Collins traded to Cleveland per Schefter

DourDoerr

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After living (and mostly dying) during the Shawn Crable Experience, I was psyched when Collins came aboard and played like the guy Crable promised. Pretty surprised to hear of attitude issues as my understanding of JC previous to the trade was that he was a Patriot who bought all in and his low profile seemed to back it up.

On Lombardi - should have seen this coming a while back as Lombardi's been pretty open in the past on different podcasts regarding problems with the Pats' D and specifically Collins. Of course the bye week! Lombardi's one and done stay with the Pats came only 9 days after his tenure as Cleveland's GM ended and it has always been a somewhat of a head scratcher to me. He worked player personnel under BB at Cleveland and then years later joined the media where he does a good job, I think, as he seems pretty knowledgable about the game and had the best insights on the Pats.

It's possible that BB learned through Deflategate that having a media member or two on the outside that he can trust to relay news is an asset that he ignored too long. Lombardi would be a perfect "get" as BB obviously respects Lombardi's knowledge and judgement and could trust that he'd be circumspect and responsible in his reporting going forward - at least as much as any reporter. Lombardi getting word out quickly and widely certainly seems to indicate something's up. Or BB could have just hired Lombardi last year so Lombardi could build his value back up as a front office guy.
 

Van Everyman

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I thought comments from the Pats linebackers coach, Brian Flores, in the Globe were interesting:

After the trade Monday, former Patriots executive and current Fox talking head Mike Lombardi said on Bill Simmons’s podcast that Collins has “played poorly all season,” and that he had a reputation for free-lancing instead of following the scheme.

On Tuesday, Patriots linebackers coach Brian Flores disputed that, saying Collins “did a lot of great things for this team.”

“I wouldn’t say free-lancing was an issue,” Flores said. “Again, Jamie was a very good player for us. He made a lot of plays, he helped us win a lot of ballgames. I keep saying that time and time again. He was a good player.

“Free-lancing, I don’t . . . did he make mistakes? Absolutely. But again, like I said before, everyone makes mistakes. There’s not a player in the league who doesn’t make mistakes.

“But again, he made more plays than he made mistakes. He was a great player for us.”


Collins was on the field for more than 90 percent of New England’s defensive snaps this season, so his absence creates a void next to stalwart linebacker Dont’a Hightower. The Patriots have been stockpiling linebackers over the last month, but none of them have the experience of Collins.

Elandon Roberts has played well, especially against the run, but is a rookie. Barkevious Mingo has seen the field mostly on special teams and has played just 29 defensive snaps this season. Shea McClellin has recorded more than six tackles in a game only once in his five-year career. And the recently acquired Kyle Van Noy has been in New England for such a short time that Flores said they’re still trying to evaluate him.

It’s unclear who will take the bulk of Collins’s playing time, but the load will seemingly fall on inexperienced shoulders.

“Obviously, he made a lot of plays for us,” Flores said. “He was definitely one of our better players. I think as a group, it’ll be Elandon, it’ll be Hightower, it’ll be a myriad of players to come in and try and fill that spot, fill his position, fill his roles.”

New England is on a bye this week, and doesn’t play until Nov. 13 against Seattle. There’s not only time to figure out the rotation, but also time to sort through emotions. Judging by Tuesday’s locker room, that will be a bigger deal for some than others.

“We all have our own personal feelings about the situation, but at the end of the day, Bill [Belichick] felt like that was the best thing for the team,” Flores said. “We need to move forward and deal with the adversity like we deal with any adversity.”
http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/patriots/2016/11/01/patriots-locker-room-mixed-reaction-trade/n3BSt47qHLJV6FuBh19U5L/story.html

It almost makes you wonder whether the team at this point, including the coaches other than BB, aren't entirely sure what this was about. Which would suggest that Collins would be less of a locker room problem or bad example and that this was more about contract stuff.

Not sure how much they practice over this next week, but perhaps we'll know more after the bye.
 

