IRVING, Texas -- Don't spend one minute, one second or one fleeting thought putting La'el Collins in the same category as Greg Hardy and Randy Gregory when talking about Dallas Cowboys players with character issues.
Hardy is appealing a 10-game suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy because the league believes he physically harmed a former girlfriend. Gregory, a projected first-round pick a few months ago, plummeted down draft boards, in part, because he failed a drug test at the NFL scouting combine.
Collins, another player projected to be a first-round pick, had zero to do with the strange, unbelievable set of circumstances that made 32 teams pass on him in each of the draft's seven rounds. He is yet to officially be cleared, but he is not a suspect.
Collins' former girlfriend and her unborn child were murdered last month and police wanted to speak with him, though he was never labeled a suspect or even a person of interest. Still, Collins left the draft in Chicago and returned to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to speak with police and take a paternity test to prove he wasn't the unborn child's father. He reportedly passed a lie detector test, and his alibi checked out.
Collins met with the Cowboys on Wednesday night and signed a three-year contract for $1.65 million -- all guaranteed -- with Dallas on Thursday. The way he handled a situation straight out of a "Law & Order" episode had coach Jason Garrett referring to him as inspirational and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones wiping tears from his eyes.
"God gave me that burden to carry so I can share my story to a lot of young kids and other people that I can help motivate because he knows that I can carry it," Collins said. "He tested my faith, and I responded.
"I can't explain the emotions and feelings that my family had to endure at that time, but I can tell you our greatest moments are ahead of us."
Collins, an undrafted free agent, was free to sign with any team. He opted to sign with the Cowboys because he wanted to be part of an offensive line that wants to be the best in NFL history.
His words, not mine.
"I wanted to be in a place where I was going to fight for championships year in and year out," Collins said. "I wanted to be in a place where I was going to reach my full potential around guys who see the same visions I see.
"I want to contribute to being [on] the best offensive line in NFL history. I got the opportunity to do it, and I chose it. I chose to be here, and I want to be here and I want to be a part of this."
Left tackle Tyron Smith, who hosted Collins on his high school visit to USC, guard Zack Martin and center Travis Frederick were each named to the Pro Bowl last season. Smith and Martin earned All-Pro honors. Collins is capable of playing guard or tackle, which means he'll compete with left guard Ronald Leary or right tackle Doug Free for playing time. Only Free is older than 30.
Garrett said the Cowboys will play their five best linemen. Last season's offensive line helped DeMarco Murray establish franchise records for rushing yards (1,845) and carries (392), and the Cowboys went 12-4 and won the NFC East. The line's dominance is among the reasons the Cowboys didn't take a running back in the draft.
But the worst day of Collins' life has given the Cowboys an opportunity to have the kind of draft that can change a franchise. Cornerback Byron Jones, the 27th pick, Gregory and Collins were each rated among the draft's top 35 prospects.
Now, each is a member of the Cowboys. And if you listen to Collins speak, then you'll understand why the Cowboys consider his character a strength.