| | Associated Press
ALBANY, N.Y. -- No matter how many touchdown passes he
throws, no matter if he's a model citizen, Kerry Collins knows his
play on the field as the New York Giants starting quarterback is
never going to let him escape his past.
It's just a fact of life.
People remember your mistakes, and Collins made a ton of them in
Carolina, on and off the field while playing for the Panthers. It
doesn't make a difference he led them to the NFC title game in
1996.
|  | | Kerry Collins enters the season as the Giants' starting quarterback. |
The fifth pick overall in the 1995 NFL Draft drove under the
influence of alcohol. He said things in the locker room under the
influence. He quit on his team under the influence. He did a lot
stupid things under the influence before turning his life around
after joining the Giants last year.
Collins is prodded about those mistakes daily. Almost every
interview reaches into his past.
Yet, every question is answered as if being asked for the first
time. There is no impatience, just a straightforward response.
"Don't think I like it," Collins said Wednesday when asked
about the situation. "Don't get me wrong on that one. I just
accept it."
So Collins talks about his problems. The 27-year-old talks about
addressing the league's draft picks at a symposium early in the
summer, spilling his guts, hoping for closure and then feeling
miserable the following day.
"Things I've gone through are a lot tougher than things that
happen on the field," Collins said. "Things affect me a lot less
now. Interceptions and touchdowns don't bother me. I try to play
the same way all the time, regardless of the situation."
General manager Ernie Accorsi took a lot of criticism signing
Collins in February 1999. But the former Penn State product was
impressive last season after replacing Kent Graham at quarterback
for the last six games of the season.
Collins completed 191 of 332 passes for 2,316 yards, eight
touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He also became the first Giant to
throw for 300 yards in a game since Phil Simms in 1993, passing for
341 yards against the Jets on Dec. 5.
"There is definitely a difference in the way he is approaching
the season," tight end Pete Mitchell said. "He sees this as his
team and he's definitely our leader on offense. I think as a
quarterback, that's what you need. Last year, he wasn't sure what
to expect being his first year."
Not only is Collins feeling more comfortable here, he likes the
changes made by new offensive coordinator Sean Payton, moves that
will try to get the Giants to the playoffs for the first time in
three years. New York was 7-9 last season.
"The first thing that will jump out are the multiple formations
and the multiple sets that we'll have compared to last year,"
Collins said. "Last year we were pretty basic. We didn't do a
whole lot of shifting and motion."
Having Ron Dayne in the backfield and a new offensive line also
should help re-establish a running game that was AWOL last season.
What Collins has to do is cut down on his mistakes. In the past
three seasons with Carolina, New Orleans and the Giants, he has
thrown 31 touchdowns and 47 interceptions.
"Decision-making is the thing that has jumped up at me and
bitten me in the past," Collins said. "I think being in the
offense another year and being exposed to it will help."
Having a clear-cut quarterback situation also helps. Collins is
the starter and Jason Garrett is now the backup.
Graham is history, having been released after the season.
"Compared to last year, it's like night and day," Collins
said. "Kent was trying to hold on to what he had, but I knew I
would eventually get an opportunity."
Collins did and took advantage of it.
What hasn't changed are the questions. Collins knows they never
will.
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