Cleveland Browns: Jamie Collins beginning to sound like a defensive leader
Linebacker Jamie Collins was known as a bit of a freelancer with Patriots, but he’s beginning to sound like a leader with the Cleveland Browns.
The Cleveland Browns acquired linebacker Jamie Collins from the New England Patriots last season in order to add raw talent to their defense. In doing so, they may have also added a future leader.
Collins isn’t quite the type of veteran leader the Brown have in players like Joe Thomas or Joe Haden. Thomas has played 10 NFL seasons, Haden seven. Both have spent their entire careers in Cleveland. Collins is entering just his fifth season, hopefully, his first full one with the Browns.
While Collins was never known as a true leader with the New England Patriots —a nd his me-first attitude may have led to his trade— he’s beginning to sound like the type of team-first guy the Browns are looking to build around. Collins recently went out of his way to praise both his Browns teammates and new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams’ system.
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He had this to say to Matthew Florjancic of WKYC:
"“For sure, it is a great group of guys,” Collins said. “I’m glad to be here. This is my job, so I’m coming to work every day with that on my mind. It is a brotherhood.”"
He later added:
"“I feel pretty good about this system,” Collins said. “We have a lot of energy around our defense. We have guys flying around the ball. I’m just looking forward to great things.”"
The addition of Williams is expected to help improve the Browns defense, which was ranked just 31st in the NFL last season (392.4 yards per game allowed). Of course, Cleveland’s players have to master Williams’ system for any significant improvement to actually occur.
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The fact that Collins is embracing both Williams’ system and his teammates is definitely a step in the right direction for the Browns.