Packers: Contract issue keeps Collins away
By JASON WILDE
608-252-6176
jwilde@madison.com
GREEN BAY Nick Collins indeed has a serious family situation that hes struggling with, but even if he wasnt, the Green Bay Packers' Pro Bowl safety still wouldnt be attending the teams offseason workouts, his agent said Friday.
"Theres been a lot speculation as to why Nick has not participated in the voluntary offseason program. Nick does indeed have legitimate personal family concerns," agent David Butz said when reached in his office Friday, in his first public comments about Collins contract situation.
"As always, family comes first and foremost with Nick, as it should. But despite any other issues or concerns, Nick would not be attending the offseason program regardless of any family matters."
Asked if Collins will participate in the upcoming organized team activity practices, which begin at the end of the month, Butz replied, "For now, unless the team is willing to at least discuss the contract situation, we dont see any need for Nick to participate on the field."
Asked if Collins would report to the June 22-24 mandatory minicamp, Butz replied, "Well cross that bridge when we get there."
Butz said Collins family situation one that Collins has asked to keep private is weighing on him. The family situation does not involve last months birth of Collins and his wife Andreas third child.
Collins, who has returned to Florida after participating in the Packers promotional Tailgate Tour around the state, told reporters on Monday on the first stop of the tour that the contract was not the issue, even though Packers coach Mike McCarthy acknowledged that it was during the teams rookie orientation camp earlier this month.
"We respect everybodys business situations," McCarthy said at the time. "Hes going through one right now."
Butz said Collins did come to Green Bay recently to meet with his coaches in a show of good faith, because he will be the quarterback of the new 3-4 defense the team is installing under new coordinator Dom Capers. But Butz said Collins did not do any on-field work during his visit.
"Nick did attend some of the teams off-the-field meetings, but he did not participate in any of the on-field activities," Butz said.
Collins came to Green Bay with the blessing of his family members, who suggested he take some time with his "Packers family" as a respite from his family situation.
During those meetings with McCarthy, Capers and safeties coach Darren Perry meetings McCarthy acknowledged during the rookie camp Collins was told by several of his coaches that they would talk to the front office about a new deal for him, Butz said.
Instead, Butz said general manager Ted Thompson and negotiator Russ Ball have not engaged in any contract talks.
"Nick clearly deserves a new contract, and were not the only ones who realize that," Butz said. "Shortly before the voluntary offseason program began, Nick had a face-to-face meeting with most of his coaches. During that meeting, many of the coaches, including coach McCarthy, told Nick that he had earned a new contract, and that they were going to push for the team to make that happen.
"Unfortunately, the Packers refuse to even discuss a new deal for Nick, despite our repeated requests to at least explore the possibilities."
Both Thompson and McCarthy were out of the office Friday afternoon and unavailable for comment, although messages were left with both of their assistants. A Packers spokesman said the team does not comment on contract situations.
Collins, 25, is entering the fifth and final year of the rookie contract he signed as a second-round pick out of Bethune-Cookman in 2005. Hes set to make $3.045 million in 2009, but only because he achieved certain escalators in his rookie deal to boost his base salary from $545,000.
Named an NFC starter at safety for the Pro Bowl in February after registering 99 tackles and seven interceptions last season and returning three of those interceptions for touchdowns he has played and started 63 of a possible 66 games during his four NFL seasons, with 11 career interceptions.
Collins, who also attended the teams annual FanFest in March, said at the time that he wants to play his entire career in Green Bay because "this is where I started, this is where I want to finish. But this is a business, and hopefully things get worked out."
During a stop on the Tailgate Tour, Collins acknowledged that "learning the 3-4 defense is a challenge, but I think we have the guys that are capable of doing it. Theres communication that we have to learn that goes along with it, but we are up to the challenge."