Landon Collins
(Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

New York Giants Pro Bowl safety Landon Collins makes it clear on Wednesday that he wants to be one of the team’s captains this season.

The New York Giants have yet to announce who their team captains will be this season, but Landon Collins made it known on Wednesday that he wants to take on the responsibility.

Collins is entering the fourth and final year of his rookie contract. In each of his three seasons with the Giants, he’s led the team in tackles and is the only Giant to be voted to the Pro Bowl in each of the last two seasons.

Last season amidst the disastrous 3-13 season, it became obvious that Collins was the vocal leader on the field and in the locker room. He even showed tough love by calling cornerback Eli Apple a cancer in a radio interview with ESPN’s Bob Wischusen.

Following the Giants last practice before their third preseason game against the New York Jets on Friday night, Collins was asked if he wants to be one of the team’s captains.

“You know me, that’s an easy question, yes. I definitely want to be a captain of this defense one of these years.”

Traditionally the Giants select three team captains, one from the offense, one from special teams and one from the defense.

Head coach Pat Shurmur hasn’t determined how the team will decide on who will be the captains, but if anybody has deserves to be a first-time captain, its Collins. He’s clearly one of the best defensive players on the team as well as the league.

Collins was also asked on Wednesday where leadership comes from.

“It comes through regardless of the fact, winning or losing. If you’re winning, people get comfortable and you’ve got to continue pressing that. You can’t get comfortable in this league. If you get comfortable, you get sent home. From that point of view, it goes hand in hand. If you’re losing, you definitely need it (leadership) and when you’re winning, you especially need it because you need to keep everybody focused.”

In defensive coordinator James Bettcher’s defensive scheme, Collins will be lined up all over the field as a safety and linebacker and is poised to have his best season. So it would be only fitting that he’s one of the team’s captains.

Jason's first love was football while growing up in northern New Jersey. For the past three years, he has covered the New York Giants, as well as several boxing events along the East Coast.