Collins signs his tender

[Swan Vox]

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/87114157.html

Collins signs his tender
By Tom Silverstein of the Journal Sentinel

March 9, 2010 10:30 a.m. |(47) Comments

In the first sign that safety Nick Collins and the Green Bay Packers may be moving toward a long-term contract agreement, Collins has signed his restricted free agent tender, according to his agent, Alan Herman.

In what Herman called a good faith gesture aimed at kindling negotiations, Collins took himself off the free agent market by signing the one-year, $3.3 million offer.

Reached Tuesday morning, Herman reiterated comments he made to the Journal Sentinel at the scouting combine last month that he was optimistic the two sides could reach a deal soon. Though he wouldn't characterize an agreement with the Packers as imminent, he said he felt Collins' gesture could provide the impetus to get a deal done.

"Based on the tender Nick received and based on Nick's desire to stay with the Packers and to take part in the off-season program, which is something he really wanted to do, he elected to sign the tender," Herman said. "Nick really likes it in Green Bay and wants to stay there. Hopefully, this will help us finalize a deal as we move forward."

There is nothing for Collins to gain financially in signing the tender because all of the salary is dependent on him making the team. If everything stays the same, he wouldn't receive a paycheck until the first week of the regular season.

Despite that fact, Collins and his agents, Herman and Dave Butz, felt signing the tender would express to the Packers how serious they were about negotiating a long-term deal. Collins has been pursuing a long-term contract since the end of the 2008 season after he made the Pro Bowl for the first time.

The Packers put the highest tender on Collins, which means an interested team would have to compensate the Packers with first- and third-round draft choices if it signed him and the offer wasn't matched. That effectively took Collins out of the market.

From that standpoint, signing the tender isn't a big deal. But most restricted free agents in Collins' position don't sign the tender because being unsigned is the only leverage they have in negotiations. Being unsigned pretty much assures that they won't take part in any off-season workout programs and won't be on the field for the mandatory mini-camp.

It's obvious that Collins would not have signed the tender if he didn't think the Packers were also serious about getting a deal done. Herman said he didn't think it would take that long for the two sides to hammer out a contract that would be satisfactory to both sides once they get heavy into negotiations.

"We hope to get things moving as free agency moves forward over the next week or so," Herman said.

Collins, 26, was elected a Pro Bowl starter this year -- his second straight Pro Bowl selection -- after a stellar year in which he finished fifth in the NFL in interceptions with six. Over a two-year period, he has 13 interceptions, including three he has returned for touchdowns.

Collins expected to be eligible for unrestricted free agency this year, but when NFL owners exercised an option to renegotiate the collective bargaining agreement, the salary cap was removed and free agency requirements went from four years to six years of experience.

Collins just finished his fifth season in the NFL. He was a second-round pick in 2005.

[LarryHarris]

I might be wrong but I feel like Nick's numbers are misleading, I feel like a lot of his picks come when the game has already been decided. I am glad to have him around, he is solid, I just think everyone overrates him a bit...

[MetroDrugUnit]

His numbers may be misleading but I think we're better with him then without him.

[smooth 'lil balla]

He's not overrated. This was a must sign. Good work by all involved, assuming the long term deal gets done.

[xTitan]

I might be wrong but I feel like Nick's numbers are misleading, I feel like a lot of his picks come when the game has already been decided. I am glad to have him around, he is solid, I just think everyone overrates him a bit...

Couldn't disagree more....if you substituted Darren Sharper for Nick Collins I would be more inclined to agree.

[LeopoldStotch]

Surprising move to say the least. Why give up the only leverage you have? Regardless, a great sign that a deal is in the works. Let's just hope it's not crazy money. Then again, if Chillar is worth $5M/year...

[Wiscfan92]

I like how he plays and am glad to see him in GB for another season. I think this season will determine if TT is going to sign him for a long-term deal.

[trwi7]

I feel like a lot of his picks come when the game has already been decided.

His first interception this year came in the 1st quarter at the Packers 12 yard line with the score 0-0. Bears likely score one way or another if that isn't an INT.

His second interception this year came in the 2nd quarter at the Packers 41 yard line with the Packers leading 21-14.

His third interception this year came in the 4th quarter at the 49ers 23 yard line which led to a touchdown. The Packers ended up winning the game 30-23.

His fourth interception this year came in the 1st quarter at the Packers 37 yard line. Detroit was winning 7-0 at the time.

His fifth interception this year came in the 1st quarter at the Packers 47 yard line. Green Bay was winning 3-0 at the time.

His sixth interception this year came in 4th quarter at the Bears 42 yard line. Green Bay was trailing 14-13 at the time. That interception created a short field that led to the winning touchdown when the offense had done nothing since the 1st half.

[MikeIsGood]

Hah, that was awesome twirl.

[PkrsBcksGphsMqt]

MIG, that's a pretty tight sig.

[MikeIsGood]

Thanks. I was in a Photoshopy mood when I read the thread. I also started on a UW basketball wallpaper in the style of my old football ones.