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S NICK COLLINS #36

5' 11" • 207 lbs. • Bethune-Cookman

Exp: 5th NFL Season, 5th Packers Season
Age: 26
Acquired: Draft 2005 (2a)
Current Status: Active Roster

2008 Bio:

Returned three INTs for TDs in Pro Bowl season of 2008, becoming the first NFL safety to do so since Kansas City’s Lloyd Burruss in 1986 and tying Herb Adderley’s single-season franchise record (1965)
His seven INTs in 2008 tied for first in the NFC with teammate Charles Woodson and second in the NFL with three others, behind only Baltimore’s Ed Reed (9). His 295 interception return yards led the NFL and broke the franchise record (Bobby Dillon, 244 in 1956)
Has missed just three games in four seasons (all in 2007, knee injury) since being drafted in the second round in 2005
.Honored by the Packers as the team’s 2005 Defensive Rookie of the Year, and earned a spot on the prestigious All-Rookie team announced by Pro Football Weekly/Pro Football Writers of America
Became the first Packers rookie to start a regular-season opener at safety since Chuck Cecil in 1988
Upon drafting Collins, GM Ted Thompson assigned the rookie No. 36, last worn by four-time Pro Bowler LeRoy Butler; Thompson told Butler he wouldn’t give out the number to just any player, tabbing Collins worthy of the honor
Only the second Bethune-Cookman athlete ever to play for the Packers, joining offensive tackle Steve Collier, who saw action for Green Bay in 1987

Pro Summary

Talented, athletic defender who in 2008 progressed from a reliable cover man and sure tackler in run support to a bona fide playmaker in the secondary
This past season, intercepted a career-best seven passes, nearly tripling his previous career total, and returned three of them for touchdowns in earning his first Pro Bowl berth, the first Packers safety to earn the honor since Darren Sharper in 2002
Became the first NFL safety to run back three INTs for TDs in a season since Kansas City’s Lloyd Burruss in 1986, and tied Herb Adderley (1965) for the single-season franchise record in the category
Also led the NFL in interception return yards with 295, the sixth-best single-season mark in NFL history, which also topped Bobby Dillon’s previous single-season franchise mark of 244
In earning second-team All-Pro honors, his seven INTs tied him for first in the NFC with teammate Charles Woodson and second in the NFL with three others, behind only Baltimore’s Ed Reed (9)
In four seasons, has missed only three games and started 61 contests, posting 359 career tackles (270 solo), with 11 interceptions, 49 passes defensed, four forced fumbles and four touchdowns
Is tied with Woodson and Johnny (Blood) McNally for No. 4 on the Packers’ all-time list for INT returns for TDs (all with four), needing one to tie Sharper and Dillon for second
Showed the first true glimpse of his game-changing ability in the 2006 regular-season finale at Chicago, when he intercepted two passes and returned one for a TD in Green Bay’s resounding victory over the eventual NFC champion Bears
In 2007, remained reliable and productive, but did not turn in those big plays in part due to a knee injury that forced him to miss the first and only three games of his career, plus a nagging back issue that he played through repeatedly in 2008
Among defensive backs, one of the fastest, if not the fastest on the team, and his speed allows him to shift from safety to cornerback if needed
Upon drafting Collins, GM Ted Thompson assigned the rookie No. 36, last worn by four-time Pro Bowler LeRoy Butler; Thompson told Butler he wouldn’t give out the number to just any player, tabbing Collins worthy of the honor
Collins answered by earning the Packers’ 2005 Defensive Rookie of the Year award
Took a little more than a week of his rookie training camp to gain his bearings, then grabbed onto the starter’s role at free safety and never relinquished it
Turned heads prior to the 2005 draft with a 40-inch vertical leap
Was the first of two second-round choices by Green Bay in the 2005 draft (51st overall and 12th defensive back), the Packers utilizing the pick acquired from New Orleans for Mike McKenzie in October 2004
Led the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in interceptions each of his last two seasons in college, earning all-league honors both years and successfully filling the void as Bethune-Cookman’s playmaker after three-time Division I-AA All-American Rashean Mathis departed for the NFL (Jaguars)
Also was a third-team Division I-AA All-America pick as a senior
Is only the second Bethune-Cookman athlete ever to play for the Packers, joining offensive tackle Steve Collier, who suited up for Green Bay in 1987

