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S NICK COLLINS #36 5' 11" • 200 lbs. • Bethune-Cookman Exp: 4th NFL Season, 4th Packers Season Age: 24 Acquired: Draft 2005 (2a) Current Status: Active Roster   A promising second-round draft pick who has started all 32 games in two seasons and notched his first NFL touchdown and multi-interception game in the 2006 season finale 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 In 2003, stepped in to fill Bethune-Cookman's playmaking void left by the departure of three-time Division I-AA All-American Rashean Mathis to the Jacksonville Jaguars. In 2004, Collins himself was a third-team Division I-AA All-America pick Made a memorable interception to close out his collegiate career. With the score tied at 52 against Florida A&M, intercepted FAMU QB Ben Dougherty at the Bethune-Cookman 8-yard line with 1:49 remaining in regulation, sending the game into overtime. B-CC would go on to a 58-52, double-OT triumph 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 With all the athletic tools a defender could ask for, enters his third NFL season anxious to build on the most outstanding performance of his career thus far in the 2006 season finale at Chicago (Dec. 31) Improved statistically in every category on a superb rookie season but didn't have the game-changing impact many hoped in his second year until that final game, when he intercepted two passes, returning one for his first NFL touchdown in Green Bay's resounding victory over the eventual NFC champion Bears Has all the strength, speed and hard-hitting power to be an impact player in the secondary for a long time as he continues to grow more comfortable with the NFL game and simply let his instincts take over Has started every game in two NFL seasons, totaling 198 tackles (148 solo), four interceptions, two forced fumbles, 25 passes defensed and one touchdown Notched all three of his 2006 interceptions during team's season-ending four-game winning streak, when he showed marked improvement in his breaks on the ball and his reading of receivers' routes It's rare for a team's fastest defensive back to be a safety, but it's true here, and his speed allows him to shift from safety to cornerback in different defenses 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 Brought with him from college a reputation as a notorious hitter, and didn't disappoint as a pro, laying several reverberating hits on teammates during training camp, and on opponents during the regular season 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, successfully filling the void as Bethune-Cookman's playmaker after three-time Division I-AA All-American Rashean Mathis departed for the NFL (Jaguars) Started (and lettered) at free safety during the 2003-04 seasons, earning All-MEAC honors each year Also was a third-team Division I-AA All-America pick as a senior Initially had seen playing time as a reserve linebacker in 2002, starting the final two games that season at strong safety 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 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 Against 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 Jon 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 Broke up eight passes over a three-game stretch, including two both at Philadelphia (Oct. 2) and vs. St. Louis (Oct. 8) Led the Green Bay backfield with 11 tackles at Miami (Oct. 22), including one for loss Sustained a lower back bruise in the third quarter at Buffalo (Nov. 5) and missed the remainder of the game At Seattle (Nov. 27), broke up a long third-down pass intended for D.J. Hackett, forcing a field goal, but left the game in the fourth quarter with a hamstring injury Still hampered by the injury, started six days later vs. the New York Jets (Dec. 3) and forced a fumble from WR Laveranues Coles (recovered by New York) Made his first interception of the season and second of his career, at San Francisco (Dec. 10), 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 In rainy defensive struggle vs. Minnesota (Dec. 21), broke up a pass intended for Billy McMullen on the Vikings' final play of the game, assuring the Packers a 9-7 win Posted a career-high two interceptions at Chicago (Dec. 31) In first quarter of Bears contest, 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 Brain Griese throw on third-and-13 on what turned out to be Chicago's final offensive play Also broke up a deep pass on third-and-13 in the third quarter 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 Pro Football Weekly/Pro Football Writers of America 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 Steadily improved throughout the season, 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 Became 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 Combined with Aaron Kampman to tackle RB Reuben Droughns for a 4-yard loss in the first quarter vs. Cleveland (Sept. 18) At home 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 Later in game, was robbed of his first career interception, in the third quarter, by an illegal contact penalty on Harris At Minnesota (Oct. 23), suffered a quadriceps injury in the third quarter and his play was limited in the second half In a breakout performance 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 Against 