To say that Maliek Collins was a little apprehensive initially about moving from the play-making under tackle position in the Dallas Cowboys defense to the 1-technique nose tackle spot is an understatement.
Collins, who had five sacks as a rookie last year, was supposed be the next Warren Sapp in defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli’s scheme. He had 2.5 sacks through the first five games before the sudden retirement Stephen Paea prompted an adjustment in his role.
The Cowboys moved Collins from the pass-rushing tackle position to the run-stopping nose tackle position, where he lines up in the gap between the center and the guard, in an effort to get their four best players on the field in Sunday’s 40-10 victory against the San Francisco 49ers.