{"id":60387,"date":"2019-03-07T06:41:36","date_gmt":"2019-03-07T11:41:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=60387"},"modified":"2019-03-07T06:46:42","modified_gmt":"2019-03-07T11:46:42","slug":"examining-a-possible-jamie-collins-new-england-patriots-reunion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2019\/03\/07\/examining-a-possible-jamie-collins-new-england-patriots-reunion\/","title":{"rendered":"Examining a Possible Jamie Collins, New England Patriots Reunion"},"content":{"rendered":"

An old friend of the New England Patriots<\/a> is on the open market. The Cleveland Browns<\/a> released former Patriots linebacker Jamie Collins<\/a><\/b>, and some are speculating that New England could be interested in bringing the former Super Bowl champion back to Foxboro. Collins had a fantastic tenure with the New England Patriots, although it ended on a low note<\/a>. The Patriots are always looking for ways to get better, so would a Jamie Collins reunion make sense?<\/p>\n

Pros and Cons of a Jamie Collins, New England Patriots Reunion<\/h1>\n

Why It Would Work<\/h2>\n

The New England Patriots are all about buying low on high-level talent, and Collins\u2019 price has never been lower. Just two years removed from signing a four-year, $50 million extension, the Patriots could get Collins for pennies on the dollar. Collins has played like a replacement-level linebacker for most of the past two seasons, but he still has the athleticism to be one of the best linebackers in football.<\/p>\n

A big reason for Collins\u2019 drop in play is due to subpar effort on the field<\/a>. Quite frankly, Collins hasn\u2019t played with the same heart or energy ever since signing his monster deal. Seemingly content with his massive payday, Collins\u2019 play has dipped because his motivation simply wasn’t there.<\/p>\n

New England has a chance to invest in a highly-motivated Collins. The Patriots could sign Collins on an incentive-laden one-year deal, allowing the linebacker to re-establish his value and hit free agency again in 2020. When motivated, Collins still has the ability to play like the guy who recorded 9.5 sacks, 227 tackles, and nine forced fumbles over a two-year stretch.<\/p>\n

For what it\u2019s worth, the Patriots already showed at least minor interest in a reunion. According to The Athletic\u2019s<\/i> Jeff Howe<\/b>, New England \u201chad internal discussions<\/a>\u201d about acquiring Collins at the 2018 trade deadline. While Howe didn\u2019t say how in-depth these discussions were, the fact New England even considered giving up draft assets for Collins and his mammoth contract shows that the team should be interested in buying low on him in free agency.<\/p>\n

Why It Wouldn\u2019t Work<\/h2>\n

As great as Collins was during his time in New England, he didn\u2019t fit New England\u2019s culture. The ultra-talented linebacker had a knack for \u201cfreelancing\u201d and not playing the called defense. This type of insubordination isn\u2019t tolerated in New England and was a big reason the Patriots dealt Collins in the first place.<\/p>\n

Signing Collins comes with a decent amount of risk. Collins\u2019 lack of effort in Cleveland is a real red flag, and there\u2019s a chance that the 29-year old will bring that same underwhelming effort back to New England. While it\u2019s easy to write off the lack of effort as a byproduct for playing on an underwhelming Cleveland Browns squad, it\u2019s entirely possible that Collins is only in it for the money. If that\u2019s the case, Collins already has all the money he\u2019ll ever need from his last contract.<\/p>\n

Additionally, the Patriots are currently set at the linebacker position. Kyle Van Noy<\/a><\/b> has been a godsend in New England\u2019s linebacker corps, Dont\u2019a Hightower<\/b><\/a> is still a strong starter even if he has lost a step, and Ja\u2019Whaun Bentley<\/b><\/a> looked like the real deal during his shortened rookie season. Elandon Roberts<\/a><\/b> took a big step in his third year and provides reliable depth should injury strike. Quite frankly, it\u2019s hard to carve out anything more than a situational role for Collins in New England\u2019s current defense.<\/p>\n

Last Word on a Jamie Collins, New England Patriots Reunion<\/h2>\n

Everyone remembers just how good Jamie Collins with New England, and now the Patriots have a chance to get that player back for pennies on the dollar. Collins still has the ability and athleticism to be one of the best linebackers in the league, but an underwhelming two-year stint in Cleveland has torpedoed his value. New England built a dynasty on these low-cost acquisitions, and Collins could be the next major move.<\/p>\n

Collins ended his Patriots tenure on a low note, but the Patriots aren\u2019t morally opposed to bringing their former draft pick back to Foxboro. Collins probably doesn\u2019t have much of a market right now, as he\u2019s been a pedestrian linebacker for the majority of the past two seasons. He needs a chance to re-establish his value and show the world that he\u2019s still deserving of a top contract.<\/p>\n

Despite having a solid linebacker corps in place, New England could always use more depth. The Patriots clearly know how to maximize Collins\u2019 ability, and every team could use that type of game-breaking talent. A one-year, incentive-laden deal makes sense for both parties.<\/p>\n

Main photo:
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>