QB Collins retiring after 16 seasons

Kerry Collins played in 195 games. The former Penn State star played last season with the Titans, but his contract had expired in March.

NASHVILLE -- Quarterback Kerry Collins is retiring from the NFL after 16 seasons in the league, his agent said Thursday.

"The past several months have brought on much introspection, and I have decided that while my desire to compete on Sundays is still and always will be there, my willingness to commit to the preparation necessary to play another season has waned to a level that I feel is no longer adequate to meet the demands of the position," Collins said.

Collins, 38, was facing free agency after his contract expired in March, though he said as recently as last month that he still wanted to play. Tennessee has said it plans to trade or release quarterback Vince Young after the NFL lockout ends, which would leave just this year's eighth-overall draft pick, Jake Locker, and Rusty Smith, a sixth-round pick in last year's draft, on the roster at the position.

Collins shared the stage with Young in his final season despite suffering injuries to his middle finger and thumb. Collins took over for good after Young suffered a season-ending injury to his right thumb on Nov. 21, though the Titans only won one of their final six games.

"Kerry had a great NFL career, and we have been very fortunate to have had him with our organization for the last five years," Titans coach Mike Munchak said in a statement. "I really enjoyed working with him. He was a true pro who loved the game. His work ethic and commitment were a great example to his teammates."

In 195 career games, Collins maintained a 55.8 completion percentage and threw for 40,441 yards, 206 touchdowns and 195 interceptions.

He was the fifth overall pick by the Carolina Panthers in the 1995 NFL draft after playing at Penn State. He also played for the New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, and Oakland Raiders.

As a starter, Collins led his team to the playoffs four times, including an NFL Championship appearance during the 1996 season with the Panthers and a Super Bowl appearance with the Giants in the 2000 season.

Engagement ring hearing canceled in Texas

DALLAS -- Roy Williams' quest for the ring is apparently over.

A court hearing scheduled for Friday has been canceled in connection with a lawsuit filed by the Dallas Cowboys wide receiver over an engagement ring he allegedly mailed to Brooke Daniels, a former Miss Texas, in February as part of a marriage proposal.

Williams sued Daniels to retrieve the ring, and a hearing was slated for Friday. But court administrator Tina Gurule says the hearing has been canceled and not rescheduled.

Gurule could not confirm if the ring, valued at $76,600, had been returned to Williams.

Michael Daniels told the Odessa American he was returning the ring. "I want to wash my hands of it," he told the paper. "It's just a hassle. I'll take care of my daughter."

Daniels operates a plumbing company in Tomball, a Houston suburb.

Williams was born in Odessa, Texas, in Ector County, about 350 miles west of Dallas. According to the lawsuit, filed in Ector County District Court on June 30, Brooke Daniels contacted Williams "shortly before Valentine's Day" and asked for $5,000 for school and dental bills.

Williams sent Daniels the money and a baseball for her brother in an overnight package. He also recorded a marriage proposal and included an engagement ring, the lawsuit said.

Daniels declined the proposal and refused to return the ring, the lawsuit said. Six weeks later, Daniels claimed that the ring was lost.

Williams' insurance company learned that Daniels' father, Michael, had the ring.