Dr. Gonzo

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Really good piece from Mike Reiss


Touches a lot of points others made here from money being the issue and wanting to move on to avoid a volatile and distracting situation.
 

pokey_reese

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Really good piece from Mike Reiss


Touches a lot of points others made here from money being the issue and wanting to move on to avoid a volatile and distracting situation.
One thing that seems strange to me is the stuff about his problems playing the run and that limiting his snaps in Sunday's game. I say this because a.) the run defense for the Pats has been about their only strength as a unit this season, and b.) on Sunday, the first time they really tried limiting his snaps in obvious rushing situations, the Pats had maybe their worst game in that respect, giving up 167 yards and an average of over 6 YPC. So how does any of that lead to this particular conclusion? He was among the team leaders in tackles, which suggests that he was at least being in on plays about the correct amount of the time, which means his freelancing couldn't have been taking him out of position all that much of the time, I assume. Everything else that has been speculated about makes sense, but the idea that he couldn't/wasn't playing the run well seems strange.
 

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One thing that seems strange to me is the stuff about his problems playing the run and that limiting his snaps in Sunday's game. I say this because a.) the run defense for the Pats has been about their only strength as a unit this season, and b.) on Sunday, the first time they really tried limiting his snaps in obvious rushing situations, the Pats had maybe their worst game in that respect, giving up 167 yards and an average of over 6 YPC. So how does any of that lead to this particular conclusion? He was among the team leaders in tackles, which suggests that he was at least being in on plays about the correct amount of the time, which means his freelancing couldn't have been taking him out of position all that much of the time, I assume. Everything else that has been speculated about makes sense, but the idea that he couldn't/wasn't playing the run well seems strange.
Like much in football, I'm not sure that's something that can be divined looking purely at stats.
 

mauf

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One thing that seems strange to me is the stuff about his problems playing the run and that limiting his snaps in Sunday's game. I say this because a.) the run defense for the Pats has been about their only strength as a unit this season, and b.) on Sunday, the first time they really tried limiting his snaps in obvious rushing situations, the Pats had maybe their worst game in that respect, giving up 167 yards and an average of over 6 YPC. So how does any of that lead to this particular conclusion? He was among the team leaders in tackles, which suggests that he was at least being in on plays about the correct amount of the time, which means his freelancing couldn't have been taking him out of position all that much of the time, I assume. Everything else that has been speculated about makes sense, but the idea that he couldn't/wasn't playing the run well seems strange.
Freelancing would show up as big plays allowed by the D, not necessarily fewer tackles recorded by Collins (indeed, he might record more tackles by pursuing when he should be holding containment, etc.).

Personally, though, I don't think this is about freelancing. I think it's just the combination of Collins not being as good as the past two seasons, and Roberts exceeding expectations.
 

dcmissle

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One thing strange to me is Lombardi spouting off on this to every outlet that lends him a mic. I like Lombardi. I think he is knowledgeable, articulate and offers good insight, especially on the Pats. But I also am 100% convinced that he is not doing the team's bidding in this, and it's not like Collins is a lightning rod player. So what gives?
 

Eddie Jurak

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One thing strange to me is Lombardi spouting off on this to every outlet that lends him a mic. I like Lombardi. I think he is knowledgeable, articulate and offers good insight, especially on the Pats. But I also am 100% convinced that he is not doing the team's bidding in this, and it's not like Collins is a lightning rod player. So what gives?
Don't know, but I would agree with you that Lombardi is freelancing here, not doing BB's bidding.
 

Harry Hooper

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One thing strange to me is Lombardi spouting off on this to every outlet that lends him a mic. I like Lombardi. I think he is knowledgeable, articulate and offers good insight, especially on the Pats. But I also am 100% convinced that he is not doing the team's bidding in this, and it's not like Collins is a lightning rod player. So what gives?
Lombardi is engaged in a branding effort.
 
