Daily Madden: Is Austin Collie A Good Bet For the 49ers?
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) - Two days after meeting with the New England Patriots, former Colts wide receiver Austin Collie worked out with the 49ers Thursday.
"He's a good player," John Madden told the KCBS Radio morning crew. "He's one of those guys that will go inside, play inside, can be a slot-out receiver. He worked very well with (former Colts quarterback) Peyton Manning. He was a smart receiver (and) he would get on the same page as the quarterback."
Collie had a shortened season with the Colts last year due to a knee injury, but has been cleared to play. Madden said there's a bigger health concern.
"The injuries they worry more about are the concussions," Madden said. "Austin Collie had a number of concussions, and that's the problem. Now maybe the knee injury rested the head injuries and maybe that's a little different now. But the big check mark on Austin Collie was the concussions and not the knee so much... His problem hasn't been one concussion, it's been multiple concussions."
The 49ers are looking for more help in the receiving corps after losing Michael Crabtree for at least most of the season due to a torn Achilles tendon.
In the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombings, the NFL has announced a stricter backpack ban at stadiums.
"That's one of the things that you're kind of forced to do," Madden said. "If you don't do that and you don't have security then there's going to be a lot of apprehension. We don't like to do those things, but you get into a position where you have to do them, and that's where the NFL is right now." (7:20)
Daily Madden
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