Jamie Collins Becoming Versatile Weapon for Patriots Defense

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick builds a roster with depth, versatility and multiplicity in mind. When one player goes down, Belichick has a plan in place. One could see that plan in action in New England's Week 14 victory over the San Diego Chargers.

Just as linebacker Dont'a Hightower was able to step in and thrive for the injured Jerod Mayo, second-year phenom Jamie Collins was able to do the same with Hightower on the inactive list.

Not that Collins hadn't been playing well through the first 12 games. Collins is the only inside linebacker in the league to hold the coveted "green highlight" in each of the four categories—run, coverage, rush, penalty—scored by Pro Football Focus (subscription required). He joins Hightower, Luke Kuechly and Chris Borland in the top four.

His role as an impact player, however, was expanded against San Diego. He tallied his second and third sacks of the year, adding another hit, hurry and seven additional tackles. Fellow defender Brandon Browner was certainly impressed after the game: "[Collins] (plays hard) every week. He’s one of the most underrated players on this football team. He’s fast, and athletic. He can get out there and cover the good tight ends. He’s awesome."

Belichick got into the Collins praise act as well on WEEI's Dale & Holley Show (via NESN.com):

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I thought he did a great job, I thought did a real good job. San Diego… used a lot of formationing, three receivers away from the ball, three open, four open, sometimes five open with the back out. They did that quite a bit, which Jamie usually was the adjuster on that, and he went out to make those adjustments.

And he’s right in the middle of it, communicating with the linebackers, with the inside coverage players, with the defensive line, getting that coordinated. He and Hightower have done a good job since Jerod got injured, and last night a lot more of it fell to Jamie. I thought he handled it very well.

"

The two instances of praise highlighted two facets of Collins' game that have progressed in tandem. There was never doubting Collins' athleticism, as he left mouths agape at the NFL Scouting Combine with a performance that will be remembered for years to come.

As his mental acumen has progressed, that athleticism has been unleashed. Hesitant steps have been replaced with confident strides. Unsure technique and second-guessed drops have been overwritten with instinctual power and veteran movements. Looking for the answer in his teammates has turned into being the one to ask the question.

With Hightower's availability for the last three weeks of the regular season uncertain, look for Collins to further expand and refine his role as the leader of the defense.

Rushing the "A-gap," covering tight ends and running backs, doling out pre-snap audibles... Collins is ready to make the leap.

When Hightower returns, look for opposing offenses to be even more in the dark about where the rush is coming from.

Until then, the green dot will remain on Collins' helmet, and his sights will remain on the opposing quarterback.