Panthers Waive Collins

Kerry Collins, drafted to be the cornerstone of the Carolina Panthers, was cut Tuesday, six days after he said his heart no longer was in being the team’s quarterback.

The Panthers made the decision less than an hour after the NFL’s trading deadline passed. Coach Dom Capers said Carolina spoke with at least 10 teams over several days to work out a trade but after finding no takers, the team elected to waive him.

Collins, 25-21 as Carolina’s starter, told Capers last Wednesday that he thought it would be best for the team if someone else were to take over as the starter.

Capers said that as word of Collins’ request began to filter through the locker room, it quickly became apparent the quarterback no longer would have the backing of his teammates, many of whom felt betrayed. At that point, Capers said, he began to wonder if keeping Collins around would create the right kind of environment for the rest of the team.

By being waived, Collins could be claimed by another team, which would pick up the remainder of a one-year contract worth $1.153 million--a total of $746,048. If Collins is not claimed within 24 hours, he will become a free agent and can negotiate a new deal with any team.

AFC / Gruden Arrested for DUI

Oakland Raider Coach Jon Gruden, 35, was speeding and driving erratically when he was arrested late Sunday night, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Gruden, whose team defeated the San Diego Chargers, 7-6, Sunday afternoon, was booked at the Santa Rita Jail for investigation of drunken driving and was released about three hours later. He is scheduled to appear in court Nov. 9.

Gruden, the NFL’s youngest coach, told the Contra Costa Times he wants to wait “to see if justice prevails.”

“I’m confident it will,” said Gruden, who took a blood test, which authorities said takes 10 days to two weeks to process.

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Another drunken driving arrest has left Cincinnati Bengal safety Tremain Mack facing more jail time and punishment by the NFL.

Mack was arrested Tuesday morning after police found him passed out at the wheel of his stopped car in the slow-speed lane near downtown Cincinnati at 4:44 a.m.

Mack, 23, failed field sobriety tests and then pushed the arresting officer and was subdued with the help of a chemical spray, according to the police report.

Mack is still on probation for a drunken driving conviction last October and could be ordered to serve up to 330 days in jail--the suspended part of his previous sentence--if he is convicted on the latest charges of drunken driving, resisting arrest and driving without a license.

The NFL will investigate and could fine Mack and suspend him for four games under its substance-abuse policy, spokeswoman Leslie Hammond said.

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The Kansas City Chiefs traded with the Chicago Bears for running back Bam Morris, giving up a fifth- or sixth-round draft pick.