This is Todd Collins’ world now: He signaled to the Redskins’ public relations staff that it was a good time to conduct his interview. And a media horde scrambled out of the locker room, as the rest of the players laughed, to gather round the stairs where Collins was standing.
He’s now the new media darling. Which is funny considering a week earlier he could walk through the locker and cause nary a head to turn.
“This is part of thedeal,” he said. “It’s been a while since I’ve had this much attention. It’s not bad.”
So now he’s asked about his penchant for sniffing footballs — yes, footballs; and his quirky habits; and his offbeat sense of humor. After 10 years in between starts, there’s a lot to learn about Collins.
“He has a great sense of humor,” receiver Antwaan Randle El said. “It’s dry, but it’s so funny. He has a way of making you laugh when he’s not really trying to make you laugh, but you think he is. We’ll have a sign that says there’s an 8:30 meeting and he’ll say, ‘What time is the 8:30 meeting?’ See what I mean?”
He’ll tell teammates the notes he’s jotting down are for a book he’s writing. He tells reporters that’s just part of his disinformation campaign to keep teammates on their toes.
Or this. Collins has been spotted sniffing footballs, center Casey Rabach said.
“Sometimes before practice,” Collins said, “but not all the time. I did it once or twice and now he says I do it all the time. … I’ve got to keep a muzzle on those guys.”
Reserve linebacker Matt Sinclair said he introduced his wife to Collins after the Chicago game. They started discussing wine.
“All of a sudden I heard Todd say I have a great sense of smell,” Sinclair said. “He’s talking about how he can pick out chocolate and certainberries in wine. He’s one of those guys you have to know him to appreciate him. At the same time he just goes about his business and seems care-free. He’s a contradiction in terms.”
Collins’ last start came on Dec. 14, 1997, against Jacksonville — quarterbacked by Mark Brunell and coached by Tom Coughlin, who now coaches Sunday’s opponent, the New York Giants.
Collins bided his time by staying prepared, a lesson he learned in Kansas City in 1998 while paired with Rich Gannon. He studied as if he were a starter. For 10 years.
And on that he’s serious.
“When you step in the huddle,” he said, “those guys are depending on you.”
“His knowledge,” Rabach said, “puts everyone at ease.”
