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FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn couldn't hide his disappointment in third-year cornerback Jalen Collins. Quinn acknowledged there were red flags when drafting Collins in 2015 out of LSU and that they are still present with regards to his decision-making. He was also perturbed that Collins didn't reach out to his teammates about his "problem."
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Collins, who was suspended for four games last season, was suspended for 10 games this season for violating the performance enhancement drug policy.
"Off the field, it's the trust issues," Quinn said. "Can we get back to where it could be a trusting relationship both with the team, staff, personnel and basically with the organization."
Questions were raised last week when Collins, who started the Super Bowl, was demoted to the third-team defense.
Quinn did an open-field Devonta Freeman-like spin move when asked last week if Collins was in hot water with the NFL. He knew his player was being investigated and the appeal process was churning.
Collins also denied that he had issues with the league office after being asked why he, a starter in the Super Bowl, was working out with the third team.
The team announced the suspension on Sunday (Aug. 6).
"I'm always going to protect the player," said Quinn, who was hoping that Collins would win his appeal. "I think for those of you who know me, that's not going to change. At that time, I knew there was an issue with the league. I didn't know if it was going to be resolved to his side or not. I didn't know if that would take place in July, August or September."
With Collins' status in limbo, C.J. Goodwin and Deji Olatoye began taking second-team reps in practice. If Collins won his appeal, he would have been moved back up to the second team.
"(General manager) Thomas (Dimitroff) and myself made the decision that we would move him until we had further clarity," Quinn said. "Then we could make the best decision. So, in that instance, we were protecting the team."
Collins, at 6-foot-2 and 198 pounds, was projected to help the Falcons match up with some of the bigger receivers in the NFC South.
"We all felt bad (for anyone) in that situation because this is a player-led team," All-Pro wide receiver Julio Jones said. "We are going to keep working day-in and day-out. He's got his things he has to deal with and we just have to continue to try to get better every day."
Collins wouldn't reveal what performance enhancement drug that he tested positive for.
"We are not really going to get into specifics," Collins said. "I made a mistake and I'm going to learn from it."
Collins made similar statements after last season's suspension.
"Everybody is really disappointed, including myself," Collins said. "This is something that I've been struggling with. I'm working on it, to put behind me and I'm ready to move forward."
He knows the team may not trust him moving forward and that this suspension will cost him $540,141 in base salary.
"Just take care of things on my end and when I'm in the building give everything to the team," Collins said.
Collins practiced with the team on Monday and can do so throughout the exhibition season. His suspension will begin in the regular season.
The team is considering its options and noted that the release of Collins was not imminent "today or tomorrow."
"The disappointment for having a second, repeat offense is stronger," Quinn said. "This just came through yesterday. Some trust has been broken. We'll take all the time that we need to make the best decision for the team."
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The Falcons don't plan to move Damontae Kazee to cornerback, the position he played at San Diego State, due to Jalen Collins' 10-game position.
Kazee, a fifth-round pick, was moved to free safety and has been impressive at his new position.
"Not at this time," Falcons head coach Dan Quinn said when asked if he planned to move Kazee back to cornerback. "He has a role, backing up Rico (Ricardo Allen) and a real role on special teams. He feels like a Falcons defender."