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I think Lombardi is really close to BB for many years -- perhaps more so recently -- and that it wouldn't surprise me if he was providing a little cover or shedding some light that BB would never shed himself. Not that BB cares, but I have a hard time believing someone who goes back with him as far as Lombardi, and who also just worked RECENTLY with him, would just go wildly off the reservation. Of course he's going to play the "my own man" card, why wouldn't he? I have no idea what he's ACTUALLY doing, but it doesn't strike me as wildly implausible that Lombardi has BB's blessing, tacit as it most surely would be.

edit typos and shit
 
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Dr. Gonzo

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One thing that seems strange to me is the stuff about his problems playing the run and that limiting his snaps in Sunday's game. I say this because a.) the run defense for the Pats has been about their only strength as a unit this season, and b.) on Sunday, the first time they really tried limiting his snaps in obvious rushing situations, the Pats had maybe their worst game in that respect, giving up 167 yards and an average of over 6 YPC. So how does any of that lead to this particular conclusion? He was among the team leaders in tackles, which suggests that he was at least being in on plays about the correct amount of the time, which means his freelancing couldn't have been taking him out of position all that much of the time, I assume. Everything else that has been speculated about makes sense, but the idea that he couldn't/wasn't playing the run well seems strange.
Doug Kyed touched on this in his article regarding the trade and his film review of the Bills game.

https://www.google.com/amp/nesn.com/2016/11/patriots-bills-film-review-attempting-to-decipher-jamie-collins-trade/amp/

Entering the game, opposing offenses were averaging just 3.13 yards per carry when Roberts was on the field and 4.09 yards with Collins on the field. The Patriots let up 6.37 yards per passing play with Collins and 6.99 with Roberts.

The splits were similar in Week 8 against the Bills. The Patriots allowed .23 fewer yards per pass when Collins played and 3.65 fewer yards per carry with Roberts.
 

j-man

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I'm guessing that BB accepted a lesser return that he could otherwise have gotten in order to exile Collins to a non playoff team. He'd rather a low 3rd from Cleveland than a low first from someone who will run Collins out against him in January.
good point i was just trying to get u better value Barnett is a 6-8 sack guy over 16 games and is cheap for 2 more years and Todd Davis is a pats type player cant cover well but can do everything else also cheap and yes collins freelanes but on madden with his overall u have to give a 1 up my q is why not GB DAL ATL
 

Tony C

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Right, but this slant ignores the organizational philosophy of not saying anything to the press. I highly doubt that we could ever expect to hear a player say something negative about an exiting player to the press. None of the guys that have famously been jettisoned have had it happen. It's part of the brain wash. Always praise anyone who is not a member of the 53. He's not on the 53 anymore. And above and beyond that they forge personal relationships ships. I didn't see that interview, so maybe DMac had a look on his face that he truly believed that, but I don't expect any player to say anything different on his team.

If it's true, the players know it. BB is obviously famous for tearing guys up during film review. I'd imagine Collins was getting called out/on a lot in the recent past and the players notice it. But that doesn't mean I expect one of them to tell us about it.
But..the point is to the contrary: DMAC did speak ot the press .He didn't just speak in bland terms, he went out of his way to praise JC. That would be ordinary for other teams, but in this case he wasn't just spouting a line/not saying anything negative...he was praising in very high terms.
 

j-man

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Are you kidding? It's going to be like someone's dad died after battling late-stage cancer for several years. Yeah, you knew it had to happen sooner or later, could see it coming, father time is undefeated, at least it brought closure, etc etc... but there will be massive amounts of grown men weeping for the end of a very special part of their (sports) lives. I will likely be among them, at least for Brady.

The reaction threads will only be "simply outstanding" if you're a fan of another AFC East team and have been waiting, at that point, two goddamn decades for that MF'ing Tom Brady to stop torturing you. If you want a little Pats-fan schadenfreude, perhaps, because that's all you can get. Because I don't think there will be very many people making fools of themselves over how they rate the trade.
brady dont bother me sure its annoying when he played denver like 2011 or most times @ ne but who is better all time maybe montana at first i througt so but after watching Joe 4 SB games he had a bad 2nd haif in 81 a ok 2nd haif in 84 a bad 3rd sb when david fulher shouild had picked him off loseing that game other than 89 brady has been better ex for maybe 01 but that 2-min was all time great
 

Papelbon's Poutine

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But..the point is to the contrary: DMAC did speak ot the press .He didn't just speak in bland terms, he went out of his way to praise JC. That would be ordinary for other teams, but in this case he wasn't just spouting a line/not saying anything negative...he was praising in very high terms.
We may be taking past each other, but I think we are viewing it differently. They speak blandly about themselves. They often go out of their way to praise players that aren't on their team. I guess i don't see that as much difference as a player exiting.

