INDIANAPOLIS — Where Trel At?

The Super Bowl, that’s where.

It sure can appear to be a cute slogan on a cool T-shirt by an entrepreneurial safety living the life, but it is so much more than cute or cool or potentially profitable. Antrel Rolle is not merely a part of Super Bowl XLVI, he’s one of the major reasons why the Giants still are around after their season nearly was capsized by too much bad football, most notably by the defensive backfield Rolle inhabits.

Mention “Where Trel At?” to Rolle’s teammates and they start grinning. He’s guilty of the same facial expression.

“No matter what kind of mood you’re in, no matter what kind of day you’re having, when you hear that it just puts a smile on our face,’’ Rolle said yesterday. “Something so little has definitely brought us closer together as a team.’’

For stretches of the season the emotional temperature of the Giants could be gauged by Rolle, who in his second season with the team emerged, in his own way, as the fire to Eli Manning’s ice. Justin Tuck, a team captain, admittedly struggled with his leadership duties as injuries compromised his work on the field, and there’s no doubt Rolle stepped in to fill the void.

His indignation as the Giants were sliding was palpable, just as it is clear he is intensely confident his club will take care of business Sunday night against the Patriots.

There were times this season when it wasn’t readily apparent that Rolle and the team felt the same way. There was the big one, after the dreadful 23-10 loss to the Redskins, when Rolle went on a riff about players with “nicks and bruises’’ needing to forget about the ashes and pains and get out on the practice field. The Giants haven’t lost since.

“When Antrel stood up and talked about players practicing … in my opinion that was the pivotal moment for us,’’ safeties coach David Merritt told The Post.

Impactful with his words, Rolle this season spent just two games at his natural safety position, as he has been asked to fill holes at nickel cornerback, which cut deeply into his play-making ability. Where Trel At? could be a search for where he will line up next, but it’s not. Instead, it’s the handiwork of safety Deon Grant.

“Trel [is] the type of guy who can get ready in two minutes,’’ Grant said. “If it’s 10:30, we’re supposed to be on the football field, he starts getting dressed at 10:27. So I walk in there he’s nowhere to be found I’ll be like ‘Where Trel At? Where Trel At?’ and everybody liked the way I started saying it. They ran with it.’’

Actually it was equipment gurus Joe and Ed Skiba who turned the phrase into a T-shirt, which now is available on rollegear.com.

“The Skibas, they just sort of took it and ran with it, making fun or our Ebonics and ending sentences with a preposition,’’ Rolle said. “Everyone says its now. I have my teammates’ sons walking around saying ‘Where Trel At?’ Everywhere I go.’’

There’s more coming. Rolle’s linguistic crutch — one he’s recently tried to shed — is coming to a crew-neck near you.

“If we go out there and win this thing on Sunday just watch me on the parade, watch me on the float, I will be sporting an ‘At The End Of The Day’ shirt,’’ he said.

This is all part of a two-year transition for Rolle, who initially chafed under the weight of coach Tom Coughlin’s guidelines but now is in line as one of his greatest supporters. Rolle barely spoke to the media when he played for the Cardinals, but now his locker is a must-stop destination, just as his weekly radio spot on WFAN is required listening.

“I’m in the New York swing of things right now,’’ Rolle, a Miami native, said. “I can actually say New York is my second home.

“I can’t see anything being greater than being an athlete and playing in the brighter stage of New York. It’s something I’m definitely blessed to be in. I’m gonna try to capture it and appreciate it and ride it until the wheels fall off.’’

He hopes no one has to ask Where Trel At? late Sunday night, because Rolle plans on being up there on the victory podium, finishing what his Giants started.


(nypost.com)

INDIANAPOLIS — The text message is saved in David Merritt’s phone for quick access.

That’s how much it means to Merritt, to Antrel Rolle and to the Giants’ Super Bowl season.

Antrel stay the course my young brother! Putting coaching aside you are right where God would have you to be at this point in your life and career. Find out through prayer WHY are you here? What lesson is to be learned or who are you supposed to help here on this team or in this area!!!
Merritt paused as he read the text aloud.

“Now we’re going outside of football: ‘in this area,’” he said before continuing.

Know that God has US here for a reason & sometimes a season. You may get that chance to leave in the end but WE must finish this season the right way, working unto God & not man!

This was 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 18 — roughly three hours after the Giants inexplicably lost to the lowly Washington Redskins and 2½ hours following Rolle’s ripping unnamed players who don’t practice through some hurts during the week.

At 7-7 and facing a second straight season without a trip to the playoffs, Rolle was griping via text to the Giants’ safeties coach about the defensive game plans and the lack of in-game adjustments.

The key line in Merritt’s message (“You may get that chance to leave in the end ...&rdquo was in reference to conversations Rolle had with the Giants’ staff.

He was unhappy with his role as the nickel cornerback. He was angry and considered Perry Fewell’s schemes inflexible. And for a few months by that point, he was hoping his time as a Giant would soon be over.

“He kept telling us he wanted out,” Merritt told The Star-Ledger.

Now, not so much.

In only a few weeks, the Giants’ loudest voice has gone from complaining to offering only constructive commentary about every facet of the team, including coach Tom Coughlin, with whom he’d previously clashed. He’s a content, high-energy inspiration for those around him and his turnaround has galvanized Coughlin as well as his teammates.

Many were involved in helping Rolle through the process. None has gotten less due so far than Merritt and his text-message therapy.

“Dave Merritt has helped me a lot. We’ve had a lot of 1-on-1 personal conversations, not anything about football, but about life in general,” Rolle said Thursday. “And he’s also a huge reason why I was able to buy into playing my role as a nickel (cornerback). I was extremely frustrated after the Washington game.”

According to Merritt, Rolle’s frustrations first boiled over after the victory over the Arizona Cardinals in October.

“There were a couple of things that happened during the game and I kind of critiqued him on it,” said Merritt, who is the only defensive coach who has been with the Giants since Coughlin arrived in 2004. “Although he played a fabulous game, I just wanted to get a point across about technique. And from that point on, we started butting heads a little bit.”

So began a couple of contentious, delicate months. Rolle was hot and Merritt tried to cool him down.

A linebacker for the Miami Dolphins and Cardinals from 1993-96, Merritt understood Rolle’s gripes about Fewell not making in-game adjustments. Merritt explained those changes couldn’t be made because the Giants had rookie linebackers Jacquian Williams and Greg Jones on the field.
And during the Washington game, rookie cornerback Prince Amukamara saw a lot of action in the first half.

“You’re right in a sense. But at the same time, we’re right by not putting all of this pressure on these young players,” Merritt recalls telling Rolle. “If you start to say at halftime, ‘Let’s do this now,’ it’ll blow those kids’ minds.”

Merritt wasn’t alone in trying to convince Rolle. Safety Deon Grant, general manager Jerry Reese and his family all had conversations with him.
And then, there was the chat he had with Fewell.

