Not sure why we are surprised at Jamie Collins showing up for practice, it has never been about his incredible athletic and football ability, it was always about his penchant for freelancing and not "holding the edge".. Collins is an incredible athlete who is a very versatile LB and made better if he does what he is supposed to do..
Here's the point. Pat Chung left here in disgrace. Then he was worse with the Eagles.
He comes back with his tail between his legs and then suddenly he becomes a consistent rock in one of the best secondaries in the league. Why? Because (according to Bill) he learned how to use his skills better.
I for one look for Jaime Collins to be our most dynamic defensive player this season. Why, because Bill, THIS time around, will use him "better". He probably won't ask to "set the edge much. Instead of playing him outside on the edge in running situations, he'll be in the middle with KVN using his speed to run down RB's Using his explosiveness to create a vertical threat up the middle.
And although he's not even in the same breath as Lawrence Taylor, he's the closest thing BB has had to him while he's been with the Pats. It took some time, but Bill also learned to deal with Lawrence's free-lancing over the years, partially by making Taylor a smarter player. Remember it's NOT freelancing when you make the play. (as Taylor did so often)
Believe me, it WILL be better for Collins this time around. The bad news will be that I expect him to have SUCH a good upcoming year, that the Pats will unlikely be able to afford him for the 2021 season. But I can live with that.