Either way, if DMac thinks he was their best defensive player, I think he's delusional. Argue all day how much or little Collins fell off the last year and a half, but I don't think anyone is going to suggest he's been their best defender.

I mean did DMac seek out a reporter and make a point to gets his words on record? Or did someone ask him after practice or at a press conference and he answered? I'm not sure why we expect him to piss on his grave or not possibly be a bit over the top about a guy he probably had (and presumably would like to maintain) a personal relationship with.
 

moondog80

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I thought comments from the Pats linebackers coach, Brian Flores, in the Globe were interesting:


http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/patriots/2016/11/01/patriots-locker-room-mixed-reaction-trade/n3BSt47qHLJV6FuBh19U5L/story.html

It almost makes you wonder whether the team at this point, including the coaches other than BB, aren't entirely sure what this was about. Which would suggest that Collins would be less of a locker room problem or bad example and that this was more about contract stuff.

Not sure how much they practice over this next week, but perhaps we'll know more after the bye.
Or maybe the guy is just being diplomatic.
 

nothumb

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Or maybe the guy is just being diplomatic.
yeah, the tricky thing here is that this could easily be "Everybody, including coaches, is a bit shocked by this, even by BB standards," or it could just as easily be explained as "veterans and coaches are being diplomatic and even showing a bit of extra deference to Collins because of how well-regarded he had been." really no way to know
 

DourDoerr

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I'd agree that Lombardi is not doing BB's bidding, but I think he has access to BB. Now that Lombardi's a media member again - with the unique relationship he has to a notoriously difficult subject in BB - he'd be foolish if he didn't call BB and ask questions. Since BB values football knowledge and knows he can trust Lombardi given his track record in the media the last time around, I'd be surprised if he didn't take Lombardi's call and offer up a tidbit or two.
 

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brady dont bother me sure its annoying when he played denver like 2011 or most times @ ne but who is better all time maybe montana at first i througt so but after watching Joe 4 SB games he had a bad 2nd haif in 81 a ok 2nd haif in 84 a bad 3rd sb when david fulher shouild had picked him off loseing that game other than 89 brady has been better ex for maybe 01 but that 2-min was all time great
All fair enough, but my point is that the posts around here when Brady is finally traded for a 1st and a Rutgers linebacker are going to be a chronicle of the five stages of grief (at least, among the Pats fans). It's not going to be a bunch of people slamming him on the way out, questioning BB, complaining about his contract demands, evaluating the return he fetched, or any of the stuff we're seeing here.
 

j-man

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So? Was he getting a grill put in or did he need a root canal? Do you not see the difference?
i have a few chipped/broke teeth but they dont cause pain as of yet and the last time i went to the denist they f'u the work so much drill the feelings too deep putting the wrong teeth that i had to go to some fancy jaw suron a hour away and he had to break my tooth in 3 places

root canal are a pain i just bretete deep the whole time and keep saying no pain no pain evan if i feel the pulling part what i manly hope is the nurse to wear a low cut surab top
 

j-man

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All fair enough, but my point is that the posts around here when Brady is finally traded for a 1st and a Rutgers linebacker are going to be a chronicle of the five stages of grief (at least, among the Pats fans). It's not going to be a bunch of people slamming him on the way out, questioning BB, complaining about his contract demands, evaluating the return he fetched, or any of the stuff we're seeing here.
when Bill B leaves is when u shouild be worry because o'brien is not the guy trust me and what the deal with the towel does o'brien chew it at haiftime
 

InstaFace

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You shut your dirty mouth, Bill Belichick is never leaving. Like a vampire, he extends his own horrific, disfigured lifespan by feasting on the young and beautiful, and will continue making a fool out of his opponents until they rename it the National Belichick League or Rex Ryan finds the last horcrux.
 

MarcSullivaFan

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I heard Phil Perry on T&R this morning talking about how surprised he was at the Collins trade. After the trade he spoke with Patricia, who was very complimentary of Collins, and said that its necessary to allow players to have leeway to make split second decisions on the field.

