Collins weighs landscape

NAPA -- Every year that Mo Collins has been on the Oakland Raiders he has been a starter. It could happen again. But for now, he's dealing with the notion of a demotion.

When the Raiders signed former 49ers guard Ron Stone as a free agent in March, paying him $8 million over three years with a $2 million signing bonus, they didn't do it to put one over on the guys across the Bay.

He figured to play. Stone has been a Pro Bowl player. He plays only one position. Right guard. Collins' position.

That had to take Collins by surprised.

"Know what, after seven years, nothing surprises me," Collins said Saturday. "You just do what you have to do to feed the family and keep on rolling."

The roll that Collins is on at the moment is not in a single direction. He's expanding his horizons. The ex-first round pick and former starter at left tackle as well as right guard, went to his coaches and volunteered to take some turns in training camp at right tackle.

Volunteers being prized commodities, coach Norv Turner gave Collins the green light.

"On game day, you are limited to numbers," he said. "You get eight guys (linemen), and there are some guys that have to be able to play both. It's a plus."

For Collins, it's just a little insurance policy. Versatility could pay off in the long run.

"That's what I'm thinking," Collins said. "They've got Langston (Walker) there, but I played it (tackle), and I still think I can play it. Why not? They already know I can play guard, now let me show them I can play something else."

Still, it's a bit of a blow for a player of Collins' stature to acknowledge he's suddenly no longer on solid footing.

"They are going to try to put the best five (linemen) on the field, and right now I am just trying to make the team -- be one of the top five or at least the top nine. Show them I am worthwhile to have around."

Turner has gone on record as saying how the team lines up now doesn't necessarily mean that's how things will play out by the time the team gets on a flight to Pittsburgh in September. Right now, it's open competition, and open competition is ultimately what makes for good teams.

"Early, we have a plan," he said. "This is how we've started off. One thing I really believe is that they trust us that it's going to be competitive. We are doing everything we can to play the best guys.

"Mo has played awfully well at guard. He's going to get his opportunities."

The first two days of practice, Collins got an opportunity. Stone was nursing a hamstring strain and did not practice. Collins was back at right guard with the first unit.

Needless to say, that hardly qualifies as much more than a slim opportunity.

"This is just the second day of practice," Collins said. "A lot of people have made an impression running around in T-shirts so far. This is football now.

"They pay you to play on Sundays, and I know I've proved I can play on Sundays. That's all I can do ... do my job. Everything else is out of my control."

Collins knows full well the knee injuries he has suffered on a regular basis in six seasons give coaches pause to fear he can't be counted on for the whole 16 games.

"I don't know what it gives them," Collins said. "All I can tell you is when I am playing, I am playing my hardest, and I'll give you what you want. I can't control things out of my control. When I am on the field, I am a pro, and I do my assignments.

"But when the dust settles, I know I am going to be there. That's automatic to me."

And what if it doesn't happen that way? Can Mo Collins, the former first-round draft choice, accept the possibility he could become a backup?

"No comment," he said.

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