New York Giants: Whatever it takes to re-sign Landon Collins
By Ed Stein
One of the Giants best ever
His 7.5 tackles per game (TPG) is more than any team expects from a safety, yet that is his average. To put his career in perspective, he stacks up with the best defensive players the Giants have ever had. In only four seasons and 59 total games, he ranks 14th on the New York Giants all-time leaders in tackles. Further, among Big Blue players with four seasons and at least 50 games played in team history, his 7.5 TPG is second all-time to Michael Barrow (7.8).
Remember the New York Giants have been in business since Tim Mara started the team in1925. Realistically, in another four years, he could break Michael Strahan’s team record of 851. It would be in half the games and before Collins turns 30 years old.
Intangibles
Anyone who watched the New York Giants over the previous four seasons has seen his impact. There is no doubting Collins is the leader of G-Men’s defense, both physically and emotionally. He calls the signals and sets a tone for the unit.
Leadership is a trait that isn’t easily measured. Collins leads by example on the field and his teammates follow. He is literally the guy his teammates want in the foxhole with them. Qualities that are not easily replaced by bringing in a new player at any position. His type of leadership is a rare commodity.