Now that the New York Giants have talked to the San Diego Chargers about trading for the No. 1 pick in the draft - one they would likely use on quarterback Eli Manning - what would become of Kerry Collins?
"If the Giants are not sold on me as their quarterback, it would serve them to do it (draft another quarterback)," Collins said Thursday.
Giants general manager Ernie Accorsi said he has talked to other teams about repositioning in the first round April 24. He said he has talked to either the Raiders or Cardinals, who will pick directly ahead of the Giants, who have the fourth pick overall. Accorsi also said he has talked to at least one team behind the Giants.
"Due diligence," he told the New York Times.
But should the Giants secure the No. 1 pick and use it on Manning - Iowa offensive tackle Robert Gallery might also be considered - it would almost certainly mean the end of any long-term plans to keep Collins when his contract expires after next season.
There's also the chance Collins could be included in a package for the No. 1 pick since the Chargers don't seem to be pleased with Drew Brees.
"It would be bittersweet," Collins said. "To go to a team that wants you to play would be great, but at the same time the distance (from his family in North Carolina) would be hard."
Collins, who led the Giants to Super Bowl XXXV, has played almost every down since becoming their starter at the end of the 1999 season. He has thrown for at least 3,100 yards in each of the last four seasons, including 4,073 in 2002. But the Giants have been reluctant to offer a long-term extension.
Like most of the Giants, who finished 4-12 last season, Collins struggled after the offensive line was decimated by injuries. Also, Collins isn't mobile, something new coach Tom Coughlin had in Jacksonville with Mark Brunell.
Collins didn't have his first substantial talk with Coughlin until just before the recent workout program began, even though Coughlin was named coach Jan. 7.
"I didn't get the feeling from our discussion that he wasn't committed to me," Collins said. "Although I would say there wasn't enough conversation to warrant any kind of feeling one way or the other. But certainly there wasn't anything negative in the conversation."
As for the Chargers and their No. 1 pick, much depends on how sold they are on Manning compared to other highly rated quarterbacks such as Miami of Ohio's Ben Roethlisberger and Philip Rivers of North Carolina State. They would likely be able to get either with the Giants' fourth pick.
JAGUARS: Jacksonville traded cornerback Jason Craft to New Orleans for a fifth-round pick in the draft.
RAVENS: Steve Bisciotti officially became the team's majority owner, ending Art Modell's 43-year control of the franchise.
With the transfer of $325-million for a total sale price of $600-million in a deal initially struck in 1999, Bisciotti becomes the third-youngest owner in the league. He turns 44 on Saturday.
Modell, 78, will retain a one percent ownership stake and will have an office next to Bisciotti's.
