BREAKING: Dallas Cowboys sign OT/G La’el Collins
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The Dallas Cowboys have signed undrafted free agent La’el Collins to a 3-year contract, according to sources close to the player. Collins, who was projected as a mid-first round draft pick by TheAOSN and other draft analysts, created a bit of a stir in Chicago during the draft because of possible links to the murder of his pregnant ex-girlfriend in Baton Rouge. Collins met with investigators and passed a polygraph test while a paternity test proved that he was not the father of the victim’s child.
Collins spoke very highly of Dallas and owner Jerry Jones in his statement to the media in Dallas this evening:
I got a call from Mr. Jones a couple nights ago, late around 11 o’clock. We had a long conversation, man and that was the first time I really felt like somebody seeing me for who I am. Somebody understood the guy, that I went back to school my senior year because I wanted to be something special. I wanted to do everything I had to do to put myself in a great position and I sat down with him. He believed in me, he trusted me and I couldn’t have asked for anything else. I couldn’t be in a greater situation. I couldn’t be in a greater place. I just want to thank Mr. Jones, his family this organization and everybody that is standing behind me because I guarantee you this: I’m going to give this organization everything I have and more. This is going to be the best offensive line in NFL history. Mark my words.
The Dallas offensive line was arguably one of the best in the entire league last season, allowing the lowest sack total of quarterback Tony Romo in 5 years while leading the way for the 2nd-best yards-per-carry average (4.7) and yard-per-game average (147.1) in the NFC .
Collins is capable of playing at both tackle and guard, and amassed multiple starts at both positions while at LSU. He is projected to contend for the right guard or tackle positions this coming season, and because of his versatility, he will provide depth across the line as well.