2008 Season

Named Pro Bowl starter to become the first Packers safety to receive that honor since Sharper in 2002
Earned second-team All-Pro honors from The Associated Press and All-NFC by Pro Football Weekly/Pro Football Writers Association
Started every game at free safety and ranked second on the team with 99 tackles (77 solo), the second-highest season total of his career
Tied for NFC lead with teammate Woodson with career-high seven interceptions
Tied for second in the NFL in interceptions with three others, trailing only Baltimore’s Reed (9)
Only player in NFL to return three interceptions for TDs in 2008, becoming the first NFL safety to accomplish the feat since Kansas City’s Burruss in 1986
Tied Adderley (1965) for team single-season record with the three INT returns for scores
Led league with 295 interception return yards, which is the sixth-most in a single season in NFL history and tops in Green Bay history, besting Dillon’s mark (244 in 1956)
Along with Woodson, became only the second tandem in franchise history to each post 165-plus interception return yards in a season (John Symank/Dillon, 1957)
Along with Woodson and Tramon Williams, became first Packers trio to each post five interceptions in a season since 1996 (Eugene Robinson, Doug Evans, Butler)
Second on the team with a career-high 18 passes defensed
On the field for 986-of-1,050 (93.9 percent) defensive snaps, which ranked third on the team
At Detroit (Sept. 14): Posted second TD of his career when he intercepted QB Jon Kitna with just over two minutes remaining and returned the pick 42 yards for the score
Vs. Dallas (Sept. 21): Intercepted a Tony Romo pass toward end of first quarter in the end zone, and returned it 61 yards. Posted eight tackles and two passes defensed on the night, but left game in third quarter with a bruised back and did not return
At Tampa Bay (Sept. 28): Posted interception in third straight game when he picked off Brian Griese’s pass intended for WR Antonio Bryant in third quarter. Made eight tackles and added two passes defensed, but left game in the third quarter after re-injuring back
Vs. Atlanta (Oct. 5): Recorded career-high 13 tackles, including stop of RB Jerious Norwood for a 2-yard loss on a reception from Matt Ryan in the second quarter
At Seattle (Oct. 12): Posted team-high 10 tackles, plus forced a fumble by RB Julius Jones on 1-yard run in third quarter that went out of bounds
Vs. Indianapolis (Oct. 19): Recorded career-high fourth interception on the season when he picked off QB Peyton Manning’s pass that went off the hands of WR Reggie Wayne. Weaved 62 yards with the pick for a touchdown, his career long for an INT return. On the next series, broke up a pass in the end zone intended for WR Marvin Harrison
At Minnesota (Nov. 9): Picked off Gus Frerotte’s deep pass over the middle to TE Visanthe Shiancoe and returned the interception 59 yards for a touchdown, his third score of the season
Vs. Houston (Dec. 7): Recorded 11 tackles, a career-best third game on the season with double-digit tackles, before leaving game late in fourth quarter after sustaining shin injury making a tackle of FB Vonta Leach on the sideline
At Chicago (Dec. 22): Picked off QB Kyle Orton’s pass intended for WR Devin Hester at the Green Bay 11 early in the fourth quarter and returned the interception 28 yards. Led team with four passes defensed to match his career high, breaking up two Orton passes that were near-interceptions
Vs. Detroit (Dec. 28): Recorded three tackles, an interception and tied for the team lead with two passes defensed. Picked off QB Dan Orlovsky’s deep pass intended for WR Calvin Johnson late in the fourth quarter at the goal line and returned it 61 yards to the Lions’ 39, but was credited with 37 yards because of a block-in-the-back penalty
Pro Bowl (Feb. 8): Started at free safety and made one solo tackle and two special teams tackles in NFC’s 30-21 victory

