Today In Patriots History May 27: Happy Birthday to Tony Collins

[scott99]

Most of the other options at RB in Collins' career (Vagus Feguson early, Reggie Dupard late) made Collins look like a Hall of Famer by comparison. The one time Collins had a good complimentary back (Craig James) the team made it to the super bowl.

I didn't realize until today that after Collins left the Patriots he signed with Indianapolis.
Never played for the Colts though as that was the year he was suspended.

He only played in one game for Miami in 1990 before they released him.

Which leads to revelation #2:
After that Tony Collins played in the Arena Football League - for three years!
He was a FB/WR/LB for the Orlando Predators (1991), Cincinnati Rockers (1992) and Miami Hooters (1993).

Tony Collins | ArenaFan.com

ArenaFan is the premier community site for fans of the Arena Football League. News, scores, standings, statistics, games and more. Anything you've ever wanted to know about the AFL.

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COLLINS GETS LAST LAUGH WITH RETURN TO FOOTBALL

Former NFL star Tony Collins had an instant and emphatic reaction when Orlando Predators coach Perry Moss called one day two months ago to ask if he had any interest in playing Arena League football: Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha. “I…

www.orlandosentinel.com

Former Patriot running back Tony Collins, whose...

Former Patriot running back Tony Collins, whose NFL career was shortened by drug use, drove his car into a lake in Orlando, Fla., in what police said was a suicide attempt.

www.latimes.com

EX-PATRIOT RB DRIVES CAR INTO LAKE

Former New England Patriots running back Tony Collins, whose NFL career was shortened by drug use, drove his car into a lake in what police said was a suicide attempt. Collins, 32, was treated at a hospital and released about an hour later, police said. The car hopped a curb at 4:45 a.m...

www.deseret.com

Was a HUGE Tony Collins fan. Was kinda confused we drafted him so high, after Vagas Ferguson had such a good rookie season. Turned out to be a brilliant move, as Vagas NEVER regained his form he showed as a rookie. Collins was also an excellent receiving back, post Andy Johnson and pre Faulk, Vereen and White. Had a few good receiving backs in between, but a PRIME Collins as a receiver was in the mold of Faulk, Vereen and White.

 

[scott99]

Speaking of Craig James, imagine if the busted knee never happened, or at least was delayed a few years. He had some moves.

I thought it was a shoulder problem for James.

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

Was a HUGE Tony Collins fan. Was kinda confused we drafted him so high, after Vagas Ferguson had such a good rookie season. Turned out to be a brilliant move, as Vagas NEVER regained his form he showed as a rookie. Collins was also an excellent receiving back, post Andy Johnson and pre Faulk, Vereen and White. Had a few good receiving backs in between, but a PRIME Collins as a receiver was in the mold of Faulk, Vereen and White.

Tony made the wrong decision.

After his knee surgery in his second season in the NBA, Magic Johnson wanted to get back out there pronto. ASAP. His owner, Dr. Jerry Buss, refused to allow him to before he had sufficient time to heal and recuperate. IMHO this saved Earvin's long term career.

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

I thought it was a shoulder problem for James.

Speaking of Craig James, imagine if the busted knee never happened, or at least was delayed a few years. He had some moves.

Craig was one of the plethora of outstanding USFL players who proceeded to thrive in the NFL. There were over a dozen who were top rate difference making all pros, the best of which IMHO was Doug Flutie, whom the league just shat over repeatedly.

Anyway, on the unprecedented run of three consecutive road playoff wins for New England on the way to their first Super Bowl, James rushed for over 100 yards against the Bengals in a likewise elimination, win-or-you're-out last game of the regular season in Foxborough, as well as against the Raiders and Dolphins.

His shoulder was hurt. And Tony Collins was hampered with his addiction. But of course, it was the Patriots' running game that suffered the most, dropping down to dead last in the NFL which was no surprise at all to anyone who understood the consequences of John Hannah's retirement.

Head Coach Raymond Berry, however, continued to foster a winning environment, and the Patriots' passing attack, special teams and defense were successful enough for them to be competitive. Highly competitive with Steve Grogan at quarterback, who once again bailed the team out in Miami getting them in the playoffs again. Unfortunately, Berry once again started Tony Eason ahead of Grogan in Denver, and Rulon Jones' season ending sack came as no surprise whatsoever. Berry learned nothing, again, from this, as he benched the aforementioned future best quarterback of the 90's two years later, Flutie, in favor of not just Tony Eason/Rob Johnson, but Tony Eason who hadn't taken a live snap in over a year.