Collins Could Be Next Louisiana Purchase

A few months ago, there were suggestions Kerry Collins should not be allowed to play football again. Now he might be in position to make millions.

Collins’ contract with the Saints expires Feb. 11, and the quarterback-poor NFL makes Collins a hot commodity just for showing up in New Orleans.

Collins rejected a five-year, $25-million offer from Carolina before being accused of quitting. Arizona quarterback Jake Plummer recently signed a four-year, $29.7-million contract extension.

“I’m sure Plummer’s contract will influence [Collins’] future deal,” Saint President/General Manager Bill Kuharich said. “They are represented by the same guy [Leigh Steinberg]. I don’t know how much, but I’m sure it will have some influence. That makes for a lot of Merry Christmases and Happy New Years.”

Coach Mike Ditka, who has yet to have a quality quarterback lead his troops, would like Collins in keeping with the Saints’ tradition, but at what price?

“If I was the owner [Tom Benson], I don’t know what I’d do,” Ditka said. “I’d have to think long and hard about it. . . . I think the worst thing you can do is do something because somebody else does it. The worst thing you can tell me is he’s got the same agent, so he’s going to get the same deal. I’m sorry, I don’t buy that. Maybe some people buy that, but I don’t buy that.”

He’ll reconsider when he sees Danny Wuerffel warming up.

Collins has four touchdown passes and nine interceptions with the Saints, and New Orleans is 2-4 with him in control. Beats Wuerffel.

The Panthers, expected to fire Coach Dom Capers, have two second-round draft picks. It will take one to free Mike Holmgren in Green Bay to coach in Carolina.

CENTRAL / Maybe Wannstedt Is a Bear for Punishment

Walter Payton, Gale Sayers, Rick Casares, Willie Galimore, James Allen. James who? Ran for 163 yards in his first NFL start, the 17th best performance in Bear history.

James who? Undrafted, a former practice squad player. Not only had 163 yards against Baltimore on Sunday, but it was the first 100-yard performance of the year for the Bears. James who? Coach Dave Wannstedt called him Tremayne Allen at one point during his postgame interview.

“I always knew I could do it,” said what’s his name. “I always had confidence if I got my chance, I could do it.”

Detroit owner William Clay Ford is disgusted with his team, but not so moved as to get rid of Coach Bobby Ross.

“We stunk in some games,” Ford said.

Maybe Ross was too quick to bench and bury quarterback Scott Mitchell.

“There’s something we’re not doing,” Ford said. “I’m not sure what it is.”

EAST / They Made Giant Strides After Disastrous Start

A month ago the Giants were 3-7. Now they are that close--one more loss for Arizona and one more loss for Tampa--to making the playoffs.

“There’s a little funny feeling in the air,” linebacker Corey Widmer said. “You never know what’s going to happen. It seems like somebody is directing this whole thing, there’s a script out there. Who knows? You can feel it.”

It feels like an Arizona win over San Diego.

Sunday, meanwhile, will be the end of Ray Rhodes’ reign as coach of the Eagles. Most NFL observers wonder why anyone would take the job under owner Jeffrey Lurie, who hasn’t spent the money to win. But the two names most often mentioned as possible replacements are Steeler defensive coordinator Jim Haslett and Jacksonville offensive coordinator Chris Palmer. How inspiring.

Arizona quarterback Jake Plummer has 17 touchdown passes and 20 interceptions, and he received a $29.7-million contract extension. Imagine if he was really good.