The Green Bay Packers have released S Nick Collins. The transaction was announced Wednesday by Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations Ted Thompson.

Collins, who was selected by the Packers with the first of two second-round selections (No. 51 overall) in the 2005 NFL Draft, went on to appear in 95 games (all starts) at free safety during his seven-year career in Green Bay. During that time, he amassed 498 tackles (388 solo), 21 interceptions, including four returned for touchdowns, 83 passes defensed, five forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

From 2008-10, Collins ranked second among all NFL players with 439 interception return yards and was tied for second among safeties with 17 INTs over that span. In 2008, he set a franchise record with 295 INT return yards and became the first NFL safety since 1986 to return three INTs for TDs in a season. In 2010, Collins became the first Packers safety since LeRoy Butler to earn a bid to three consecutive Pro Bowls, and capped his season with a 37-yard INT return for a touchdown in Super Bowl XLV. He missed just three games in his first six seasons in the league, but was sidelined for the final 14 contests of 2011 after suffering a season-ending neck injury at Carolina in Week 2.

“From the beginning of this process, we have taken our time and sought numerous medical opinions while maintaining consistent dialogue with Nick,” Thompson said. “In the end, we were not comfortable clearing him to play again. As with all of our players, Nick is a member of our family and we thought of him that way as we came to this conclusion.

“Nick is a part of our core, and this is a very difficult day for all Packers. Making this kind of decision is never easy, especially when it involves someone like Nick Collins. He has meant so much to the community, his teammates and the organization. He is a good man and will always be part of the Packers family.”

Packers.com  wrote:

IMO, as I have stated a number of times, this is the right decision for the Packers and hopefully Nick agrees with that opinion. As much as the game means to some, the lifetime after the game is done is just as valuable as the game itself. The neck, back and spinal cord are nothing to mess with.. error on the side of caution.

I wish nothing but the best of luck to Nick.. whether it is with the Packers in person or spirit moving forward.


On the timing... both Clifton and Collins future being decided before the draft has me thinking that the Packers are gearing up for taking on additional salary.. IE draft day trades for a veteran or two that become available on draft day. Or at the very least having the cap space to afford them the flexibility of doing such.

With the Rookie cap in place, it afford teams to move around and be creative with draft picks knowing the salary risks have been decreased. Being the first year all the CBA rules are known going into the draft, I expect a few more players to be included in draft day trades this year.. and maybe the Packers are preparing themselves to have the flexibility to cease any deals in the heat of the moment.

Just a thought.

Originally Posted by: Pack93z 

It's sad because Nick was such a joy to watch. Were it not for the injury, he could have quite possibly carved out a Hall of Fame career. What a ballhawk. What incredible speed and range for a safety.

But at the end of the day, you just want him to be healthy. I'm sure most of us are on the same page: we'll miss Nick Collins the player, but will rest assured that his long term health isn't in jeopardy.

Originally Posted by: evad04 

Hey Zombie, did you see anywhere that it says Collins retired? I see him going to a NFC Norris team, to show Ted Thompson that he was healthy enough to play.

Just heard on ESPN that Collins agent says Collins isnt sure if he is going to keep playing or retire? HMMMMMM Collins doctor cleared him but Packers doctors didn't?

Originally Posted by: dhazer 

Hey Zombie, did you see anywhere that it says Collins retired? I see him going to a NFC Norris team, to show Ted Thompson that he was healthy enough to play.

Just heard on ESPN that Collins agent says Collins isnt sure if he is going to keep playing or retire? HMMMMMM Collins doctor cleared him but Packers doctors didn't?

Originally Posted by: dhazer 

Butler says Collins made him proud to share jersey No. 36

When he first was told that a second-round pick from Bethune-Cookman was going to be wearing his jersey just three years after he had retired, Packers safety LeRoy Butler was puzzled.

Voted the strong safety of the decade for the '90s, Butler thought it might be a little bit early to be giving his jersey away. Then he talked with first-year GM Ted Thompson.

"He told me, 'We found the right guy to wear that number; that's Nick Collins,'" Butler said in a phone interview from New York, where he'll announce the Packers' second-round pick on Friday. "And he was right. They found a guy who was able to fill my shoes and he was great on and off the field.

"It's one of my saddest days as a Packers fan that he won't be wearing No. 36 anymore. It would be a good opportunity to retire it or put it away for good."

Collins was released Wednesday after the Packers' brass decided they didn't feel comfortable with him playing following single-level cervical fusion surgery. Collins hasn't decided whether he wants to play yet, but he has been encouraged by how he has felt in his recovery and has expressed a desire to return if the doctors will clear him.

Butler said he understood Collins' desire to play again and said it would be up to him "to look the doctor in the eye and have him tell him that it's safe for him to play." Butler said he faced the same situation after the 2001 season when team physician Patrick McKenzie told him his shoulder was in no condition to play again.

Ultimately, Butler took McKenzie's advice and retired. But he was much older at the time and in the twilight of his career. Collins will turn 29 in August.

As for his feelings about Collins, Butler said he couldn't be prouder to have shared the number with him.

"He wore that number with the most honor," Butler said. "It made me happy that they found someone who could wear that jersey with honor for another eight years, I think Nick will be remembered as part of the long tradition of great safeties the Packers have had over the years.

"You're talking Darren Sharper, Eugene Robinson, Willie Wood, myself. There's always been someone keeping that alive."

As for Collins' future, Butler said he could see Detroit or Chicago giving Collins a chance if their doctors are willing to clear him. But he thinks it will all come down to Collins feeling that it's safe for him to return to the game.

"I'm glad he got to play on a Super Bowl team," Butler said. "He was able to get that ring."

Tom Silverstein  wrote:

Collins loss was about his long term health as a person, NOT a player. Thompson and McCarthy care about (or dare I say love) Collins. This was a decision that they took their time in making and was not made with a dollar sign (cap savings) in mind.

Collins still hasn't been cleared to play and is seeking various opinions from doctors to see if he will be able to ever play again.

I was told that he has an open invitation to be a part of the staff/organization when he is ready.

I loved watching Collins play. He grew so much as a player and it was refreshing to see him live up to his his talent.

More on the Collins release and what could be happening next in the new OTS (out later tonight).

Originally Posted by: Arrigo 

It was my understanding that he was cleared by the doc who did the surgery. Now they're saying he hasn't been cleared at all. What's up with that?

Originally Posted by: nerdmann 

To my teammates and coaches I'm going to miss going to war with y'all on Sunday!! Green Bay Packer 4life.. Stay up

Nick Collins (nickthepick36) wrote:

The Pack lost an incredible man today. Thanks for being a great player, teammate, and friend. I’ll miss you brother.

Aaron Rodgers wrote:

It was my understanding that he was cleared by the doc who did the surgery. Now they're saying he hasn't been cleared at all. What's up with that?

Originally Posted by: nerdmann