Weird, I saw this a couple of days ago, and I believe it was from a credible reporter, not really news to me, unless I'm getting crazy...
The NFL should create an exemption allowing Collins to re-enter the draft next year. This kid has been robbed of millions.
Honestly taking a year off wont do him any good though. A year away from football will only hurt him. He should be allowed to get a salary based on his draft grade.
I would be more in favor of this, though it did work for Elway I guess. Either way, the most likely thing is that he signs a standard UDFA contract, and if he plays to a high level (as most think he will) do an immediate renegotiation after the first year. Still a big loss, but recoverable if he plays well.
Unconfirmed Media Report: La'el Cleared "La'el Collins Cleared As Suspect *by*Brian Miller*12m ago La’el Collins met with police investigators this past Monday. He also took a paternity test that came back negative as the father of the unborn child who died over the weekend. Now a local Louisiana t.v. station is saying that Collins has*been cleared*of any involvement in the murder of 29 year old Brittany Mills and the child. As sad as the double homicide is, the timing couldn’t have been worse for Collins who went from a first round projected draft pick to an un-drafted lineman costing him an initial contract in the millions. If there was a silver lining to the mess it’s that Collins is now allowed to sign with whatever team he wants. The Dolphins sent a four player envoy to meet with Collins that included former teammates Kelvin Sheppard, Jarvis Landry, Anthony Collins, and pro-bowl starting center Mike Pouncey. The Dolphins are hoping to lure Collins to Miami where he would immediately be penciled into start at left guard. The problem? It’s rumored he wants to sign with a team that will play him at left tackle. The desire to play left tackle makes a lot of sense for Collins who will make more money as a tackle but in Miami he would start immediately at guard and possibly at left tackle should Brandon Albert not be healthy enough to start the season. In addition Collins would be in line to take over the LT position after Albert’s contract is up. Collins has already met with Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan over dinner and will meet with the Cowboys as well in Dallas. League rules prohibit teams from meeting with players at their school or at their home until the players school has finished their finals. LSU finishes theirs this week. In addition to Miami, Dallas, and Buffalo, the San Diego Chargers and New York Giants have also expressed interest. The decision by Collins will come down to playing time. Under the current CBA, teams are only allowed to offer a specified amount in both contract and signing bonus for undrafted free agents and since Collins wasn’t drafted he is not eligible to re-enter the 2016 NFL Draft. Meaning his only chance to get into the NFL is to sign an undrafted rookie contract. While the signing bonus and base salary will be low, the NFL pays out bonus money to players who plays over the value of their contract. In this scenario Collins would be far better suited to play for a team that can offer him the most chance to play. Miami is one of those teams. In addition Florida has no state income tax so while the contract Collins eventually signs may be low, it won’t be taxed as heavily. Texas is also a no-state tax state. The good news for now is that he is no longer a suspect if the reports are true but that does not mean Collins will accept a deal soon. His best play for himself is to see who can offer him the best opportunity. That very well may be the Miami Dolphins but it’s too soon to celebrate anything until Collins makes his decision."
Slightly off topic - Pat Kirwan was speculating on whether or not Miami sending players to visit Collins may be a salary cap violation. Apparently if they were flown on a team jet, it could be. Not sure what the details are. It was just speculation on his radio show.
Juice told a reporter that the players they paid for the flight not the team, and the report said BS lol. Juice said no seriously they paid for it out of their pockets
Keeping the team officially out the picture, while firmly keeping team-work and commitment in the picture. Nice job!
I know you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover but, damn. La'el's lawyer looks more shady than Saul.
I like our chances as much as any team. My only worry is that he'll want to look for a team that is in contention, but could really use an offensive lineman to sure things up. I feel that we are one of those teams, but I also think there are plenty of other options for him.
On one end a consistent pro bowler who is arguably one of the best, (if not 'the' best, which was a title he had been given a few times) 4-3 edge rusher in football. in the middle you have the best d tackle in football by a stupid margin and it's not debatable. on the other end another rusher pretty easily capable of getting double digit sacks in a year just like wake. And this was all BEFORE Suh. the bills and jets must literally have the greatest defensive players to ever touch a football on their D-lines I guess? I suppose people who aren't used to routinely playing the lions will be a bit delusional until reality sinks in twice a year now.
In all honesty, while we haven't shown we are in contention, our offense is the most complete it's been in a long while... the only clear holes we have is at OG (which Collins would fill), and some injury concerns at a few positions. QB- Check, don't want to open a can of worms, but at least most of us agree with this. RB- Check, with Miller, Damien Williams, and now Ajayi on the team, we've got solid players and good depth. WR- Check, plenty of talent and depth that fit the scheme as well as Tannehill's strengths. TE- Check, this is one of the positions that come with injury concerns, but if Cameron can stay healthy (knock on wood) we've got a Pro Bowl TE on the team and quality depth in Sims and Lynch. LT- Check, another injury concern, but if Albert can stay healthy we've got Pro Bowl talent. RT- Check, Ja' Wuan James played pretty well at RT last season, and he will likely get even better this season RG- Questionable, I'm going to be a little more conservative here and say that we still don't exactly know what we have in Turner, but it does look like he's going to be good. LG- Questionable, We drafted Jamil Douglas to come in at LG and push for a starting spot.. if he can't win in training camp we'll have Thomas starting, which is terrible news. C- Check, Pouncey's a Pro Bowl center. I know this sounds very homerish but if Collins can come in at left guard alongside Billy Turner, we might start the season with one of the most complete offenses, in terms of talent, in the league.
Eh, I'd say the Bills have the best DL in the division by a very small margin and the Jets and Dolphins are 2a and 2b... I think all three DL's might be top 5 in the league this season.
@MichaelCauble Collins and agent flying to Miami to meet with @MiamiDolphins in next 24 hours. #LaelCollins
Michael Cauble @MichaelCauble 1 min Collins and agent flying to Miami to meet with @MiamiDolphins in next 24 hours. #LaelCollins Looks like someone credible, Barry Jackson RT'd an earlier tweet
He's also the same reporter who tweeted to a question if we were one of the three finalists for Collins: Michael Cauble @MichaelCauble @FinsPost yes, top 3
Timing might be about right. Not allowed to visit until exams done, and IIRC that was the 8th for LSU.
all the nfl teams came together and decided not to draft him so he couldnt reenter the draft in the first place. Was a pretty scummy move imo, kid was deemed guilty and if on the off chance innocent they didnt care.