“He said, ‘Trel, you have to think about it this way: You and Deon are tight, right?’ I said, ‘Yeah,’ ” Rolle recalled. “He said, ‘Y’all are like brothers. How many more opportunities do you think he’s going to get to actually reach a Super Bowl?’ And when I thought about that, it actually brought tears to my eyes.

“From that point on, I never saw the game about me. I never saw the game about anything having to deal with me. I saw the game about my teammates, I saw the game about Coach Coughlin and I saw the game most of all about Deon Grant.”

Rolle and Fewell are fuzzy on the timeline of that meeting, though it sounds like it was right around the time of Merritt’s text message.
And now, just listen to Rolle.

“It really doesn’t matter to me if I play another down at safety again as a Giant,” Rolle said. “As long as we have a ‘W,’ at the end of the day, I’m good with that.”

Merritt was asked if he sees any similarities between himself and Rolle. He wanted to say yes so very badly, so he paused and tried to stifle a grin.

“No,” he finally said with a laugh. “He’s so outgoing and I am not as outgoing as he is. He doesn’t lack confidence. Maybe that’s the one thing I identify with in what I do and what I can do as a coach.

“But other than that, no. Not his swagger, not his dress. ...”

Then again, maybe these two are more in tune than they think because, in answering a question about butting heads with Rolle, Merritt said: “At the end of the day, when you approach him after you’ve had that disagreement, you go right back and say, ‘Do you understand what I’m saying? Is everything cool?’ And as long as he can look me in the eye and say, ‘Yeah I got you, Coach. I’m good.’”

Sorry but we missed the last half of that. We were too busy snickering after the “at the end of the day” part.

“There ya go! That’s an Antrel-ism!” Merritt exclaimed. “As a matter of fact, maybe he got it from me, to be honest with you.

“I’m going to give it to him, though.”


(nj.com)

INDIANAPOLIS — Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell called Antrel Rolle into his office for a meeting at some point during the regular season — Fewell estimated it to be in November, though neither could remember exactly when.

The reason for the impromptu meeting was simple: Fewell didn’t like what he was seeing in the safety-turned-nickel cornerback. He knew Rolle was upset about his position change; Rolle had made public that he believed the nickel back position wasn’t the best way to use his talents.

So Fewell thought Rolle needed a reminder that the team is bigger than he is. And he struck a cord by mentioning Deon Grant, Rolle’s best friend on the team, and putting the team’s goal in perspective.

“He said, ‘’Trel, you have to think about it this way: You and Deon are tight, right?’” Rolle told The Star-Ledger, recalling the conversation between he and Fewell.

“I said, ‘Yeah.’

“He said, ‘Y’all are like brothers, right?’

“I said, ‘Yeah.’

“He said, ‘How many more opportunities do you think he’s going to get to actually reach a Super Bowl or win a Super Bowl?’

“And when I thought about that, it actually brought tears to my eyes and from that point on I never saw the game about me. I never saw the game about anything having to deal with me. I saw the game about my teammates, I saw the game most of all about Coach Coughlin, and I saw the game most of all about Deon Grant.”

Fewell said he’s seen a change in Rolle since that meeting, which became another step in Rolle’s steady evolution from disgruntled newcomer to Tom Coughlin enthusiast over the course of a year.

“I just wanted him to think about when we’re going out and we’re playing, there are some guys that probably won’t get a chance to play anymore after this year,” Fewell said. “And it could be your best buddy. It could be the guy you sit next to in the meeting.

“We got to think about team before we think about anything else. As a leader — that’s what he is on our football team — he has to lead and not just for himself, but for others. So I just wanted him to think about that as the leader of our defense so he could really take in the total perspective.”


(nj.com)

INDIANAPOLIS –— Six years after Kenny Phillips found himself asking Antrel Rolle what life as a Miami Hurricane was like, the roles were reversed.

As a senior at Miami Carol High School in 2004 Phillips consulted with Rolle, then a senior at the University of Miami, during his recruitment by the Hurricanes. He asked what to expect and what he should look forward to in Coral Gables.

Rolle's must had the right answers -- Phillips became a Hurricane.

Later, when Rolle was a free agent in 2010 after five seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, Phillips, then in his second year with the New York Giants, was the one with the answers.

Rolle must have heard the right things -- he joined the Giants before the 2010 season.

On Sunday, they'll roam the Giants' secondary together in Super Bowl XLVI against the New England Patriots.

"It took a year but, I mean, we're on the same page," Phillips said during Tuesday's Media Day. "We know what's going on. He's been a big part of what we do on defense. We ask him to do so many different roles and he does a good job in all of them."

Phillips and Rolle are the last line of defense for a unit that was ranked 27th in the NFL in total defense, allowing 376.4 yards per game – of which 255.1 were in the air. This week at the Super Bowl, however, Rolle reassumed the elder statesman role. His last game for the Cardinals was Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa, a 27-23 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers and Rolle had three tackles.

This time around, Rolle will be able to share his Super Bowl insights with a fellow Hurricane.

The two have coined themselves AK-47. The A is for Antrel and the K is for Kenny, and when their numbers are added up (21 for Phillips and 26 for Rolle), it equals 47.

"We're dangerous," Rolle cracked.

As the starting free safety, Rolle led the Giants in tackles this season with 96, of which 82 were solo. Phillips had 63 tackles and four interceptions as the starting strong safety.

Their friendship started during the 2004 season when Rolle presented Phillips with a scholar-athlete award in Miami. Phillips impressed Rolle that night and the two stayed close.

"Right then I knew he was an exceptional talent as an athlete but also with the brains to go along with it," Rolle said. "That's always a plus."

Growing up in Miami, Phillips joked he didn't have a choice about being a Hurricanes fan and he admired Rolle as most high school football players looking up to college stars would. They kept in touch during Phillips' recruitment and became closer when Rolle returned to Miami to work out during the summers.

Phillips smiled wide when he talked about playing along side someone he looked up to for years.

"It's been like that ever since I got in the league," he said. "When I first got here, I had (former Giants cornerback) Sam Madison and a guy like (Giants free safety) Deon Grant, that have been playing since I was in high school. It's great because when you go to a guy they have great knowledge."

Rolle knows the feeling.

"I looked up to Deon Grant so it all kinda follows suit," Rolle said.

"Deon's like the grandfather of the group, I'm like the father and Kenny's like the son."


(sun-sentinel.com)

A year ago Giants safety Antrel Rolle said that it was time for coach Tom Coughlin to realize it’s 2011 and update his coaching methods. But in 2012, Rolle says he has come around to see the wisdom in the way Coughlin does things.

“My first season I questioned a lot of things that coach Coughlin was doing,” Rolle said today. “After taking a step back and reflecting on all of it, I understand exactly why he is the way he is. I used to always wonder, I felt like he was always trying to turn us into men. Does he not know that we are men before we ever step on the football field here as a Giant? I used to ask myself questions like that. Once I matured enough and I took a step back, he is not trying to turn us into men, he is trying to help us become better men. That is something that I realize and that is something that I have taken on my shoulders and I am man enough to admit.”

