Washington safety Landon Collins feeling a bit boxed in by changing role

ASHBURN, Va. -- The "L" word isn't used much, in part because of semantics. It also depends who is doing the talking. The Washington Football Team coaches don't want to call Landon Collins, shhh, a linebacker even if Collins himself believes that's his current role.

What the coaches know: Collins can be used in a variety of ways. Yes, he can align in linebacker spots. He can also drop on occasion to a safety position, or simply do what he had done in their big nickel role, when Washington uses a three-safety grouping rather than three cornerbacks.

What Collins knows: His position has changed. It might not be a traditional linebacker, but it's also not the safety role he's played his entire…