New England Patriots reunited with Jamie Collins, and it feels so good
The New England Patriots have reportedly signed free agent linebacker Jamie Collins setting up yet another reunion with a former player.
Is this Bill Belichick’s farewell season or something? Before we start speculating about that, let’s celebrate the return of another New England Patriots player in that of one Jamie Collins.
As confirmed by Jim McBride of the Boston Globe via Twitter on Wednesday, the defending Super Bowl champions have signed Collins who will be in attendance and on the field during the team’s voluntary offseason workout program at Gillette Stadium Thursday.
This comes just a week after the team signed another former player, tight end Ben Watson.
More from Chowder and Champions
- 3 Midseason Chaim Bloom Decisions That Have Killed the 2023 Red Sox
- 10 Patriots Who Will Be Cut by Tuesday’s Roster Deadline
- MLB Screws Red Sox Fans With Broadcast for Mookie Betts Return
- 3 Most Underpaid Celtics Heading Into the 2023 Season
- Red Sox Continue Rollercoaster Season With Massive Win
Given how Belichick shipped Collins out of town back in 2016, this addition doesn’t make all fans warm and fuzzy, but both his talent and hopefully returning a more mature player makes this a low-risk deal that could really benefit a defense that came into its own towards the end of the 2018 NFL season.
Adding a productive talent like Jamie Collins and a player who has experience playing under Belichick, should make the defense an even stronger force in 2019. Now, that is if Collins buys into the defense.
After playing the last three seasons in Cleveland, the former Patriots second-round pick should be motivated to win again and do whatever the team needs him to do. He did do that his first couple of seasons in New England, but his tendency to freelance didn’t sit well with Bill Belichick back then.
Obviously, despite making some head scratching comments about the team, the bridges weren’t burned between Collins and Belichick. After racking up 104 tackles, four sacks and four passes defended in 2018, the Browns cut Collins as they also didn’t feel they were getting the best out of him.
So, will a second stint with the New England Patriots and Belichick work for the 29-year-old linebacker?
It did for Patrick Chung, who has become a leader since returning to the team after a stint with the Philadelphia Eagles. That same path is possible for Jamie Collins, especially with is former teammate, Jarod Mayo, now the linebacker’s coach. He also has chemistry playing alongside Dont’a Hightower. With Kyle Van Noy, Elandon Roberts and second-year linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley also in the mix, Collins will really have to prove himself to find a role on the team.
Maybe, that’s the push a player with his talent needs.
Patriots eyed a reunion during the season
Another indication that old wounds have healed is a report that the New England Patriots discussed a deal for Jamie Collins prior to the NFL Trade deadline back in October.
During that time, the Patriots were pretty much desperate for some linebacker help and Collins was pretty much made available by the Browns.
Next. New England Patriots: The 10 greatest defensive players of all-time. dark
Of course, creating more chemistry issues would’ve been a risk for Bill Belichick, but during that point in the season, shaking things up could’ve been another motivation for such a deal. As it turned out, staying pat worked out for the team as Hightower, Van Noy and Roberts really became a strength of the defense.
In waiting it out, the New England Patriots will now get a Pro Bowler back into the mix without giving up anything. If it all works out the second time around for Jamie Collins, add another one to the resume of smart moves by Bill Belichick the GM.