Quinten Rollins and the rest of the Green Bay Packers are gearing up for NFL Preseason game 1 Thursday at New England (NFL Network, 7:30 p.m.).
Rollins, the 2010 Wilmington High School graduate selected in the second round of this spring’s NFL Draft, is expected to see playing time against the Patriots.
On the Packers unofficial depth chart posted on the team’s official website, Rollins is listed as the third left cornerback behind starter Casey Hayward and 2015 No. 1 draft pick Damarious Randall.
Though he isn’t listed on the depth chart on any of the return teams, Rollins could eventually see time there.
“If I can make an impact on special teams, I’ll do that,” he said. “I was catching punts during the spring. Hopefully I’ll get a chance (in a game) but if I don’t, it’s not the end of the world.”
In training camp practices, based on Twitter feeds from those covering the Packers, Rollins has had — not unexpectedly — good moments and bad moments. He has several interceptions but also has given up a few touchdowns.
Rollins has played against both split ends on the line of scrimmage as well as slot receivers, who are normally off the ball at the snap. He has not worked as a safety.
NO HOOPS … YET: Over the years, football teams are noted for playing basketball. On many occasions, members of the Cincinnati Bengals came to Clinton County to face “all-star” teams at one of our high schools.
When the Bengals opened their new stadium, a basketball court was installed so most likely many NFL teams have the same facility.
Given his basketball background — standout at WHS and record-holder at Miami of Ohio — Rollins would be a perfect candidate for one of the Packers pickup games. In fact, maybe even a “No. 1 pick.”
“Not yet,” he said. “Some of the guys played in the spring, mostly the vets because we’re (the rookies) in meetings all the time.”
Demetri Goodson is a fellow cornerback who also played basketball in college. Goodson was a guard at Gonzaga for three years then played football at Baylor University in 2013. Goodson was drafted by the Packers in the sixth round of the 2014 NFL Draft.
Rollins said there’s been no offer by Goodson or anyone else for that matter to play a little “1-on-1.”
“We (Rollins and Goodson) talked about it (basketball) but nobody’s challenged me,” said Rollins. “There’s a time and place for it (basketball). Right now there’s a different goal.”
FILM AT 11: There are likely some superstar NFL players who rarely watch film on their opponents. Most teams over the years have required some film work, so players were “forced” to watch at least a little film.
Nowadays, players and coaches gain legendary status because of their late-night video work. Technology today makes it so easy to get situational video on upcoming opponents.
Rollins credits film study with his success at Miami.
“Film definitely matters,” he said. “It’s what I predicated my success to in my college career because I didn’t really know much, especially at the cornerback position.”
After a four-year college basketball career, Rollins had seven interceptions his one year of football at Miami and was the Mid-American Conference Defensive Player of the Year.