Rolle now credits Coughlin’s structured approach to running the team for the way the Giants have been able to deal with the distractions of the Super Bowl.

“I understand everything behind his discipline and his structure, it comes with a reason,” Rolle said. “Things are tough in New York and he has to be that way. He has prepared us for a bigger and brighter stage, which is the stage we are on right now. For us to come here and be able to handle all the press, all the media, all the festivities and things around us and our team has done an exceptional job doing that. I see it, I see it in our eyes that our focus is the game and the game only. I think that this is what he has been trying to prepare us for all year I long. He has just going about it in different ways.”

It’s easy to see why players would find it frustrating that Coughlin has exacting standards about minor details like how they wear their socks, but Rolle said he now sees some benefits to Coughlin holding the players to a high standard. It’s hard to argue with the success Coughlin has had as a head coach.


(profootballtalk.com)

INDIANAPOLIS -- Antrel Rolle, the Giants' version of Bart Scott -- sans the middle-finger salute -- said Tuesday at Media Day that the Christmas-Eve win over the Jets was the turning point to their season. And he suggested the Giants were motivated by Rex Ryan's pre-game trash talking.

"You can't talk with your mouth," Rolle said. "You can only go out there and let your pads do the talking."

Obviously, the Giants love talking about that game, especially Rolle, the biggest yapper of them all.

"That's when it all started, when we were all on deck," he said. "The practices were phenomenal, it was electrifying. We were flying around like maniacs that week. There was a lot of trash talking, and we just said we're going to let our play do the talking."

Rolle also wasn't shy about claiming the Jets benefitted from some "outrageous calls," saying, "I think they were definitely getting fed the biscuit."


(espn.com)

INDIANAPOLIS -- Less than 24 hours after saying the Giants boarded their flight with the mentality that "we are expecting to win" Super Bowl XLVI, Antrel Rolle reiterated his confident state of mind.

"We are going to win this thing," Rolle said when asked again about the Giants' mentality at Super Bowl media day on Tuesday. "We are going to win this thing for a lot of good reasons."

However, Rolle said he was not guaranteeing a Giants' victory over the Patriots when asked if that was a guarantee. The safety said he was just expressing how the confidence the Giants feel.

That confidence also extends to how Rolle feels about the Giants' ability to slow down Tom Brady and his offensive weapons like tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez.

"I definitely think so," Rolle said. "Tom Brady is an exceptional quarterback, but I feel like if we put our mind to it and play the way we have been playing, and if all of us go out there and play as one, we might not be able to stop everything he is doing but we'll stop a whole lot of the things he is trying to do."

"We are definitely going to take care of business," Rolle added. "Those guys are exceptional at what they do. And we understand that. But so are we."

The Giants' confidence has been surging ever since they beat the Jets on Christmas Eve. They've won five straight games since then.

"We were pretty confident in 2007," Justin Tuck said when asked to compare the confidence of this team to the one that won Super Bowl XLII.

"That's something that this football team rarely lacks. We are a confident bunch of guys. I would say our confidence level was just as high in 2007 as it is today."

Rolle said on Monday that the Giants "wouldn't have boarded the plane if we didn't expect to win" when asked about the team's approach to the Super Bowl.

"We have come here for one thing and one thing only which is to win," Rolle said on Monday. "We are expecting to win this game come Sunday."

The Giants have felt all season that if they come with the right approach and execute, they'll win.

"When we go out there and have that mentality that we have, and we fight, I don't think we can be denied," Rolle said. "I'm not saying we can't be beaten. Any team in the NFL can be beaten. But we are not going to be denied at this point."

"We are not going to sell ourselves short this opportunity."


(espn.com)

Antrel Rolle is no stranger to speaking his mind. He’s also no stranger to being confident. Often times for Rolle, that has created a volatile mix.

Rolle raised some eyebrows — and perhaps elbowed out some more room for himself on the Patriots’ bulletin board — when he said the Giants wouldn’t have boarded the plane to Indianapolis this week if they weren’t confident they would walk away winners.

Rolle is quick to give the Patriots respect, but just as quick to point out he’s simply saying what he truly believes.

“I’m not guaranteeing anything,” Rolle told “NFL Total Access” Tuesday. “But I did mean what I said when I said that we wouldn’t have boarded the plane if we didn’t expect to win the game.”

Rolle was asked if he’s simply saying what everyone else on the Giants is thinking.

“Without a doubt,” he responded. “And we do.”

It’s no secret the Giants are a confident bunch. It’s been a common theme throughout the team’s current seven-game winning streak.  And Rolle is plenty comfortable telling everyone as much.

“We’re a confident team,” he said. “I’m a confident player. This is what you need at this point. This is (the) Super Bowl.”


(nfl.com)

INDIANAPOLIS — No team in the NFL has figured out a way to stop the tight end duo of Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. The Giants are no exception, as the Patriots [team stats] tandem combined for 12 catches, 136 yards and two touchdowns in New York’s 24-20 win in Week 9.

Despite that, safety Antrel Rolle has no doubt the Giants will be able to stop the most productive tight end duo in NFL history on Sunday.

“Think? No. I don’t think it,” Rolle said. “I know it.”

Rolle isn’t lacking self-confidence and he certainly isn’t intimidated by the Patriots offense.

“You have to have that determination,” Rolle said. “You have to be determined to win. They put their pants on just as well as we put our pants on, so we’re not really worried about all the other outside things.”

Containing the tight ends is a priority for safety Deon Grant, but it’s not his top concern.

“We’re going to definitely get (their numbers) down, but at the end of the day, they find open zones or beat a guy here and there,” Grant said. “If we give them that and still come away with the victory, we’ll take it all day. They can have 500 yards. If we come away with the win, we could care less about it, but we’re definitely going to try to keep that down.”


(bostonherald.com)

INDIANAPOLIS - Antrel Rolle hasn’t always been like this, the type of player to whom media flock. He barely said a word when he played in Arizona, didn’t invite the scrutiny, the attention, the leadership role. That’s not the case anymore, not in New York.

As he said, “Whatever I feel at that moment I’m going to say.’’

He has. And yet, though Rolle said, “I’m not a fan of the media at all,’’ the media is surely a fan of him.

“With this team, I just felt like certain things needed to be said,’’ Rolle said. “I don’t come in with any premeditated thoughts because that’s not who I am. I just speak for the moment, I never speak out of anger. I only speak out of passion and concern for my team.’’

Prior to the Giants’ game against the Patriots in November, the 29-year-old safety said New York didn’t need to worry about its schedule, the schedule had to be worried about the Giants. He called Wes Welker human. He seemed more than confident.

He didn’t give quite the same sound bites yesterday, but he maintained that he’s just being himself when he opens his mouth, even when he’s surrounded by tape recorders and microphones.

It’s something that, he said, came from his parents; his mother is a high school counselor, his father a police chief. He watched them find success over the years, watched the hard work it took for them to get there.

