Source: Jerry 'Very Involved' In Cowboys Plans With La'el Collins Pursuit
By Mike Fisher | @fishsports
IRVING (105.3 THE FAN) - Offensive lineman La'el Collins, an undrafted free agent with first-round talent, is working to clear his name regarding the death of shooting victims Brittney Mills and her infant son, while at the same time receiving invitations to interview with virtually every team in the NFL.
Including the Dallas Cowboys.
A source tells me that Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is "very involved'' in his team's pursuit of the former LSU star, a blue-chip talent but for the fact Baton Rouge police before and after last week's draft questioned him regarding the murders. Collins' hometown paper, the Advocate, reports that the 6-4, 305-pound star has set up a meeting with the Cowboys.
Collins' representation has insisted he's not involved in the crime, and the police have said the same. A paternity test now shows he's not the father of the deceased child, Brandon. And various reports say Collins has now passed a polygraph test regarding any involvement in the April 24 shooting of Mills, who was pregnant at the time.
The Cowboys are not alone in the pursuit of Collins, considered not only a potential top-15 pick in the draft but also a "high-character'' person. While every team in the NFL passed on him because of the unknown status, the same number of teams are now likely to want his services.
However, while the Bills, Bucs and Dolphins have made efforts to recruit him, it's possible his first "official'' visit will be with the Cowboys.
In Dallas, he would join one of the youngest and best offensive lines in football. He's been a tackle but can also play guard, so in theory he could compete with right tackle Doug Free or left guard Ron Leary. Because he was undrafted he can choose his team. However, under the terms of a contract that would most conventionally pay him $1.57 million over three seasons, this process means he's lost a chance a signing a deal worth almost $9 million more.
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