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 Also in Vikings contest, broke up a long pass in the second half, blasting Koren Robinson before he could make the catch and, in the fourth quarter, dropped Moore for a 5-yard loss on third down, forcing a punt At Chicago (Dec. 4), led defensive backs with nine tackles (seven solo), with one for a loss; stuffed RB Thomas Jones for no gain in the first quarter and, on third-and-1 in the fourth quarter, penetrated the Bears' backfield and took down Adrian Peterson for minus-1 yard, forcing a field goal Vs. Detroit (Dec. 11), turned in a touchdown-saving tackle on R.W. McQuarters' first-quarter kickoff return, stopping him at the Green Bay 16, and in the fourth quarter, along with Michael Montgomery, stopped Artose Pinner for no gain on second-and-1 on the Green Bay 1 Paced the team with a career-high 12 tackles (11 solo) at Baltimore (Dec. 19) Against Chicago (Dec. 25), made six tackles (three solo), with one for a loss, stopping Jones early for minus-6 yards by chasing him down as the back tried to reverse field Chosen by the Packers as the first of two second-round selections in the 2005 draft (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, filling a vacancy in the Bethune-Cookman secondary created when Mathis left for the NFL After beginning his career as a reserve linebacker in 2002, shifted to safety late that year and garnered all-conference honors each of his last two seasons Sat out the 2001 season under the NCAA's Proposition 48 guidelines A third-team Division I-AA All-America pick of the Associated Press as a senior, when he started all 10 games at free safety Also earned first-team All-MEAC honors after leading the conference in interceptions with six (for 108 yards) Began his senior campaign by intercepting Antoni Lovelady early in the third quarter of 27-14 victory at Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 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 Started 11 of 12 games at free safety as a junior and led the MEAC in interceptions with six Had a career-high two interceptions in a pair of 2003 games Scored his first touchdown as a collegian when he returned an interception 45 yards against Norfolk State in 2003 Spent most of his sophomore year as a reserve linebacker before starting the final two games at strong safety Majored in recreation Personal Given name Nicholas Cardell Collins Born in Gainseville, Fla. Married to Andréa Has a daughter, Jenajah, 3 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 During 2006, participated in a local United Way kickoff event and in a benefit for the Donald Driver Foundation 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 the annual Packers Fan Fest and the Packers' Draft Day Party in the Lambeau Field Atrium 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 This past offseason, took a trip to Disney World with 15 family members Hobbies include bowling, watching action movies and fresh-water fishing Residence: Cross City, Fla. Player Stats Back To Top 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 NFL totals (two years) 32 32 198 148 50 0 0 4 68 55t 1 25 2 0 0 Additional statistics: Career interceptions - Brian Griese, Rex Grossman, Brad Johnson, Alex Smith. Special teams tackles - 10 in 2005, 1 in 2006; NFL total: 11. Forced fumble on kickoff vs. Pittsburgh, 11/6/05. Recovered two opponent onside kickoff attempts in 2005. SINGLE-GAME CAREER HIGHS Tackles Total: 12, at Bal. (12/19/05) Solo: 11, at Bal. (12/19/05) Interceptions Total: 2, at Chi. (12/31/06) Long return: 55t, at Chi. (12/31/06) Passed Defensed: 4, at Det. (9/24/06) NFL debut/first start: at Detroit, 9/11/05 First interception: vs. Minnesota, 11/21/05 (B.Johnson) Touchdown: at Chicago, 12/31/06, 55-yard interception return (R.Grossman) 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 No Yds Avg TD Sep 11, 2005 @DET 0 0 0.0 0 Sep 18, 2005 CLE 0 0 0.0 0 Sep 25, 2005 TB 0 0 0.0 0 Oct 3, 2005 @CAR 0 0 0.0 0 Oct 9, 2005 NO 0 0 0.0 0 Oct 23, 2005 @MIN 0 0 0.0 0 Oct 30, 2005 @CIN 0 0 0.0 0 Nov 6, 2005 PIT 0 0 0.0 0 Nov 13, 2005 @ATL 0 0 0.0 0 Nov 21, 2005 MIN 1 0 0.0 0 Nov 27, 2005 @PHI 0 0 0.0 0 Dec 4, 2005 @CHI 0 0 0.0 0 Dec 11, 2005 DET 0 0 0.0 0 Dec 19, 2005 @BAL 0 0 0.0 0 Dec 25, 2005 CHI 0 0 0.0 0 Jan 1, 2006 SEA 0 0 0.0 0 2005 Totals 1 0 0.0 0 Sep 10, 2006 CHI 0 0 0.0 0 Sep 17, 2006 NO 0 0 0.0 0 Sep 24, 2006 @DET 0 0 0.0 0 Oct 2, 2006 @PHI 0 0 0.0 0 Oct 8, 2006 STL 0 0 0.0 0 Oct 22, 2006 @MIA 0 0 0.0 0 Oct 29, 2006 ARI 0 0 0.0 0 Nov 5, 2006 @BUF 0 0 0.0 0 Nov 12, 2006 @MIN 0 0 0.0 0 Nov 19, 2006 NE 0 0 0.0 0 Nov 27, 2006 @SEA 0 0 0.0 0 Dec 3, 2006 NYJ 0 0 0.0 0 Dec 10, 2006 @SF 1 5 5.0 0 Dec 17, 2006 DET 0 0 0.0 0 Dec 21, 2006 MIN 0 0 0.0 0 Dec 31, 2006 @CHI 2 63 31.5 1 2006 Totals 3 68 22.7 1 Sep 9, 2007 PHI 0 0 0.0 0 Sep 16, 2007 @NYG 0 0 0.0 0 Sep 23, 2007 SD 0 0 0.0 0 Sep 30, 2007 @MIN 0 0 0.0 0 Oct 7, 2007 CHI 0 0 0.0 0 Oct 14, 2007 WAS 0 0 0.0 0 Oct 29, 2007 @DEN 0 0 0.0 0 Nov 4, 2007 @KC 0 0 0.0 0 Nov 11, 2007 MIN 0 0 0.0 0 Nov 18, 2007 CAR 0 0 0.0 0 Nov 22, 2007 @DET 0 0 0.0 0 Nov 29, 2007 @DAL 0 0 0.0 0 Dec 9, 2007 OAK 0 0 0.0 0 Dec 16, 2007 @STL 0 0 0.0 0 Dec 23, 2007 @CHI 0 0 0.0 0 Dec 30, 2007 DET 0 0 0.0 0 2007 Totals 0 0 0.0 0 Packers Totals 4 68 17.0 1 Statistics provided by Elias Sports Bureau