MILWAUKEE -- Green Bay Packers safety Nick Collins won't be a training-camp holdout, although he strongly hinted last month that he wasn't happy with his contract.
Agent David Butz told The Associated Press on Wednesday that Collins plans to report to the Packers' camp on time. Players report Friday and will begin practice Saturday.
2008 Statistics
Games/Starts: 16/16
Tackles: 72
Interceptions: 7
Collins' commitment eliminates one of the Packers' biggest concerns heading into camp, although first-round draft picks B.J. Raji and Clay Matthews III remained unsigned Wednesday.
Collins had a tumultuous offseason after a standout 2008 that included seven interceptions, three touchdowns and his first Pro Bowl. His father died in May, and he skipped voluntary offseason workouts -- leading to speculation that he wasn't happy with his current deal, which will pay him $3.045 million and expires at the end of the season.
Collins did show up for a mandatory minicamp last month. And while he didn't directly complain about his deal to reporters, he also didn't rule out the possibility of a holdout.
Asked at the time if he would show up for training camp if he didn't have a new contract in place, Collins simply said, "We'll see."
Despite missing voluntary workouts, Collins insisted last month that he is fully up to speed on the Packers' switch from a 4-3 defensive alignment to a 3-4 scheme under new coordinator Dom Capers and a cast of assistants. Collins said he studied the team's new playbook and terminology while he was away.
Packers coach Mike McCarthy talked with Collins upon his arrival at minicamp, and the coach came away convinced that his star safety wouldn't take any lingering contract concerns to the field.
"I feel like his heart and mind are in the right place, and he wants to play some football," McCarthy said last month.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
