Collins Arrested for Drunken Driving

Kerry Collins, admitting he broke the law, was charged with drunken driving Monday, hours after being taunted by Carolina Panther fans in his return to the city where he once was cheered.

A police report said Collins, a backup quarterback for the Saints, was stopped after the car he was driving was observed crossing the center line on a downtown Charlotte street about 12:50 a.m.

“Obviously I made a mistake. I don’t think there’s any question about that,” Collins told WBTV as he prepared to board a flight Monday afternoon to New Orleans. “It was bad judgment on my part.

“Whatever happens, I’m going to have to live with it. That’s the facts. I broke the law.”

An affidavit filed by the arresting officer described what he found when Collins got out of the car: “very strong odor of alcohol, red and glassy eyes, slurred speech, unsteady on his feet.”

Collins, 25, refused to take a breath test. In accordance with North Carolina law, he automatically loses his driver’s license for 12 months. He posted a $1,000 bond, was given a Nov. 12 court date and released from the Mecklenburg County Jail about 4 a.m.

“It’s unacceptable behavior,” New Orleans General Manager Bill Kuharich said, adding that the Saints planned to conduct a medical review to determine if Collins has a drinking problem.

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Redskin Coach Norv Turner announced that wide receiver Michael Westbrook will resume practicing Wednesday but will not start Sunday in Arizona.

Westbrook was made inactive for Sunday’s 21-14 victory over the New York Giants and fined “in the neighborhood” of $4,000, according to a team source, for missing Saturday morning’s team meeting and practice. Westbrook told a local newspaper he was sick and was unable to contact anyone until practice was over.

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Chicago Bear quarterback Erik Kramer sought a second opinion on his ailing right shoulder, visiting noted orthopedic specialist Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala.

An exam last week showed that Kramer could have a partial tear in his rotator cuff, and when the pain persisted he flew to see Andrews and have the shoulder examined.

Andrews will speak with the Bears’ medical staff today when the team has an off day. A spokesman for Andrews refused Monday to reveal the results of the examination.

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Bobby Taylor, the Philadelphia Eagles’ top cornerback, agreed to a reported $28 million, six-year contract extension before his team’s 34-0 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night. Defensive end Greg Jefferson signed a four-year extension.