Nick Collens skipping offseason program, looking for new dea

[pack4to84]

skipping offseason program, looking for new deal

But when Collins learned that the team wasn’t interested commencing negotiations aimed at giving him a new deal, Collins decided that participating in offseason workouts (at least for the first week) falls beyond the scope of “what I have to do to help this team.”

http://www.madison.com/wsj/mad/breaking_news//443728

[pittstang5]

Oh Geez, here we go!

First Williams, now Collins. Who's next.

Ordinarily, I wouldn't think this is too big of a deal, but since theirs a new strength and conditioning coach, who it sounds like is really revamping the workout sessions, plus a brand new defense to install - wouldn't it be wise for all players, especially defensive players to attend these things.

I love how all players say, "This is a business." Yeah, well that might be true. But if my job was going to change, I think I'd want to attend the meetings to see what those changes are.

Another thing, don't these players, especially Packer Players, know that if you work hard and produce, you will be taken care of. Poppinga is the best example. Good things come to those that wait.

[LL2]

Collins had a great year last year, and Williams has a promising future, so TT should give them both decent deals and lock them up now. The Packers have had secondaries that sucked for a long time, and the future looks promising for that group. Harris and Woodson are only going to be around 2-3 more years, so I'm sure the deals could be structured so more of the payout is down the road a couple years. Also, so what if they are trying to take care of Jennings first. Just get deals done!

[pbmax]

Williams must be there if the only missing player is Collins. And as he is currently missing just the strength and conditioning segment now (as opposed to OTAs or minicamp) he won't be missing much. Capers has said installation will not happen until OTAs.

Its news but it looks like Jennings is going to get done first.

[Patler]

Collins has already gotten a $2.5M escalator for 2009 because of his performance in 2008, per the terms of his existing contract. The added $2.5M should be enough to get him there in the off season and participating until they have time to discuss an extension.

[BZnDallas]

this shit is really getting old... sign a contract and play!... if you play well enough you will be compensated... just b/c you make one pro bowl doing what you are being payed to do doesn't mean you should hold out for more...

what happens when you sign a contract that a one year pro bowler might get and you make a pro bowl the next year??... do you sit out again and say hey "i'm a 2 time pro bowler now, i deserve even more money!"...

[CaptainKickass]

Maybe the org is allowing this because they have "something up their sleeve" -

What kind of trade value does Collins have right now, or even closer to the draft?

What kind of draft pick+player packages could be put together and for whom?



.

[Fritz]

Sigh. I know, I know, I know. It's a business. But dammit, it sucks sometimes.

I tend to think if Collins went about his business and got to the strength training sessions and so on, he'd get his due reward in the form of a new contract.

Maybe he just doesn't feel like working out? Wants to take some more time off, so this is a ploy? Maybe this is like calling in sick so you can go play golf. I don't know.

[Packnut]

Collins

I guess I'm one of the few who was'nt impressed by the season Collins had. Ya can't give this guy a huge contract based on one season and especially not knowing how he'll adjust to the 3-4.

[PaCkFan_n_MD]

Trade Collins? lol.

Ok lets trade our 25 year old pro bowl safety.

How about we stop being so dam cheap and pay our good players. I mean shit we have tons of money to spend. I took four years to develop this guy and now that he finally gets it people are open to trading him? I just don't get it.

[hoosier]

Trade Collins? lol.

Ok lets trade our 25 year old pro bowl safety.

How about we stop being so dam cheap and pay our good players. I mean shit we have tons of money to spend. I took four years to develop this guy and now that he finally gets it people are open to trading him? I just don't get it.

We owe you a tremendous debt of gratitude then! The problem with "pay the good players" is that every time you rework someone's contract it opens the door for someone else to come in and demand a new deal. If you do that every time someone outpeforms their contract, pretty soon your salary structure will be a mess. In addition to that principle, there are two specific factors the Packers need to look at: (1) Core guys like Jennings and Kampmann who will need to be re-signed; how would redoing Collins's contract affect their ability to retain their other core players this year and next? (2) Collins is in the fourth year of a 5-year original deal. Rotoworld says he's due to make over 3 million this year. Does that include the incentives he reached last year? How does that compare to other safeties around the league who are at a comparable point in their careers (three or four years in, one pro bowl, etc.)? I'm not opposed to renegotiating in principle, but I think it should be done on a case by case basis while taking into account how valuable the guy is to the team, how far from market value their current deals are, and what other needs the team has.
EDIT: after reading the WSJ article it sounds like Collins is more or less taking the high road so far, as compared to Javon Walker. Judging from what has happened in the past I think he stands a much better chance of getting close to what he wants if he flies low under the media radar.

[pbmax]

And, of course, this could all be premature:

???????????????

[Gunakor]

Collins had a great year last year, and Williams has a promising future, so TT should give them both decent deals and lock them up now. The Packers have had secondaries that sucked for a long time, and the future looks promising for that group. Harris and Woodson are only going to be around 2-3 more years, so I'm sure the deals could be structured so more of the payout is down the road a couple years. Also, so what if they are trying to take care of Jennings first. Just get deals done!

Yeah, but Collins is likely looking for an All-Pro type contract, of which he is still undeserving IMO. Don't forget he sucked balls for 3 years before finally showing up. I'd rework his contract to give him a bit more money, as I feel that's fair, but if he's looking for a top 5 FS deal, I'd tell him to piss off. At least until he proves that last year was not a fluke.

Besides, not showing up for voluntary work during a transition period isn't the best way of showing the team you deserve that money in the first place.

[wist43]

Collins has improved, but even though he made the pro bowl I don't consider him at that level... still, i would try to extend him, and hope he becomes more consistent.

He's not a very bright guy, and switching schemes may be a lot for him to handle, so there's every possibility he will regress next year. His sloppy tackling and poor angles are also a concern - although, he has improved at taking better angles.

[PaCkFan_n_MD]

Trade Collins? lol.

Ok lets trade our 25 year old pro bowl safety.

How about we stop being so dam cheap and pay our good players. I mean shit we have tons of money to spend. I took four years to develop this guy and now that he finally gets it people are open to trading him? I just don't get it.

We owe you a tremendous debt of gratitude then! The problem with "pay the good players" is that every time you rework someone's contract it opens the door for someone else to come in and demand a new deal. If you do that every time someone outpeforms their contract, pretty soon your salary structure will be a mess. In addition to that principle, there are two specific factors the Packers need to look at: (1) Core guys like Jennings and Kampmann who will need to be re-signed; how would redoing Collins's contract affect their ability to retain their other core players this year and next? (2) Collins is in the fourth year of a 5-year original deal. Rotoworld says he's due to make over 3 million this year. Does that include the incentives he reached last year? How does that compare to other safeties around the league who are at a comparable point in their careers (three or four years in, one pro bowl, etc.)? I'm not opposed to renegotiating in principle, but I think it should be done on a case by case basis while taking into account how valuable the guy is to the team, how far from market value their current deals are, and what other needs the team has.
EDIT: after reading the WSJ article it sounds like Collins is more or less taking the high road so far, as compared to Javon Walker. Judging from what has happened in the past I think he stands a much better chance of getting close to what he wants if he flies low under the media radar.

lol. It was supposed to say IT took four........

Collins is just as important to this team as Jennings and Kampman are. And just like Kampman and Jennings the guy has one year left on a contract that he has outplayed. When players step up their game they deserve to get paid accordingly. When players don't play up to their contracts they rework their deals or are cut.

We don’t spend money on free agents so we should at least pay our guys when they play good.