Collins Expects To Play In 2012

The Packers safety expects to be cleared to play next season when he meets with a specialist in March.

Packers safety Nick Collins told Bill Michaels earlier today that he expects to be back playing for the Packers in 2012.

I get the official ok in March but I expect to be back and I can’t wait (to play again). I’ve been working out and I don’t have any restrictions (lifting weights) except for real heavy weight on my neck, other than that I’ve been working out like a beast to get ready to play again.

While this is great to hear, Packers fans would do well to temper their enthusiasim until Collins is given official clearance from the necessary medical professionals.

You can hear the audio of Collins' appearance here.

 

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Comments (20)

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Mojo's picture

February 02, 2012 at 01:10 pm

It's great that Nick is optimistic, and as we found out is a much needed player. However, I can't imagine a surgeon giving the green light to playing a contact sport like football to a healthy person, much less someone who's just had neck surgery.

If Collins, as he said he would do, adheres to whatever the Doc tells him, I think he might end up being disappointed.

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FITZCORE1252's EVO's picture

February 02, 2012 at 01:13 pm

" I can’t imagine a surgeon giving the green light to playing a contact sport like football to a healthy person, much less someone who’s just had neck surgery."

That's exactly how I've been looking at it. Who the Hell is gonna sign off on that?

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SpiderPack's picture

February 02, 2012 at 10:02 pm

As a post-graduate/Master's Degree Health-Science member of the surgical community who sees these patients regularly, I have to say that any sensible person in Nick's position would not talk this way if there was not good indication that he would play again. In other words, if there's little hope, Nick would be getting enough negative signals about his condition that it would keep him quiet except for the like of those excellent JS articles we're all accustomed to which talk of his family. I just dont think Nick could speak this way without a positive physical from the Doc who counts.

CHTV4EVER

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FITZCORE1252's EVO's picture

February 02, 2012 at 01:11 pm

Dear Jebus, please let Nick play again. Thank you Jebus.

GBP 4 LIFE

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Bugeater's picture

February 02, 2012 at 01:25 pm

Here is my tempered response:

"woooooooooooooooooooooooooooo hoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!"

(normally I would've used 10 exclamation marks)

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Idiot Fan's picture

February 02, 2012 at 02:01 pm

Nick - your health and your family come first. But if you do get the ok, and if you're sure you want to play again......holy crap did we miss you.

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CSS's picture

February 02, 2012 at 02:07 pm

The coaching staff could always ask him to sit in coverage and play the football, no tackling. Would fit right in with the 2011 secondary.

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PackerAaron's picture

February 02, 2012 at 02:13 pm

Day-um.

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Idiot Fan's picture

February 02, 2012 at 02:16 pm

I really do wonder how much of the scheme issues resulted from a domino effect from replacing Collins with Peprah.

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Bearmeat's picture

February 02, 2012 at 02:32 pm

CSS gets post of the year.

Slow Clap. Well done sir. Well done.

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tony's picture

February 02, 2012 at 02:31 pm

A healthy Nick and an improved Burnett is sexy.

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Nerdmann's picture

February 02, 2012 at 03:48 pm

Burnett hasn't had an offseason yet. Having one this year I think will do him a world of good.
Having Nick back would be amazing. Dude plays at HoF level, year in year out.

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Mark's picture

February 02, 2012 at 04:40 pm

Remember how bad Nick was 05-07 and the light clicked in 08? that's my hope with Morgan, and the offseason should helps well Like you said Nerd.

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Mojo's picture

February 02, 2012 at 05:02 pm

Right Mark, I do recall Collins struggling in his early years before becoming one of the better safeties later on. Wonder if that is common for those playing the safety position? Maybe they're like the QB's of the secondary and that split second of decision making instead of just reacting makes all the difference in the world. If that's the case I would expect Burnett to keep getting better as he thinks less and reacts more. Besides I don't think Burnett is the sharpest tool in the shed to begin with.

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Oppy's picture

February 02, 2012 at 09:30 pm

Nick Collins wasn't exactly a well-honed instrument either...

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Cole's picture

February 02, 2012 at 04:50 pm

Random question, does anyone know when compensatory picks are given out?

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wgbeethree's picture

February 02, 2012 at 05:17 pm

During the draft. Starting after the third round. ;)

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bryce's picture

February 02, 2012 at 07:47 pm

If the health of his neck allows it, then I'm on board. If not, then not worth it.

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BWL's picture

February 02, 2012 at 07:59 pm

There's several players who have had this surgery and returned to play again. A couple that come to mind are Kelvin Hayden and Steve Slaton. According to some doctors studies there is not a great risk of reinjury with this procedure. I'll wait till March before I get excited, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him return. You just wonder if he'll be willing to throw his body around out there like he did in the past.

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Rocky70's picture

February 02, 2012 at 08:13 pm

" I get the official ok in March ".

I just don't see any doctor releasing NC for full NFL contact football without conditions. With the emphasis on player health, welfare & safety being at an all-time high in NFL history, I'm not sure Collins has any shot at passing a physical in Green Bay. (Regardless of what the doctors say in March)

Think L. Butler, S. Sharpe, T. Murphy, J. Thompson, even R. Brooks.

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