie mistakes out there.”
Bears bits: Collins, who wears No. 10, will make his start on 10-10-10. … Cutler traveled to Charlotte on the Bears’ team flight Saturday. … With consecutive visits to New York and Charlotte, the Bears will play back-to-back road games for the only time this season.