Landon Collins frustrated with Giants practice squad role, but happy to play a part
New York Giants safety Landon Collins (21) speaks to the media after practice during training camp at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, NJ, on Tuesday, Aug 1, 2017. Credit: Brad Penner
The Giants are playing Landon Collins’ former team on Sunday, but that does not mean Collins will be playing against his former team.
Collins once was a star safety for the Giants, then signed as a free agent with Washington in 2019 season, and now seems mired on the Giants practice squad.
“Frustrating, honestly,” he said of his current role. “But it’s good to be around these guys, to teach these guys, answer questions, be a part of it, be inside the building and help out.”
Collins left Washington after a disappointing, injury-riddled stay following the 2021 season and signed with the Giants in early October.
He was elevated from the practice squad against the Jaguars and Seahawks later that month but has not been heard from since.
Asked about Collins on Tuesday, coach Brian Daboll said, “Each week we talk about the roster and whether it’s the defensive scheme, the offensive scheme, what we need, that could change.”
Washington used Collins as a linebacker toward the end, and when he joined the Giants he also was viewed primarily as a dime linebacker.
But Collins still thinks of himself as a safety, the position he has played on the practice squad.
“I’m always going to be a safety,” he said. “I know how to be a safety role. And when it comes down to it now on the ‘P’ squad I’m playing safety.”
Does he believe he still will get another opportunity to play?
“I don’t know,” he said. “I have hope in it. I believe it will. Once the opportunity comes I’ll definitely go crazy when I get on the field.”
Collins said he still has friends on the Commanders and has no ill will toward the organization.
For now, he said he is enjoying being a part of a winning team.
Asked whether he is happy he decided to join the Giants, he said, “I’m just happy to be in the building, anywhere, just to be playing. That’s the biggest thing for me.
“Sometimes once you’re out, it’s hard to get back in.”
Neil Best first worked at Newsday in 1982, returned in 1985 after a detour to Alaska and has been here since, specializing in high schools, college basketball, the NFL and most recently sports media and business.
