Nick Collins Is Doing Just Fine And The Big Test Comes Next Month

by Brandon on Feb 22, 2012 6:00 PM CST in Green Bay Packers News

The neck, the body, and everything else is doing just find.. Ready for next month.
— Nick Collins (@nickthepick36) February 22, 2012

Next month is when Green Bay Packers FS Nick Collins will meet with the doctors to determine whether his spinal fusion surgery was a success. While this is the same surgery that Peyton Manning went through, we aren't getting the constant national debate about it with Collins as we are with Manning.

I've been a bit pessimistic about Collins's return to the NFL. Maybe that's because I remember what happened to WR Sterling Sharpe during the 1990s, when a neck injury prematurely ended his career. There don't seem to be a lot of players out there who have successfully returned to the NFL after spinal fusion surgery.

However, when I've written about their 2012 salary cap, I haven't added anything to the amount of room they would save if they released Collins. They won't release a him if he's cleared to play. But, just as they did with Sharpe back in 1995, they won't pay him or keep him on their cap if he can't play.

Until then, we'll wait, and I hope he's able to return and take up a big part of their cap room next season.

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I, like all other Packer fans, hope he can play again, but not at the cost of health

if he can come back and play and it’s not dangerous for his long-term health, we’ll obviously welcome him back with open arms. The thing for him is that he didn’t hurt his legs, so theoretically he’d have the same range and coverage ability post-injury. Good luck Nick we’re pulling for you.

by rip_city_swagger on Feb 22, 2012 7:16 PM CST reply actions 1 recs

100% agree

Everything else becomes secondary when a persons well being and long term health are involved. I wish all the best for him and hope he can confidently suit up again for the pack

by WildPack86 on Feb 22, 2012 7:59 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

in other news Finley has resigned

Per his twitter

Adam Schefter @AdamSchefter

After striking a deal with TE Jermichael Finley, Packers now can use their franchise tag elsewhere if they so choose.

i wonder who gets the Franchise now. Wells Maybe?

Follow @chan011

by chan011 on Feb 22, 2012 8:04 PM CST reply actions

So now...

Finley, Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez and Jimmy Graham are all slated for free agency in the same year.

by MP-17 on Feb 22, 2012 8:10 PM CST up reply actions

Huh, that's kinda weird

We’ll see who commands the most that year.

13.

"Skip, once again, stop it; Be an analyst; don't be a douchebag."

by Wiedmann on Feb 22, 2012 10:11 PM CST up reply actions

not Wells

No one
Flynn to trade.

13.

"Skip, once again, stop it; Be an analyst; don't be a douchebag."

by Wiedmann on Feb 22, 2012 10:10 PM CST up reply actions

"Re-signed"

Not resigned. I was a little scared reading your Subject line there for a second…

by Vinz_Clortho on Feb 23, 2012 9:30 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs

great compromise

Franchise tag for TE 5.5M..9M for WR..Finley gets 2yrs to prove himself at 7.5M

I love wins. Wins are good for the soul.- Barry Alvarez Sep 25, 2005

We expect to win.- Ted Thompson July 28, 2011

by White92 on Feb 22, 2012 8:12 PM CST via iPhone app reply actions

yep

2 years won’t break us and gives us a chance to see which Finley we’re gonna have – the one with the dropsies or the talented uber-athlete.

I think $7.5M is reasonable for him

by rip_city_swagger on Feb 22, 2012 8:18 PM CST up reply actions

The difference between Collins and Sharpe,

Is that medicine has made vast improvements to surgery especially dealing with the neck and spine. However, I agree with everyone that if there is any doubt the next hit could paralyze him then it’s time to say goodbye.

by stratefaced on Feb 23, 2012 8:00 AM CST reply actions

couple things

he should have tweeted: my neck, my back, my… big test is next month

what kind of coverage does he get if we release him? Sucks that a good player, in line to get big money, forfeits all of that and has to pay off a bunch of medical bills

REPORTER: What do you think is happening to the team?
MICHAEL RAY RICHARDSON: The ship be sinking.
REPORTER: How far can it sink?
MICHAEL RAY RICHARDSON: Sky's the limit.

by uofmike on Feb 23, 2012 1:53 PM CST reply actions