Raiders are counting on Collins to be key to their defense
If Maliek Collins is as good as the Raiders say he is, they got the biggest bargain in free agency.
Coach Jon Gruden and defensive coordinator Paul Guenther have sung Collins’ praises at every Zoom teleconference. New defensive line coach Rod Marinelli, who was with Collins in Dallas, loves him as well.
Gruden called Collins the “key to our defense” and “our anchor” in separate sessions.
“He’s singled me out a lot, actually,” Collins said with a smile Thursday following practice in a teleconference.
Guenther compared Collins to Geno Atkins, an interior tackle in Cincinnati pulling in more than $16 million per season.
Collins was solid enough in Dallas, playing in 61 games with 55 starts in four seasons after being a third-round draft pick following his junior year at Nebraska. Even allowing for the fact that totals of sacks and tackles can be deceiving for an interior lineman, Collins’ numbers are modest -- 14 1/2 career sacks and never more than 23 tackles in a season.
“It’s not about numbers, it’s about how you impact the game and the hustle, the effort and all those things,” Marinelli said. “That’s a centerpiece, and for me it always has been.”
According to Profootballfocus.com, Collins had 48 pressures last season and was the 8th-ranked pass rushing tackle in the NFL.
Yet when free agency began, Collins’ availability reflected something other than an elite defensive tackle. He’ll get $6 million including bonus money for one year from the Raiders. According to Over-the-cap. com, that makes him the 38th highest paid interior tackle in the NFL.
“You bet on yourself,” Collins said. “I’ve got full confidence in me. I know what I’m capable of. The offers that came to the table weren’t worthy of my abilities, I believe. I think the one-year was the best option to go out and earn more.”
The highest paid interior tackles in the NFL in terms of average salary are the Rams’ Aaron Donald ($22.5 million), the Chiefs’ Chris Jones ($20 million), the Eagles’ Fletcher Cox ($17.1 million) and the Falcons’ Grady Jarrett ($17 million).
If Collins, 25, can wreck opposing blocking schemes from his position as a “three-technique” tackle, he could triple his salary with a multi-year deal in 2021. The Raiders, before figuring out if they could possibly pay Collins that kind of money next year, would get a game-changer in the middle of their defense this season.
Marinelli, using his right hand to indicate an upward trajectory, believes Collins has the talent to cash in.
“I think he’s had a good, solid career in Dallas, but I think the climb is still ahead of him,” Marinelli said. “I think he’s got to keep working to get better and top it off.”
A three-technique player lines up over the outside shoulder of a guard (although most NFL teams do lots of stunting and adjusting) and basically his job is to wreak havoc. Collins knows all about the position, having been schooled by Marinelli with video cut-ups. He’s brushed up on the likes of Keith Millard, John Randle, Warren Sapp and Tommie Harris.
“Three technique has got to be the dog,” Collins said. “Got to be the key. He has to establish things with his get-off ... I’m not saying I’m on their level yet, but those are people I strive to be more like.”
The Raiders also have third-year tackle Maurice Hurst and veteran Johnathan Hankins on the interior, with Clelin Ferrell capable of sliding inside.
To improve his “get-off,” Collins currently weighs 303 pounds after weighing 325 a year ago. He believes he’s stronger, quicker.
The rave reviews continued courtesy of Guenther on Thursday when he was asked how to construct the perfect three-technique tackle.
“They’ve got to have great quickness off the ball,” Guenther said. “They’re the penetrator of the defense. Great quickness, great counter moves. they can rush, take on double teams. It’s kind of an all-encompassing position.
“(Maliek) can do all those things. The thing I’m most impressed with about this guy is he’s smart. When he’s done playing, he’ll be a fantastic coach.”
Collins’ understands leverage and hand placement, having been a state champion unbeaten wrestler in his senior year of high school in Missouri. He mixes easily with teammates without forcing himself on others.
“When I talked to Gruden when I first planned on coming here, he told me just to be myself,” Collins said. “I’m not a big speech guy. I’m not a big hoo-rah guy. I’m confident to lead by example and do things the right way.”
• The Raiders will bus from their facility to Allegiant Stadium for Friday’s practice. It will be the first time for many of the players and coaches to see their new home in person from the inside.
“We’re going to treat this like a game, coming out of the locker room, stretching, doing all those things then we’re going to get into practice and do some different things,” Guenther said. “It’s a good good routine, a lot of our guys haven’t seen it yet.”
• Defensive end Arden Key has looked explosive to coaches and onlookers early in camp. He was thrown into action before he was ready as a rookie and last year was lost early in the season to a foot injury.”He’s got his weight where he needs to have it,” Guenther said. “He’s a lot quicker. He understands it’s his third year and he’s not not satisfied with what he’s done so far and we’re looking for big things from him.”