Landon Collins Out The Door?
February 21st, 2019
A free man?
With Justin Evans dinged up and inconsistent, and fan favorite Chris Conte apparently stiff-armed off the Bucs roster, one could say the Bucs need a safety.
Evans flashes talent but when he doesn’t flash he’s just meh, and Conte seems unlikely to be brought back as he is a free agent (Joe has heard no word if the Bucs are bending over backward or forward in an effort to retain him). So Joe can understand why many Bucs fans are pointing at free agent safeties to come to defensive coordinator Todd Bowles’ rescue.
Yeah, Joe likes how physical Jordan Whitehead played as a rookie but remember, he struggled to win a starting job on one of the worst defenses in the NFL.
A lot of Bucs fans are connecting the dots between Tyrann Mathieu, who could be free agent in three weeks, and head coach Bucco Bruce Arians and Bowles. Mathieu had his best days playing for Arians and Bowles in Arizona.
But another big-name safety apparently is free as well. Per Josina Anderson of ESPN, Collins was bro-hugging his Giants teammates yesterday telling them that his days in New Jersey are done.
I’m told that Giants S Landon Collins cleaned out his locker today at the team facility and said his goodbyes to teammates, coaches and trainers. It doesn’t seem like Collins expects to be a Giant for much longer, per sources.
— ig: josinaanderson (@JosinaAnderson) February 20, 2019
Of course, New York being New York, the tabloids jumped all over this. Paul Schwartz of the New York Post Twittered that Collins still had gear in his locker. Collins then filled in Schwartz on Twitter what was going on.
The stuff in that locker that I have left I do not need💯
— LANDON COLLINS (@TheHumble_21) February 20, 2019
So it seems Collins has washed his hands of the New York Jersey Giants. And he appears to be free to fly to whatever team he wants, sans getting tagged.
If the Bucs do go after a free agent safety, would Collins be a backup plan to Honey Badger? Is Collins worth a flier? Does Collins still have enough in the tank to prove? These are all questions that will likely be answered within a month.
Remember, on March 13, the NFL free agency dinner bell rings.
February 21st, 2019 at 5:08 am
“Yeah, Joe likes how physical Jordan Whitehead played as a rookie but remember, he struggled to win a starting job on one of the worst defenses in the NFL.”
Wasn’t he being evaluated by some truly bad coaches?
You know, the guys you didn’t trust to develop young talent…. like Derwin James?
February 21st, 2019 at 5:33 am
Those weren’t exactly ringing endorsements of Evans & Whitehead Joe. And what about Andrew Adams? He’s listed as a safety & I thought played exceptionally well for only having started 4 games last year (led the team in passed defensed with 9 … next closest were Grimes & Ryan Smith tied with 6 each). And oh ya, Adams had 4 INTs … next closest had 1. Good size for a safety also (5’11” & 205 lbs) although I’m still not sure how the Bucs lined him up last year though (safety or nickel or both). He is a RFA this year though on only a $630K contract. Hope the Bucs keep him.
Mathieu & Collins are both quality safeties no doubt, but with so many other NEEDS & so few shekels, still not sure what we can afford to pay to bring in a veteran safety. Still, I have confidence that BA & Todd Bowles will set the right priorities for the defense they want to create.
February 21st, 2019 at 6:21 am
Personally, this is my favorite FA…
I love his game, and most of all I love his mentality…he’s no quitter…Evans is ok, Whitehead is serviceable; that said, neither one of these guys can even hold Collins jock strap, he’s a pure DOG…
February 21st, 2019 at 6:33 am
whitehead not wining the job is irrelevant considering he was being evaluated by a bad staff
February 21st, 2019 at 6:40 am
He’s on his way to Tampa guaranteed.
February 21st, 2019 at 6:42 am
I like Landon Collins, but……
https://youtu.be/hG6yH62GeU
This is who we NEED to target in FA! Can cover, awesome instincts, great open-field tackler, great blitzer, ball-hawk, and would be an instant leader, on-field teacher and communicator in Bowles’ system because he already knows it. Secondary needs a captain & leader of that room and he would immediately fit the bill.
