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

[Galian Beast]

He is likely to want to go to a place he can prove himself in the shortest amount of time.

So where is that?

A star studded line with three All Pros and he has to play right tackle or guard or a place where there is an "average" line, he plays the left tackle and he immediately sticks out as one of their best players? And of course that team is prepared to get him 1st round tender pay by the conclusion of his that UDFA contract.

All he is going to want to do is earn a second contract (a good sized one) within three years.

Explain how Dallas makes that possible again?

Exactly, I could have made the argument that Laurent Robinson should have stayed in Dallas and taken less money in the short term as opposed to going to Jacksonville, but what really happened?

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

The team has been trying to upgrade LG for two seasons IMO. They just haven't gotten it done. I don't see them halting the search thou. They are down to it with Leary. Next year, he's going to want a longer term contract with bigger money if he's the starter. It's probably his last contract. They either sign up for a highly questionable health situation with Leary or they find a solution. It's more critical then is probably realized by most of the fan base IMO. The team really needs to address this issue sooner rather then later IMO.

 

[Galian Beast]

OK, but I sure wouldn't.

He starts in Dallas and plays well and he's a virtual lock for the Pro Bowl as a rookie just like Martin was. When offensive lines have success overall, individual accolades quickly follow.

I think there is a solid argument for him to come here, but I'm telling you that from a logical business decision and risk v reward, it makes more sense for him to go to a place where he knows for a fact that he is going to start.

 

[Galian Beast]

The team has been trying to upgrade LG for two seasons IMO. They just haven't gotten it done. I don't see them halting the search thou. They are down to it with Leary. Next year, he's going to want a longer term contract with bigger money if he's the starter. It's probably his last contract. They either sign up for a highly questionable health situation with Leary or they find a solution. It's more critical then is probably realized by most of the fan base IMO. The team really needs to address this issue sooner rather then later IMO.

Hell, I would even tell him that we would trade Leary if he signs with us.

 

[irishline]

It was sarcasm.

For a guy who talks like he knows every thing about everything, he can't even get the guy's name right.

Oh I see that now, I am sorry. I just proved my own point about confusion due to not reading the posts above so it was not all in vain.

Thanks.

 

[tyke1doe]

"Collins’s representatives are saying that if he’s not selected in Rounds 2 or 3, he won’t play. If a team drafts him in Round 4 or later, he’ll decline to sign with that team, and he also wouldn’t sign as an undrafted free agent. Instead, Collins would re-enter the 2016 draft."

Sounds like they didn't know the rules to me...

If his representative is his agent, he should have a new agent by now.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Exactly, I could have made the argument that Laurent Robinson should have stayed in Dallas and taken less money in the short term as opposed to going to Jacksonville, but what really happened?

If you made that argument with Robinson, it wouldn't have mattered one way or the other. Robinson was out of the league because of chronic concussion injuries. I don't think that's a relevant comparison.

The problem with the line of thought that says he could go to a team and be a standout at Left Tackle is that he can not IMO. I don't think he is a LT in the NFL. If he goes to LT, he probably hurts is stock more then he helps it. I acknowledge the fact that he could come to the NFL and end up being a good LT but I don't see that from him. Hopefully, he has a good agent and he is smart enough to realize what his value is and where he will fit. I hope it's Dallas but it might be elsewhere.

 

[Stash]

He is likely to want to go to a place he can prove himself in the shortest amount of time.

So where is that?

A star studded line with three All Pros and he has to play right tackle or guard or a place where there is an "average" line, he plays the left tackle and he immediately sticks out as one of their best players?

I'd say the already successful line where he only has to worry about his own play, rather than trying to carry everyone else. If anything, he'll receive help in Dallas from someone who's been there and done that - at a Pro Bowl level, whereas elsewhere, he'll be looked at for help.

And of course that team is prepared to get him 1st round tender pay by the conclusion of his that UDFA contract.

All he is going to want to do is earn a second contract (a good sized one) within three years.

Explain how Dallas makes that possible again?

If he plays well enough, who wouldn't pay him? The Cowboys or anyone else?

If he plays well and makes a Pro Bowl or two early one, he will get paid.

 

[Stash]

It depends on what he is looking for. If winning is more important, then I think he might look at a team like Dallas if the offer is close. If he's more interested in securing his money in the short term, then he probably goes to the highest bidder.

It's clear to me where he would be set up for the most immediate and best chance for success.

 

[Galian Beast]

If you made that argument with Robinson, it wouldn't have mattered one way or the other. Robinson was out of the league because of chronic concussion injuries. I don't think that's a relevant comparison.

