Collins almost chose Miami

[AzorAhai]

BEHIND THE SCENES ON LA'EL COLLINS

So how close were the Dolphins to landing coveted offensive lineman La’el Collins?

Tantalizingly so.

Agent Deryk Gilmore told me that Collins said at one point last week that he thought he would like to be a Dolphin, and that Collins had narrowed his choices to Miami and Dallas.

“I thought I would be coming to Miami for games this season,” Gilmore said.

Gilmore said even though no flight was booked, he and Collins intended to fly to Miami to meet with the Dolphins, with "the intent to sign," at around 3 p.m. on Thursday afternoon

(Continue Reading At)
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/spor...nba-draft-dolphins-marlins-canes-chatter.html

Collins story is half way down the article. Jerry could sell Goodyear tires to the Michelin man.

(Edit)
If possible could a mod change the title to Collins almost chose Miami.

 

[dogunwo]

Shows why it is important to be the first visit.

 

[John813]

I was surprised he didn't go to Miami.
Would of been a big signing for the Phins, too. They need interior offensive linemen.

 

[Galian Beast]

I said it early that showing early interest was going to be very valuable here. I also said that they should press with the offensive line and Romo.

I also thought he would sign with Miami. An opportunity to play with 4 former teammates? That's certainly hard to pass up, but I felt we also had things here that Miami doesn't come close to having.

 

[Howboutdemcowboys31]

Im not blaming you OP, I just hate articles like this. What's it matter (I say this towards the author of the article). He didn't pick Miami, he picked Dallas. How close was he? So close he didn't even visit them or give them a shot after sitting down with us. He wasn't that close

 

[AzorAhai]

I said it early that showing early interest was going to be very valuable here. I also said that they should press with the offensive line and Romo.

I also thought he would sign with Miami. An opportunity to play with 4 former teammates? That's certainly hard to pass up, but I felt we also had things here that Miami doesn't come close to having.

I think Jerry was able to connect with Collins on a personal level. That is a huge thing for a kid deciding where he's going to play for years to come. Say what you will about Jerry the GM, but Jerry the Owner and person is almost unanimously loved by players.

 

[Galian Beast]

Im not blaming you OP, I just hate articles like this. What's it matter (I say this towards the author of the article). He didn't pick Miami, he picked Dallas. How close was he? So close he didn't even visit them or give them a shot after sitting down with us. He wasn't that close

No, I think this is a valid article, and speaks to the process of a pretty historic signing. Breaking down how the Cowboys got him and what they were up against should give you appreciation for the front office and the type of players that we have that were here to persuade him to sign with us against Miami.

I remember we lost Asomugha to the Eagles and while it didn't pan out for him in Philly, he probably would have been in asset in our system. I really wondered why he went to philly instead of playing for Ryan again. He never fit the Eagles zone scheme. It seemed like such a bone headed mistake.

Also interested in how we got Romo instead of Denver.

These are very interesting stories, that we can look back to in the years to come.

 

[Awakened]

I said it early that showing early interest was going to be very valuable here. I also said that they should press with the offensive line and Romo.

I also thought he would sign with Miami. An opportunity to play with 4 former teammates? That's certainly hard to pass up, but I felt we also had things here that Miami doesn't come close to having.

Hmmm...

 

[Galian Beast]

Hmmm...

I like that I was right about part of it and I also like that I was wrong about the rest.

 

[AzorAhai]

Im not blaming you OP, I just hate articles like this. What's it matter (I say this towards the author of the article). He didn't pick Miami, he picked Dallas. How close was he? So close he didn't even visit them or give them a shot after sitting down with us. He wasn't that close

I don't mind them. I think it brings a perspective of how difficult the decision was and how Jerry deserves a lot of credit for sealing the deal. In the end he chose Dallas so I guess it can be considered a non factor, but for his agent to say those things is telling of how close he thought it was to being Miami. Either way, I'm glad he made the right decision.

 

[ConstantReboot]

Shows why it is important to be the first visit.

Add to the fact that Jerry Jones knows how to close the deal. Getting the team involved and having his Mom come along to know the Cowboys probably sealed the deal.

 

[Bullflop]

Interesting that Miami came so close to signing La'el before he visited with Jerry and some of our players. He obviously felt gratified that he was so vigorously accepted by those hosting him and it apparently won his desire to sign with Dallas. Jerry has always had a knack for befriending those he wishes to align himself with. Thank goodness La'el chose as he did -- it was exactly the break the Cowboys needed to make their offseason a blessing as well as an unquestionable success.

 

[AbeBeta]

Shows why it is important to be the first visit.

Jerry has flaws. But he's a good man. You get a prospect coming with his mama...no one is better in that situation. He is genuine. He loves these kids.

 

[coult44]

BEHIND THE SCENES ON LA'EL COLLINS

So how close were the Dolphins to landing coveted offensive lineman La’el Collins?

Tantalizingly so.

Agent Deryk Gilmore told me that Collins said at one point last week that he thought he would like to be a Dolphin, and that Collins had narrowed his choices to Miami and Dallas.

“I thought I would be coming to Miami for games this season,” Gilmore said.

Gilmore said even though no flight was booked, he and Collins intended to fly to Miami to meet with the Dolphins, with "the intent to sign," at around 3 p.m. on Thursday afternoon

(Continue Reading At)
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/spor...nba-draft-dolphins-marlins-canes-chatter.html

Collins story is half way down the article. Jerry could sell Goodyear tires to the Michelin man.

(Edit)
If possible could a mod change the title to Collins almost chose Miami.

Did y'all watch the entire press conference? He was never going anywhere but Dallas.....

 

[Galian Beast]

Interesting that Miami came so close to signing La'el before he visited with Jerry and some of our players. He obviously felt gratified that he was so vigorously accepted by those hosting him and it apparently won his desire to sign with Dallas. Jerry has always had a knack for befriending those he wishes to align himself with. Thank goodness La'el chose as he did -- it was exactly the break the Cowboys needed to make their offseason a blessing as well as an unquestionable success.

Miami sent for 4 LSU players to recruit him.

 

[AzorAhai]

Did y'all watch the entire press conference? He was never going anywhere but Dallas.....

His agent says he hadn't decided but was scheduled to fly to Miami with the intent to sign the morning after they met. He woke up and had determined this was where he wanted to be. If I had to guess, Miami was probably the clear favorite from the beginning all the way up to the phone call with Jerry. Once he got him into his home Jerry sealed the deal. I'm sure the decision was a lot closer than you're making it seem.

 

[DFWJC]

But...he came to Dallas.
/thread

 

[Risen Star]

Im not blaming you OP, I just hate articles like this. What's it matter (I say this towards the author of the article). He didn't pick Miami, he picked Dallas. How close was he? So close he didn't even visit them or give them a shot after sitting down with us. He wasn't that close

I was mature enough to read it without any temper tantrum. There is life outside of the Dallas Cowboys. 31 other teams.

 

[AzorAhai]

@AbeBeta I wish I could like your post twice but can't, so cheers!

 

[Risen Star]

The Dallas/Miami contracts were identical, and the fact Miami could offer him only a guard spot, not a job at tackle, wasn’t a deciding factor, even though Gilmore said Collins' preference longterm is to play tackle.

I found that interesting.