February 21st, 2019 at 6:53 am
For those who don’t know
Collins has over 100 tackles in each season he has been in nfl except 1 when he had like 96. That’s a lot for safety.
The dude is a 3 time probowler and 1 time all pro team. He is considered one of or not the top safety In the nfl.
He will set the safety contract mark this year. And said he will sit out if tagged so giants may let walk .
Anyways he will demand at least 12 or 13 a year (just guess as not sure what top safeties makes as I thought 10-12 was top?)
I would love this kid. Just the Bucs don’t have any cap space. And other teams have 100 mil in cap and will overpay. So 0 % chance
February 21st, 2019 at 6:55 am
So Eric berry makes 13 a year.
Collins will be in that range. And agent can ask for that and get it.
February 21st, 2019 at 6:58 am
Earl Thomas had 1 year of over 100 tackles
Eric berry had 0 years of over 100 tackles
And I know giants defense sucks so Collins has opportunity to make plays.
But still, this kid will set the market
Has ints as well. 13 mil plus
February 21st, 2019 at 7:00 am
Jason Mclaurin (aka mcglovin)
Are you just being sarcastic or you got some inside info on safety coming here or connection with Bucs ?
February 21st, 2019 at 7:01 am
5’11 205 is not a good size for a safety lol That’s cornerback size.
February 21st, 2019 at 7:28 am
Landon is 6’0, 215-220lbs and a hitter! Only negatives are he is more of a box safety with limitations in man coverage. But he is very cerebral in film study…..that’s why he has so many tackles.
February 21st, 2019 at 7:37 am
I would like to see some additional cuts or trades before we start drooling over high-priced free agents…….we can probably afford only 1……in that case, Collins wouldn’t be a bad choice.
I think a better choice would be no high-priced FAs……and several medium-priced ones….
MLB, CB, OG, S, DE
February 21st, 2019 at 7:45 am
Y’all keep spending money like we got some.
February 21st, 2019 at 8:05 am
BucsOrGtfo … Justin Evans (6′ & 199 lbs) … Jordan Whitehead (5’10” & 198 lbs) … Isaiah Johnson (6′ & 209 lbs) … Andrew Adams (5’11 & 205 lbs). BTW, Ed Reed is very close to the same size as (5’11” & 200 lbs) as was Keith Tandy (5’10” & 205 lbs) BTW. Would dearly love another John Lynch (6’2″ & 220 lbs) … and that’s close to Landon Collins size (6′ & 218 lbs) … but players their size who can play like they can (or did) command big $$$.
February 21st, 2019 at 8:12 am
TBBF … Agree with you about focusing on on “several medium-priced” FAs (MLB, CB, OG, S, DE). Of course in addition to those FAs we still need to re-sign a LT, slot WR, backup QB, and at least 1 LB, plus tender at least a couple of our RFAs. All that costs $$$ … BIG $$$ actually … especially if by ‘saving money’ we create other holes that’ll also need to be refilled.
February 21st, 2019 at 8:15 am
Landon Collins would be a great addition. You can’t go wrong with either Honey Badger or Landon. Both are young enough as Honey badger is 26 and Landon is 25. They are both difference makers. While Honey Badger is more of a cover safety, Landon brings the thunder and ballhawking skills. I would lean towards Honey badger if I had the luxury to choose. I’m sure Licht is already all over both options as Whitehead was okay but I’m not sold on him.
February 21st, 2019 at 9:09 am
Honey Badger and Landon Collins play different positions. As long as we’re dreaming, I want both!
But…realistically, Collins did end up on injured reserve because of a shoulder injury.
February 21st, 2019 at 9:12 am
Mort, we could go to $75,000,000 in cap space easily.
February 21st, 2019 at 9:18 am
Collins has said he will sit out if tagged, but a lot of players facing the tag make that claim, only to end up signing it. In fact, only one player I know of recently has actually sat out (would rather land him in free agency).
Collins will sign the tag. If the giants use it.
February 21st, 2019 at 9:31 am
whitehead was injured in TC….it wasnt that he couldnt beat conte out….he kid was hurt….
plus, smitty cant evaluate anything except for books….
