Falcons coach Dan Quinn believes that too much has been made of cornerback Jalen Collins working with the third-team defense in training camp.
Collins started Super Bowl LI against the New England Patriots in place of the injured Desmond Trufant last season. However, he was still on the third team during Wednesday’s practice.
“Right now, our first group is Robert Alford and Brian Poole inside at nickel and on the other side is Desmond Trufant,” Quinn said. “At times, it might feel like Collins is in the second or third group. That’s where he is on the depth chart right now.
“I know it came out yesterday that he was working with the third group. Sometimes it may seem like that with how it works out, but those are the first three and then we’re working him in behind that group.”
Collins is not upset about the situation.
“They are trying to get everybody some reps,” Collins told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Wednesday. “It doesn’t really matter what team you are with. We are all working the same stuff and trying to get better.”
Collins, a former second-round pick, believes the coaches are just looking at different combinations.
“No, it’s just a coaches’ decision,” Collins said. “He’s trying to get the younger guys ready. It’s a situation that I’ve kind of dealt with before. I don’t have to practice with the first team all the time. I just have to get everybody else ready and make sure I get the mental reps. Try to help the team the best I can.”
Collins, who was suspended for the first four games last season for using performance-enhancing drugs, insisted that he’s not in hot water with the coaches or the league.
“No, no situations,” Collins said. “I’m just trying to make the most of this camp and get everybody ready. We are going to need everybody.”
If the coaches are sending Collins a message, he’s blocking it out.
“You don’t let that affect you,” Collins said. “It’s camp right now. Everybody is working hard. We’ve got a lot of guys. They are trying to get looks on certain people and we are all just out here competing.”
Collins believes the Falcons’ secondary, whoever is on the field, will be special.
“We’ve got a very talented defense,” Collins said. “We have a lot of guys who can do a lot of things and can match up with everybody in our division and on other teams. We’ve got an upside and we are just going for it every day.”
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