Ice_Ice_Brady
where black is the color where none is the number
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2006
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Just wondering if anyone thinks now, or this offseason, would be a good time to talk long-term extension with Jamie Collins.
In 2011 after their SB loss, the Patriots extended both Gronkowski and Hernandez long-term, despite both players having just two years of service and more than a year remaining on their current contracts. The Gronkowski extension had proven to be a great call (although there were certainly times when it appeared injuries would derail it); the Hernandez extension proved to be a disaster. There is a high degree of risk:reward in doing something like this.
In my opinion, if they think Collins is good off the field, they might want to consider locking him up long-term. With Gronkowski, they extended him all the way through 2019, realizing he was going to be THAT piece of their offense and saving a lot of money in the long-run. They knew he would be worth much more on the market as a free agent and also realized that players will often take an opportunity to be financially set for life if it's available, since it eliminates their injury risk.
I think Collins is, or will be, the Gronkowski of the defense. Although his stats aren't always eye-popping, it is clear he is the Queen on their chessboard, an absolute wild card who can do everything well. He can stop the run; he can be a top pass rusher from the edge or up the middle; he can cover tight ends; he can contain the QB. Collins, in my opinion, is one of the top-10 defenders in the NFL right now and continues to get better.
When I went to the San Diego game last year, two things stood out to me. First, Gronkowski didn't look like he belonged on the same field, since physically he overmatched everyone out there. Second, Collins was absolutely as dominating as Gronkowski on the other side of the field; you knew where he was all the time, on every play, because he just stood out with incredible athleticism, speed, and power. I think Collins has a similar "freak of nature, once in a generation" value as Gronkowski. I wonder if the FO will think about giving him an early extension to make him the anchor of this defense for years to come.
In 2011 after their SB loss, the Patriots extended both Gronkowski and Hernandez long-term, despite both players having just two years of service and more than a year remaining on their current contracts. The Gronkowski extension had proven to be a great call (although there were certainly times when it appeared injuries would derail it); the Hernandez extension proved to be a disaster. There is a high degree of risk:reward in doing something like this.
In my opinion, if they think Collins is good off the field, they might want to consider locking him up long-term. With Gronkowski, they extended him all the way through 2019, realizing he was going to be THAT piece of their offense and saving a lot of money in the long-run. They knew he would be worth much more on the market as a free agent and also realized that players will often take an opportunity to be financially set for life if it's available, since it eliminates their injury risk.
I think Collins is, or will be, the Gronkowski of the defense. Although his stats aren't always eye-popping, it is clear he is the Queen on their chessboard, an absolute wild card who can do everything well. He can stop the run; he can be a top pass rusher from the edge or up the middle; he can cover tight ends; he can contain the QB. Collins, in my opinion, is one of the top-10 defenders in the NFL right now and continues to get better.
When I went to the San Diego game last year, two things stood out to me. First, Gronkowski didn't look like he belonged on the same field, since physically he overmatched everyone out there. Second, Collins was absolutely as dominating as Gronkowski on the other side of the field; you knew where he was all the time, on every play, because he just stood out with incredible athleticism, speed, and power. I think Collins has a similar "freak of nature, once in a generation" value as Gronkowski. I wonder if the FO will think about giving him an early extension to make him the anchor of this defense for years to come.