#REALISTKNOWSNOTHING!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!
February 21st, 2019 at 9:56 am
Joe…”still have enough in the tank”…???? about Collins? The dude is 25 Joe! Enough in the tank?
The Colts have already been linked heavily in the past week to Collins, due to the importance of Safety in Eberflus’ defense, and Indy has the highest cap space, so Landon will be a Colt.
Let me use @JeanLaFitte’s ohh soo famous phrase…”called it here first”!!! LOLOLOL….
Hi @Jean…(hygiene)…. 🙂
Go Bucs!
February 21st, 2019 at 10:01 am
Yes this is what we need in the back end, this guy had an all pro basically DPOY in 2016, don’t tell me he can’t cover cause he was a freaking beast that year and was all over the ball, Collins got that dog in him for real !!! He might as well take Evans #21 too
February 21st, 2019 at 10:03 am
Rather have Honey Badger for like 1/2 the cost…..
Mathieu has already played in and knows Bowles defense – so that experience with the scheme and the leadership and intensity level that Honey Badger brings is exactly what this team needs on the back end!
The only real question/concern is if Mathieu can stay healthy….
I do think that Evans and Whitehead will be just fine as starters if the Bucs decide not to spend $ on the safety position – but we need better and more experienced depth than Isaiah Johnson.
February 21st, 2019 at 10:19 am
OneBuc55 Says:
“(Collins is) a pure DOG…”
———–
I agree with you. A DOG and a LEADER.
I think Honey Badger is both, also.
I really would take either one of them, and feel it would help us TREMENDOUSLY.
February 21st, 2019 at 11:03 am
Cap room is going to play a heavy hand in who we can get FA-wise. I tend to agree with TBBF in that we should be targeting mid-range salary FAs given the holes in this team’s roster.
Remember, we need to add depth too.
Collins is an obvious upgrade over anyone in a Bucs uniform currently, as is Mathieu.
February 21st, 2019 at 11:29 am
Landon Collins please
February 21st, 2019 at 11:30 am
Take Honey Badger only. Cheaper and knows Bowles system already. Also keep Adams who can backup Evans and also play special teams and be a Safety when we go to 5 in the backfield. Adams is also a proven playmaker. Honey Badger is a leader and will help in the locker room and communications in games. Whitehead can back him up. Also develop M.J. Stewart as a hard hitting Safety in case either Honey Badger or Whitehead go down with injuries.
February 21st, 2019 at 11:36 am
At Cornerback sign Claiborne to start opposite Davis and use Hargraves to cover the slot. Keep Javien Elliott and Smith as CB backups and play the backups on Special Teams. Adams can also be used as a cover corner if either Claiborne or Davis go down.
February 21st, 2019 at 11:55 am
At LB BA wants big linebackers so get Minter back to pair with Beckwith or Cichy as ILBs and develop Spense and Nassib as OLBs and use David and Taylor as backup LBs. Alexander has overpriced himself and is too small and coming off an injury. Up front your DEs will be JPP who can stop the run and rush the passer and Gholston who can stop the run primarily and needs more development as a sacker. The NT will be Vea. The subs will be 2nd round pick Omenihu DE, 2d first pick after trade down Top DT, hopefully Oliver, or later pick Saunders as NT and another sizeable DE.
February 21st, 2019 at 11:56 am
C’mon over to the Bucs and then draft his brother DT Gerald Willis from the U, simple as that
February 21st, 2019 at 12:07 pm
We gotta make up for the world class choke passing on Derwin. We could have an all pro safety back there and keep McCoy… can’t look back. Make up for the pick with Collins. He’s gonna get tagged but if for some reason he’s allowed to test the market….. this would be a good supplement. We need a veteran alpha pressense In the secondary. He would check every box. Just hope we could afford him.
If we just drafted Derwin this is the deepest defensive tackle class since McCoy and suh came out. Smfh he’s lucky he got Bruce.
February 21st, 2019 at 11:03 pm
“Enough in the tank to prove” – huh? I’m not 100% sure what that means but he’s 25 and one of the top safeties in the league…