Raiders bench Collins, will start Tuiasosopo against Jets
December 7, 2005

ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) -- Marques Tuiasosopo will start at quarterback
for the Oakland Raiders, who benched regular Kerry Collins.

With no postseason to play for, the Raiders (4-8) are casting an eye
toward the future. Oakland coach Norv Turner gave Tuiasosopo the nod
on Wednesday and announced that he will start Sunday on the road
against the New York Jets.

"It means a lot," said Tuiasosopo, whose lone NFL start came in 2003.
"I am excited to get out and play and, with the rest of these guys in
the locker room, find a way to win a ballgame this week. That's what I
am most excited about."

ADVERTISEMENT
Tuiasosopo, a second-round pick in 2001, has played in just eight NFL
games.

Turner hinted earlier in the week a change might be made. Collins has
the third-most passing yards in the league this season but has
generated just four wins for the Raiders, who were eliminated from
playoff contention with last week's loss to San Diego.

Collins played well early in the season but has struggled the last
month. After throwing just one interception in Oakland's first six
games, Collins has been picked off seven times in four weeks.

Despite several offseason moves, including the acquisitions of wide
receiver Randy Moss and running back LaMont Jordan, the Raiders have
been a disappointment on offense this year. Oakland will miss the
playoffs for the third straight season after playing in the 2002 Super
Bowl.

Collins, signed as a free agent before last season, has taken the
brunt of criticism for the Raiders' poor record. In each of Oakland's
previous three home games the quarterback was booed heavily by fans,
who repeatedly chanted for Turner to put Tuiasosopo in the lineup.

"I'm not happy about it," said Collins, who will be Oakland's No. 2
quarterback against the Jets. "I feel like this is my team. I feel
like I give us the best chance to win Sunday. ... Having said that, I
respect what Norv decided to do and I'll help Tui any way I can.

Tuiasosopo's only NFL start was two years ago against the Detroit
Lions. He filled in for injured Rich Gannon, but that outing lasted
less than a half because Tuiasosopo sustained a season-ending injury
to his left knee.

Turner said Wednesday that this move was made to spark Oakland's
struggling offense and to get an extended look at Tuiasosopo.

"Kerry hasn't performed as well as I'd like," Turner said. "There's
things he knows he can do better, things I know he can do better. We
need to see Tui play. Where we are right now in terms of the things
we're doing best on offense and where we're struggling, I think Tui
can help us there with his movement."

Tuiasosopo has one year remaining on the contract he originally signed
as a rookie and is eligible for free agency in 2007. Collins is
earning the veteran's minimum salary this season but will be due
nearly $12.9 million in base pay, roster bonus and incentives next
season if he remains in Oakland.

"I am going to just go out and play and hopefully my play will do all
the talking," Tuiasosopo said. "I am not worried about the future now.
I am worried about this weekend and getting ready and helping this
team by having the best chance of winning."

Updated on Wednesday, Dec 7, 2005 9:08 pm EST