“They always stood strong for what they believed,’’ said Rolle. “I guess it kind of trickled down to me. That’s the way I see things. A lot of times I take a lot of heat for a lot of things. I understand that.

“But at the same time I don’t care what the outsiders say. I only care about what’s going to come forth in our locker room with our guys. My teammates understand me, and those are the only people who need to understand me. They know that I’ve never been a problem, I’ll never be a problem, and everything I say is for the betterment of this team.’’

Rolle’s willingness to speak up seemed to spur the Giants to where they are now. After New York lost to the Redskins to fall to 7-7, the safety criticized teammates for not playing when nicked up, for not being committed enough.

The words had an effect. The next week the Giants beat the Jets in a must-win game. And New York hasn’t lost since, winning five straight to make it to the Super Bowl.

Rolle, a first-round draft pick of the Cardinals in 2005, played in the Super Bowl three years ago, Arizona losing in the final moments. He signed with the Giants in 2010 on a five-year, $37 million deal, and had a team-leading 96 tackles and two interceptions this season.

Rolle said he’s not thinking about that last trip. He’s focused on the Patriots and on Sunday and on the Giants defense.

“Defensively I think we had our struggles this year,’’ Rolle said. “Right now, we have a [tough] mentality. That’s the way we look at it. That’s the way we want to keep it. We’re very confident in our approach. But, most of all, I think we’re very smart in our approach.’’

They’ll need to continue to be smart against the Patriots’ high-powered offense. But if there’s one thing that can be counted on, it’s that Rolle will stay confident in his abilities and in the abilities of the Giants’ defense. And that he might just be convinced to talk about it before week’s end.

For now, though, Rolle is staying away from controversy, away from anything that might incite the Patriots.

Rolle said that, outside of the locker room, outside of the media attention, he really doesn’t say all that much. He is a “chill, low-key guy.’’ And then something happens, something propels him to speak out.

“I’m just trying to go out there and be a player,’’ Rolle said. “If swagger is what it is, then that’s what it’ll be. I don’t approach every game the same. Sometimes I might be the most quietest guy in the locker room. Sometimes I might be the most animated in the locker room.

“I never know what I’m going to be. I just go out there and play it by ear, and be whoever I’m supposed to be on that given day.’’


(bostonglobe.com)

INDIANAPOLIS – Even if Antrel Rolle hadn't been here before, he probably would make you think he has.

So describes the confidence of the New York Giants free safety, back in the Super Bowl three years after playing for the Arizona Cardinals in a last-minute loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Rolle's self-assuredness has created controversy this season with bulletin-board comments, but being the leading tackler on a team playing for a championship speaks for itself.

"When you're hearing all the talk — 'he's a big mouth; he's this and that' — it's tough especially knowing you're not that person," the two-time Pro Bowler said Monday after the Giants arrived to begin practicing for Sunday's rematch against the New England Patriots. "There's definitely a bigger picture than what it's made out to be."

To Rolle, it's more about motivation than bragging, something he and the Giants have fed off of during their five-game winning streak. Being their top tackler in the regular season (96) and postseason (21) suggests how busy he has been on a team lacking a nickel cornerback, often playing near the line.

Rolle figures to be active against the Patriots, who aim to send tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez and wide receiver Wes Welker downfield against him and Kenny Phillips. Forget about what happened in Week 9 in Foxborough, Mass., when New York won 24-20 after Rolle caused a stir by calling the Patriots offense "nothing spectacular" and suggesting that Giants opponents should fear them.

With the stakes different this time as well as the look of both teams, actions speak louder than words, and Rolle is focused as he seeks a different outcome in this championship appearance. There's no doubt he loves his position, a switch from where he played when entering the league in 2005.

Drafted eighth overall as a cornerback by the Cardinals, the Miami (Fla.) product admittedly didn't like or understand the system and asked to switch to safety three years later. Rolle quickly took to his new job and its mental demands, which paid off immediately with the first of consecutive Pro Bowl selections.

His second, in 2010 with the Giants, demonstrated his quick adaptability to a new team as well as to New York.

"He hasn't given up a lot of big plays. He's playing much sounder and less-risky football, and he has done what they've asked," Giants radio announcer Bob Papa said. "They've gone this whole year without a nickel corner, and throughout a lot of the season he had to play against the slot (receiver).

"He even said it's not his strength and hasn't really done it in a long time, but he said, 'Whatever the team needs me to do, I'm going to do.'

"He has morphed himself into this real team player. Not that he wasn't beforehand, but he's really become a leader on this team, too."

So much so that when the Giants were reeling at 6-6, Rolle thought they would still make the playoffs. That has been borne out with a late-season and playoff run that has made their No. 27 defensive ranking a distant memory.

But while the boasts have been dialed down, the Giants seem to be carrying out Rolle's beliefs without him saying a word.

"As a defensive unit, we've had a lot of struggles," he said. "But right now we have a bad-ass mentality. That's the way we like to look at it, that's the way we want to keep it, and we're very confident in our approach.

"At the same time, when the bell goes off on Sunday, we're in attack mode."


(usatoday.com)

Before playing the New England Patriots back in Week 9, Antrel Rolle was the one who said the Giants’ opponents on their schedule should fear them. He was the one who called pesky slot receiver Wes Welker human, and the one who labeled the Patriots’ inflated offense “nothing spectacular.”

“I’m confident every week,” Rolle said back then. “That’s who I am.”

Today, the same man stood before reporters with the same opponent looming. But in a way, it didn’t sound like the same brash Giants safety from a few weeks ago.

“I get extremely nervous, I get extremely nervous before playing games, sometimes to the point where I feel like I can’t even stand up,” Rolle said in the middle of a bustling Giants locker room today. “It can be going against whoever, and I’ll still feel the same way.”

With the Patriots circling back for another crack at the Giants, it seems Rolle has taken a different approach, from decidedly confident to tacitly humble. Despite beating New England, 24-20, Rolle said there’s no confidence to be gained from that. After heading home to Florida for a brief recess following the NFC Championship Game victory, he said he touched down at the airport and immediately sharpened his focus.

Nothing about the Giants’ improbable five-game winning streak makes him feel invincible, he swears, adding that “you never feel like you can’t lose. You can only feel like you prepared yourself enough.

“That means absolutely nothing at this point,” Rolle said of beating the Patriots back in early November. “That was a game back then. You hear people talking about (Tom) Brady, saying he’s not on his game, he’s not this; that means absolutely nothing. We all know what Brady can do; we all know what he’s capable of.

“They’ve won 10 straight — that’s something that’s going to be our focus point.”

Perhaps it’s because Rolle has lost in a Super Bowl before (with the Arizona Cardinals, in Super Bowl XLIII). He’s gone through this process and come home empty-handed. He was careful not to downplay any member of the Patriots today, including the matchup nightmares of tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez.

When asked about Brady, Rolle said: “I don’t think you can actually take his strengths away from him. We just have to be exceptionally good at what we’re doing.”

