Quinten Rollins has quickly become a favorite of the media that covers the Green Bay Packers. When Rollins is available to the Packers’ locker-room, there always seems to be a swarm of microphones and cameras in his face.
Granted, he is a second round pick of the Packers, so that makes him highly sought-after.
But the 2010 Wilmington High School graduate is so well-spoken. For the media that’s like dangling a piece of raw meat in front of a hungry carnivore.
But it’s funny … well, maybe more interesting than funny, to listen as the media tries to prod an athlete, Rollins in this case, into a specific answer.
To me, Rollins is a dream to interview. Don’t expect an answer or try to steer him in a specific direction. He won’t bite. But his answers are always insightful, well stated and original.
So it is interesting, maybe only to me, when the media asks a question it believes it knows the answer to or would like to hear a specific answer.
A couple of for instances. Rollins was asked about an interception he had during drills Monday morning, his first day of practice on the team’s fourth day of training camp.
Rollins was asked if the interception gave him confidence. To those who know Q, confidence is not something he lacks. He believes in his training, his ability, his coaching and his God. He knows he’s in this situation for a reason and he’s not going to question it.
So Rollins, being nice, responded with a huge smile and the following. “I guess you could say that” knowing deep down that the questioner could say that but Rollins wasn’t in total agreement.
He continued.
“But at the end of the day it’s just a play. You’re expected to make plays, so I don’t let it (the interception) go to my head.”
Another question presented to Rollins focused on his demeanor, which, by the nature of the question, was implying Rollins was a little too laid back.
Rollins said, “I’m a quiet guy, always had a chill attitude.”
And that’s what makes him special. He doesn’t like the attention but knows how to handle it. I never expect him to bring the spotlight on himself in any other way than through his play on the field, or the court depending on the sport he’s playing.
NOTEBOOK
• Visiting Green Bay made me hearken back to the days when the Cincinnati Bengals held their training camp at Wilmington College.
Most teams nowadays practice at their own facility rather than go off to another town.
The Packers are a little bit of both.
During training camp, the players stay at St. Norbert College then drive to Green Bay’s facility, approximately five miles away. The players have meetings at Lambeau Field after practice then drive back to St. Norbert College for dinner, meetings and finally bed check.
St. Norbert is a Div. III school like WC, nestled into a small portion of De Pere, Wisc.
Rollins stayed in a dorm room at Miami of Ohio three years then moved into an apartment for his senior year. Ironically, he kind of gave the college dorm room a kick in the pants when he left, thinking he’d never spend another day in a cramped, sparse dorm room.
Of course, at the time, he never thought playing professional football was an option. He laughed when reminded his ode the college dorm was a little bit premature.
“It’s definitely like that college feel,” he said. “The showers are small … it puts you in uncomfortable living conditions. It’s a little adversity, but it’s OK.”
• Rollins is a notorious night owl. In college he might have days when he doesn’t have to get up until mid-morning but the Packers’ 8:20 a.m. practices provide a more stern reason to rise before the rooster.
“I’ve kinda been cutting it down a little bit,” Rollins said of his late nights. “I’m trying to get to bed before midnight. Up at 5:30 (a.m.). I hit the snooze a couple times.”
Then it’s off to breakfast and practice.
