Jim Collins (linebacker) explained

Jim Collins (linebacker) should not be confused with Jim Collins (American football coach).

Jim Collins
Number:50, 55
Position:Linebacker
Birth Date:June 11, 1958
Birth Place:Orange, New Jersey, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:2
Weight Lb:230
High School:West Morris Mendham
(Mendham Borough, New Jersey)
College:Syracuse
Draftyear:1981
Draftround:2
Draftpick:43
Teams:
Highlights:
Statlabel1:Interceptions
Statvalue1:6
Statlabel2:Sacks
Statvalue2:4.5
Statlabel3:Fumble recoveries
Statvalue3:6
Pfr:CollJi01

James Brian Collins (born June 11, 1958) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Syracuse Orange. He played in the NFL for the Los Angeles Rams and was named to the Pro Bowl in 1985. He also played for the San Diego Chargers.

Early life

Collins graduated from West Morris Mendham High School in the Class of 1976, where, as a senior, he helped lead his high school football team to a still standing club record eight shutouts and its only state championship victory to date. He subsequently attended Syracuse University on a full athletic scholarship at linebacker. In 1980, Collins was an honorable mention All-American by the Associated Press. He was later named to the Syracuse all-century team.[1]

Professional career

Collins was selected in the second round (43rd overall pick) of the 1981 NFL draft as a linebacker by the Los Angeles Rams. He was considered a leader of the Rams' defense of the mid-1980s.[2] He made one appearance in the Pro Bowl, with the Rams in 1985,[3] and was a Pro Bowl alternate in 1984. Due to a shoulder injury, Collins spent the 1986 season on the injured reserve list.[4] Overall, he played in the NFL for seven seasons with the Rams (1981–1985, 1987–1988), and then spent one season with the San Diego Chargers (1989).

Collins also appeared in the 1986 Rams promotional video, Let's Ram It,[5] where he goes by the nickname "Babyface" and refers to himself as a "tacklin' fool on the football field."[6]

Notes and References

  1. http://cuse.com/sports/2005/5/31/jcollins.aspx "James Collins, Football, 1976, 1978-80"
  2. https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1454&dat=19860102&id=38osAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0hMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4949,320844 "Overlooked Collins leads Ram defense"
  3. Rich Roberts, "Jim Collins Can Only Watch . . . and Wait: Injured Ram Linebacker Realizes His Career May Be in Jeopardy", Los Angeles Times, October 29, 1986.
  4. News: Waiting game . Michael . Eisen . . . 40 . November 16, 1986 . April 19, 2018 . newspapers.com.
  5. News: Rams . . 129 . November 13, 1986 . April 18, 2018 . newspapers.com.
  6. Web site: Ram IT (NFL Rams Football Team) Song . . April 17, 2018.