Linebacker Jamie Collins Sr. chose to join Detroit in free agency because of his familiarity with Matt Patricia and his defensive scheme, and because he thinks Detroit is closer to winning than some might think.
"Me and Matty P have a little bit of history behind us," Collins said in a conference call Tuesday. "I think Detroit and the Lions is an up-and-coming team ... a player or two or three away from doing big things. So, I feel like I can help with that."
Fans and outside observers could point to Detroit's nine wins over the last two years to oppose that statement, but Collins said players look at situations within teams a little different, knowing that outcomes in the NFL typically come down to just a handful of plays. He feels this Lions team is close to being on the right end of some of those plays.
"One play here, one play there," Collins said. "When you're a player, you look at the game different than outsiders and fans. We break down the game and process the game and digest the game just different than the average person.
"It's always one or two plays that's the difference in the game and I just feel like me being a veteran now, I can bring some veteran, some professional little things to get us over the top, and I'm definitely up for the challenge."
Collins is part of an extensive refurbishing of Detroit's defense this offseason. Gone are cornerback Darius Slay, outside linebacker Devon Kennard, defensive tackle Damon Harrison Sr. and defensive tackle A'Shawn Robinson. Defensive tackle Mike Daniels remains a free agent. Detroit's added Collins, a versatile outside linebacker, along with defensive tackles Danny Shelton and Nick Williams, cornerback Desmond Trufant and safeties Duron Harmon and Jayron Kearse. The Lions also have four picks in the top 85 in next month's NFL Draft.
View photos of linebacker Jamie Collins. Photos courtesy Associated Press.
NeNew England Patriots safety Patrick Chung, center, and linebacker Jamie Collins, right, combine to tackle Pittsburgh Steelers running back James Conner in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots outside linebacker Jamie Collins (58) reacts after a play during a game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (Logan Bowles via AP)
New England Patriots linebacker Jamie Collins Sr. (58) closes to the ball in an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Tennessee Titans, Saturday, January 4, 2020 in Foxborough, Mass. The Titans defeated the Patriots 20-13.
New England Patriots outside linebacker Jamie Collins (58) in coverage during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019 in Foxborough, Mass. New England won 27-13. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New England Patriots outside linebacker Jamie Collins Sr. (58) gets set at the line of scrimmage prior to the snap during an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Monday, Oct. 21, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Patriots defeated the Jets, 33-0. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New England Patriots outside linebacker Jamie Collins Sr. (58) works his way past a block by Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Mitchell Schwartz (71) during an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019 in Foxborough, Mass. The Chiefs defeated the Patriots 23-16. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
New England Patriots linebacker Jamie Collins Sr. (58) drops into coverage during a NFL football game against the New York Giants Thursday October 10, 2019 in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots defeated the Giants 35-14. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
New England Patriots outside linebacker Jamie Collins Sr. (58) looks on during an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots defeated the Giants, 35-14. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New England Patriots middle linebacker Kyle Van Noy (53) celebrates with outside linebacker Jamie Collins Sr. (58) during an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. New England won 24-17. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New England Patriots outside linebacker Jamie Collins reacts to a defensive play against the Dallas Cowboys during an NFL football game at Gillette Stadium, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019 in Foxborough, Mass. (Winslow Townson/AP Images for Panini)
New England Patriots outside linebacker Jamie Collins (58) against the Cincinnati Bengals during an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019, in Cincinnati. The Patriots won 34-13. (Aaron Doster via AP)
FILE -In this Oct. 10, 2019, file photo, New England Patriots linebacker Jamie Collins, front, forces a fumble as he tackles New York Giants running back Jon Hilliman in the second half of an NFL football game in Foxborough, Mass. Collins, a second-round pick by New England in 2013, is making the most of his second chance with the Patriots. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)
New England Patriots outside linebacker Jamie Collins Sr. (58) rushes during an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots defeated the Giants, 35-14. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New England Patriots outside linebackers Jamie Collins (58) and Elandon Roberts (52) sack Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14), during the first half at an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
New England Patriots outside linebacker Jamie Collins during an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019 in Foxborough, Mass. (Winslow Townson/AP Images for Panini)
New England Patriots linebacker Jamie Collins, Sr. (58) rushes during an NFL game against the Washington Redskins, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019, in Landover, MD. The Patriots defeated the Redskins 33-7. (Al Tielemans via AP)
New England Patriots outside linebacker Jamie Collins Sr. (58) defends during an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots defeated the Steelers, 33-3. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New England Patriots linebacker Jamie Collins Sr. (58) celebrates after a sack during an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019 in Landover, Md. The Patriots defeated the Redskins 33-7. (Joe Robbins via AP)
New England Patriots outside linebacker Jamie Collins Sr. (58) intercepts a pass at the Patriots 5 yard line on the last play of the game during an NFL football game against the against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019 in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Patriots defeated the Dolphins 43-0. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
New England Patriots outside linebacker Jamie Collins during an NFL football game against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019 in Foxborough, Mass. (Winslow Townson/AP Images for Panini)
New England Patriots outside linebacker Jamie Collins (58) celebrates the sacking of Washington Redskins quarterback Colt McCoy during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019, in Landover, Md. The New England Patriots won 33-7. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
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Collins said he spoke to defensive end Trey Flowers and wide receiver Danny Amendola about Detroit before signing here and determined it was a good fit. He thinks he can help the Lions make a few more of those plays that determine wins vs. losses moving forward.
Collins, 30, started 15 games and played 81 percent of the snaps for New England's top-ranked defense last season. He set a career-high with seven sacks to go along with 81 tackles, 21 quarterback hurries, 10 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles and three interceptions. He did that playing as an edge rusher, defensive tackle and off-the-ball linebacker. He's versatile and productive, and could be a nice chess piece for Detroit's defense.
Asked what type of player the Lions are getting, Collins said they're definitely getting a professional. They're also getting a winner, a leader, someone who's accountable, a guy who plays with great energy, and someone who's determined.
"We definitely going to start winning," he said. "Right now."
