Trading with head coach Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots to get talented linebacker Jamie Collins on Monday was a nice move by the Browns.
They get a great playmaker for a defense that is in desperate need of such. And it cost them only a third-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. Big deal.
But, in a relative sense, as good as all that was – did we also mention that, in this being just his fourth season, Collins is a young guy? — it was the easy part.
Now comes the difficult – very much so — next step of this process, and that is to sign Collins, whose contract is up after this season, to a long-term deal. If the Browns can get that done – and they certainly have the available salary-cap room to do so – then they will have made a great move, one that could be a real game-changer.
Belichick didn’t want, or need, the guy. Collins wants big money and was doing too much freelancing in Belichick’s scheme. Those are no-no’s. In New England, you do what you’re asked to do and shut up. It’s all about the team, not the individuals. Plus the Patriots have several linebackers whom Belichick likes more — a lot more, in fact – and he would rather re-up them than Collins.
So to send Collins packing was an easy move for Belichick.
And to welcome Collins with open arms was an equally easy move for the Browns and head coach Hue Jackson.
The Browns need some dynamic players. Duh?! There’s a shock, huh? That’s Collins,
OK, then, the Browns roll the dice, using the second half of the season to evaluate Collins and try to convince him to stay. If they can, then they will have finally spent some of that free-agent money in a positive way.
In a season where looking ahead is the focus, that move would fit like a glove.