After his session was up, Rolle jogged quickly out of the locker room, taking a brief moment to show off his own brand of T-shirts — one of which he was wearing. He plugged the website where one could purchase such things and said he’ll try to sell some in Indianapolis next week.
But he left behind no traces of his trademark confidence.

“We understand what’s ahead of us,” Rolle said. “But at the same time, we can’t get away from what we’ve been doing and what’s been successful.”


(nj.com)

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Antrel Rolle is not one of the 15 players on the Giants’ roster who played in the Super Bowl XLII victory over New England four years ago, but that does not mean Rolle – the Giants’ loquacious safety – does not have a good story from the game.

Asked Tuesday about his memories of that Super Bowl, Rolle launched into a tale about how he was traveling in South America at the time.

“I watched it in Brazil,” he said. “There was only one place where I was that was showing the game. I was standing on top of like two bar stools, and probably a midget was under me, who knows. I don’t know. It was extremely crowded. Everyone was stacked on top of each other. It was a small place in Brazil no bigger than a rest room, and there were a million people in there. It was the only place showing it and I had to watch the game.”

Rolle’s only firsthand experience with the Super Bowl came when he was with the Arizona Cardinals, who lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLIII. That game featured Santonio Holmes making a game-winning touchdown catch for the Steelers though Rolle said that if Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had thrown to his side of the field on that play he believes he would have intercepted the pass.

“That play is a crazy play,” Rolle said. “I was actually on the opposite side, and the guy that Ben Roethlisberger was targeting first was actually the guy I was covering. I kind of bumped him, and he fell down. Ben Roethlisberger went to cut back, and he was going there and I was like, ‘This is a pick, and I’m taking this to the house,’ because there was no one in front of me. He just turns the other way and chucks the ball. You can’t be mad at that play. You have to take that one. You have to live with that one.”

Rolle spoke for about 15 minutes Tuesday and was his typically entertaining self, furthering the notion that he will be a highlight of the Giants’ session at next Tuesday’s media day in Indianapolis. Among other notable quips, Rolle said, “I don’t know man – I’m not looking at his body!” when asked about Eli Manning having any bruises from the San Francisco victory, and he smiled when asked about Ann Mara, wife of the former Giants’ owner Wellington Mara, who had scolded the Fox analyst Terry Bradshaw last Sunday for picking against the Giants in the N.F.C. championship game.

“When I say ‘all hands on deck,’ I don’t just mean the men in the locker room,” Rolle said. “We’re all one here, we’re all one in this organization.”


(fifthdown.blogs.nytimes.com)

Get your popcorn ready.

Because if Tuesday’s press conference was any indication, Giants safety Antrel Rolle is going to put on a show next week at Super Bowl Media Day.

Here were some of the highlights of Rolle’s 17-minute, 29-second LOL-fest:

Rolle when asked if he watched the 2007 Super Bowl.
“I watched it in Brazil. There was only one place where I was that was showing the game. I was standing on top of like two bar stools, and probably a midget was under me, who knows. I don’t know. It was extremely crowded. Everyone was stacked on top of each other. It was a small place in Brazil no bigger than a rest room ... and there was a million people in there, and I had to watch the game.”

Rolle when asked if the Giants’ Super Bowl run was one of the reasons he signed there.
“...I didn’t even know Arizona before I got drafted there, the Cardinals? I’m like, Jerry Maguire?”

Rolle when asked if he noticed if Eli Manning had any bruises after getting hit so much by the 49ers.
“I don’t know, man, I’m not looking at his body!”

Rolle when asked if he saw 82-year-old Ann Mara chiding Terry Bradshaw after the NFC Championship game.
“When I say ‘all hands on deck,’ I don’t just mean the men in the locker room.”

Rolle when asked if he’d ever cross Mrs. Mara.
“I don’t cross any Maras.”

Rolle when asked if he through it was fitting that the Giants were wearing their road-white jerseys.
“It doesn’t matter what we got on, we could go out there bare-skinned...”

Rolle when asked about Tom Brady.
“During the course of the game I’m covering my guys -- we’re in zone coverage -- I see him scanning the field, and I’m like, I’ve played against a lot of great quarterbacks in my career, and the way he scanned the field, I was like ‘Dang!’ During the play, I was like ‘Wow!’ It kind of stung me for a second.”

“He’s exceptional, and gets all the credit he deserves and then some.”

Rolle was asked about Mannning.
“I think he’s proven himself before this year. But we all have to go through ups and downs and criticisms and speculation and what people may think and what they might think, but when it’s all said and done -- I didn’t say at the end of the day.”

Rolle first approached the podium and muttered the word “s---” under his breath.
“I’m tired. ... It’s all good.”

In 2007, Michael Strahan emerged as the star of Super Bowl Media Day. But at the end of the day, Rolle may overshadow Strahan's epic performance next week.


(espn.com)

Technically, four proCanes are headed to Super Bowl XLVI, though only three will see action. Vince WIlfork played an integral part in the Patriots’ victory over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, with several defensive plays, while Antrel Rolle and Kenny Phillips were solid in their defensive effort versus the 49ers and fellow proCane Frank Gore. Additionally for the Giants, current practice squad member of the Giants Dwayne Hendricks would also get a Super Bowl ring if the Giants were to win.

CORRECTION: Because Bruce Johnson was injured before the beginning of the season, he was not put on IR, but instead waived, so he is not on the Giants’ roster.

Before the 49ers selected Alex Smith with the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2005, they hosted four players for pre-draft visits: Smith, Aaron Rodgers, wide receiver Braylon Edwards (remember him?) and cornerback Antrel Rolle.

Rolle, selected eighth overall by the Arizona Cardinals, joined the Giants in March after the Cardinals released him. Even though Smith and Rodgers were the 49ers’ true finalists for that No. 1 pick, Rolle thought there was a chance he might start his career with San Francisco. It resumes there, at least, Sunday when the Giants visit the 49ers for the NFC Championship.

“There was talk of it. I went up and had a nice visit with the San Francisco 49ers,” Rolle recalled today on a conference call. “I was optimistic. It’s the NFL draft. You never know what to expect.”

And what does he expect out of Alex Smith on Sunday?

“Alex is a good quarterback in my eyes,” Rolle said. “Anytime you can go 13-3 with you being the starting QB, you might be doing something right. He’s definitely taking his game up another level.”

If history is any indication, we should expect another riveting playoff game between the 49ers and Giants. But Rolle discounted that angle: “That has nothing to do with Sunday. Every game presents its own challenge. We’re aware of the history between these two teams. But it has nothing to do with Sunday.”

Rolle also downplayed any back-and-forth talk or Tweets between the Giants and 49ers. After saying Monday that the Giants “can’t be beaten,” Rolle followed that up by warning the 49ers that they should be careful what they wished for in terms of this matchup. That comment stemmed from an innocent quote Vernon Davis said on Monday how he was praying for the Giants to win, more so because Davis wanted to play at home rather than Green Bay.

