Nick Collins celebrates an interception touchdown return.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Sept. 18, 2011, was a day when the Green Bay Packers were drastically changed.

Pro Bowl safety Nick Collins lay on the turf at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., after helping to make a tackle and having his head freakishly snapped back.

He would never play another football game and the Packers would never be the same on the field.

Packers head coach Mike McCarthy, while talking about his defense today, brought up Collins to Jason Wilde of ESPN Radio, who documented his response. McCarthy, who has a great understanding of his players and their roles on his team said,

Nick Collins was the heart and soul of the Packers defense.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

“Nick’s a great player. That’s one (where), I don’t think Ted will ever get over that one. That’s one we talk about quite often, but hey, you have to move on. You’re talking about a guy that was probably in the middle of a Hall of Fame career.”

Was McCarthy right about the Hall of Fame? Well, Collins had just helped his team to a Super Bowl and had been named to three straight Pro Bowls. He had just finished his sixth season, had 21 interceptions, four of which had been returned for touchdowns. He had 329 tackles and 75 assists. He forced six fumbles and recovered four others. He also had an interception that he returned for a touchdown in Super Bowl XLV.

So, had he been able to continue to play 10-12-14 season, sure, he could have been considered a hall of famer. He easily would have been considered for induction into the Packers Hall of Fame.

But that’s speculation. Collins’ loss two seasons ago certainly had an impact. In 2011, the season when the Packers lost Collins, the team’s defense went to hell. In fact, it got as bad as it could have gotten as the team’s unit finished dead last in the the league without Collins. They still haven’t recovered. Though the unit improved in 2012 because Ted Thompson went out and expended an entire draft to make it so, but it still has some work to do to get back to performing like it did with Collins in the lineup.

The team continues its recovery from its post-Collins hangover.

” I really like Morgan Burnett,” McCarthy said as he talked about the team he now has on the field. “I feel like he’s going to take a big step this year. I look for his leadership to improve. Morgan does everything that you ask, he’s got to start cashing in on the opportunities he has around the ball. I thought he did an excellent job when Charles [Woodson] went down with his injury playing down around the line of scrimmage. I thought Morgan was extremely disciplined and productive down there. I feel very good about Morgan back there, and I like our young guys.”

McCarthy has to say those things because those are the players he has in-house. Those are the players who remain post-Collins. This is a team still in recovery – a team that has to develop its own identity and make its own history.

Hopefully the recovery continues … and of course we are thankful for what Collins brought to the team while he played and we hope for his continued recovery to life after football.

Here are Collins’ career statistics …

Packers cornerback Charles Woodson could be moved to safety in 2012. Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

The Packers have had to move on from the Nick Collins days … he has been cut due to the major question about whether he will ever play again in the NFL.

So, who will replace Nick Collins?

Charles Woodson is the first candidate to replace Collins as Woodson no longer has the speed to be effective at cornerback but still has the ball-hawking abilities to be an effective safety. Woodson’s skills will allow him to be a very effective safety that quarterbacks will have to watch. This move is a realistic possibility due to the fact that the Packers added Casey Hayward to the group of cornerbacks they already have in the fold as Tramon Williams and Sam Shields can both be NFL starters. Woodson seems like the best fit to move from cornerback to safety for the Packers.

Packers safety Charlie Peprah could be tapped to replace Nick Collins. Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

Veteran safety Charlie Peprah replaced Collins this past season and seems like another realistic candidate to be the starter to replace Nick Collins. Peprah already knows how to play safety and has the ball-hawking skills that would make him a good replacement for Collins. However, Woodson has the potential to be a really good safety and Peprah might not be able to beat out Woodson in training camp as Woodson will start somewhere in the secondary next season.

Jerron McMillian is a long but has the upside to be really good. McMillian is very agreesive and knows how to shut down the running game from his time at Maine. However, McMillian is a raw prospect and needs some time to develop before the Packers think about putting him into the starting lineup.

Nick Collins will be difficult to replace but the Packers will find someone who can be at least as good as Collins.

Green Bay Packers safety Nick Collins (36) greets fans as he rides a bike to training camp practice outside Lambeau Field. He will not have the opportunity again to ride a bike to practice because the Packers have released him. Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

The writing was on the wall and everyone knew that the Green Bay Packers were not going to move forward with their star safety Nick Collins.

The Packers have told Collins that he will be released.

“From the beginning of this process, we have taken our time and sought numerous medical opinions while maintaining consistent dialogue with Nick,” Packers general manager Ted Thompson said. “In the end, we were not comfortable clearing him to play again. As with all of our players, Nick is a member of our family and we thought of him that way as we came to this conclusion.”

