From one super-human freak of nature to another, New England Patriots beastly tight end Rob Gronkowski paid the ultimate compliment to fellow teammate, linebacker Jamie Collins.
“He’s a freak,” Rob Gronkowski said of Collins, per Phil Perry of CSN New England. “He’s fast, he’s long and he’s strong. He plays the game of football how it should be. He knows how to hit, he knows how to cover. He’s an overall great player so it’s great going against guys like him. It makes you compete and gets you better.”
Gronk is speaking about an awesome play that Collins made in training camp where he broke up a pass from quarterback Tom Brady to tight end Scott Chandler. The play reportedly “led to a spirited back-and-forth between the quarterback and Patriots defensive coaches,” according to Perry.
Not too surprisingly, Collins was ranked as the third-best inside linebacker and sixth-best run-stopper for his position last season, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
Gronk wasn’t the only one to reference Collins as a “freak.”
According to Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald, Collins is a “modern day super freak.”
“Through four training camp practices, Collins has likely been the best defensive player.”
Photo: LB Jamie Collins broke up a pass in goal-line drills for the defense's lone win in four plays. pic.twitter.com/7TPWhLfd9l
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) August 2, 2015
Now that the Patriots are minus cornerback Darrelle Revis, who left via free agency to the New York Jets, Collins surely will dominate the field, rightfully earning his status as New England’s best defensive player.
It is certainly is refreshing to report on a Patriots headliner that doesn’t surround Brady for once.
Photo: Courtesy of the Boston Herald/Nancy Lane