2007 Season

Started 13 games, plus both playoff contests, and was inactive for three games
Made 62 tackles (45 solo), plus six passes defensed
At Minnesota (Sept. 30): Suffered knee injury after making a second-quarter, touchdown-saving tackle on RB Adrian Peterson; missed parts of two defensive series, but returned to play the entire second half. Finished second on the team with a season-high eight tackles (three solo)
Vs. Chicago (Oct. 7): Made seven tackles (six solo), with one pass defensed. In the fourth quarter, leaped and got his hand on a Griese throw, tipping the pass into the hands of Brady Poppinga for the INT
At Kansas City (Nov. 4): Made two solo tackles and one pass defensed before leaving the game in the third quarter with a knee injury; did not return and missed the next three contests
Vs. Oakland (Dec. 9): Posted five tackles (four solo) and one pass defensed. In the first quarter, stopped RB Justin Fargas for a 2-yard loss on fourth-and-1

2006 Season

Started all 16 games at free safety and finished third on the team with 16 passes defensed — surpassing the nine he totaled as a 2005 rookie — and finished fifth on the team and second among Packers defensive backs with a career-high 102 tackles (82 solo)
Also picked off three passes, returning one for his first NFL touchdown, forced a fumble, and notched one special teams tackle
Saw action in 999 of the team’s defensive plays (95.7 percent)
His versatility allowed him to play corner in the team’s dime package
Vs. New Orleans (Sept. 17): Deflected a Drew Brees pass into the arms of teammate Al Harris; also shifted to corner in the dime package, and on two third downs — including late in the game with the Packers trailing by a touchdown — stopped Reggie Bush on dump-off passes to force punts
At Detroit (Sept. 24): Led the team with a career-high four passes defensed. In the fourth quarter on a crucial Lions third-and-1, took down Kevin Jones from behind for a 1-yard loss (Corey Williams sacked Kitna on fourth down to change possession); then, on the last play of the game — a Hail Mary attempt by Kitna — got up to knock the ball down, preserving a 31-24 win
At San Francisco (Dec. 10): Made his first interception of the season and second of his career, diving for an Alex Smith pass intended for TE Vernon Davis; Green Bay took a 24-13 lead two plays later on a 68-yard Donald Driver catch-and-run
At Chicago (Dec. 31): Posted a career-high two interceptions. In first quarter, stepped in front of a Rex Grossman pass intended for Desmond Clark and returned it 55 yards for his first NFL touchdown; in the fourth quarter, intercepted a Griese throw on third-and-13 on what turned out to be Chicago’s final offensive play

2005 Season

Promising second-round draft pick who started all 16 games at free safety, earning a spot on the prestigious All-Rookie team announced by PFW/PFWA
Finished fourth on the team with 96 tackles (66 solo)
Also ranked third with nine passes defensed, including one interception, and forced a fumble
Began working with the first-team defense prior to the first preseason game and did not look back, becoming an important contributor to the NFL’s No. 1 passing defense
Added 10 stops on special teams and secured each of the team’s two opponent onside kickoff attempts, extinguishing potential rallies in wins over Atlanta and Seattle
At Detroit (Sept. 11): Posted two solo tackles in his first NFL game and start, becoming the first Packers rookie to start a regular-season opener at safety since Chuck Cecil in 1988; Cecil, a fourth-round pick out of Arizona, lined up in the backfield Sept. 4, 1988, a 34-7 loss to Jim Everett and the L.A. Rams in Lindy Infante’s first contest as Packers coach
Vs. New Orleans (Oct. 9): Made seven tackles (three solo) and forced one fumble with a jarring hit on 255-pound Saints TE Ernie Conwell that Kenny Peterson returned 8 yards, leading to a three-play TD drive
At Cincinnati (Oct. 30): Notched six tackles (four solo) and a then career-high three passes defensed; delivered a highlight-reel hit on WR Chad Johnson to knock the ball loose and, on the next play, nearly intercepted a Carson Palmer pass intended for Johnson, forcing a punt
Vs. Minnesota (Nov. 21): Totaled 11 tackles (eight solo) and two passes defensed, including his first career INT, a Brad Johnson sideline pass intended for Mewelde Moore. In the second half, broke up a long pass in the second half, blasting Koren Robinson before he could make the catch, and dropped Moore for a 5-yard loss on third down, forcing a punt
At Baltimore (Dec. 19): Paced the team with a then career-high 12 tackles (11 solo)
2005 Draft: Chosen by the Packers as the first of two second-round selections (51st overall and 12th defensive back), using a choice obtained from New Orleans in the McKenzie trade six months prior

