Don’t forget about Maliek Collins." />Skip to main contentclockmenumore-arrownoyesHorizontal - WhiteBlogging The BoysBlogging The Boys Emmitt Smith Jersey White , a Dallas Cowboys fan communityLog In or Sign UpLog InSign UpFanpostsFanshotsSectionsLibraryCowboysOddsShopAboutMastheadCommunity GuidelinesStubHubMoreAll 322 blogs on Horizontal - WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Dallas Cowboys NewsFiled under:Dallas Cowboys GeneralMaliek Collins putting in the work to keep starting job, and see big pay day in 2020New,57commentsDon’t forget about Maliek Collins.CDTShareTweetShareShareMaliek Collins putting in the work to keep starting job, and see big pay day in 2020Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY SportsThere’s been a ton of talk recently regarding the defensive tackle position in Dallas. After adding players via free agency such as Christian Covington and Kerry Hyder, drafting Trysten Hill with the 58th overall pick, plus adding defensive lineman Daniel Wise and Ricky Walker as undrafted-free agents, there are plenty of guys capable of playing the 3-technique in Dallas in 2019. With all the fresh blood, it’s easy to forget about the Tyrone Crawford’s and Daniel Ross’ of the world, but the one guy people continue to sleep on is Maliek Collins. Our own DannyPhantom reminded us about Collins a few days ago. Collins, a 2016 third-round pick, has exceeded many expectations since entering the league out of Nebraska. As a rookie, Collins posted five sacks, 13 QB hits, and 23 tackles playing mainly as the 3-technique in Rod Marinelli’s scheme. In 2017 Womens Ezekiel Elliott Jersey , Collins was asked to play a much different role, lining up as the team's nose tackle, a position that didn’t really fit his body and playing style. Still, the former-Nebraska lineman held his own at the 1-technique and totaled two-and-a-half sacks, nine QB hits, and 22 tackles. In 2018, he was able to do a little of both, but unfortunately a knee injury limited to Maliek Collins to just 13 games (nine starts). Even with the limited playing time, and moving back-and-forth between the one and the three, Collins was still able to be disruptive, and make some big-time plays, in some big-time games. For that reason, it seems strange that everyone is ready to move on from the 6’2”, 310-lb versatile defensive lineman. It seems as every week we hear something about the team possibly planning to move on from Maliek Collins Michael Gallup Jersey , and with how the team talked and spent it’s resources in the draft, it’s hard not to by into that narrative, but why would they?In 2019, Collins in slated to make just over $2-million dollars, and can play multiple positions along the defensive line for Marinelli. Along with his versatility and contract, Collins has still shown the ability to be disruptive from the interior. His biggest issue is staying healthy. While he’s only missed three games in his three-year career, Maliek Collins name showing up on the injury report as a DNP is something Cowboys fans are very familiar with. But even with his name being familiar on the injury report, Collins rarely misses games, which shows the toughness he plays with. While some in the the media and some fans seem to be down on Collins, he is continuing to put in a ton of work to prove his worth in a contract year.With newer, younger, and cheaper talent being added to the roster this year heading into training camp, it seems if Maliek Collins has accepted the challenge and is ready for any and all competition to head his way. If he’s able to stay healthy, and can play the majority of the year at his natural 3-technique position Womens Leighton Vander Esch Jersey , Collins may not only keep his starting job, but could force the Jones’ into opening up their checkbook after this season. Day after day a little more than two years ago, Randy Gregory and Jaylon Smith worked behind the scenes while the Dallas Cowboys practiced, the defensive end and linebacker hoping to prove they would be worth the wait.Both were considered second-round gambles for vastly different reasons 鈥?Gregory because of a battle with substance abuse that eventually led to three suspensions, Smith because of a devastating left knee injury in his final college game.With the Cowboys (11-6) headed to a divisional playoff game Saturday night at the Los Angeles Rams (13-3) on a team with a defense-first identity, Gregory and Smith are looking more like second-round payoffs.“Y’all will never understand the hard work, the lonely nights … the dark days that those guys had to face through their trials and tribulations,” defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence said. “That’s why it’s so much passion in this locker room, mostly on the field when we play together. We feel like we all had our dark days.”For Gregory, the聽darkest days were in the months after his third suspension聽, a yearlong ban that also meant he couldn’t be around the team. The first two times he was suspended 鈥?for the first 14 games of the 2016 season 鈥?he could still work out with the Cowboys. That’s when the bond with Smith developed.For Smith, it wouldn’t be quite as accurate to say the days were dark because his bright outlook was one of the things that attracted the Cowboys to him during the draft process. The former Notre Dame standout couldn’t run or jump at the combine, but he could flash a mesmerizing smile and talk hopefully about his future.While Gregory missed the 2017 season, Smith finally got on the field 鈥?but with mixed results as he continued playing with a brace designed to compensate for nerve damage in his left foot.This season Michael Gallup Jersey White , Gregory’s suspension was lifted. And Smith’s brace came off. Gregory, having missed 30 of 32 games over the previous two seasons, had six sacks after coming in with just one for his career. Smith聽took over as the play-calling leader聽in the middle of a top-10 defense.“It’s what makes us who we are,” Smith said. “Everyone has been through something in their life. Everyone has that edge and drive. Once you identify it and find it, you have to use it as fuel.”Gregory, who has turned down most interview requests this season, was drafted late in the second round in 2015 out of Nebraska, sliding out of a projected spot high in the first round because of off-field concerns. He tested positive for marijuana at the combine.After saying he wanted to make good on a promise to owner and general manager Jerry Jones to stay clean, Gregory made it through his rookie year without a suspension. He missed four games with an ankle injury and didn’t have a sack.Gregory’s first sack came in the 2016 regular-season finale, just before the yearlong suspension was announced. He waited an extra six months to apply for reinstatement to improve his chances. Letters from teammates, including safety Jeff Heath, were part of the application.The 26-year-old Gregory occasionally misses practice in the middle of the week for trips to NFL-mandated checkups, along with frequent drug testing.“It’s not one of those things where he got reinstated so now he could relax,” Heath said. “He still has to work his butt off to be able to help us out on game days. Everybody loves him. That’s one of the reasons why it was so easy to write that letter because it was just the truth.”Smith went early in the second round a year after Gregory Dak Prescott Jersey , with the Cowboys all but certain he wouldn’t play as a rookie because of the injury sustained in the Fiesta Bowl against Ohio State.While there were concerns whether Smith would even play in the NFL, Dallas was confident because team physician Dr. Dan Cooper performed the surgery. And the Cowboys trusted their training staff to stick with the painstaking rehab.Smith’s return was celebrated as a major milestone, but his struggles left lingering doubts while the Cowboys missed the playoffs a year after an NFC-best 13 wins.The 23-year-old’s playmaking in his second season on the field has erased many of those doubts. Case in point:聽Smith’s 69-yard fumble return for a touchdown聽in a win over Tampa Bay that clinched the NFC East for Dallas. By the way, Gregory caused the fumble with that sixth sack.“Ultimately where those guys have come from and where they are now has everything to do with them, the drive, the determination they’ve had to have great careers,” coach Jason Garrett said. “Both have different stories, but I think that’s the underlying theme.”They aren’t finished trying to prove their worth.