BY DAN BEGNOCHE
New England Patriots second-round pick Jamie Collins is 6-foot-3 and has a 67-inch wingspan, perfect for bullying lineman on the pass rush and knocking down passes in coverage.
The team's newest addition to the linebacking corps also has another use for his long arms and stature: posterizing defenders on the basketball court.
This YouTube video, thanks to the point-out by Christopher Price of WEEI.com, shows Collins elevating over his opponent in a pickup basketball game after a steal and an ensuing 3-on-1 breakout. Collins gets ambushed by onlookers after the one-handed dunk, with his teammates doing what looks like hilarious turtle spins on their backs all over the court.
Collins showed off his vertical prowess back at the Combine in February, where he had the second-best vertical jump out all participants (41.5 inches). Only Texas A&M running back Christine Michael jumped higher.
New England is hoping Collins can use some of that freakish athleticism in the pass rush this season, where the team was ranked 15th in 2012, as well as in the takeaway department. The Pats have led the AFC in takeaway differential for the past three seasons, leading the entire league last year at +25.
Collins will be vying for playing time with Jerod Mayo and Dont'a Hightower, New England's starters last season at the OLB position.