New Washington Redskins safety Landon Collins does plenty of notable things on the field when it comes to shutting down opposing offenses.
When it comes to silly-seeming words like “leadership” though, Collins might be having an even bigger impact.
Thanks to these traits, players like safety Montae Nicholson have experienced an on-field confidence boost, according to Sam Fortier of the Washington Post:
Nicholson said he thinks Collins’s leadership style — “he doesn’t say much unless he has to” — has rubbed off on others. Dunbar said defenders feel more “comfortable” with those two behind them, knowing that they are there as a last line of defense. He added that all of the team’s defensive backs have learned each other’s roles.
Sometimes this sort of thing can be invaluable for a defense. A season ago, D.J. Swearinger and others were making comments in the media about coaching and guys like Josh Norman got bad raps for trying to overcompensate on the field.
Though the snaps have been limited, things seem different through two preseason games.
Clearly, Collins’ brand of leadership — which is part of what the Redskins were paying up big for in free agency — is playing a big part in the visible change.
