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Nick Collins

Nick Collins To Retire

August 19th, 2014 at 8:29pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Veteran safety Nick Collins, who spent all seven of his NFL seasons with the Packers, has announced his retirement (via TwitLonger). Collins hasn’t played in the league since 2011, as he’d been dealing with a neck injury suffered during Week 2 of that year. Though doctors were reportedly uncomfortable with approving his health, Collins was eying a comeback attempt as recently as February, but it seems as if that plan has been aborted.

“[I’ve] officially announced my retirement from the NFL,” said Collins. “I also would like to thank my family, friends, and the Packer Nation for the love and support.”

Collins underwent cervical fusion surgery following his neck injury in 2011, and was eventually released by the Packers in 2012 when the team expressed unease with allowing him to return to the field. Later that year, Collins’ agent conceded that his client’s playing career was likely over, but the former second-round pick himself always maintained that he wanted to return to action

During his prime, Collins was among the best safeties in the NFL — he was named to the Pro Bowl each year from 2008-10, and won the Super Bowl in 2010. After joining Green Bay out of Bethune-Cookman in 2005, Collins went on to start 95 games, and recorded 340 tackles and 21 interceptions during that span. In 2008, he led the league in interception return yards, taking his picks back a whopping 295 total yards.

Luke Adams contributed to this post.

NFC Notes: Collins, Panthers, Cousins, Cards

February 5th, 2014 at 4:34pm CST by Luke Adams

After announcing on Twitter earlier this week that he’s “ready for action,” former All-Pro safety Nick Collins spoke to Jason Wilde of ESPN Wisconsin about his attempt to return to the NFL. While Collins admits that he probably won’t be back with the Packers, he says Green Bay’s team physician, Dr. Pat McKenzie, was the “only doctor” unwilling to medically clear him to play.

“I’ve been trying to get that opportunity for two years now and no one seems to want to take that chance,” Collins said. “But I’m ready if anybody is willing. I guess it’s all about just getting the teams to understand the [idea] of me coming back. They can bring me in, they can get their own doctors to look at me, they can do their own evaluation and we can go from there. If they say we can roll with it, I’ll take that chance.”

As Collins continues to pursue an NFL job, let’s round up a few more Wednesday items from around the NFC….

  • In addition to extending the contract of head coach Ron Rivera, the Panthers also signed Rivera’s assistants to extensions, according to David Newton of ESPN.com.
  • Kirk Cousins figures to be the subject of several trade rumors this offseason, but Mike Jones of the Washington Post believes the Redskins should probably hang onto their backup quarterback unless they’re offered a second-round pick or better.
  • While Matt Cassel‘s decision to opt out of his contract with the Vikings could create an opportunity in Minnesota for Michael Vick, Cassel’s presence on the free agent market means the two quarterbacks will likely be competing for the same potential job openings, writes ESPN.com’s Phil Sheridan.
  • Now that Larry Fitzgerald has restructured his contract, the Cardinals should have some flexibility to retain their free agents. Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com breaks down the team’s free-agents-to-be, ranking them from highest to lowest priority.

Nick Collins Attempting Comeback

February 4th, 2014 at 4:23pm CST by Luke Adams

4:23pm: According to Jason Wilde of ESPN Wisconsin (via Twitter), Collins’ status and prognosis remains unchanged, with doctors still believing that the risk of him playing is too great. That doesn’t bode well for his comeback chances.

12:46pm: Nick Collins was one of the most productive safeties in the NFL during the last few years of the 2000s, earning three straight Pro Bowl berths from 2008 to 2010. Collins sustained a neck injury in the second week of the 2011 season that seemingly ended his career, but now the ex-Packer appears to be attempting a comeback.

After tweeting yesterday that he was “ready for action,” the three-time All-Pro sent out a second tweet that read: “Who’s looking for a top notch free safety. This kid is ready to dominate #2014.” Sources close to Collins confirmed to Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel that he wants to return to the NFL.

Collins underwent cervical fusion surgery following his neck injury in 2011, and was eventually released by the Packers in 2012 when the team expressed unease with allowing him to return to the field. Later that year, Collins’ agent conceded that his client’s playing career was likely over, but the former second-round pick himself always maintained that he wanted to return to action.

It remains to be seen if team doctors will medically clear Collins to play in the NFL, and whether or not a club would feel comfortable signing him. It’s also unclear how effective Collins would be if he played again, considering it’ll be three years this September since he last appeared in an NFL game. Still, he’s just 30 years old and was performing at an elite level before his injury. It would certainly make a great story if Collins can return to the league and stay healthy, but we’ll have to wait and see how his comeback progresses.