College

Was a three-year letterman and two-year starter at Division I-AA Bethune-Cookman
In 34 games (23 starts), had 144 tackles (89 solo), one sack, 13 passes defensed and 13 interceptions — two of which he returned for scores
Also rushed once for 12 yards and returned 10 kickoffs for 215 yards
Paced the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in interceptions each of his last two seasons, earning all-conference honors both years and filling a vacancy in the Bethune-Cookman secondary created when Mathis left for the NFL
Majored in recreation
Senior season (2004): A third-team Division I-AA All-America pick of The Associated Press, starting all 10 games at free safety
Earned first-team All-MEAC honors after leading the conference in interceptions with six (for 108 yards)
Began his senior campaign by intercepting Antonio Lovelady early in the third quarter of 27-14 victory at Arkansas-Pine Bluff (Sept. 11), then running 38 yards to the end zone to give B-CC a commanding 17-0 advantage
Closed out his collegiate career with a memorable performance in a 58-52, double-overtime triumph over Florida A&M in Orlando (Nov. 20). Recorded nine tackles and intercepted FAMU QB Ben Dougherty at the B-CC 8-yard line with 1:49 left to keep the game tied and send it into OT
Junior season (2003): Started 11 of 12 games at free safety and led the MEAC in interceptions with six
Had a career-high two interceptions in a pair of games
Scored his first touchdown as a collegian when he returned an interception 45 yards at Norfolk State (Sept. 27)
Sophomore season (2002): Spent most of season as a reserve linebacker before starting the final two games at strong safety
Freshman season (2001): Sat out season under NCAA’s Proposition 48 guidelines

Personal

Given name Nicholas Cardell Collins
Born in Gainesville, Fla.
Married to Andrea
The couple has a daughter, Jenajah, 4 and two sons Nicholas Jr., 1, and infant Nmar’e
High school: Lettered twice as a quarterback, running back and defensive back at Dixie County High School in Cross City, Fla.
Was named first-team all-conference and team MVP as a senior
Also earned two letters as a guard on the school’s basketball team and three letters as a centerfielder for its baseball team
Community involvement: Started the Nick Collins Scholarship Fund at his hometown high school, which will provide four scholarships annually to students heading off to college; hopes the scholarship fund will be the start of his own charitable foundation
Has participated in local United Way kickoff and Big Brothers Big Sisters events, and the annual Children with Cancer holiday party
Also has participated in the Edgar Bennett Celebrity Bowl-A-Thon, the Al Harris Stars and Strikes Celebrity Bowling Event, and benefits for the Donald Driver Foundation, including the Donald Driver Celebrity Softball Game
Has been a member of the ‘Green Machine’ charity basketball team and hosted his own celebrity basketball game in Florida
Volunteered at elementary schools and the YMCA in Daytona Beach, Fla., while in college
Also has been an instructor at a passing camp in Cross City, Fla., for kids ages 6-15
Hobbies/interests: In 2007, took a trip to Universal Studios with 15 family members
Went on the Packer Fan Tours Cruise through the Caribbean with his family
Enjoys bowling, watching action movies, fresh-water fishing and spending time with his family
Residence: Gainesville, Fla.

