Franklin County native Jamie Collins enjoyed the last few days of his offseason in Brookhaven by doing some sit ups at the KDMC Fitness Center and continued his work out to prepare for his second NFL Training Camp.

JAMIE COLLINS

The New England Patriots began camp last Thursday and for Collins his second season as a pro and first as a starting linebacker, which came with this scary statement: “I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been in,” said Collins.

At a muscular 6-4, 260-pounds, Collins shed weight this offseason to meet his report weight of 260 on Friday.

Players who come in over-weight are fined $545 dollars each pound, everyday, no exceptions. Collins, who recently ran a 4.56 in the 40-yard dash at his current weight was recently profiled on NFL Network as a ‘cornerback trapped in a linebackers body.’

ESPN recently called him an ‘X-Factor’ of the NFL. He set NFL combine records with an 11-7 broad jump and a 42-inch vertical.

The Patriots feel that Collins explosiveness and added strength will give them their own X-Factor that other teams won’t have on defense, and possibly offense too.

Don’t be surprised if Collins lines up at tight end some during the season. During mini-camp last month he worked with the offense on goal line situations.

He’s a playmaker anywhere you put him, something he’s been doing since his sophomore year at Franklin High, when Collins led FC to their first Class 3-A State Football Championship at quarterback.

Still his focus is at linebacker, and with that said the Patriots and Jamie both are excited about a season that could mean a Super Bowl trip at the end of it.

“We’ve got a good team,” said Collins. “I can’t until we get the season started.”

Between now and the first regular season game, Collins is getting accustomed to new teammates and new defensive schemes. He’s ready for a breakout season, just like the breakout game he had in the playoffs against the Colts, Collins made six tackles, two sacks, deflected two passes and made an interception in the playoff win.

He’s looking for more games like that this season, and so are the Patriots.