When told that the 49ers have followed orders and not responded to the Giants’ verbal boasts, Rolle said:

“Doesn’t matter to me. They were the ones that made the comment, they wish the giants win. They wish the Giants win. All I said was that their wish was granted and be careful what you wish for. I don’t need them to speak back and we don’t need to speak to them. The game’s going to be played Sunday. May the best man win.”

Rolle admitted he is friends with a couple 49ers, that he hangs out in the offseason with Davis and Frank Gore in Miami.

“We’re extremely close. We hang out in the offseason when hang out inMiami or take random trips,” Rolle said. “I trained with Frank. We went to Miami together. We’re all good friends. But that won’t have anything to do what happens Sunday. You do your hugs and handshakes after the game.”


(mercurynews.com)

The wind blows, fish swim and New York Giants safety Antrel Rolle talks. Rolle is a very good football player, but talking is the activity for which he is best known. At a time when pro athletes are looking for ways not to talk the media -- specifying only one day per week on which they'll do interviews, for example -- Rolle is a nonstop talking machine.

He talks on Mondays, when players are still weary from the game and the flight home. He talks on Wednesdays and Thursday and Fridays, when the locker room fills with reporters looking for colorful quotes and insight. He talks after games, win or lose, happy or angry. Heck, he even talks on Tuesdays, which is the players' day off. He does a weekly radio appearance on Tuesdays that's appointment listening for everyone who covers the team because it almost always generates news.

"Trel likes to talk, but he's a guy you listen to," Giants linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka said Sunday, after Rolle turned in his best game as a Giant in the playoff victory over the Packers at Lambeau Field. "When he says something, he usually has a reason why he said it."

Of this season's Giant developments, the emergence of Rolle as a voice of locker-room reason had to be among the least likely. This is his second year in New York; he signed as a free agent from Arizona before the 2010 season. A year ago, he was complaining about Tom Coughlin and saying the playoff-bound Jets had better team chemistry. A month ago, after the loss to the Redskins that dropped the Giants to 7-7, Rolle stood at his locker and talked about how guys needed to stop sitting out practice with minor injuries.

This is stuff you're not supposed to say to the media -- stuff that stirs controversy and can injure that aforementioned team chemistry. And with the Giants' secondary playing as poorly as it was at the time, the immediate reaction was to proclaim Rolle a malcontent. Columns were written in New York suggesting that all Rolle did was talk -- first guy to the microphone, last guy to the ball, stuff like that. Outside the Giants' locker room, the first reaction to Rolle's words was concern that the team could be on the verge of a meltdown.

But inside the locker room, the reaction was much different. Rolle's words in the wake of the Redskins loss hit home with defensive end Justin Tuck, who had been sitting out practices with nagging injuries but playing on Sundays. Never mind that Rolle went out of his way, that day and in his radio spot two days later, to say specifically that he wasn't calling out Tuck. Tuck, a tenured Giant with a Super Bowl ring who could either have easily brushed off Rolle's perceived swipe or angrily fired back, took the words to heart. In Tuck's own words, what Rolle said "struck a chord." After that, and a conversation with Coughlin, Tuck was back on the practice field that week along with Ahmad Bradshaw and several other teammates whose nicks and bruises had been keeping them on the exercise bikes.

"I can't take credit for that," Rolle said Tuesday on that weekly radio appearance on WFAN in New York City. "Guys have turned things around on their own and for the betterment of this team. We have one goal in mind, and that's to compete and win a championship."

In that same interview, Rolle was asked about 49ers tight end Vernon Davis, who'd said a few days earlier that he'd "prayed" for the Giants to beat the Packers. Rolle's answer was this:

"If he said that, I can only hope that he was saying it just because they wanted to get a home game. You know, they'd better be careful what they ask for, because their wish has been granted and we will see those boys come Sunday."

The second part of the quote is the one being played up, because that's the way things work in this league and this business these days. But the fact is, Davis was clearly, and as he himself explained, only saying what he said because the 49ers preferred to play the NFC Championship Game at home. By now, Rolle surely knows that, and although it's possible this "Rolle vs. Davis" storyline will be kept alive this week, you can be certain Rolle won't be the one responsible for doing so. He talks, yes, but he doesn't appear to suffer nonsense. Rolle's talking has a purpose.

He may come off as a blustery yapper, but what Rolle has done over the past few weeks defies the modern sports establishments' attempts at easy categorization. This is a guy who talks -- all the time, yes -- but also backs it up. His individual performance against the Packers, which included occasional one-on-one coverage of Greg Jennings and Jermichael Finley in addition to his usual safety role, was one of the main reasons the Giants' secondary held up against Green Bay's aerial attack. Earlier this year, while they were waiting for top draft pick Prince Amukamara to return from injury, Rolle served as the nickel cornerback. For all of his talk, he has been an obvious and willing team player since arriving in New York. And upon further examination, all of Rolle's talk seems to have real, team-oriented purpose behind it.

Rolle's not out there bellowing about how great he is. He's not getting in the opposing coach's face and yelling, "Time to shut up, fat boy!" as a teammate of his did. He's not planting deleterious information about teammates in off-the-record interviews. Rolle is out there, playing hard, and the talking he does is intended for the good of the team. Although his personality might not appear to fit the traditional Big Blue profile, Rolle has emerged late this season as one of the leaders in the Giants' locker room.

He's doing it his own way, sure, and it's doubtful anyone saw Rolle-as-leader coming. But when he talks, even the veterans in that room listen. And leaders are judged, in the end, on results.


(espn.com)

Antrel Rolle has been on a roll the past couple of days.

The Giants' safety, who would later address 49ers tight end Vernon Davis' comments, started out by telling reporters that New York "can't be beat" in the NFC Championship Game in San Francisco on Sunday.

Or, in the Super Bowl, for that matter.

"We wouldn't say we're unstoppable, but our mind-set is extreme at this point. We're not going to be denied. ... I might be a little biased, but in our minds, we can't be beat," Rolle said Monday.

"It don't matter who we play," Rolle said. "You can put an All-Star team in front of us, and we're going to go out there and compete. We don't fold. No matter what happens, if there's a bad call, or things aren't going our way, we're not going to break."

Then Tuesday, Rolle was asked on New York radio station WFAN what he thought about Davis saying that he "prayed and prayed" that the Giants would beat the Packers so that the 49ers could face New York at home.

"If he said that, I can only hope he's saying it just because they want to get a home game," Rolle said. "They better be careful what they ask for, because their wish is being granted and we'll see them come Sunday."

Then, probably grabbing the microphone like he was a professional wrestler, Rolle made sure all the listeners knew he was ready for Sunday's game.

"I don't give a damn who we're playing, man," Rolle said. "That's my take. I'll take any opponent, any given day. That's my attitude. If someone has a problem with it, oh well. But that's how I am. That's how I was raised. I don't shy away from any opponent.

"My heart doesn't pump any Kool-Aid, only blood. I'm ready for whenever, however, whatever, however it gets to me. I'm ready for it."

