Testy Collins Reports to Packer Minicamp

One of the primary reasons that Packers general manager Ted Thompson has saved up a significant amount of cap space is what's coming up this season.

Yes, Thompson detests free agency, but he was also smart enough to see the need for cap room in the summer of 2010. A number of Packer starters will be free agents unless they get contract extensions before then. One of those, safety Nick Collins, is not at all shy about his desire for a new deal.

Collins did show up Monday for the first day of a mandatory three-day minicamp. While he got his work in on the field, he was clearly not in a jovial mood when he met with reporters.

The normally affable Collins was somewhat combative in answering questions about his contract and where he is in learning the Packers' new defensive scheme. Three times he answered questions with questions of his own.

"Do I look behind?" Collins said when asked if his absences from most voluntary workouts has left him behind the rest of this teammates.

"All right then. You just answered the question for yourself."

Collins also bristled when asked whether he was worried about losing his job if he does miss part of training camp.

"I'm not worried about that," Collins said. "Do I look like I'm worried? OK then."

The Packers continue to play dumb about the whole thing, acting as if relatively miniscule fines are going to make Collins -- due over $3 million in his contract year -- show up to training camp.

Under no circumstances should Thompson try this tactic. While the boss has done a very good job in picking players to award contract extensions, Thompson could be on his way to an epic blunder if he risks a holdout with Collins. In the new defensive scheme, Collins may be the most important player the Packers have. His ability to adjust and play well in the 3-4 is going to be a huge key for this team.

Collins, wide receiver Greg Jennings, and defensive end Aaron Kampman are all entering contract years, and Thompson would be smart to lock them up before the season. Undoubtedly, he has the cap room to pull it off.