La'el Collins

[Rich]

Rich, I might be wrong on this, but I thought that he was showing all his cards by saying he'd refuse to play if drafted after the 2nd round. 

No that is correct but that's not what we're talking about.

You think he would have been better off because he could just go into the draft next year. I think he would have been worst off.

Now he can sign with anyone while commiting to one less year while if he had gone back into the draft he would miss an entire year of football.

[Dave Gray]

I think you might mis-understand. 

I don't think he'd be better off.  He's saying that's what he would do.  But if undrafted, he's not allowed to do that.  Whereas if he was drafted, he could refuse to sign and keep that open open, should he choose to do that.

[fyo]

^^^ If the object was to make sure no one drafted him late, then it worked out just fine.

I do think the NFL should consider a small rule change allowing players who went undrafted (regardless of reason) to enter the supplemental draft. Wouldn't change a thing for the vast majority of players and would force some players who felt shafted to really think hard on whether they wanted to sign as an UDFA or if they wanted to take a shot at the supplemental draft.

It's not like there would be any (significant) extra work for the NFL if there were suddenly 10x more people in the supplemental draft.

[Dolphster]

As one or two others have said, I am going to really feel for this guy if it turns out that he had nothing to do with the death of his ex gf.  Although he sure didn't do himself any favors with his comments about not playing if he wasn't drafted in the first couple rounds. If he has a management team, they should have talked him away from taking that stance. 

[fyo]

^^^  The management team made the statement.

[MikeO]

Fins and Bills showing the most interest and have reached out to him already. Rex has already flown down to visit with him in person. Saints are also in play here too.

Those like like the 3 teams he will pick from as of now.

[EDGECRUSHER]

Saints suck while the Bills and Dolphins are playoff contenders. So, if he were to choose from those two, Buffalo weather and taxes or Miami weather and no taxes?

On paper, teams are about the same 8-10 win quality.

[MikeO]

Apparently Rex was in the New Orleans area and just showed up unannounced to meet with him and his people weren't ready for it nor did they want to meet with anyone. The reason the Saints are in play is because he played his college ball in the state and he might want to stay in the area. I still think Tannenbaum having strong ties to his agents and his agency will play a factor when all is said and done but the ties to Louisiana might be too tough to break.

[fyo]

A team that really wanted to land La'el could do a lot to sweeten the pot. It might be hard to give him the whole pool of UDFA bonus money, but guaranteeing the whole contract would be a no-brainer. Additionally, UDFA's can be extended after 2 years. They could make some solid promises on the nature of that extension offer, although how much could be in the actual contract, I don't know.

[Dolphster]

^^^  The management team made the statement.

Interesting. I'd say they did him a grave disservice by trying to essentially blackmail NFL teams and it blew up in their face. 

[MikeO]

Per Palm Beach Post the Collins is unlikely to sign with Rex and the Bills. And Miami is in town today visiting with him and his agent.

Miami is the clubhouse leader as a they have 3 ex-LSU guys on their roster who Collins is friendly with and Tannenbaum used to work for his agency and with his agents

[Phishfan]

Dolphster, I still don't understand your positioning. #1 He gets to choose whatever team he wants #2 His contract expires and can be restructured sooner #3 He doesn't spend a year out of football #4 I have not seen the actual numbers (I guess we'll have to wait for the contract to see them) but I don't think he loses out on much money in the short term. According to MikeO (wish we had gotten a link)

La'el Collins can earn a maximum $521,957 this year... UDFA max signing bonus is $86,957 + rookie base salary of $435K

What is the negative? #1 he may lose a few hundred thousand on the front end but renegotiaties it quicker or he can't say I was drafted in some shitty fifth round position, who cares about that?

[MikeO]

New Orleans FOX affiliate reporting Jarvis Landry, Anthony Johnson, and Kelvin Sheppard are currently setting up a visit with Collins to talk him into coming to Miami.

Stay tuned this might go down quick!

UPDATE:: Mike Pouncey has joined the gang on the recruiting trip for some unkown reason.

[MikeO]

Teams are not allowed to meet with Collins on campus or at his residence till May 9th. Which prompted Rex and the Bills to issue a statement that Rex met with him at an Applebee's...lol. Uh, might have some tampering violations there possibly.

The Fins are sending just players to recruit (although if you ask them Landry put this together on his own, but is just using Ross's private jet) as that is a "loop-hole" to the rule.  Tannenbaum has already spoken to his agents though per another report

[Dolphster]

Dolphster, I still don't understand your positioning. #1 He gets to choose whatever team he wants #2 His contract expires and can be restructured sooner #3 He doesn't spend a year out of football #4 I have not seen the actual numbers (I guess we'll have to wait for the contract to see them) but I don't think he loses out on much money in the short term. According to MikeO (wish we had gotten a link)
What is the negative? #1 he may lose a few hundred thousand on the front end but renegotiaties it quicker or he can't say I was drafted in some shitty fifth round position, who cares about that?

Yeah, I guess you are right.  I was thinking more short term than long term I suppose.