NFL News & Notes - August 28th, 2006

Jason Whitlock (of the Kansas City Star and ESPN) must be the happiest guy in KC tonight, as word comes out of Oakland that the Raiders have signed 39-year old Jeff George to a contract.

George has been out of the NFL since he rode the pine for a few games with the Bears in 2004, and his last tenure as a starting quarterback was with Minnesota in 1999. His one season with the Vikings happened to be his most productive season in the NFL, and one of his targets from that season was Randy Moss, who is now in Oakland.

The quarterback position in Oakland appeared settled, albeit temporarily, before today's events. Aaron Brooks (like George, a wildly inconsistent QB) was signed in the off-season after being released by New Orleans, and he was to be backed up by Andrew Walter (whom the team really likes) and Marques Tuiasosopo was to be the 3rd QB. The signing of George means that Tuiasosopo, who had 4 different offensive coordinators in his 5 years in Oakland, will likely be on the team's list of cuts, which are due tomorrow.

Speaking of Erratic Quarterbacks....

Kerry Collins has signed a 1-year contract with the Tennessee Titans. Collins, whose entering his 13th season in the NFL, spent the summer in the NFL's unemployment line, but was always expected to be signed by someone to serve as an insurance policy before the start of the season.

What does this mean for Billy Volek? Probably nothing, though it's being reported that the Titans are "shopping" him around the league. Vince Young hasn't demonstrated that he's ready to start for an NFL team, and neither has Matt Mauck, the team's 3rd QB.

For now, I expect Collins to serve as the #3 QB while he learns the offensive scheme. If Volek were to be injured, Collins could step in and start, or most likely serve as Young's backup.

The Eagles Get a New WR

The biggest question mark on the Philadelphia Eagles roster was the wide receiver position. Have they answered that by acquiring Donte Stallworth from the New Orleans Saints for linebacker Mark Simoneau (and a conditional 4th round pick in 2007)?

Possibly.

Stallworth is coming off his most consistent season as a pro, and given the circumstances under which the Saints were forced to play in 2005, that's no small accomplishment. It'll take him some time to learn the offense, and to jell with Donovan McNabb. Stallworth possesses the ability to run after the catch, and in the Iggle's west coast-style of offense, he could become a legitimate #1 WR.