Zero2Cool
16 years ago

[img]http://cmsimg.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=U0&Date=20081002&Category=PKR01&ArtNo=81002186&Ref=V2&Profile=1058&MaxW=318&Border=0[/img]

Yes, hes been staying after practice to catch balls from the JUGS machine, but Nick Collins doesnt think thats the story here.

If you ask Collins, its smarter film study thats helped him record three interceptions in the Green Bay Packers past three games one fewer than he had in his first 48 NFL games.

But fielding 35 or 40 balls every day doesnt hurt, right?

I wouldnt say its making a difference, but it helps, Collins said in the locker room this week. I always had great hands. Its a matter of just focusing on the ball.

Collins has had plenty of opportunities to do that this season, and he gives less credit to the extra work hes done on the practice field than the work hes done on the couch.

With guidance from veteran cornerback Charles Woodson, Collins has refined the way he studies film. In addition to the required opponent study at Lambeau Field, Collins takes home DVDs and watches each play another two or three times to analyze routes and tendencies.

So far, its difficult to argue with the results.

In the fourth quarter at Detroit on Sept. 14, Lions receiver Calvin Johnson ran a dig in front of Collins, who stepped in front to make his first interception since Dec. 31, 2006, and then sprinted 42 yards for a game-clinching touchdown.

I was waiting on that route all day, Collins said. It finally showed up, and I jumped in front of it.

A week later against Dallas, Collins read Tony Romos eyes and halted a Cowboys drive by picking off a bad pass for tight end Jason Witten in the end zone.

I knew the play, Collins said. I knew it was going to be a double post. But I knew they were going to try to work Witten also on that linebacker (Desmond Bishop), and he threw it right to me.

Collins best yet came in the third quarter last week at Tampa Bay. He was lined up 14 yards deep in a zone look as the Packers brought a five-man pressure. Before Buccaneers receiver Antonio Bryant even broke his route toward the sideline, Collins was headed for the spot and made an athletic, leaping grab.

Just an instinctive maneuver, secondary coach Kurt Schottenheimer said. He was able to get a good vision of where the quarterback was looking and where the receiver was going, and again, you study it enough, you see it enough, all of a sudden he knew it was this play.

About the only play on the ball Collins hasnt made was against the Bucs in the second quarter, when a Brian Griese overthrow glanced off his hands.

Also considered one of the teams best tacklers, Collins ranks third on the team with 26 tackles (20 solo) and second with six passes defended, despite playing with a painful lower-back bruise thats knocked him out for portions of the past two games. He was a full participant in practice on Thursday and is expected to start Sundays game against the Atlanta Falcons.

The way he plays with such reckless abandon, hes going to land on it and its going to be sore, Schottenheimer said. But hes a tough kid.

Collins hadnt missed a game before last season, when a left knee strain sidelined him for three games. He returned to play in the seasons last seven games, including playoffs, but didnt feel as healthy as he does now after an offseason rebuilding strength in the knee.

Packers coaches long have raved about Collins athletic ability and potential; Schottenheimer reiterated this week that the skys the limit with this kid.

Hes a physical player, Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan said during a conference call with Wisconsin reporters. He comes down (in run defense) and makes some plays. He has a couple interceptions, which is really impressive, and hes made some big plays at big times.

Collins has another season remaining on the five-year, $3.76 million deal he signed in 2005 as a second-round draft pick out of Bethune-Cookman. If Collins keeps making plays and stays healthy the Packers might consider extending his contract after this season, if not sooner. He said there have been no talks yet.

Its in the back of your head, but you try to not focus on that, Collins said. Youre just going to focus on whats ahead of you.

Which, the way things are going, probably means more balls headed his way.


