Former Patriot Jamie Collins Surprised By Trade To Browns, But 'On To Cleveland'
BOSTON (CBS) -- Jamie Collins was just as surprised as everyone else on Monday when he was told he had been traded by the Patriots to the Cleveland Browns.
"I don't understand it, but it's out of my control. I don't make the calls," Collins told The Boston Globe's Dan Shaughnessy in Cleveland on Wednesday.
In a candid interview with The Globe writer, Collins admitted that his play had dropped off a bit, but that's just part of the ups and downs of football. He also isn't disappointed or angry at the Patriots over the move.
"It's a business, man. And I'm a grown man. So I ain't gonna worry. I'm just blessed to be in a position," he said. "I get the news and I move on. I'm not the type to pout about nothin'."
Collins is getting used to life with his new team, who sit at 0-8 on the season. The linebacker is set to become a free agent at the end of the season, and denied a report that the Patriots offered him an extension that carried an $11 million salary. He also debunked the rumor that he asked for "Von Miller money" with his new deal.
"I don't know what the situation is. I don't know anything about Von Miller money. I don't know nothing about none of that. That just shows what they like over there," said Collins. "But I know Von Miller money didn't come out of my mouth. I'm not Von Miller. Let's have some common sense."
Miller signed a six-year contract worth $114.5 million (with $70 million guaranteed) with the Denver Broncos earlier this season, making the high-paid non-quarterback in the league.
There's been a little mud-slinging at Collins by former Patriots assistant Mike Lombardi, who said some less-than-flattering things about Collins on Twitter and various TV and radio appearances. Collins said he doesn't care what others say about his game.
"Everybody's got their opinions. Me? I don't care what they got to say. I know what the business is and I handle my business and I'll go from there. You're not me so I ain't worried about it. I know what I got to do. I know what I've been doing," he told Shaughnessy, adding that he's not hurt by Lombardi's comments. "That shows their character. I'm good. I'm happy."
Collins also wouldn't talk about his former team's Super Bowl aspirations, but said he has good memories of his three-and-a-half years in New England.
"It was fun while it lasted. This is a new chapter in my life and I'm ready to approach it," he said. "It's a business. At the end of the day I'm still getting money, man. I'm still getting money, I'm still moving on and I'm still here playing. I'm not the one that's watching the game. I'm playing the game.
"I've been through a lot so this ain't nothing. I'm good," he said, before borrowing a play out of Belichick's playbook. "I'm on to Cleveland."
Shaughnessy joined 98.5 The Sports Hub's Zolak & Bertrand to discuss his chat with Collins:
