Jamie Collins says he never asked the New England Patriots for “Von Miller money” before they traded him to the Cleveland Browns.
The deal to send Pro Bowl linebacker Jamie Collins to the AFC North sent shockwaves through the NFL. One possible reason was thought to be his contract demands, with Collins set to hit free agency next year.
But Collins disputed that he asked to be for fiscal parity with Denver Broncos’ quarterback hunter Von Miller, according to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain-Dealer:
#Browns Jamie Collins said he never asked for Von Miller money: "I'm not Von Miller. Let's be smart"
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) November 2, 2016
The claim Collins had made those demands was relayed by ESPN’s Adam Schefter:
With Jamie Collins contract coming up, he was at one point asking for what one league source described as “Von Miller money." Von: 6-$114.5M
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 31, 2016
Either way, some close to the Patriots have reported Collins was less than impressed with the team’s offer. The Boston Globe‘s Ben Volin detailed one proposal the 2013 second-round pick turned down:
I'm told Collins turned down $11m per year from the Patriots. Franchise Tag should be around $15m this spring
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) October 31, 2016
There’s no doubt dealing Collins made some financial sense for the Patriots, as head coach Bill Belichick’s defense is loaded at linebacker. Dont’a Hightower, Elandon Roberts, Shea McClellin, Barkevious Mingo and Kyle Van Noy are all able to take snaps at a variety of positions. There’s also veteran edge-setter Rob Ninkovich.
What’s interesting here is Collins’ allusion to Miller. The Super Bowl 50 MVP is a player Collins should emulate, as he was a jack of all trades in New England. Collins played inside ‘backer, outside, and even lined up with his hand down. Like Miller, he can be deployed anywhere by a creative defensive coordinator and has the athleticism to cover and rush.
But if he’s going to merit Miller money, Collins has to make one position his own, and that should be outside pass-rusher.
The 6’3″, 250-pounder is a size and speed mismatch on the edges. He can be moved to either side of a formation and kept away from tight ends and double teams.
Next: Chandler Jones weighs in on the Patriots trading Jamie Collins
Browns defensive coordinator Ray Horton is a proponent of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ zone-blitz 3-4 philosophy. He knows that scheme lives and days with the men on the edge.
Horton should make Collins the Miller of his developing Cleveland defense.