Todd Collins could have a big head after leading Washington to the playoffs last year. He saved the season — everybody knows it.
But, Collins is back on the bench with a new coach and another offensive system. Only one team pursued the 36-year-old passer during free agency before the Redskins re-signed him. Collins knows Washington is the best fit as the Redskins continue offseason workouts today.
Maybe Collins is getting too old to listen to yet another coach tell him to change his mechanics, look at things differently. But then, open-mindedness kept Collins in the NFL the past decade despite barely playing.
“Todd’s in a difficult situation because he’s listening to another guy late in his career in I want you to change this,” coach Jim Zorn said. “He’s has to look and say, ‘What do you mean?’ This has worked for him. I’m asking him to change and I can see him fighting to change. All I can do is respect that. That’s what a pro does.”
The Redskins were teetering on collapse last season. Following four straight losses and three days after burying slain safety Sean Taylor, Collins relieved Jason Campbell when the latter suffered a season-ending knee injury. Despite not throwing an in-game pass in two years and playing only 11 games since 1998, Collins posted a 106.7 pass rating. Washington won four straight to reach the playoffs before losing in the first round.
Yet, in a town that thrives on quarterback controversies, Collins must prove himself once more. Was his success a product of six years with offensive coordinator Al Saunders in Kansas City and Washington? That safety net is gone with Zorn running the West Coast offense. However, Collins was in that system at Kansas City 1998-2001 despite playing one game and thrives on the scheme’s quick decisions and short throws.
“A lot of the basic principles carry over,” Collins said. “A few plays I remember are the same thing so I’m going back to that.”
Zorn is heavily involved with quarterbacks in both the classroom and practices. Collins enjoys learning from the former NFL passer despite mistakes easily spotted by the coach.
“It’s different being with a head coach who’s also the quarterbacks coach in meetings everyday,” Collins said. “His coaching style — he can demonstrate things. You can tell he’s done it before and not just on the blackboard.
“It’s not like I know everything. I’m just looking for some ways to get better. If there are some techniques that he can help me with, that will benefit me.”
But can Collins easily accept returning to No. 2 after the best month of his career? He admits minicamp awakened his desire.
“You get those juices flowing again and it’s like ‘Go play,’” Collins said.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Contact him at [email protected].