The eight-year veteran, one of the most popular and productive players on the Packers defense, suffered a neck injury in the second game last year at Carolina, missed the remainder of the season and had neck surgery.

Since that time, the question about whether Collins would ever play again has been a hot topic. Both Packers head coach Mike McCarthy and Thompson didn’t get behind the “let Nick Collins play again” banner and, in fact, had come out with comments that suggested they wanted him to retire rather than risk another injury.

To date, Collins hasn’t come out and said he would come back in play, whether it would have been for the Packers or for another team. That issue is still to be determined. However, even his agent, Alan Herman, had hinted that he didn’t want Collins to continue with his career.

Collins was due to make $4.05 million in salary and bonuses this season. The Packers will gain $3.05 million under their salary cap, giving them roughly $12 million of cap space heading into the draft. The Packers also gained $5.5 million when they released tackle Chad Clifton earlier this week.

The eight-year veteran was elected to three straight Pro Bowls from 2008-’10. He recorded 419 tackles, 21 interceptions for 507 return yards and four touchdowns in his career.

Once released, should Collins want to continue his career he will be open to signing with any team that wants to take a risk.

Did the Packers err on the side of caution on this one? There have been other players who suffered the same type of injury who came back and played. None of them suffered any serious injuries afterward.

However, for the Packers, I feel this was probably the right move.

As good as Collins was for the team, it’s time to move on.

And we wish the best of luck to Nick Collins in all his future endeavors – just don’t make those endeavors with the Vikings, Bears or Lions, please!

The official press release from the Green Bay Packers’ public relations department follows:

PACKERS RELEASE S COLLINS

The Green Bay Packers have released S Nick Collins. The transaction was announced Wednesday by Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations Ted Thompson.

Collins, who was selected by the Packers with the first of two second-round selections (No. 51 overall) in the 2005 NFL Draft, went on to appear in 95 games (all starts) at free safety during his seven-year career in Green Bay. During that time, he amassed 498 tackles (388 solo), 21 interceptions, including four returned for touchdowns, 83 passes defensed, five forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

From 2008-10, Collins ranked second among all NFL players with 439 interception return yards and was tied for second among safeties with 17 INTs over that span. In 2008, he set a franchise record with 295 INT return yards and became the first NFL safety since 1986 to return three INTs for TDs in a season.

In 2010, Collins became the first Packers safety since LeRoy Butler to earn a bid to three consecutive Pro Bowls, and capped his season with a 37-yard INT return for a touchdown in Super Bowl XLV. He missed just three games in his first six seasons in the league, but was sidelined for the final 14 contests of 2011 after suffering a season-ending neck injury at Carolina in Week 2.

“From the beginning of this process, we have taken our time and sought numerous medical opinions while maintaining consistent dialogue with Nick,” Thompson said. “In the end, we were not comfortable clearing him to play again. As with all of our players, Nick is a member of our family and we thought of him that way as we came to this conclusion.

“Nick is a part of our core, and this is a very difficult day for all Packers. Making this kind of decision is never easy, especially when it involves someone like Nick Collins. He has meant so much to the community, his teammates and the organization. He is a good man and will always be part of the Packers family.”

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Will Green Bay Packers safety Nick Collins have more opportunities to greet fans on his way to training camp practice? Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

Tell me if I’m wrong, but it seems to me about one week ago Green Bay Packers safety Nick Collins’ agent came out publicly saying that his player client was to be meeting with coach Mike McCarthy and general manager Ted Thompson.

Did I miss something?

The week has come and gone and not a word about Collins on any news site, nor the Packers official site … not an inkling, not a sighting, not a single letter has been typed about his whereabouts or whether he has even met with the Packers.

I believe that Collins said he would be sure to let the Packers know his intent by the time the NFL Draft rolls around. Well, it’s rolling ever-closer, so something should be coming soon …

The initial comments from his agent a week ago was that Collins was feeling physically well and indicated he wanted to come back to the team. The real question at this point is whether the Packers will allow him back. Both McCarthy and Thompson have indicated that Collins would have to do a significant song and dance to get him back on the Lambeau Field turf.

McCarthy and Thompson were both reticent in coming out in support of Collins’ return to the field.

In fact, most are more concerned about Collins’ health, given that he just had surgery on his neck six months ago. Though the medical field has grown in treatments of all neck-related injuries (see Peyton Manning here), it’s still a sticky situation for the Packers.

Even the fans who answered the poll questions on this site voted in the majority that Collins skip his attempt to come back and stay away from football.

No doubt Collins would have to take time to get back into playing condition. That won’t happen overnight. He hasn’t played the game in many months. Would he come back at the same level he left? Probably not. Do the Packers have the wherewithal and patience to work with a player who may or may not be the same? That’s the question MM and TT must answer.

