Collins is an intriguing talent because of his physical tools, but I never understood what they intended to do with him. His best fit seems to be 3-4 OLB, but they're playing a lot of 3-man fronts now and he still can't get on the field. They benched Buchanan as the sub edge rusher, but pulled Carter out of retirement instead of giving Collins a crack. Do they not think his technique is up to par? Are they worried he's too undisciplined? Is he that much of a liability against the run? I have no idea what's going on, but I never really understood what they hoped he would be.phragle said:Yes. That was his primary role from when he was drafted until he was benched and used only on ST.
I know. I said he isn't getting on the field.
But you know all that. This isn't a short term topic. I'm suggesting they give up on the coverage linebacker experiment because it doesn't and never did make any sense.
Super Nomario said:Collins is an intriguing talent because of his physical tools, but I never understood what they intended to do with him. His best fit seems to be 3-4 OLB, but they're playing a lot of 3-man fronts now and he still can't get on the field. They benched Buchanan as the sub edge rusher, but pulled Carter out of retirement instead of giving Collins a crack. Do they not think his technique is up to par? Are they worried he's too undisciplined? Is he that much of a liability against the run? I have no idea what's going on, but I never really understood what they hoped he would be.
Kenny F'ing Powers said:Wasn't part of the hype his athleticism, which would have transferred very well as a 3-4 OLB?
The scheme may not be a match right now, but that doesn't mean he won't be a match in the future.
Edit: To add on, I thought it was pretty clear that he was super raw and was going to take time to develop (if he did at all). A little over half a season is enough developmental time for him now?
We don't have the same take on events. The only game I looked into extensively was week 1, where the two snaps he played were at 3-4 OLB with Spikes out. Weeks 3-4-5 he seemed to be used in the coverage roles you mention (PFF has him for 40 snaps, 32 of them in coverage). Then when Mayo got hurt he got a more expansive role in the base defense (46 snaps weeks 6-7-8, only 10 of those in coverage).phragle said:You don't take anything from him being used almost exclusively as a 4-3 OLB in a coverage role?
The Pats have been playing as much 3-4 as 4-3 and maybe more since Wilfork and Kelly went out. It seems like between the front seven injuries and more 3-man fronts that it would lead to more playing time for Collins, and it's somewhat disappointing it hasn't played out that way. I'd like to see him used as an edge rusher in more sub packages, and maybe we'll see that more the last few weeks without as many rushing QBs where contain is more of an issue.phragle said:You think he'll develop into a good 3-4 OLB by playing (or not recently) 4-3 OLB?
Morgan's Magic Snowplow said:He was around the ball a lot and played pretty well in coverage, often with some difficult assignments, from what I could tell from the TV broadcast. I still think he's pretty bad against the run and was likely part of that problem tonight (although not as much as the interior DL).
I still don't understand why they hardly ever let him rush the passer.
The (accurate) assessment from the game thread was that Collins ferocious rush forced Peyton to shit his pants.Toe Nash said:If we're thinking of the same play, Peyton fumbled there. Not sure if Collins caused the fumble exactly but he was going to hit him a moment later and he likely caused Manning to hurry at least.
Toe Nash said:If we're thinking of the same play, Peyton fumbled there. Not sure if Collins caused the fumble exactly but he was going to hit him a moment later and he likely caused Manning to hurry at least.
Fletcher was in there, too. It looked like Moreno had blitz pickup but ended up having to get two guys. It didn't work out.Toe Nash said:If we're thinking of the same play, Peyton fumbled there. Not sure if Collins caused the fumble exactly but he was going to hit him a moment later and he likely caused Manning to hurry at least.
The A-gap pressure that I talked about came from Collins and another player on that play. He couldn't get out of the way of the rush and lost the ball. That's how you disrupt Peyton Manning, not from the edges.Mugsys Jock said:The (accurate) assessment from the game thread was that Collins ferocious rush forced Peyton to shit his pants.
RedOctober3829 said:The A-gap pressure that I talked about came from Collins and another player on that play. He couldn't get out of the way of the rush and lost the ball. That's how you disrupt Peyton Manning, not from the edges.
Super Nomario said:Fletcher was in there, too. It looked like Moreno had blitz pickup but ended up having to get two guys. It didn't work out.
The breakup of the Welker pass was a huge play. That was 3rd-and-8. If he doesn't break up the pass but makes the tackle, it's a 4th-and -3 or -4, close enough for Denver to go for it. Maybe they win it there. At 4th-and-8, Del Rio punted.
Of course it is, but with how Quick Peyon gets rid of the ball you don't have much time to come off the edges. It's more important against him and Brady than anyone else.Kenny F'ing Powers said:
I know it was a talking point in the game thread last night, but A-gap pressure is pretty much how you disrupt any QB.
Stop talking, it doesn't become you :colbert:brandonchristensen said:Amazing game. He's just good enough to get a season ending injury.
LogansDad said:Stop talking, it doesn't become you :colbert:
Shouldn't you be photoshopping something anyway?
EJPats said:This is what BB had to say about Collins last night. Rarely does he heap this much praise on a player.
"He's a very versatile athlete that's smart, works hard, really has a great team attitude. I love having him on our team. He brings a lot. He's got good stamina and he's very athletic and tough."
Edit: Quote from piece by Mike Reiss
http://m.espn.go.com/general/story?storyId=10281871&city=boston&src=desktop
<-------------------Read in this voice---------------------------lambeau said:Performance last night rated 7.4 by PFF--only Justin Houston (twice) and Von Miller had single game ratings that high this year.
Collins and Hightower rated 2.8 and 2.9 in coverage--it doesn't get much better, and that bodes well for the next game.
Tony C said:trading down out of the 1st round sure as hell is looking good -- also netted them Ryan in the 3rd and Boyce in the 4th, right?
Ed Hillel said:
Yeah, I don't think those Coradelle Patterson people are saying much anymore. The actual value they got for that pick is off the charts, especially when you factor in Blount.
Also, I had forgotten until it was mentioned last night, but this is a guy who played safety in college? Given his size, it's remarkable. A freakish athlete and physical specimen for sure.
You thought a draft pick that was universally seen as a bit of a project was a sure bust after a half of a season?SpacemanzGerbil said:I thought the guy was a bust for sure by the middle of the season. How rare is it for a player to suddenly start seeing the field so late and then go on to start impacting playoff games?
If last night is at all indicative of what he is going to be, holy shit.
SpacemanzGerbil said:I thought the guy was a bust for sure by the middle of the season.