Player Stats

			Tackles			Sacks		Interceptions					Fumbles
Year	GP	GS	Tot	Solo	Asst	Sk	Yds	No	Yds	Lg	TD	PD	FF	FR	Yds
2005 Green Bay	16	16	96	66	30	0	0	1	0	0	0	9	1	0	0
2006 Green Bay	16	16	102	82	20	0	0	3	68	55t	1	16	1	0	0
2007 Green Bay	13	13	62	45	17	0	0	0	0	0	0	6	0	0	0
2008 Green Bay	16	16	99	77	22	0	0	7	295	62t	3	18	1	0	0
NFL totals (four years)	61	61	359	270	89	0	0	11	363	62t	4	49	4	0	0

Playoffs
			Tackles			Sacks		Interceptions					Fumbles
Year	GP	GS	Tot	Solo	Asst	Sk	Yds	No	Yds	Lg	TD	PD	FF	FR	Yds
2007 Green Bay	2	2	11	8	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

Additional statistics: Career interceptions - Brian Griese (2), Gus Frerotte, Rex Grossman, Brad Johnson, Jon Kitna, Peyton Manning, Dan Orlovsky, Kyle Orton, Tony Romo, Alex Smith. Special teams tackles - 10 in 2005, 1 in 2006, 2 in 2008; NFL total: 13. Forced fumble on kickoff vs. Pittsburgh, 11/6/05. Recovered two opponent onside kickoff attempts in 2005.

SINGLE-GAME CAREER HIGHS
Tackles
Total: 13, vs. Atl. (10/5/08)
Solo: 11, at Bal. (12/19/05)
Interceptions
Total: 2, at Chi. (12/31/06)
Long return: 62t, vs. Ind. (10/19/08)
Passed Defensed: 4, at Det. (9/24/06) and at Chi. (12/22/08)

NFL debut/first start: at Detroit, 9/11/05
First interception: vs. Minnesota, 11/21/05 (B.Johnson)
Touchdowns (4): at Chicago, 12/31/06, 55-yard interception return (R.Grossman); at Detroit, 9/14/08, 42-yard interception return (J.Kitna); vs. Indianapolis, 10/19/08, 62-yard interception return (P.Manning); at Minnesota, 11/9/08, 59-yard interception return (G.Frerotte)

CAREER TRANSACTIONS
2005: Selected by Green Bay Packers as first of two choices in second round (51st overall) of '05 NFL Draft, April 23...Signed first contract, July 28.

