Patriots getting the band back together, sign Jamie Collins

The Pats may be going towards a true ameba defense.

4-3, 3-4, 3-3, 2-4, 4-2. They can pretty much play any package they want now.

From Mike Reiss when Collins was traded

"This seemed to indicate the thinking of the coaching staff that Collins wasn't as good of an option against the run as rookie Elandon Roberts."

Patriots current projected off-the-line linebacker depth chart (with competition to ultimately sort it all out): Dont'a Hightower Kyle Van Noy Ja'Whaun Bentley Elandon Roberts Jamie Collins Christian Sam Calvin Munson Terez Hall

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Anyone else think Jamie looked bigger in CLE than he did here?

SBLIII said:

There are a lot of ifs.

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That's how players get into the bargain bin.

Might have been already noted, but KVN and Collins crossed paths on the team for less than a week in 2016 and never played together. Interesting to see how it plays out with roles and responsibilities. Potential to be the deepest deck at LB in more recent years.

Ras-IR Dowling said:

So...Collins vs Sam for a lb spot?

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and Hall

Kasmir said:

Are you kidding? BB wouldn't consult with Mayo even though he's to be his coach and was his former teammate? At the very least, not consulting with Mayo would be insulting to him.

Equally speculative but far more likely is that Mayo made the case to BB that he could coach Collins to success here.

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I don't think Bill has a habit of consulting with his coaching staff and the players on personnel moves. Heck, I don't think he even talks with Brady about the draft.

Wheelman said:

Yes! I love it! After all the trashing Jamie Collins received on here. This is the perfect place! I hope the BB signs the beast!

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The trashing was well deserved.

patfanken said:

This will be a one year deal for him, assuming Bentley develops as expected, though I don't see Bentley being even remotely similar to Collins. He's back because its a good business move. I'm guessing a one year deal, maybe as much as $2MM guaranteed, and another 4 or 5 in incentives. A typical," have a great year with the Pats and go make your money elsewhere " deal

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I am not suggesting that they are the same player but I was just going through the depth chart and the players I expect to make the roster ahead of Collins.

I wouldn't ignore Shalique Calhoun. I think that he has a better chance of making the squad than Sam, Munson or Hall.

Deus Irae said:

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mgteich said:

I wouldn't ignore Shalique Calhoun.

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He is listed as a defensive end by Reiss.

robertweathers said:

Anyone else think Jamie looked bigger in CLE than he did here?

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I rarely saw him in a Browns uniform. Lol. But he always seemed to have skinny arms for a LB with the Pats. Basically, Shawn Crable in reverse.

BelichickFan said:

I may be wrong but I think the freelancing was to make splash plays to get a big contract. Through 2016 (the year he was traded) he had made around $4M. The last two years the Browns paid him, combined, $27M.

Jamie Collins

The bank account is different now; hopefully he'll just play not looking for the contract anymore.

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Sorry to rain on your parade but if the rumors about a one year deal are true then we are back exactly in the same situation as back then: He will want to maximize his value for next year's FA cycle.

The main difference is that we are better equipped to immediately bench/cut him on the first sign of freelancing because this time he would be the the depth player not the starter. Hopefully for everyone involved he matured in his time in Cleveland and will be more of a team player.

Truth be told there are some unflattering pictures of him around that make it appear as though he has gained some weight.

Cool! He was an exciting player that made some big plays for us.

SammyBlueCat said:

Truth be told there are some unflattering pictures of him around that make it appear as though he has gained some weight.

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I thought he looked a little more hefty. CLE had him play more on the edge so maybe he needed to eat a couple of Bic Macs to keep the weight up there.

mgteich said:

I wouldn't ignore Shalique Calhoun. I think that he has a better chance of making the squad than Sam, Munson or Hall.

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Calhoun faces an uphill battle at Edge/OLB. Hes not an ILB

Just don't have him cover any wheel routes...

Smaht move. Collins is a Beast.

This team is going to be better than last season. Crazy. I mean, another serviceable WR and the team is basically stocked. I'm not even concerned about TE because I believe BB is switching gears to a RB oriented offense. The TE play will be good enough

Bound to be roster cut downs that will add more talent. The Vet with a year left to get his ring.