FOXBORO, Mass. — Crank up your radio, turn on your television or fire up your podcast app. You’ll probably hear former New England Patriots executive Michael Lombardi ripping Jamie Collins.
Lombardi has been outspoken in his criticism of Collins since the Patriots traded the All-Pro linebacker to the Cleveland Browns for a conditional draft pick Monday. But Patriots linebackers coach Brian Flories dispelled some of Lombardi’s analysis Tuesday, saying Collins “definitely” was a coachable player.
“I wouldn’t say freelancing was an issue,” Flores said. “Jamie was a very good player for us. He made a lot of plays and helped us win a lot of ballgames. I keep saying that time and time again. He was a good player.
“Freelancing? Look, did he make mistakes? Absolutely. But like I said before, everyone makes mistakes. There’s not a player in the league who doesn’t make mistakes. Again, he made more plays than he made mistakes. I would say that. He was a great player for us.”
Flores said it will take multiple players to fill Collins’ void, starting with rookie linebacker Elandon Roberts, who started New England’s Week 8 win over the Buffalo Bills.
“Obviously (Collins) made a lot of plays for us,” Flores said. “(Collins was) obviously definitely one of our better players. As a group, it’ll be Elandon, it’ll be (Dont’a) Hightower. It’ll be a myriad of players who will come in and try to fill that spot, fill his positions, fill his roles. It won’t be just one guy. It won’t just be E-Rob, it will be a group of guys.”
Barkevious Mingo, who the Patriots acquired from the Browns for a fifth-round pick this summer, could fill in for Collins on passing downs. Flores said Mingo still has to earn playing time.
Collins was one of the last players that many, including Patriots coaches, expected New England to move near Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline.
“I would say, any time there’s change, there’s a little bit of surprise, if that’s the word you want to use,” Flores said. “I think we’re all kind of — I’ve been here a long time. I’ve seen guys come and go. You hate to see players go, especially guys at your position. But that’s kind of the nature of the business.”
The Patriots now are left with Hightower, Roberts, Mingo, Shea McClellin, Rob Ninkovich, Kyle Van Noy and Brandon King at linebacker. Van Noy came over in a trade with the Detroit Lions, and the Patriots still are figuring out what they have in the former second-round pick.
“He’s only been here less than a week, so still trying to get to know him a little bit better,” Flores said. “He’s done a good job in the first few days, seems like a bright guy who’s eager to learn, eager to get on the field.”
Van Noy, like Mingo, McClellin and Ninkovich, can play linebacker or rush the passer from the edge. The Patriots might not even know where he’ll line up, but he’s practicing with the linebackers for now.
Thumbnail photo via Chris Humphreys/USA TODAY Sports Images
