Bills Release QB Todd Collins
Todd Collins knew he was on his way out when Buffalo acquired Rob Johnson and Doug Flutie. The Bills finally got around to making it official.
"Why they waited three weeks, I don't know," said Collins, looking for work a year after replacing the retired Jim Kelly as Buffalo's starting quarterback. "I was just wasting time learning this offense."
Collins, the former Michigan star drafted 45th overall in 1995, was 215-for-391 last season for 2,367 yards with 12 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. The Bills finished 6-10.
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"I think last year Todd got too much of the blame for the losses that we had, and I'd just like to leave it at that," coach Wade Phillips said Monday.
With Collins gone and Jim Ballard on injured reserve, last year's backup, Alex Van Pelt, said he's ready to play after undergoing shoulder surgery.
"It was a tumultuous off-season," Van Pelt said. "I was doing a lot of stuff in the rehab and surgery. I wasn't sure if I'd be ready to go or not, so it's been a weight lifted off my shoulders."
Lions
Detroit reinstated retired quarterback Frank Reich after cutting quarterbacks Jim Miller and Chris Dittoe.Reich said he got a call last week from coach Bobby Ross.
"He just indicated that he felt, if I wanted to, it would help the team out. So that's really what I want to do," said Reich, who played under Ross at the University of Maryland. "I just want to come back and help the team in whatever capacity that is."
Reich, 36, was 11-of-30 for 121 yards and two interceptions in six games last season. He returns to the Lions as the No. 3 quarterback behind Mitchell and rookie Charlie Batch.
Cowboys
Wide receiver Jimmy Oliver, a strong candidate to win a starting job in Dallas when traiing camp opened, was released.Oliver, a third-year player best known for his speed, was plagued by injuries in his two years with San Diego and in training camp with Dallas. He also lost out in his attempt to win a job as a kick returner.
"We were intrigued with Oliver's speed, but it just didn't work out for him," coach Chan Gailey said.
Oilers
Kendrick Burton, a defensive lineman suspended last season for an unspecified drug violation, was released by Tennessee."I wouldn't be surprised if he gets some interest from other clubs because he can do some things," coach Jeff Fisher said. "We're going to tell him to keep working and keep an eye on him and just see how it goes."
Colts
Bill Musgrave's role of tutor to top draft pick Peyton Manning is over.Musgrave, who roomed with Manning as Indianapolis held a summer school and mini-camp in June, was one of 10 players waived by the Colts on Monday.
Musgrave, 30, was trying to win a job as a backup quarterback to Manning after working as an assistant coach with the Oakland Raiders last season. A fourth-round draft pick of Dallas in 1991, Musgrave played in 11 games, with one start, at San Francisco and Denver.
Colts coach Jim Mora said Kelly Holcomb and Jim Kubiak are Manning's backups.
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