What Happens to La’el Collins Now?
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ChrisW
Stating the obvious
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The commish insisted that nobody draft him while he was a person of interest.
CodeMonkey
Possibly the OH but cannot self-identify
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This thing just doesn't pass the stink test. Strangest draft story ever.
Mackeyser
Supernovas are where gold forms; the only place.
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No team drafted him based on the language in the CBA.
IF a team drafted him, he had the option of sitting out, not signing and re-entering the next season's draft.
IF no team drafts him, he becomes a UDFA and my NOT re-enter the next season's draft.
So, by drafting him on day 3 based on the info at hand, teams had to believe that he would waste the pick, forego this draft and sit out.
By NOT being drafted, he has no choice.
A couple of things:
If the Commish said anything about whether to draft or not draft a player who is eligible, that would be an issue under the CBA and likely grounds for a very large lawsuit that Collins would win. There's no reason to create such a lawsuit to find out, but if anything got leaked...that would be bad for the Commish.
If the teams colluded to not draft him to ensure that he could not re-enter the draft, that collusion would be criminal and would be an anti-trust violation. Again, hard to prove and would require something to be leaked, but that would be bad and Collins would win.
I don't think EITHER happened. I think each team realized the obvious which was this: His agent said so. His agent said: Draft him and he's sitting out a year. And I don't think the Commish had to say anything about a player's draft status because if the Cowboys were willing to sign Greg Hardy and then they drafted Randy Gregory, you can bet that a team would have drafted Collins if they thought he would sign ON THE CHANCE he was innocent. The issue wasn't PR or innocence. The issue was that he said he wouldn't sign and teams wouldn't take THAT chance. They'll take a chance on murderers, rapists, thieves, batterers, etc, but they won't take a chance on wasting a draft pick. Priorities. C'mon...
It wasn't until AFTER the 3rd day that he said he'd sign and by then, all the UDFA money was gone. Heck, that money goes faster every year. Pretty sure it's gone within the first few minutes of UDFA now with all the competition.
That said, now that it looks like he may be cleared, I expect that there will be a land rush for Collins. Granted, he may not be cleared for a week, but he passed the poly and he answered all the police's questions.
IF a team drafted him, he had the option of sitting out, not signing and re-entering the next season's draft.
IF no team drafts him, he becomes a UDFA and my NOT re-enter the next season's draft.
So, by drafting him on day 3 based on the info at hand, teams had to believe that he would waste the pick, forego this draft and sit out.
By NOT being drafted, he has no choice.
A couple of things:
If the Commish said anything about whether to draft or not draft a player who is eligible, that would be an issue under the CBA and likely grounds for a very large lawsuit that Collins would win. There's no reason to create such a lawsuit to find out, but if anything got leaked...that would be bad for the Commish.
If the teams colluded to not draft him to ensure that he could not re-enter the draft, that collusion would be criminal and would be an anti-trust violation. Again, hard to prove and would require something to be leaked, but that would be bad and Collins would win.
I don't think EITHER happened. I think each team realized the obvious which was this: His agent said so. His agent said: Draft him and he's sitting out a year. And I don't think the Commish had to say anything about a player's draft status because if the Cowboys were willing to sign Greg Hardy and then they drafted Randy Gregory, you can bet that a team would have drafted Collins if they thought he would sign ON THE CHANCE he was innocent. The issue wasn't PR or innocence. The issue was that he said he wouldn't sign and teams wouldn't take THAT chance. They'll take a chance on murderers, rapists, thieves, batterers, etc, but they won't take a chance on wasting a draft pick. Priorities. C'mon...
It wasn't until AFTER the 3rd day that he said he'd sign and by then, all the UDFA money was gone. Heck, that money goes faster every year. Pretty sure it's gone within the first few minutes of UDFA now with all the competition.
That said, now that it looks like he may be cleared, I expect that there will be a land rush for Collins. Granted, he may not be cleared for a week, but he passed the poly and he answered all the police's questions.
Mackeyser
Supernovas are where gold forms; the only place.
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He can't be the highest paid UDFA. The CBA restricts the amount paid to UDFAs and the bonus pool is restricted to just under $87K...TOTAL.
Most of that money is gone and I think the most anyone can get is $50k.
The only three real carrots I've read that can be dangled are 1) a starting job, 2) fully guarantee the salary and 3) give him an opt out after 2 years. Since it's a 3 year contract, that's allowed under the CBA.
Now, most teams want cheap rookies so they NEVER do that. But for a 1st round talent, you'd be getting him at UDFA prices... they might be willing to do those things.
Pretty sure being able to select the team and dictate terms may be worth the lack of initial cash.
We'll see.
Yamahopper
Hall of Fame
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MrMotes
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Is he now no longer a person of interest?
shaunpinney
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It's all very suspicious, I'm sorry if my pregnant ex gf was shot and murdered and my name was called out by the police, I'd have gone ASAP to go and speak with them and clear my name, no matter what the hell I was doing. He could have gone to speak to the police AND still been drafted. By not speaking to them he's added this 'air of uncertainty' to his involvement. I think he's been poorly advised by his agent, and tbh, I'm surprised post Hernandez-gate and the Commissioner Goodell and the NFL didn't fly him back to speak to the police instantly. After all, what we're really talking about is finding the murderer of a young woman and her unborn child. Not who will Collins be picked up by.
