He and Prescott have long had a strong personal as well as professional relationship, with Collins considered one of Prescott's biggest enforcers on the field before they parted ways after the 2021 season. There were many things.
“It's great,” Prescott said of the reunion. “Are you just talking about your friends who are away from here? That was one of them. I think a lot of people are like that, Rael, he was always like that.”
And it was at that exact moment that Prescott turned to his right and noticed Collins standing just a few feet away, watching silently with the aforementioned cheerful grin on his face.
“When he winked at me,” Prescott said with a laugh. “He's always been a friend. He's been a brother. I'm excited to have him back. I know how much he wants this.
“I know how much he offers to this team and it's very exciting. I know he's going to do his job at the highest level and he's not going to let anyone interfere with me. I know that, so I’ve always been a fan of that.”
Martin attended the training session in Dallas, and it was Vice President of Player Personnel Will McCray who called Collins directly and offered him the chance to return home.
“I just told him, 'Come on, let's make it happen. Let's go win,'” Collins said.
Speaking of winks, Mr. Prescott spoke to Mr. McCray a few days before his call and the wink gave him the feeling that something was about to happen, which turned out to be the case, Mr. Collins said. Told.
It's that kind of brotherhood and camaraderie that Collins will be returning to, and not only with the final regular season game against the Washington Commanders in a pivotal (albeit unlikely promotion) game. , because there are only about two weeks left. We're away from the NFL playoffs.
“I think that's one of the most underrated things: peer support,” he said. “The moment I walked into the building, it felt like I came home. It felt like I had never left. It's special and I embrace that. I don't take it for granted.”
For the 30-year-old, there will be an element of football coming into play from now on. That also means it's time to test his body after suffering a back injury that ultimately led to a season-ending torn anterior cruciate ligament. The only time he will be away from the Cowboys is the 2022 season with the Cincinnati Bengals.
He has made a full recovery at this point, but he hasn't played football since December of last year, so there is some obvious rust that he will need to overcome in future practices.
But when asked how he felt physically, Collins' answer was clear.
“This is the best feeling I've ever felt,” he said. “After a whole year of no contact, this was the best my body has been in in a while. I feel like this is a reset button for me and will help me prolong my career.”
Collins is expected to be viewed primarily as a swing tackle for the Cowboys, but he spent time at left tackle at LSU and was then moved to left guard for the Cowboys, before being promoted to the starter role. clearly has positional flexibility. He was then changed to starting right tackle high in the first stretch in Dallas.
According to Collins himself, he can play three different positions on the offensive line, but not the other.
“can [play left tackle]”That's for sure, but I'll play fullback, I don't care,” he said. And I just want to help them win. ”
Finish line package, anyone?
It was a turbulent year for him, but he was only away from the Cowboys for one year. But he has always considered Dallas his home, as evidenced by the fact that he never sold his Metroplex home. All he had to do was press the fuse breaker and go back to work in Frisco.
“I went home, turned on the lights and picked up where I left off,” he said. “Honestly, I was in a situation where I was thinking about resting my body as much as possible this year and coming back next season, but this was the right time and the right place. That's what I felt. [I know] My foot is physically fine and I'm ready to play ball again now. 2024 couldn't have gotten off to a better start. ”
The final aspect of all of this is maturation and evolution, and Collins has made it perfectly clear that the version of himself returning to the Cowboys will not be the same as the one released in 2021. And now he wants to share his story and coaching with anyone in the locker room who will listen.
When he says this all feels like a reset, he means it. That includes wanting to be coached by Mike McCarthy, Brian Schottenheimer and offensive line coach Mike Solari — with whom he's already starting to feel an immediate fit.
“just [want] “This book should be an open book for anyone willing to listen and for anyone who wants someone to listen to and advice,” Collins said.I'm 30 now, but I remember coming across this when I was 21, I thought I knew everything, but I didn't. [anything].
“…I'm looking forward to being coached as rigorously as a rookie, absorbing everything, and growing.”
Time will tell how Chapter 2 ultimately plays out for Collins, but both Collins and the Cowboys feel this plot twist could make for better reading.