There was a little bit of Kool-Aid in there as Rolle did have a couple of sweet things to say, praising quarterback Alex Smith for leading the 49ers to the NFC Championship Game.

"The No. 1 challenge is going to be the mental aspect," Rolle said. "They are a mentally tough team. They are extremely hungry. I used to play against those guys twice a year when I was in Arizona. This is a totally, totally different team. I mean the mind-set, they are very hungry and very determined and they want to win just as bad as we do. I think it will come down to a defensive battle."

And that's where Rolle comes in. The Giants have won four games in a row, and Rolle said he and his teammates are "not going to be denied" the next two games.

"I wouldn't take the field if I felt otherwise," Rolle said. "More than us gelling as a team, we are believing as a team. We understand where we are, we understand where we are trying to get to and what it takes for us to get there. We will do everything in our power. We won't be denied at this point. We are all in."


(sfgate.com)

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The New York Giants wanted a rematch against the San Francisco 49ers the second they walked off the field at Candlestick Park with a 27-20 loss in November.

But the Giants say it really doesn't matter who is in front of them at the moment. With their confidence and swagger growing by the minute, the Giants would take on a Pro Bowl team right now and believe they would come out victorious.

"We're not going to be denied," safety Antrel Rolle said of the Giants' "swagged out" mental state of mind at the moment. "We understand what we have as a team. It's not all about talent, it's all about chemistry. We're jelling at this point."

"We wouldn't say we're unstoppable but our mindset is extreme at this point and we're not going to be denied," Rolle continued. "That's our mindset. In our minds, we can't be beat."

The Giants face the 49ers on Sunday in the NFC Championship Game riding a four-game winning streak and a tidal wave of confidence. Fresh off dismissing the defending Super Bowl champion Packers, 37-20, the Giants like their chances of going back to their first Super Bowl since the 2007 season.

"We are riding a lot of momentum, a lot of confidence," wide receiver Victor Cruz said. "We're a scary team right now because of the confidence and amount of passion we are playing with right now. At every position, not just Eli (Manning) or myself or the defense. Everyone is playing with that same confidence and intensity."

The Giants probably would have expressed the same type of confidence if they had to face the Saints. But they suffered their worst loss of the season to Drew Brees in New Orleans, 49-24, in November.

The Giants got the match up they wanted. They don't have to go through the Superdome to get to the Super Bowl and get to face a 49ers team that they feel they should have beaten the first time around. They fell 10 yards shy of scoring a late touchdown that would have sent their last meeting to overtime.

"Just how we played against New Orleans and how we played against San Fran, definitely, it works out in our favor a little bit," Cruz said when asked about facing the Niners as opposed to the Saints. "That we are able to get San Fran as opposed to New Orleans just because of how we feel about (the 49ers) and we understand that we have a good chance of winning that game. We felt like we had a chance to win. We understood that if we saw them again, it could potentially be a different outcome and we wanted that opportunity."

The Giants were a much different team when they last saw the 49ers. They were coming off the high of winning in New England and were 6-2 at the time but they lost linebacker Michael Boley in the first half to a hamstring injury and the defense fell apart without their valuable linebacker in the fourth quarter. With Boley watching on the sideline, the Giants suffered breakdowns that led to two 49ers' touchdowns in 61 seconds.

Defensive end Justin Tuck wasn't healthy at that point in the season, and the Giants secondary is much more in sync and the pass rush is considerably more formidable this time around.

The Giants forced four turnovers and held Green Bay's explosive offense in check as Aaron Rodgers' longest pass was for 21 yards. In their four consecutive wins, the Giants have collected 17 sacks and have allowed an average of just 12 points per game. They also shut down Green Bay's talented tight end Jermichael Finley, who had just four catches for 37 yards. One of the Giants' main focus points on Sunday will be containing San Francisco's tight end Vernon Davis.

"Has to be," Boley said. "He is one of the two things that keeps their team going."

That other thing is running back Frank Gore. Of course, the Giants don't want to underestimate quarterback Alex Smith either.

But they are oozing confidence because of the play of their own quarterback. Manning has engineered an offense loaded with dynamite big-play ability and connected with wide receiver Hakeem Nicks for a 66-yard touchdown and a 37-yard Hail Mary at the end of the first half against Green Bay. He also has touchdowns of 72, 74 and 99 yards in the last four games.

And it doesn't matter where the Giants play as they have embraced coach Tom Coughlin's call to be Road Warriors again like that 2007 Super Bowl team that won as the road team in the postseason.

The Giants welcome the idea of playing at an amped up Candlestick again.

"I could care less about how hostile it is," Rolle said. "When you're at home, you want to bring 'em to their feet. When you're away, you want to bring 'em to their knees."

"It doesn't matter who we play," he added. "At this point, the way we are playing ball, if we go out there and take care of things during the week, it doesn't matter who you put in front of us. You put an all-star team in front of us, we are going to go out there and be the best that we can be on that Sunday."


(espn.com)

Antrel Rolle was already fined $5,000 once this season for wearing University of Miami eye black, but that doesn’t seem to have stopped him from wearing it again. Rolle wore “U” eyeblack again this past week versus the NY Jets. Look for another fine for Rolle again this week.

Click here to see a photo of Rolle wearing the “U” eyeblack earlier this season.

After the disappointing loss to the Washington Redskins in which they showed little fire at times, the Giants seemed to be motivated during today’s practice. During the portion open to the media (individual drills only), the players and coaches were energetic and encouraging of one another.

It apparently continued for the entire session.

“Everyone was flying around. The energy level was top-notch,” safety Antrel Rolle said.

“That’s something that we need to have day in and day out and not let it fade away no matter what the circumstances are.”

Rolle indicated there was a new message being spread this week.

“Just more energy and everybody hold everyone else more accountable,” he said.

“If you need to pick another guy up a little bit, pick him up. If you need to critique him a little bit, that’s fine, go and critique him. But we need to as a collective effort and that’s something (Coughlin has) been putting a lot of emphasis on this week.”

 In a development that should please Rolle, who said everyone needs to practice, RB Ahmad Bradshaw (foot) put in limited time today after Coughlin indicated he wouldn’t work at all.

Bradshaw had been practicing only one day per week as he manages a stress fracture in his foot.

Also likely pleasing Rolle was DE Justin Tuck’s practicing and not being listed on the injury report.


(nj.com)

While Giants safety Antrel Rolle has talked in back-to-back weeks about wanting to be a ball hawk and not being able to play the role that he envisioned himself playing with the team, Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell is saying to not point the finger at him.

"I'm not restricting what he can do," Fewell said on Wednesday. "I would be more than happy for him to get a lot of interceptions. I think I said that last week. Hopefully Saturday he can get a lot of interceptions for us."

In the last two weeks, Rolle has made it clear that he wants to be able to play a more traditional free safety role with the Giants and get back to trying to be a ball hawk. With injuries to the Giants, he's play more in the slot this season and has not been playing the deep ball as much.

"Personally I am extremely frustrated being that I am not able to do what I came here to do which is go get the ball," Rolle told WFAN on Monday.