Perry also mentioned that Collins was well-liked by teammates and that he had never heard anything negative about Collins as a teammate. This is generally consistent with what most of the local guys are saying.

Coupled with the remarks yesterday by the LB coach and many of the defensive players, I'm coming to the conclusion that this was solely a BB decision, and that there must have been some specific incident that set BB off. Because there doesn't seem to be any history of Collins having an attitude problem, and freelancer or not, he's one of the more talented guys on the defense. I don't buy that BB belives this will make the team better on the field, or that it was necessary as a business decision.

This seems personal.
 

dcmissle

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The good aspects of this happening in a bye week are obvious. The bad are too -- it fills a void but is ultimately not productive.

Flipping the page to a funnier trade story:

Moss said Bill Belichick called him, and told him he still had faith in him as a receiver and he couldn't have been more excited.

"I got a phone call and it was Bill Belichick. I thought it was a friend or somebody playing with my phone. I actually cussed him out," Moss recalled for ESPN. "When he kept saying it was Bill Belichick, I knew he was serious. I started being apologetic because I had cussed the man. Then he told me the Raiders were thinking about trading me. I had to be in Foxborough by 10 p.m. Eastern, or the trade would void. So, I just did everything that I could possibly do to get up there by 10 p.m."
 

joe dokes

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Coupled with the remarks yesterday by the LB coach and many of the defensive players, I'm coming to the conclusion that this was solely a BB decision, and that there must have been some specific incident that set BB off. Because there doesn't seem to be any history of Collins having an attitude problem, and freelancer or not, he's one of the more talented guys on the defense. I don't buy that BB belives this will make the team better on the field, or that it was necessary as a business decision.

This seems personal.
The "business decision" part still makes sense. If he thought signing him was going to be impossible, then there is value in getting the pick in the 2017 draft in trade, instead of the 2018 draft if he walks. Whether that value exceeds what is lost in the short term is something we won't know.
 

riboflav

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Asked just now in his Wed PC about Lombardi's comments on Collins over the past few weeks and whether they reflect how the org feels about Collins, BB said, "Mike is one of the smartest people I know."

I think everyone publicly is being diplomatic to JC. I think BB didn't care for JC's performance on the field. Many are saying Lombardi is simply angling for a press gig but he started making these criticisms of JC a couple weeks ago.... before the trade.


EDIT: BB also implies that team is better on the field now than a week ago.
 

ShaneTrot

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I have a hard time buying Collins as a distraction. If I was Collins and was 90-100% sure I was going to leave the Pats at the end of the season, I would play my ass off, get as much good tape as possible and cash in. He had all the incentive to be great here, being great with the Browns probably leads to being franchised and kicking the huge payday one year down the road (with the inherent injury risk). I love BB but this one is a real head shaker.
 

Hoodie Sleeves

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I have a hard time buying Collins as a distraction. If I was Collins and was 90-100% sure I was going to leave the Pats at the end of the season, I would play my ass off, get as much good tape as possible and cash in. He had all the incentive to be great here, being great with the Browns probably leads to being franchised and kicking the huge payday one year down the road (with the inherent injury risk). I love BB but this one is a real head shaker.
That intuitively makes sense, but "Play my ass off" may have a very different meaning to Collins than Belichick. Getting a sack or blowing up a runningback makes for a lot better sports center tape than maintaining contain. It certainly wouldn't be the first time that a player in a contract year put himself first.
 

joe dokes

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I have a hard time buying Collins as a distraction. If I was Collins and was 90-100% sure I was going to leave the Pats at the end of the season, I would play my ass off, get as much good tape as possible and cash in. He had all the incentive to be great here, being great with the Browns probably leads to being franchised and kicking the huge payday one year down the road (with the inherent injury risk). I love BB but this one is a real head shaker.

He certainly did have all the incentive to do all that stuff. Doesn't mean he was able to pull it off.
 

mauf

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Asked just now in his Wed PC about Lombardi's comments on Collins over the past few weeks and whether they reflect how the org feels about Collins, BB said, "Mike is one of the smartest people I know."