CURRENT CONTRACT EXPIRATION: After 2009

ELIAS Game By Game Packers Stats
Game Date	Opp	Interceptions				Sacks
Game Date	Opp	No	Yds	Avg	TD	Sacks
Sep 11, 2005	@DET	0	0	0.0	0	0
Sep 18, 2005	CLE	0	0	0.0	0	0
Sep 25, 2005	TB	0	0	0.0	0	0
Oct 3, 2005	@CAR	0	0	0.0	0	0
Oct 9, 2005	NO	0	0	0.0	0	0
Oct 23, 2005	@MIN	0	0	0.0	0	0
Oct 30, 2005	@CIN	0	0	0.0	0	0
Nov 6, 2005	PIT	0	0	0.0	0	0
Nov 13, 2005	@ATL	0	0	0.0	0	0
Nov 21, 2005	MIN	1	0	0.00	0	0
Nov 27, 2005	@PHI	0	0	0.0	0	0
Dec 4, 2005	@CHI	0	0	0.0	0	0
Dec 11, 2005	DET	0	0	0.0	0	0
Dec 19, 2005	@BAL	0	0	0.0	0	0
Dec 25, 2005	CHI	0	0	0.0	0	0
Jan 1, 2006	SEA	0	0	0.0	0	0
2005 Totals		1	0	0.0	0	0
Sep 10, 2006	CHI	0	0	0.0	0	0
Sep 17, 2006	NO	0	0	0.0	0	0
Sep 24, 2006	@DET	0	0	0.0	0	0
Oct 2, 2006	@PHI	0	0	0.0	0	0
Oct 8, 2006	STL	0	0	0.0	0	0
Oct 22, 2006	@MIA	0	0	0.0	0	0
Oct 29, 2006	ARI	0	0	0.0	0	0
Nov 5, 2006	@BUF	0	0	0.0	0	0
Nov 12, 2006	@MIN	0	0	0.0	0	0
Nov 19, 2006	NE	0	0	0.0	0	0
Nov 27, 2006	@SEA	0	0	0.0	0	0
Dec 3, 2006	NYJ	0	0	0.0	0	0
Dec 10, 2006	@SF	1	5	5.0	0	0
Dec 17, 2006	DET	0	0	0.0	0	0
Dec 21, 2006	MIN	0	0	0.0	0	0
Dec 31, 2006	@CHI	2	63	31.5	1	0
2006 Totals		3	68	22.7	1	0
Sep 9, 2007	PHI	0	0	0.0	0	0
Sep 16, 2007	@NYG	0	0	0.0	0	0
Sep 23, 2007	SD	0	0	0.0	0	0
Sep 30, 2007	@MIN	0	0	0.0	0	0
Oct 7, 2007	CHI	0	0	0.0	0	0
Oct 14, 2007	WAS	0	0	0.0	0	0
Oct 29, 2007	@DEN	0	0	0.0	0	0
Nov 4, 2007	@KC	0	0	0.0	0	0
Nov 11, 2007	MIN	0	0	0.0	0	0
Nov 18, 2007	CAR	0	0	0.0	0	0
Nov 22, 2007	@DET	0	0	0.0	0	0
Nov 29, 2007	@DAL	0	0	0.0	0	0
Dec 9, 2007	OAK	0	0	0.0	0	0
Dec 16, 2007	@STL	0	0	0.0	0	0
Dec 23, 2007	@CHI	0	0	0.0	0	0
Dec 30, 2007	DET	0	0	0.0	0	0
2007 Totals		0	0	0.0	0	0
Sep 8, 2008	MIN	0	0	0.0	0	0
Sep 14, 2008	@DET	1	42	42.0	1	0
Sep 21, 2008	DAL	1	61	61.0	0	0
Sep 28, 2008	@TB	1	6	6.0	0	0
Oct 5, 2008	ATL	0	0	0.0	0	0
Oct 12, 2008	@SEA	0	0	0.0	0	0
Oct 19, 2008	IND	1	62	62.0	1	0
Nov 2, 2008	@TEN	0	0	0.0	0	0
Nov 9, 2008	@MIN	1	59	59.0	1	0
Nov 16, 2008	CHI	0	0	0.0	0	0
Nov 24, 2008	@NO	0	0	0.0	0	0
Nov 30, 2008	CAR	0	0	0.0	0	0
Dec 7, 2008	HOU	0	0	0.0	0	0
Dec 14, 2008	@JAC	0	0	0.0	0	0
Dec 22, 2008	@CHI	1	28	28.0	0	0
Dec 28, 2008	DET	1	37	37.0	0	0
2008 Totals		7	295	42.1	3	0
Sep 13, 2009	CHI	1	31	31.0	0	0
Sep 20, 2009	CIN	0	0	0.0	0	0
Sep 27, 2009	@STL	0	0	0.0	0	0
Oct 5, 2009	@MIN	0	0	0.0	0	0
Oct 18, 2009	DET	0	0	0.0	0	0
Oct 25, 2009	@CLE	0	0	0.0	0	0
Nov 1, 2009	MIN	0	0	0.0	0	0
Nov 8, 2009	@TB	1	13	13.0	0	0
Nov 15, 2009	DAL	0	0	0.0	0	1
Nov 22, 2009	SF	1	10	10.0	0	0
Nov 26, 2009	@DET	1	0	0.00	0	0
Dec 7, 2009	BAL	1	25	25.0	0	0
Dec 13, 2009	@CHI	1	31	31.0	0	0
Dec 20, 2009	@PIT	0	0	0.0	0	0
Dec 27, 2009	SEA	0	0	0.0	0	0
Jan 3, 2010	@ARI	0	0	0.0	0	0
2009 Totals		6	110	18.3	0	1
Packers Totals		17	473	27.8	4	1

Statistics provided by Elias Sports Bureau