La'el Collins Thread - Cleared post 767; visited Cowboys - 05/06/15

[endersdragon]

Collins has all the leverage.

The money is at tackle, so doubtful he'll be on board with any talk of him playing guard.

Collins has no leverage once he signs that contract... and he knows that. Unless we release/trade Free before he signs his contract he knows we can tell him the tackle position is wide open then... whoops it closed. Our best bet is to tell him he can compete for the tackle spot and if he doesn't get it he will be our guard... and to explain to him why that's a good thing.

 

[Tabascocat]

Free should not be the roadblock here. If Dallas has a legit chance to sign Collins, you get Free the heck out of there and don't think twice about it. I like Doug but you have to go younger(and better) with a chance like this.

 

[AzorAhai]

You could also tell him that pro bowl guards make more money than above average RTs

He would be in a prime position to excel either at LG or RT here. RT should open up at least by year 3 and possibly as early as this season. Free is coming off another ankle surgery and missed a bunch of time last year. There's no guarantee he's healthy, or that he can beat Collins out. The beauty is wherever he plays, he would be next to an All-Pro and that only helps.

 

[JBell]

Collins has no leverage once he signs that contract... and he knows that. Unless we release/trade Free before he signs his contract he knows we can tell him the tackle position is wide open then... whoops it closed. Our best bet is to tell him he can compete for the tackle spot and if he doesn't get it he will be our guard... and to explain to him why that's a good thing.

Look, I'd love for him to come here and just plug him in at LG or RT - whichever is the better fit.

But realistically, him and his agent are probably going to want him to stick at the position that makes more money.

 

[endersdragon]

Look, I'd love for him to come here and just plug him in at LG or RT - whichever is the better fit.

But realistically, him and his agent are probably going to want him to stick at the position that makes more money.

Then he won't sign here, because he won't get a guarantee he can play tackle this year unless we fire Free right now... and he won't get that in New York or New England either (two of the other places I have heard he is really interested in).

 

[speedkilz88]

Collins has no leverage once he signs that contract... and he knows that. Unless we release/trade Free before he signs his contract he knows we can tell him the tackle position is wide open then... whoops it closed. Our best bet is to tell him he can compete for the tackle spot and if he doesn't get it he will be our guard... and to explain to him why that's a good thing.

Doug Free shouldn't scare him.

 

[KingintheNorth]

Jerry may have a tough time selling him "we take care of our players" creed with the very recent DeMarco Murray and Dez Bryant situations.

 

[speedkilz88]

Jerry may have a tough time selling him "we take care of our players" creed with the very recent DeMarco Murray and Dez Bryant situations.

They are two of the highest paid players in the nfl.

 

[DOUBLE WING]

Agree that Free should not be what stops Collins from signing here. If Collins steps on the field day one and is more talented, he should start.

 

[endersdragon]

Doug Free shouldn't scare him.

Doug Free compared to Ronald Leary will. I don't care what some of the crazies around here say... Free is better than Leary, and it isn't even close. If we sign him, it will be best for the Cowboys as a team if he played LG and kept Free at RT... and he knows that. We can promise him anything... but once he signs the contract all bets are off.

 

[NorthwestDallas40]

Then he won't sign here, because he won't get a guarantee he can play tackle this year unless we fire Free right now... and he won't get that in New York or New England either (two of the other places I have heard he is really interested in).

He doesn't need to play RT in year 1, just by year 3 when he's coming up for free agency

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Jerry may have a tough time selling him "we take care of our players" creed with the very recent DeMarco Murray and Dez Bryant situations.

That is not a hard sell. They pay OL and not RB. Tyron signed an extension with $40m guaranteed.

 

[Nightman]

You could also tell him that pro bowl guards make more money than above average RTs

Not playing right away and learning from and competing with this group could be the best thing for him. Plus he gets to go up against Hardy, Gregory and co at practice every day.

Dallas is the perfect spot for him. Parnell just got 32m for being the swing OT for a couple years.

 

[NorthwestDallas40]

Jerry may have a tough time selling him "we take care of our players" creed with the very recent DeMarco Murray and Dez Bryant situations.

fortunately New Engkand has an even worse track record.

 

[mattjames2010]

Honestly, this would be the best place for him to play. He'd be learning from some great offensive lineman, a couple young guns can tell him how to adjust into the league. The problem will be with his ego, and it seems he has one. He may want to start day one.

 

[DOUBLE WING]

Doug Free compared to Ronald Leary will. I don't care what some of the crazies around here say... Free is better than Leary, and it isn't even close. If we sign him, it will be best for the Cowboys as a team if he played LG and kept Free at RT... and he knows that. We can promise him anything... but once he signs the contract all bets are off.

Collins could very well be a better NFL tackle than Doug Free is right now from the very moment he steps on a football field.

 

[endersdragon]

He doesn't need to play RT in year 1, just by year 3 when he's coming up for free agency

Exactly, and Free or no Free he will because by then Free will be too old anyway. Teams like versatility when signing free agents anyway , didn't Allen play both spots

 

[KingintheNorth]

fortunately New Engkand has an even worse track record.

That wasn't me saying we made the wrong decision in either of those situations. The Murray contract was very public and Dez has voiced his unhappiness about being franchised.

 

[Wood]

The biggest question I have is Collins a fit for Dallas. I read somewhere that this is extremely close OL who does everything together (lifts, practices and hangs out after football). Does Collins have personality to fit into that group. Thats important and its what has allowed this OL to gel into one best in league.

 

[ElGatoGrande]

Honestly, this would be the best place for him to play. He'd be learning from some great offensive lineman, a couple young guns can tell him how to adjust into the league. The problem will be with his ego, and it seems he has one. He may want to start day one.

Hey, if he can beat out somebody then they will let him play,,,