But before all those questions can be answered there must be a meeting between all parties involved with the cards placed on the table.

My guess is that something will break this week and by the time Nick Collins leaves 1265 Lombardi Ave. a decision on which direction the team – and Collins – will be headed should be wrapped up.

Whatever the decision, we only hope it’s made with all factors considered. We would love to see Nick Collins roaming the Packers defensive backfield once again, but we also want what’s best for his health and family.

Stay tuned …

The defining moment for Green Bay Packers safety Nick Collins came when he scored a touchdown on an intercepted pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLV. Will he have the opportunity for more moments like this? Jason O. Watson-US PRESSWIRE

It’s going to take a lot to convince Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy and general manager Ted Thompson that they should allow safety Nick Collins a place back on the roster he was forced off of last year when he injured his neck in week 2.

But according to a story by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, that’s what Nick Collins is going to attempt.

Here’s what Collins is quoted was saying, ”If everything’s good, then we’re going. If (doctors) say there’s a slight chance of something, then that’s it.”

However, there are many factors that could keep him from making an attempt.

The biggest could be the two longtime football men at the top of the Packers organization. Both McCarthy and Thompson have stopped short of saying Collins should retire, but everyone within the franchise would probably agree that the two will be difficult to pursued.

And that’s after coming off a season in which the Packers’ defense clearly missed the All-Pro safety. Though the team defense wasn’t stellar through the first two games, after Collins was lost the team literally imploded on that side of the ball.

As for the positives on Collins’ side are the advances made in medical science in how neck injuries are treated. Many feel Collins could come back and play and play at a high level.

So many questions will need to be answered if Collins is allowed to come back and only time will bring those answers.

Collins is scheduled to meet with the Packers sometime this week. Nobody is really sure when that will take place, but a decision about whether Collins will come back will be made at that time.

In the meantime, it would be a good idea to read this story by the Journal Sentinel.

No matter where you stand on the issue, the decision will have a profound impact on the direction of the team.

Stay tuned.

Clipped from: www.jsonline.com (share this clip)

Nick Collins in congratulated by former Packers safety LeRoy Butler following an interception Collins returned for a touchdown. Will Collins make the decision to wear #36? Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Next week, the future will be determined for one Nick Collins.

My hope is that he has played his final game with the Green Bay Packers.

Here’s why I hope Collins is done.

The Packers safety who took a header in the second game at Carolina last year, followed that with surgery that left him sidelined for the season and could potentially end his career.

When Collins meets with the Packers, a decision about whether he will play football again will be made. His agent, Alan Herman, sent a text message to ESPN today, saying, “(co-agent) Dave Butz and I will travel next week to meet with the Packers. That is the plan. Decision will be made after that.”

The exact date and time of Collins’ meeting was not released.

Collins is not interested in making this decision a public spectacle … and I’m glad. This is going to be a difficult decision and a personal one at that. While our interest is strong, we’ve got to respect his decision – period.

If it’s up to head coach Mike McCarthy and Herman, Collins would go home. The coach came out last week questioning a comeback by his three-time All Pro and his agent also wondered.

The results of Collins’ medical exams conducted last week are not available, so one can only guess about his final decision.

Here’s what Herman thinks:

“You can feel great, but when you take a look at these MRIs there are things that (could) pop up and that are sometimes cause for concern. You may be able to do what everybody else does, but can you go out and play football based on what the MRI looks like in terms of the residual damage with these injuries? That’s what it comes down to. If you ask him how he feels, he’ll tell you he can go out and play football, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that his body can withstand the tackling.”

If Collins decides to return, will he be anywhere near where he was prior to his injury? How tentative will he be? Might he be in danger of not being an automatic starter? In fact, would he indeed be challenged to even make the team?

All questions that won’t be answered until next week.

It’s a win-win should Collins not come back. The Packers can move on and utilize the draft to bolster the defensive backfield. However, be sure that the loss of Collins last season was a major blow to the Packers defense. He was the glue that held that D together and his loss was sorely felt.

Filling the gap will be one of the team’s major challenges. They have done some work in free agency to add depth to the defensive line, making linebacker, corner and safety important defensive positions to address.

Whatever Collins’ decision, the Packers face interesting problems. GM Ted Thompson and head coach Mike McCarthy have guided this organization to continued excellence. I highly doubt they are working to fail.

If Collins hangs ‘em up, he can move on to life after football and the Packers can get back to doing what they do best – drafting and developing.

That’s why I hope Nick Collins has played his last game with the Green Bay Packers.

Check out Collins’ career statistics below, but before you do, you might want to check out Lombardiave.com on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.