Seems our "Pro Bowl" safety has disappeared. One would think so while many spent the entire offseason wondering why this guy hasnt been given a contract, he'd have more interceptions than Johnny Jolly or Cullen Jenkins after 6 weeks?

It would be a nice week to make an appearance.

Games often hinge on big plays, no question.

But I've often wondered to what degree interceptions are really a good indicator of how well a secondary guy is playing? What do you think?

I think you have to consider the entire package. picks, passes broken up , tackles, assignments. I dont see him making much of an impact at all. Perhaps with Bigby back he's being used differently??

Has not put up big stats, but does not seem to be giving up big plays either. I would also note that he fought through injuries and has been lined up next to some pretty bad fill in safeties this season. I thought he was doing pretty good all things considered. Then again can not say I singled him out for analysis either...

He was used differently with Bigby out, made to stick closer to the line and was therefore had less of an impact.

The Browns had a hard time getting anyone open, FWIW. Hopefully that was at least in part due to Collins. In any event, I'm hoping fir a big day for him next Sunday -- I don't just want to beat the Vikings, I want to mess 'em up.

I just want the win, and let the circus leave town.

I can't wait until a few years from now. Because you'll eventually be able to choose which camera you watch through, with the push of the button.

Until then, I'll have to make assumptions.

No big plays from Collins this year, but the good thing I guess, is that he hasn't done anything so far to attract negative criticism. So I would assume he's having a solid year.

And then we really will be able to call it "pay per view".

Just because Collins isn't getting any interceptions doesn't mean he isn't playing well. He's not being brought up in the box very often and when he is he has made plays that I recall. Interceptions are the rewards from opportunity. He has had very few opportunities these past weeks. I say great! If teams can't get off deeper throws then I'm fine with that.

There was no reason to have him cheat up, blitz, etc. vs Detroit and Cleveland. Plus, if he's covering properly in the secondary, balls aren't being thrown there. I figure if they gave up 3 points the last two games, he must be doing something right.

He's been playing a lot of deep safety lately since we've been playing more man to man coverages outside.

We've been playing a lot of cover 1 with Collins deep and since we haven't given up anything deep I'd say that's a good thing.

I've always thought it was a pretty good thing if safetys are NOT noticed....

As long as Collins doesn't blow coverage and give up big plays, I'll be ok with his lack of INT's. Hopefully other players would get the picks.

Well the Oline played decent this week so you have to move on to another position to find something to complain about.Only 3 points in the last three games the defense is playing well as a team.

He was the Strong Safety while Bigby was out, with Martin playing FS. With Bigby in, they are interchangeable. I expect Nick will round in to form as he and Bigby get more and more snaps together.

Still, he had a couple nice plays in the run game here and there.

And I haven't seen #36's back chasing a long pass play, but otherwise its hard to focus on a Safety in coverage.

Yea I'll take that camera choosing thing any time now. That would be massively cool.

well its not like previous seasons when he would drop balls. I also dont really recall him getting burned either. Maybe they are staying away from him? He seems to be more active with Bigby back and Barnett playing more. Maybe with the added speed of those two on the field he can roam a little more?

Nick Collins is playing just fine. Playing Martin/Rouse/Bush for several weeks really put him into a totally different position and role in the defense. If Atari can stay healthy and on the field, I have no doubt that he'll get back to being the ballhawk that we saw in the preseason and week one. The fact that he hasn't given up many big plays despite playing opposite scrubs should be commended.

Also, Collins is 2nd on the team in passes defended (5) and 9th in tackles. So it's not like he's invisible. You would expect him to be up around 5th-6th in tackles, but he's not far from that.

Does this mean the LBs are making more tackles in the run game this year? That would be nice.

And consider with the CBs in zone that they, especially CWood, are making a lot more tackles than they would in Man coverage. This is huge when you consider a guy like Woodson being able to use all his tools.

I really think Bigby is a key player. Not for what he brings personally (which is not inconsiderable IMO), but for the flexibility and functionality of the scheme, and the defensive backfield as a whole.

Partially, but it's also for the reasons mentioned above. Especially against terrible teams like the Lions and Browns, no need to cheat Collins up around the line of scrimmage.

He hasn't been invisible, he has had a few big hits and made a few nice tackles, he will get his opporitunities, he hasn't really been tested though for a few weeks here, and he did have a bad game vs. Minnesotta, but its hard to say if that is because of little help from Martin or just bad play, I'd still like to see him signed to a long contract because if not him, who the heck else we going to start at Safety next year?

And I think not resigning one of our better young players would be a huge mistake and we would pay for it after wards, big time.