Jamie Collins Admits Being Surprised the Patriots Wanted Him Back
By Michael Luciano
Just two and a half years after shipping him to what was then the NFL's version of Siberia -- Cleveland, Ohio -- the New England Patriots got an ideal linebacker for their defense back in town at a discounted price.
Jamie Collins, who made a Pro Bowl and won two Super Bowl rings in Foxborough returned to the Patriots this offseason and figures to slide right into the starting unit. Collins himself was initially surprised that Bill Belichick even had any interest in bringing him back.
Jamie Collins was surprised to hear from Patriots https://t.co/SgQhDRcZOh
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) May 23, 2019
Over a recent two- to three-year stretch, there wasn't a better 4-3 outside linebacker in the game, as Collins piled up 138 tackles and four sacks in 2015 and made a Pro Bowl in 2016. His downturn with the Browns came due to playing out of position too often and not being used to his full potential.
Knowing Belichick, he'll have him back to a Pro Bowl level in short order.
Jamie Collins returns to an ideal spot in New England!
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) May 21, 2019
PFF's Ben Linsey (@PFF_Linsey) takes a look back at his tenure with the Patriots and explains how the team can again maximize his skill sethttps://t.co/7jCrZAPpmf pic.twitter.com/6CvyWkOZkp
Of course, Belichick's perfect outside linebacker falls right into his lap. The Patriots' dark magic works once again.