I think everyone publicly is being diplomatic to JC. I think BB didn't care for JC's performance on the field. Many are saying Lombardi is simply angling for a press gig but he started making these criticisms of JC a couple weeks ago.... before the trade.


EDIT: BB also implies that team is better on the field now than a week ago.
Wow, that's surprisingly transparent by BB's standards. Guess we know what happened.
 

Yossarian

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He had the same incentive at the beginning of the season but for whatever reason (effort? execution?) he ended up being demoted to a part-time player and for all we know was likely to continue as one for the rest of the year had he remained in a Pats uniform. So if Roberts continued to get playing time over him, and Collins knew he was about to hit free agency, his response was likely to be...what? To be the good soldier? I don't know anything about Jamie Collins personally, but this thing had at least the potential to go very wrong from a culture/locker room standpoint, and apparently was already going wrong from an on-field standpoint. So when you've got a potentially negative if not explosive situation coming from a guy you now think is being outplayed by a 6th-round rookie, it makes all the sense in the world to trade him.
 

Rick Burlesons Yam Bag

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Asked just now in his Wed PC about Lombardi's comments on Collins over the past few weeks and whether they reflect how the org feels about Collins, BB said, "Mike is one of the smartest people I know."
If I was one of the people that Bill Belichick knew I would be highly offended. Jon Bon Jovi is probably ready to punch a wall right now.
 

Rick Burlesons Yam Bag

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I have a hard time buying Collins as a distraction. If I was Collins and was 90-100% sure I was going to leave the Pats at the end of the season, I would play my ass off, get as much good tape as possible and cash in. He had all the incentive to be great here, being great with the Browns probably leads to being franchised and kicking the huge payday one year down the road (with the inherent injury risk). I love BB but this one is a real head shaker.
I kind of side with you on this one. The concept of Jamie Collins being a distraction and not an elite player in the NFL has all come up in the last 48 hours. The guy is really, really good at football and I don't remember - although I could certainly be wrong - him ever making any noise.
 

JimD

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Maybe it was personal for Belichick. Maybe it was a gut decision based on what he saw from both Collins and the team. Maybe he just needed to do *something*. All I know is, Bill Belichick has earned the benefit of the doubt to make such a move. It's comical to hear all the knights of the keyboards and airwaves declaring with complete certainty what a mistake this move is.
 

Shelterdog

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I heard Phil Perry on T&R this morning talking about how surprised he was at the Collins trade. After the trade he spoke with Patricia, who was very complimentary of Collins, and said that its necessary to allow players to have leeway to make split second decisions on the field.

Perry also mentioned that Collins was well-liked by teammates and that he had never heard anything negative about Collins as a teammate. This is generally consistent with what most of the local guys are saying.

Coupled with the remarks yesterday by the LB coach and many of the defensive players, I'm coming to the conclusion that this was solely a BB decision, and that there must have been some specific incident that set BB off. Because there doesn't seem to be any history of Collins having an attitude problem, and freelancer or not, he's one of the more talented guys on the defense. I don't buy that BB belives this will make the team better on the field, or that it was necessary as a business decision.

This seems personal.
The increased marginal return from the trade (verse just letting him go) is so minimal that I think he actually does think this will make the team better on the field by playoff time. It's not like BB thinks Mingo is going to outplay the Collins, but it's more like BB believes (correctly or not) that the team will play as a unit and everyone will do their job and practice harder and work harder in the film room and practice or play through injuries and all that stuff without Collin than they would have done with Collins (or with a partially benched collins).
 

Stitch01

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One thing strange to me is Lombardi spouting off on this to every outlet that lends him a mic. I like Lombardi. I think he is knowledgeable, articulate and offers good insight, especially on the Pats. But I also am 100% convinced that he is not doing the team's bidding in this, and it's not like Collins is a lightning rod player. So what gives?
He was down on Collins and the defense performance all year, so given his former role on the team and his prior statements he's getting attention. He's also never been shy around a microphone and probably sees this as a good chance to build his brand given he had a fairly contrarian take that BB seems to agree with.

