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The Packers’ defense has had its share of problems so far this season. But one position that has never been stronger is the free safety spot, which has been handled masterfully by fourth-year pro Nick Collins despite persistent back problems.
Collins has three interceptions, one fewer than he had his first three seasons combined, and is finally living up to the steady playmaking promise that he had only flashed on occasion before this season.
For one thing, Collins is doing a much better job this season of holding on to passes, a big problem previously. This season he has displayed excellent hands and done a great job of diagnosing plays.
The way we hear it — straight from Collins’ mouth in a recent phone interview — film study has been the key to his noticeable improvement.
“I have taken a lot more time to study film,” Collins told PFW. “I watch film regularly with the veteran guys (CBs Charles Woodson and Al Harris, the latter currently out with a spleen injury). They let me know how to read the routes of the different receivers we’re going to be facing, and I’ve been doing a great job of picking up on things.”
Collins said Woodson, in particular, deserves a major assist for his newfound success.
“Oh, man, he’s been just like an older brother to me,” Collins said of Woodson, who has been providing further inspiration due to the fact that he, too, is gutting it out at less than full strength with a broken toe suffered in Week One. “He’s always there to correct me when I make a mistake and to offer me encouragement when I do something good. He’s always trying to bring out the best in me.”
As for his back, Collins said it could continue to be a problem but that it’s something he can manage.
“I think I’m going to have to deal with it for the rest of the year,” Collins said. “Hopefully the bye week (Week Eight) will calm things down a bit. A little injury isn’t going to stop me. I’m a warrior. Our trainers are doing a nice job of getting me ready every Sunday.”
Nobody puts more work into getting ready for games than Collins, who has earned a reputation as a devoted note taker.
“It’s something I’ve been doing since my rookie year,” he said. ”Not just for me, but also to help out the younger guys.”
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