The New England Patriots already are without linebacker Jerod Mayo, so when Dont’a Hightower was declared inactive for Sunday night’s game against the San Diego Chargers, there was some concern about who would step up at the position.
Jamie Collins quickly put an end to those concerns.
The second-year outside linebacker was a force in New England’s 24-13 win, tallying nine tackles, two sacks and three tackles for loss. His efforts didn’t go unnoticed by head coach Bill Belichick, who praised Collins for his ability to react to San Diego’s ever-changing formations.
“I thought he did a great job, I thought did a real good job,” Belichick told WEEI’s Dale and Holley in a radio interview Monday, via WEEI.com. “San Diego… used a lot of formationing, three receivers away from the ball, three open, four open, sometimes five open with the back out. They did that quite a bit, which Jamie usually was the adjuster on that, and he went out to make those adjustments.
“And he’€™s right in the middle of it, communicating with the linebackers, with the inside coverage players, with the defensive line, getting that coordinated. He and Hightower have done a good job since Jerod got injured, and last night a lot more of it fell to Jamie. I thought he handled it very well.”
The Patriots’ defense has dealt with plenty of injuries this season — defensive end Chandler Jones hasn’t played since mid-October — but that hasn’t stopped them from holding opponents to 20 points or less in six games so far this season.
Collins has been a big reason for that success, as he leads the team with 95 total tackles.
Thumbnail photo via Robert Hanashiro/USA TODAY Sports Images
