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

[AzorAhai]

fortunately New Engkand has an even worse track record.

If he is really high on New England, they have about the worst track record of all teams when it comes to paying players. That tells me he wants to win while setting his future up and this could very well be the best spot for that.

 

[speedkilz88]

 

[mattjames2010]

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

Oh I agree, but you'd be surprised by the ego of some of these players. Some aren't humble, some come into the league thinking their top 10-15 talent makes them deserving of a starting spot.

I have absolutely no problem if he comes in and beats out either Free or Leary for the starting gig.

 

[Kaiser]

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.

He could be, and given Free's injury history lately Collins could get a lot of playing time even if Free is the starter. If Collins did win the job, it would be cheaper to have Free on the roster than cut him because of bonus acceleration, I think they would try to work something out to get him to be the swing tackle. It would be a serious blow to Free's ego but he is clearly a team leader - and there are much worse things than getting 6 Million dollars to be a backup who doesn't take the physical pounding a starting OT does.

 

[endersdragon]

Edit sorry misunderstood post

 

[Kaiser]

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.

The flip side of that is that no matter who a rookie is, when he walks into a room with five lineman where 3 are Pro Bowlers (EDIT - and Free had a very good 2010 at LT before he was given his big contract), the rookie is going to be the one having to fit in. If this OL tells a rookie to shut his piehole, the piehole will be shut.

 

[mattjames2010]

The backstory that he's a fan of the Cowboys is nice, but players do weird things. They could have been a diehard Cowboys fan since as early as they can remember, go meet with the team and have a great time, and then sign with the Giants/Eagles for unknown reasons.

With how many teams will be interested in Collins, I'm already expecting him to sign elsewhere due to avoid disappointment. But him being here certainly is exciting.

 

[speedkilz88]

The flip side of that is that no matter who a rookie is, when he walks into a room with five lineman where 3 are Pro Bowlers (and Free went to the Pro Bowl in the past), the rookie is going to be the one having to fit in. If this OL tells a rookie to shut his piehole, the piehole will be shut.

He did? When did that happen? Pro bowl?

 

[Nightman]

The flip side of that is that no matter who a rookie is, when he walks into a room with five lineman where 3 are Pro Bowlers (and Free went to the Pro Bowl in the past), the rookie is going to be the one having to fit in. If this OL tells a rookie to shut his piehole, the piehole will be shut.

Let's not get carried with Collins' scouting report either.

He was projected as mid to late 1st rounder, maybe early second.

 

[Zordon]

im telling you guys, jerry saw the grim reaper sometime this offseason in a dream or nightmare and decided *** it, i'm going back to the old ways.

 

[speedkilz88]

The backstory that he's a fan of the Cowboys is nice, but players do weird things. They could have been a diehard Cowboys fan since as early as they can remember, go meet with the team and have a great time, and then sign with the Giants/Eagles for unknown reasons.

With how many teams will be interested in Collins, I'm already expecting him to sign elsewhere due to avoid disappointment. But him being here certainly is exciting.

Once he's there I doubt they plan on him leaving.

 

[endersdragon]

Once he's there I doubt they plan on him leaving.

Is this like the police and they can hold him for 48 hours without a contract? lol

 

[mattjames2010]

Once he's there I doubt they plan on him leaving.

Haha, Jerry locking him in his palace with The Kraken until he signs.

 

[endersdragon]

Haha, Jerry locking him in his palace with The Kraken until he signs.

Kraken and RoMac*

 

[Kaiser]

He did? When did that happen? Pro bowl?

My bad, I thought he did after his 2010 season at LT when he got the big contract. My memory failed me again.

 

[BoysWin]

Let's not get carried with Collins' scouting report either.

He was projected as mid to late 1st rounder, maybe early second.

ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS
Thick through chest and displays upper-body strength. Has strong hands and will snatch and control less active defenders. He takes defenders for a ride once he's engaged on the move. Loves to mash and intimidate opponents. Mean player. Can center pass rushers and end their attempt in pass pro. Utilizes length in pass protection and is acclimated to a pro-style offense. Able to run-block and pass-set laterally. Well-schooled and technically proficient. If he gets beat on a play, he comes back even harder on the next snap. Finisher. Can come in and play guard or tackle.
WEAKNESSES
Fails to consistently bring hips and feet with him through contact in the running game, causing him to fall forward and lose balance. Hand usage is a major concern. Hands will start too low in pass pro at times and has to work hard to redirect. Change of direction is slow for a tackle. Relies on lunging rather than foot movement to counter inside moves. Plays high out of stance and loses leverage battle on short-yardage confrontations. Will have to move to right tackle or inside.
SOURCES TELL US
"I love the guy on tape. Big-time finisher in the run game and we need that. What I don't like is that his hands are bad as a pass blocker right now and I'm not sure he gets that fixed right away." -- AFC offensive line coach
NFL COMPARISON
Maurkice Pouncey
BOTTOM LINE
Brawling right tackle or guard prospect in the NFL who has had a level of success in hyper-competitive SEC West. Lacks athleticism to be a consistent left tackle, despite his snaps there in college. Collins plays with a mean streak that is evident in every game, and could come in and start right away in a power-running game as a guard. Collins has a first-round grade


I say bring him in and sign him tomorrow. Earn the LG position and earn RT in 1 or 2 years. DAL will be able to gain another COMP pick not resigning Leary in 2016. If Chaz Green and L. Gibson pan-out - maybe move Doug Free for a player........

 

[RS12]

 

[speedkilz88]

Let's not get carried with Collins' scouting report either.

He was projected as mid to late 1st rounder, maybe early second.

Broaddus had him as his 17th ranked player.

 

[BoysWin]

Everyone know Collins will have visits beyond DAL, but I wouldn't let him leave without a contract in DAL. Get 'r done, Jerry!

 

[mattjames2010]

Everyone know Collins will have visits beyond DAL, but I wouldn't let him leave without a contract in DAL. Get 'r done, Jerry!

It's really hard to know what will get him to settle there in Dallas. Usually you can throw around the money factor, but everyone is going to be offering the max. I'm unsure if he'd want to sign anywhere before visiting every interested team first