If the Browns sign Jamie Collins to a long-term, big-money deal, as it appears they will do, then they need him to be more than just a playmaking linebacker.

They also need him to be a leader on the field – and off it as well — for their young, impressionable defense.

The Browns defense is a mess. That’s hardly a surprise to anyone. It needs a little bit of everything. And it needs a lot of what Collins can give.

In Collins the Browns will have a player so dynamic that every opposing offensive coordinator will stay up nights trying to come up with ways to keep him from taking control of the game. The Browns haven’t had a player like that, especially at linebacker, in who knows how long. Fans have forgotten what a productive linebacker can do for a defense.

But with that comes a responsibility for Collins to be a coach on the field, to make sure the Browns line up properly and that everyone knows what they’re supposed to do, how they’re supposed to do it and when they’re supposed to do it. How many times last season did the defense blow assignments, opening the door to giving up big plays that turned games around and/or broke them wide open?

Way, way too much.

Along with that, Collins must be the guy to hold everyone on the defense accountable. When a player makes an error, he needs to hear about in no uncertain terms from Collins. There was no one to do that last year. Guys got away with football murder. It was as dysfunctional as dysfunctional can be. The Browns can’t have that – on either side of the ball, or even on special teams – if they want to get where they wat to go.

If the Browns are convinced that Collins can do all that, and, most importantly, would be willing to do it and would embrace it, they can’t pay him enough money.