Innocent until proven guilty, but your actions haven't helped you Collins.
Innocent until proven guilty, but your actions haven't helped you Collins.
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I'm pretty sure all udfas get exactly the same salary. Signing bonuses may be different but the salary is just like a draft slot, that being udfa.
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The difference between udfa salary and the lower round draft spots isn't that great. If he can renegotiate his contract after 2 years he will be way ahead salary wise than if he had been drafted in the 3rd day of the draft. That's probably why his agent took the stance he did.
A bad situation but if he can actually play well in the nfl his pay day is only 2 years away.
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BonifayRam
Legend
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La'el Collins meets with Bills coach Rex Ryan
NEW ORLEANS, LA (WVUE) -
After meeting with Baton Rouge Police earlier in the day, outgoing LSU standout La'el Collins met with Buffalo Bills Head Coach Rex Ryan Monday night in Baton Rouge.
Collins went undrafted last week and is now a free agent who can sign with any NFL team.
This morning the BRPD questioned Collins about the April 24th shooting death case of 29-year old Brittney Mills, who was eight months pregnant at the time.
Before authorities made Collins' association with Mills known last week, he was perceived to be a first round NFL talent.
http://www.fox8live.com/story/28975674/lael-collins-meets-with-bills-coach-rex-ryan
In addition to the Bills, LSU T/G La'El Collins is scheduled to meet with Dolphins brass. Miami has a need on the interior line, where Collins would play if he landed there. He dined with Bills coach Rex Ryan on Monday night. Although Collins' UDFA signing bonus is capped at just under $100,000, he is definitely in demand. A source told the Baton Rouge Advocate that Collins has received interest from "almost every" team since the conclusion of the draft
http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/10371/lael-collins
NEW ORLEANS, LA (WVUE) -
After meeting with Baton Rouge Police earlier in the day, outgoing LSU standout La'el Collins met with Buffalo Bills Head Coach Rex Ryan Monday night in Baton Rouge.
Collins went undrafted last week and is now a free agent who can sign with any NFL team.
This morning the BRPD questioned Collins about the April 24th shooting death case of 29-year old Brittney Mills, who was eight months pregnant at the time.
Before authorities made Collins' association with Mills known last week, he was perceived to be a first round NFL talent.
http://www.fox8live.com/story/28975674/lael-collins-meets-with-bills-coach-rex-ryan
In addition to the Bills, LSU T/G La'El Collins is scheduled to meet with Dolphins brass. Miami has a need on the interior line, where Collins would play if he landed there. He dined with Bills coach Rex Ryan on Monday night. Although Collins' UDFA signing bonus is capped at just under $100,000, he is definitely in demand. A source told the Baton Rouge Advocate that Collins has received interest from "almost every" team since the conclusion of the draft
http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/10371/lael-collins
Robert
Rookie
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What if he sat out a season and didn't sign anywhere would the same rules apply to him next season? Could teams only offer the 87k ? Fish needs to pull every string possible to get this collins to sign if he did the Rams would have one of the best lines in football in a season or two
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Maybe this has been said a 100 times already (sorry, I don't have the time to ready every post in the thread)....I just don't get why we didn't spend an essentially worthless 7th round pick on the guy. I heard that it would have been a public relations mess if he was involved in the murder.. He did say that he would wait to get drafted until next year if he fell to day three, but man, it was only a 7th round pick I am talking..not much more valuable than an UDFA.
I think cutting him if he was involved (at that point) would have solved with few repercussions...
I think cutting him if he was involved (at that point) would have solved with few repercussions...
Memento
Your (Somewhat) Friendly Neighborhood Authoress.
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Like Mack said, if a team drafted him with any pick other than a first, he'd be able to sit out, enter next year's draft, and be selected higher. And if he is involved, then you're possibly dealing with another Rae Carruth situation. That kind of fallout would be detrimental, no matter who picked him up where.
I just hope that the police find the bastard who murdered the woman and her baby and nail him to the wall, no matter who that person is. Hoping it isn't Collins...but we don't have all of the facts yet.
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this is not a normal circumstance. the team he signs for will most probably give him a gentleman's agreement to look at his contract after 2 seasons if he plays well in that time period. the rookie minimum is $420k i think, nothing to sneeze at for a young man. he would be better off playing this year and mastering his trade. the better he looks in 2 years the more money he's likely to make.
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I thought that I had heard this reasoning by hime and his agent was totally wrong, which is why he's looking at teams now?
Memento
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He's looking at teams because he was undrafted. If you're undrafted, then you can't re-enter the next draft. If you are, then there's always the Bo Jackson route. But since Collins can't do that now, he's looking at teams where he can start and where he can get paid.
Tampa Bay is another huge option because their starting right guard is currently some guy named Patrick Omameh (I don't think that Carl Nicks is with the team anymore.) An ancient Logan Mankins is at left guard. Demar Dotson is at left tackle. Donovan Smith has the right tackle slot all to himself. I don't think they've signed any expensive UDFAs yet.
Look for Tampa as a dark horse, if Collins wants to start immediately.