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TheEngineer
16 years ago
Good to see he's finally developing well. Certainly doesn't hurt having Woodson and Harris to teach you a thing or two.
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zombieslayer
16 years ago
Well, I was wrong about Collins. And that's a good thing. I was thinking he'd be a good reserve and that Rouse should eventually start, but right now, Collins is doing everything right. Looks like studying has paid off.
My man Donald Driver
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(thanks to Pack93z for the pic)
2010 will be seen as the beginning of the new Packers dynasty. šŸ‡¹šŸ‡¹ šŸ‡²šŸ‡² šŸ‡¦šŸ‡·
FloridaPacker88
16 years ago
He keeps it up He's next in line behind Jennings for an extension
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brnt247
16 years ago
I think the past two weeks have shown that we need both of our corners in. Rouse is a good pass defender and really helps on the deep ball, but he can't help the run defense out like Atari can. Bigby and Collins is one of the best safety tandems in the league.
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Packers_Finland
16 years ago
Before the season, I was certain Rouse would get the job. But after week 2 I started to doubt that, and now I'm 100% behind Collins.
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djcubez
16 years ago
It's nice to hear a young player trying to learn things from a vet. And it's also nice to hear Woodson help a young player get better. It only improves the team.
Zero2Cool
16 years ago
When we drafted this guy, I was like WTF? Our first pick was QB. I understood WHY we took him, just would have rather had a defensive stud instead. Then we drafted this kid from?? Bethune? Cookman? WHAT? We're screwed, we're doomed!

Then I read about how the Ravens called Ted and congratulated him on the pick. I had more faith in the Ravens defensive knowledge than Ted at that time. That helped me like him a bit.

I was getting a little leary on him with how many times he drops balls and seems to be out of position a lot, but now that I'm reading and hearing that Charles Woodson is giving him advice and he's taking to it. I like the kid that much more.

on a site note, I still can't believe Charles Woodson is a Packer. The second wolverine, second and only second player I actually hunted down to watch during College games... is a Packer. For those who don't know, I liked Desmond Howard big time back in the day, and same with Charles Woodson.


I hope to see more big things from Nick Collins. He's a helluva player when he's on the field and focused.
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zombieslayer
16 years ago


on a site note, I still can't believe Charles Woodson is a Packer. The second wolverine, second and only second player I actually hunted down to watch during College games... is a Packer. For those who don't know, I liked Desmond Howard big time back in the day, and same with Charles Woodson.

"Zero2Cool" wrote:



I was soooo mad when we let Desmond Howard go. You do NOT let go of a player who performs like that. You pay them what they're worth.

He goes and turns out to be nothing for the Raiders, because he's a bad fit on that system. He was a tremendous fit with us. He helped us win a SB, but also kept every opposing team on their toes because everyone knew he could change a game at any time.

Anyways, I shouldn't have taken out what you said about Collins. I felt the same way. I was frustrated with him earlier. Yes, he was ok against the run but hold on to the damn ball when the opposing QB throws it near you.

