Washington Football Team strong safety Landon Collins is essentially more linebacker than safety, according to head coach Ron Rivera.
The game of football is changing rapidly, as teams move forward with nimble running backs and swift receivers.
Because of this, strong safeties like the Seattle Seahawks’ Jamal Adams and Washington Football Team‘s Landon Collins are playing in the box more than usual.
So when Ron Rivera referred to Collins as more of a linebacker on Wednesday, it was less a surprise and more an eventuality.
Ron Rivera said he had a conversation with Landon Collins in which he told him he really believes he's a downhill linebacker.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) October 20, 2021
Collins has played at linebacker for the past two games, which is why Rivera described Collins’ new role as “a lot of perceptions and expectations.”
Here is Ron Rivera's full answer when asked about Landon Collins, who has played almost exclusively at LB the last two games: pic.twitter.com/VWEqCrTR2b
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) October 20, 2021
“He has a good role,” Rivera said in a press conference. “And the role we used him in is something we feel strongly about his abilities. He’s a downhill, attacking style of player and we got to make sure and we got to make sure we’re putting him in position to have success for us.”
Landon Collins is basically a linebacker in Washington after being paid fortune
Since WFT has played him in the linebacker position, Collins’ role in the defense has only increased. Collins played 100 percent of snaps in Weeks 4 and 5, and he played 83 percent of snaps in Week 6.
Some strong safeties like Collins have proven better playing more like linebackers, which was evidenced when Deonte Harris broke past Collins for a 72-yard touchdown in Week 5.
We’ve seen some safeties permanently make the move, such as Dallas Cowboy Keanu Neal. Defensive coordinator Dan Quinn knew Neal’s skillset could be better applied in his new position, and the results are clear.