Im actually surprised BB said how smart Mike was in the press conference today though. That's a little parting shot at JC on the way out the door.
 

TheMoralBully

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The only game we've seen him lose snaps is against the Bills, it hasn't been a season long trend. The week before against the Steelers he was in 89% of defensive snaps vs. Roberts 18%, and this was coming off a week of being injured. Against the Bills it was 62% for Collins vs. 36% Roberts, so noticeably down but in one game and with a trade in the works I don't think it's fair to assume he was losing his starting job. The presence of Roberts and his play definitely had some part in the equation, but I have a hard time seeing the Collins we saw last year, a guy getting legit pre-season DEF MVP buzz, becoming a total liability and losing his job. I'd definitely lean toward somewhat of an Adalius Thomas situation, but we'll see I guess.

Either way, I think the Patriots will be fine and the defense had a lot of room for improvement. It's a disappointment more for the failed promise of having the best LB group in football coming into the year.
 

Dr. Gonzo

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Jan 8, 2010
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With Roberts being much better against the run than Collins, the decision for Belichick had to at least take into account was to continue using a roster spot on Collins to be a part-time player. Mingo has played 80% of the special teams snaps so far this year and if he can be a somewhat contribute on third down in coverage and blitzing, Collins is not needed on the roster. Combine that with the fact Collins is gone after this year, has supposedly been not been following coaching, and could become a distraction it seems like a pretty easy decision for Belichick to make. The roster spot can go to another player that could potentially contribute more than Collins would have going forward.
 

Harry Hooper

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Jan 4, 2002
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I have a hard time buying Collins as a distraction. If I was Collins and was 90-100% sure I was going to leave the Pats at the end of the season, I would play my ass off, get as much good tape as possible and cash in. He had all the incentive to be great here, being great with the Browns probably leads to being franchised and kicking the huge payday one year down the road (with the inherent injury risk). I love BB but this one is a real head shaker.
Randy Moss was in about the same situation, where following the program and not being a distraction was his best route to maximizing his next contract. How did he handle it?
 

pokey_reese

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Jun 25, 2008
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The only game we've seen him lose snaps is against the Bills, it hasn't been a season long trend. The week before against the Steelers he was in 89% of defensive snaps vs. Roberts 18%, and this was coming off a week of being injured. Against the Bills it was 62% for Collins vs. 36% Roberts, so noticeably down but in one game and with a trade in the works I don't think it's fair to assume he was losing his starting job. The presence of Roberts and his play definitely had some part in the equation, but I have a hard time seeing the Collins we saw last year, a guy getting legit pre-season DEF MVP buzz, becoming a total liability and losing his job. I'd definitely lean toward somewhat of an Adalius Thomas situation, but we'll see I guess.

Either way, I think the Patriots will be fine and the defense had a lot of room for improvement. It's a disappointment more for the failed promise of having the best LB group in football coming into the year.
I think that you raise a good point here, in that we have fit this narrative to be that Collins was shipped out in part because he was losing playing time to Roberts as evidenced by the Buffalo game, but it's equally likely that if not for the trade, Collins would have played his usual 90+% snaps, and only got into the game more because BB wanted to get him some more game action knowing that Collins was on his way out the door. We don't actually have that much evidence to suggest that Collins was suddenly a part time player.
 

dcmissle

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Aug 4, 2005
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He was down on Collins and the defense performance all year, so given his former role on the team and his prior statements he's getting attention. He's also never been shy around a microphone and probably sees this as a good chance to build his brand given he had a fairly contrarian take that BB seems to agree with.

Im actually surprised BB said how smart Mike was in the press conference today though. That's a little parting shot at JC on the way out the door.
I'm with you that BB would prefer everyone to shut up, Lombardi included.

The reporting I saw is that this is the explanation BB offered to the team about the trade: "We did what we thought is in the best interest of the team."

Surprised? No. BB owes an explanation to nobody and knows that he is one of the few people of his rank in sports that owes an explanation to nobody. He can get away with it.

So BB does not need Lombardi or anyone channeling him or attempting to make the trade look good. So to the extent someone is out there badmouthing Collins, it's probably a small net minus from BB's perspective.