The problem with the line of thought that says he could go to a team and be a standout at Left Tackle is that he can not IMO. I don't think he is a LT in the NFL. If he goes to LT, he probably hurts is stock more then he helps it. I acknowledge the fact that he could come to the NFL and end up being a good LT but I don't see that from him. Hopefully, he has a good agent and he is smart enough to realize what his value is and where he will fit. I hope it's Dallas but it might be elsewhere.

I don't think he is out of the league just because of concussions, but also because he isn't a great player. I think he would still be playing here today had he not left to the Jaguars. He fit the system well and had a connection with Tony.

He clearly doesn't have a good agent; I think we've established that already. And I don't think he is smart enough to realize what his value is.

I give him almost no chance of coming here, but what is worse is there are no reports of our efforts, which seem to be the case far too many times with players.

 

[ragman]

They say Bills and Cowboys are showing interest.

Dolphins too.

 

[Stash]

I think there is a solid argument for him to come here, but I'm telling you that from a logical business decision and risk v reward, it makes more sense for him to go to a place where he knows for a fact that he is going to start.

And I think that, given his abilities, and the players he would be competing against - Leary or Free - I don't see why he wouldn't believe he could be either of them out.

 

[Galian Beast]

If his representative is his agent, he should have a new agent by now.

Precisely.

 

[Alexander]

Exactly, I could have made the argument that Laurent Robinson should have stayed in Dallas and taken less money in the short term as opposed to going to Jacksonville, but what really happened?

Impossible. Why wouldn't he stay where he had the best chance for success?

Never underestimate how player ego factors into it. Players do not often do what others would think is in their best interest. They want a spotlight on them, not to be a smaller cog in the team's overall accolades.

 

[Galian Beast]

And I think that, given his abilities, and the players he would be competing against - Leary or Free - I don't see why he wouldn't believe he could be either of them out.

Again, it is about the path of least resistance.

There is an argument to come to Dallas, there is also an argument not to come to Dallas. There is also a lot of reasons why he would go to another team; the ability to definitely start right away, to play with his friends, a team that is competitive historically, a nice location to live, hell he might want to stay in Louisiana and play for the Saints.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I don't think he is out of the league just because of concussions, but also because he isn't a great player. I think he would still be playing here today had he not left to the Jaguars. He fit the system well and had a connection with Tony.

He clearly doesn't have a good agent; I think we've established that already. And I don't think he is smart enough to realize what his value is.

I give him almost no chance of coming here, but what is worse is there are no reports of our efforts, which seem to be the case far too many times with players.

No, he's not a number 1 receiving threat but he's a lot better then a lot of guys playing 3rd WR in the NFL right now. His chemistry with Romo was a tangent thing. At worst, he would have come back to Dallas, if not for Concussions. I agree with you. He may not be the most intelligent guy, I don't really know, but I 100% believe that concussions, and not talent, are why he is no longer in the NFL.

 

[Alexander]

And I think that, given his abilities, and the players he would be competing against - Leary or Free - I don't see why he wouldn't believe he could be either of them out.

Dallas' OL carries the "best in the NFL" label. So he is going to think like we do and even know who Leary or Doug Free is? As far as he is concerned, this is a loaded OL that he cannot step onto the field from day one as a starter. Nor do I think for one second Jerry or Stephen Jones would guarantee him a starting job.

 

[Cowboys22]

UDFAs can be renegotiated after two seasons. Simply sign him to the maximum allowable contract now with the promise that you will make him whole in two years if he comes in and is the player he looks to be. I'd tell him he will get a market value deal in two years plus the money he lost. Whatever money he lost would be part of a large signing bonus so he will have that money in two years. Then he can be a part of the best line in football and become an All-Pro.

 

[Galian Beast]

Impossible. Why wouldn't he stay where he had the best chance for success?

Never underestimate how player ego factors into it. Players do not often do what others would think is in their best interest. They want a spotlight on them, not to be a smaller cog in the team's overall accolades.

That was my point....

 

[Stash]

The team has been trying to upgrade LG for two seasons IMO. They just haven't gotten it done. I don't see them halting the search thou. They are down to it with Leary. Next year, he's going to want a longer term contract with bigger money if he's the starter. It's probably his last contract. They either sign up for a highly questionable health situation with Leary or they find a solution. It's more critical then is probably realized by most of the fan base IMO. The team really needs to address this issue sooner rather then later IMO.

Great post. Totally agree with you.