If Nick Collins is thinking about going to greater lengths to protest the absence of a more lucrative contract, he sure has the Packers and their fans fooled.
On the heels of skipping most of the first part of the team's offseason program, which commenced March 16, the Pro Bowl safety hopped on a coach bus to spend four days traveling Wisconsin on the Packers Tailgate Tour. Wide receiver Jordy Nelson, linebacker Brady Poppinga and team president Mark Murphy also were on board for the May 11-14 meet-and-greet with fans across the state.
Collins insisted in talking with reporters at various stops that his earlier absence from the voluntary workouts wasn't tied to greed.
"I don't have a problem with my contract," Collins said. "The thing is I have some family issues back home that I'm taking care of. I just want to be close to my family right now."
Collins spent the latter half of March and the better part of April at his offseason home in Gainesville, Fla. His wife, Andrea, gave birth to the couple's third child April 10.
However, tending to the newborn reportedly isn't the "family issues" that have been occupying Collins' time in recent weeks. He didn't elaborate on the matter during the tailgate tour.
Collins reported to Green Bay for some of the offseason program in late April.
In turn, head coach Mike McCarthy said publicly that Collins' involvement with team activities had been preempted by a business situation, further adding to speculation that the emerging defensive leader was upset about his contract status.
Collins, a second-round draft pick in 2005, is entering the final year of his rookie contract. He is coming off a breakthrough season, in which he tied teammate Charles Woodson for the NFC lead in interceptions with a career-high seven and earned his first trip to the Pro Bowl.
Collins said during the tailgate tour he feels he is deserving of a new contract from the Packers but didn't let on how much dissatisfaction he has, if any, with the organization.
"I've got other things to worry about than the contract," he said. "I've been talking to the coaches, (defensive coordinator Dom) Capers. We have an understanding. So, hopefully, everything will work out for the best."
Collins wouldn't comment on whether he will be in attendance for the voluntary organized team activities, which start May 26.
Those sessions will mark the start of the team's installation of its new 3-4 defensive scheme. So, Collins' presence would be important as Capers tries to get his unit on the same page from the get-go.
