Landon Collins: Ereck Flowers Is Skipping Voluntary Workouts Because He's Upset

New York Giants offensive lineman Ereck Flowers has been skipping voluntary workouts so far this offseason—and safety Landon Collins knows why.

Collins revealed on WFAN's Boomer and Gio (h/t SNY.tv) on Friday that Flowers has chosen not to show up because he's upset with the team's decision to sign Nate Solder in free agency: "He's just unhappy that they picked up [Nate Solder]. That's it."

Following a 3-13 season that saw its O-line come under serious heat, New York decided to address the position by signing one of the best linemen on the open market. The team lured Solder away from the New England Patriots with a four-year, $62 million deal.

Solder will take over at left tackle, which just happens to be where Flowers plays...well, played.

Although the Giants have been shopping him and recently declined his fifth-year option, Flowers is still expected to compete for the starting right tackle job. But he has to show up in order to do so.

It's important to remember that these are voluntary workouts, meaning it's up to the player to decide whether to show up. However, with a new coach in Pat Shurmur, players and the team as a whole would benefit from getting acclimated to the new system as quickly as possible.

Collins understands Flowers' frustrations, but he also believes it is in everyone's best interest for the lineman to be there with his teammates.

"Definitely, I would say he needs to be here, as a teammate and as a captain because we need him here, need to get the line together so they can be on the same page.We got a quarterback, we got a running back, we got these talented wide receivers, we got to run with this.

"Ereck is my boy. At the same time, he has a lot to learn, and at the same time he has to work harder."

Nobody would be happy if they were being replaced. However, the former No. 9 overall pick has had three years to prove himself to the Giants. Unfortunately for him, he has struggled to the point where they looked for a better option.