Now, you're seeing a whole new Collins. He's jumping a pass and holding on to them. I'm loving it. 3 INTs already. This Packer team is banged up, and takeaways can help us win games. We may have to depend on them this year to win.
My man Donald Driver
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(thanks to Pack93z for the pic)
2010 will be seen as the beginning of the new Packers dynasty. šŸ‡¹šŸ‡¹ šŸ‡²šŸ‡² šŸ‡¦šŸ‡·
bozz_2006
16 years ago
I have been pretty high on him and am glad he's playing up to his potential. finally.
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Mucky Tundra (9-Jan) : Notre Lame=Notre Dame, Luckeyes=Ohio State, Pedo St=Penn St
Zero2Cool (9-Jan) : ... It clearly was not what we were supposed to be in, certainly."
Zero2Cool (9-Jan) : Hafley says 3rd and 11 call there was a miscommunication.
Zero2Cool (9-Jan) : The only team I know is Texas from that. Who are the other three?
Mucky Tundra (9-Jan) : Notre Lame vs Pedo St tonight and the Luckeyes vs Texas tomorrow
Mucky Tundra (9-Jan) : Stud
Zero2Cool (9-Jan) : E. Cooper. Rookie of Month. Defense.
Mucky Tundra (8-Jan) : @AaronNagler Ā· 2m Both Jordan Love and Malik Willis were Limited participants at Packers practice today.
Zero2Cool (8-Jan) : Johnson didn't make it until 2020. Ring 2023. šŸ¤· Personally, he should have been in years prior to Hall.
Zero2Cool (8-Jan) : HUMP DAY
beast (8-Jan) : Guys that have a good shot at making the NFL Hall of Fame usually get into their teams pretty fast
beast (8-Jan) : Yeah, but is Kampman and the others in the NFL Hall of Fame?
Zero2Cool (8-Jan) : Johnson was Hall of Fame, 2020. Should haev been in Ring a year later, not three years.
Zero2Cool (8-Jan) : I could be wrong there though
Zero2Cool (8-Jan) : Guys like Kampman, Tim Harris, Al Harris, etc all over 15 years. Hall of Fame is 5 year wait
Zero2Cool (8-Jan) : I guess I see players in Packers Hall come way later
beast (8-Jan) : Yeah, usually teams hall of fames are a much lower bar than the NFL
Zero2Cool (8-Jan) : is it uncommon for Hall before Ring?
Zero2Cool (8-Jan) : S Xavier McKinney named first-team All-Pro by NFLPA
beast (8-Jan) : I missed it, sorry, but he got into the NFL Hall of Fame years before that
Zero2Cool (8-Jan) : Jones took his sweet ole time!
Zero2Cool (8-Jan) : Yeah, he's in the ring of honor, just saw video and his name is up there
Zero2Cool (8-Jan) : Didn't they have a thing in 2023 for Jimmy's ring of honor? I swear I saw it
beast (8-Jan) : Though if they're legitimately trying to re-sign MM, then it makes sense.
beast (8-Jan) : Jerry Jones still hasn't put Jimmy Johnson in the Ring of Honor, but he's in the NFL's Hall of Fame, Jones is petty
Mucky Tundra (8-Jan) : Unless the Cowboys are planning an extension, seems kinda petty
beast (8-Jan) : Cowboys denied Bears request
Mucky Tundra (6-Jan) : From what I'm reading, MM is under contract through the 14th of January; after that he's free game
Zero2Cool (6-Jan) : McCarthy let go or not extended??
Mucky Tundra (6-Jan) : Chicago Bears have asked the Dallas Cowboys permission to interview Mike McCarthy for head coaching vacancy
Zero2Cool (6-Jan) : The winners page that is
Zero2Cool (6-Jan) : I was not hoping for that. It messes up the page lol
beast (6-Jan) : Thank you, and I was really opening we were going to get 4 or more tied for the top 3.
beast (6-Jan) : Thank you, and I was really opening we were going to get 4 or more tied for the top 3.
beast (6-Jan) : Thank you, and I was really opening we were going to get 4 or more tied for the top 3
Zero2Cool (6-Jan) : congrats beast on 2024 !
Zero2Cool (6-Jan) : congrats porky on winning 2023 pick'em! (oops sorry)
Zero2Cool (6-Jan) : Packers have $60M+ of 2025 cap space on paper TODAY.
Mucky Tundra (6-Jan) : Missed FG into a Lions TD; that'll do pig, that'll do
Mucky Tundra (6-Jan) : That might be it for the Vikings
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Mucky Tundra (6-Jan) : what the hell was that Goff?! Not much pressure and he just air mails it to Harrison
Mucky Tundra (6-Jan) : They really need to to get rid of the auto first down for illegal contact
Martha Careful (6-Jan) : watching the Vikings and Lions it's understandable why they swept the Packers. So much better product
Mucky Tundra (6-Jan) : Even when GB got pressure he was throwing darts; vs no pressure on that last pass he just air mails an open guy
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