Sign the Beast LXIX: La'el Collins - do the Pats have a shot if he is cleared?

Patriots can likely offer the among the highest signing bonus because they need to draft the fewest UDFAs. So they could spring for say $75k out of their $88k(?) pool:

http://overthecap.com/what-can-lael-collins-earn-as-an-undrafted-free-agent/

But maybe the real bidding war would be over a guaranteed salary - from the above link:

Now there is nothing in the process that prevents a team from guaranteeing large amounts of salary to UDFA. This is how many teams lure a UDFA while complying with the signing bonus rules. It is not uncommon to see a UDFA receive a salary guarantee equal to a Practice Squad salary (slightly over $100,000) and in some cases double that. For Collins that presents an opportunity to attempt to receive a three year guarantee of $1,575,000. That guarantee would be equivalent to a late 2nd rounders guarantee through his signing bonus and salary guarantee.

From his perspective, he wants a successful few years and then a new contract. Presumably here he would have to play guard, and that perhaps makes for not that great a fit with the team given the current personnel and two recently-drafted guards. But he would certainly add to the run game and take some pressure off of Brady.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/la'el-collins?id=2552361

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000490967/article/lael-collins-meets-with-baton-rouge-police

Do people think he would be a good fit, and if so, should the Patriots enter the likely bidding war?

Sure. Why not ? IF cleared, OL is a great place to invest in a first round talent. Get good players on OL. Bring them to camp. Let the winners beat out the others.

If the Patriots do their due diligence and feel he is not a murderer, count me all in.

I do worry that the reputation we have for not overspending may be a bit of a dampener on him wanting to sign with us. If I was looking for the largest payday in a few years, I'd think other organizations first.

That said, I do know we made Mankins the highest paid interior Guard in the league at one point. Hopefully the Patriots and Collins agents gets this point across. The Patriots actually do pay for elite difference making talent.

He'll be signed by someone else before any 'clearing' is done.

rochrist said:

He'll be signed by someone else before any 'clearing' is done.

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Jerry Jones, come on down.

I don't see why not. If he's the real deal, then perhaps he takes over for Solder next year.

Who is his agent?

I'd be real, real careful about getting on the bandwagon for this guy. I think OJ was also initially just ' wanted for questioning'.

I know absolutely nothing about the guy or the case, but 32 teams passed 8 times on him draft + udfa; the article talks about he should wait til summer..... So should we

If the cops come out and rule him out as a suspect then yes I think they would have interest

The cops have already stated that he wasn't a suspect. If he is fully exonerated here, then I'd be very happy with the Patriots taking a chance on him. He's certainly got the size and talent the team likes on the O-line.

Bobs My Uncle said:

Who is his agent?

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Priority Sports, where Tannenbaum was before joining the Dolphins. Considering the small variation in what different teams can offer him, that has to help the Dolphins' case.

I see the Chargers or Dolphins, both with massive OL holes chasing Collins harder than most.

ausbacker said:

I see the Chargers or Dolphins, both with massive OL holes chasing Collins harder than most.

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Sure, but what can they offer him that the Patriots can't? Certainly not money. There's a finite pool.

At this point its sandy beaches and beautiful women walking around in thongs vs Super Bowl trophies.

Danger Zone said:

Sure, but what can they offer him that the Patriots can't? Certainly not money. There's a finite pool.

At this point its sandy beaches and beautiful women walking around in thongs vs Super Bowl trophies.

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Both could offer him immediate starting roles. On the Patriots, Belichick would make him earn time.

Gumby said:

I know absolutely nothing about the guy or the case, but 32 teams passed 8 times on him draft + udfa; the article talks about he should wait til summer..... So should we

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32 teams passed on him because he came out and said if he was going to be picked later than the 3rd round that he would sit out and re-enter the draft next year. So it was basically a middle finger to him because going undrafted he can't re-enter the draft next year.

Although money aside if he is cleared he is in a pretty decent spot he can pick where he wants to play, more than likely gets as much guaranteed money as a late 2nd rounder then after his 3rd year whatever team has him if he has played good slaps the 1st round tender on him because he'll be a RFA and he'll get $3m and then maybe some team offers him a deal for that 1st round pick and he gets a big deal.

Gumby said:

I'd be real, real careful about getting on the bandwagon for this guy. I think OJ was also initially just ' wanted for questioning'.

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When Collins gets in a white bronco with a gun, a disguise kit, a passport, tens of thousands in cash, a handful of family photos and then becomes embroiled in a two hour long, low speed chase with the police, I promise to jump off the bandwagon.

How come no one gambled a 7th round pick on him.

Reasons to come to NE:

- extra money can be made per game in the playoffs (Pats are by far the safest bet to make the playoffs out of any team)

- value as a FA will be much higher after playing for a high profile team, especially the Pats, protecting a top QB (if they don't re-sign in NE, Pats players get paid pretty well by other teams)

- if he's great, there's willingness to pay top dollar for re-signing OL talent (see: Mankins contract)

- best shot at SuperBowl

JMC00 said:

32 teams passed on him because he came out and said if he was going to be picked later than the 3rd round that he would sit out and re-enter the draft next year. So it was basically a middle finger to him because going undrafted he can't re-enter the draft next year.
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His agent should be fired. What an idiot.

If this article is true and is a testament to his background and the type of person he is, I'm ok with the Pats signing him. The problem is I'm not sure he'd play right away here thus making NE not as attractive.

http://theadvocate.com/sports/10895683-32/lsus-lael-collins-has-seemingly

I agree with the opinion that he will go to a team where he has a legitimate chance to start. He won't get that with the Pats as long as Vollmer and Solder are on the roster.