Rolle signed a five-year, $37-million deal with the Giants before the 2010 season. In his five seasons with Arizona, Rolle had 12 interceptions, including four in his final year with Arizona. With the Giants, Rolle has just two interceptions in 30 games, with one interception in each of his two years. The safety envisions himself being more of a threat to opposing quarterbacks than he's being right now.

"I'm a ball hawk, man," Rolle said on Dec. 14. "That is what I do, that is what I love to do. This is my second year in this defense and I understand it like the back of my hand. Unfortunately, with injuries [to teammates] and things of that nature, I haven't been able to do what I want to do. And even when I am back there [in coverage], I don't get the opportunities that a lot of other safeties get for whatever reason."

Though Fewell is deflecting the blame for Rolle's frustration the defensive coordinator said that looking back on it, he could have helped out rookie Prince Amukamara more during Sunday's loss to Washington. The Redskins picked on the rookie in the game, victimizing him for a touchdown and two other big plays.

Fewell called it a tough coverage, advanced coverage and a rookie mistake for Amukamara on Sunday when talking of his problems.

"We could have helped him a little bit more. Hindsight is 20/20," Fewell said. "So you're asking me from my hindsight. Did we work on the coverage? Yeah, we worked on the coverage. He knew how to execute the coverage and knew what to expect within the coverage. Would I do it to him again? Hindsight is 20/20. Yeah, I would try to get him into a different coverage obviously."

There will be no rollover effect from Sunday's benching in the second half for the rookie.

"Well play him," Fewell said. "He'll play this week. No doubt. I think he's up to the challenge."


(espn.com)

Giants safety Antrel Rolle won’t be making any more predictions about how many times the Giants would beat opponents if they faced off 100 times.

He passed on such a question today in regards to the Jets, who the Giants face Saturday with both teams desperately fighting for a playoff berth.

“I really think I’m done answering that question,” Rolle said with a laugh Monday during his regular weekly spot on WFAN radio. “Washington made me put my foot in my mouth on that question, and I think I still have it in there.”

Rolle said after the Redskins beat the Giants in Week 1 that Big Blue would beat them 95 times out of 100. Then last week, he changed that to 99 out of 100.

Of course, Washington won both games, sweeping the Giants for the first time since 1999. And Redskins quarterback Rex Grossman said today that Rolle’s comments motivated them and made them feel “disrespected.”

“Definitely. I mean, how can you take that comment any other way?” Grossman said on SiriusXM NFL Radio. “I mean, 99 out of 100 times they are going to beat us? And we beat them two in a row this year? I’m not going to the casino with him anytime soon.”

Rolle said the Giants did not take Washington lightly, especially after the season-opening loss. But he said he would not take back his “99” comment if he had the opportunity.

“The Redskins were the better team than the Giants for the 2011 season,” Rolle said. “That’s not going to take away anything what I feel about the organization. But actions definitely speak louder than words. And they were a better team for 2011 and that’s what it is.”

But despite that, he said the Giants remain a confident bunch with the Jets and Cowboys remaining on the schedule. He reminded listeners: They play best when the odds are against them.

“There’s going to be fight come tomorrow at practice. There’s going to be fight come Saturday at the game,” Rolle said. “We know what we have on the line. And unfortunately we made this extremely hard on ourselves. But as the record shows, we play a lot better when our backs are truly up against the wall. Right now it’s either win or go home.”

He added that the game on Christmas Eve could determine which New York team does — or doesn’t — head to the playoffs.

“It’s a huge game. The loser’s finished. And we’re definitely trying not to be in that category,” Rolle said. “So we’ll have to pump ourselves up and do whatever it takes and make sure we’re on the same page, try to make sure we have everyone on board, that’s coaches and players included. We got to make a run for this thing.”

Rolle also isn’t pleased with the New York media, saying reporters took his comments after the loss to the Redskins and made it sound as if he was calling out Justin Tuck (or possibly Ahmad Bradshaw) for missing practices during the week but still playing on gameday.

“First of all, my comments weren’t directed to anyone in particular,” he said. “And I know the media — as always — was trying to pinpoint one of our guys, which is Justin Tuck. So further off I’m going to go by saying this: When I said what I said, I didn’t pinpoint neither guy or name call anyone. I wasn’t speaking about anyone in particular.”

Rolle had said after the loss that his teammates need to hold each other “accountable” and that the Giants need to “push through” injuries to participate in practice so they’re “in sync” with the team on Sunday.

“If you’re injured, so be it,” he said Sunday. “You’re injured. But nicks and bruises? Every one needs to be on the field man.”

Only Tuck (toe injury) and Bradshaw (stress fracture in his foot) missed practices during the week, but played Sunday.

But Rolle insists his rant wasn’t directed at any individual in particular.


(northjersey.com)

Justin Tuck said he spoke with Antrel Rolle and the two are “on the same page” after Rolle made post-game comments about how Giants players need to practice and fight through minor injuries if they can.

Rolle reiterated in his weekly interview with WFAN that he was not pointing fingers at any Giant, especially Tuck, who missed two days of practice last week with a toe injury. Tuck and running back Ahmad Bradshaw (foot) were the only Giants to miss two days of practice last week before going through a limited practice on Friday and playing on Sunday. Safety Kenny Phillips (knee) was limited all week in practice and played as well.

“If you know ‘Trel, then you know he’s one of those guys who try to light fires under guys,” Tuck said on his weekly interview on WFAN on Monday night. “And if it was directed at me then whatever. But I don’t think it was and I’ve talked to him since.”

“Sometimes in the heat of the moment, I know ‘Trel, he’s a competitor and I know he was frustrated after this loss,” Tuck continued. “So, sometimes you say things and not necessarily knowing what the ramifications are gonna be. I talked to ‘Trel since and we’re on the same page –- there’s no animosity either way between me and him and I know a lot of people are going to ask that question this week.”

Rolle reiterated on Monday that his comments were made to describe what the Giants' mentality as a team needs to be if they want to win these last two games and make the playoffs.

“My comments weren’t directly to anybody in particular,” Rolle said on WFAN. “And I know the media as always are trying to pinpoint one of our guys, which was Justin Tuck. I didn’t pinpoint and neither did I name-call anyone. If we are going to make the run that we need to make, we need to have everyone on board, whether it is nicks or bruises, we have to learn how to push through it. I am saying it from a mental aspect.”

“If you can push yourself through little things like that, then you can push yourself through other things,” he added. “Then the media is trying to come and say well Tuck didn’t practice [last] week. In my eyes, Tuck played a positive game from me seeing what I can see on the field.”

Head coach Tom Coughlin said there is a legitimate reason if a Giant is not practicing during the week.

“I do know this: every player that is medically cleared to practice practices and every player that is not medically cleared to practice does not,” Coughlin said. “It is all a matter of whether or not the player comes out the medical room with a tag that says he is out for the day or limited.”

“Of course, this time of the year, there is a lot of that,” Coughlin continued. “I am sure there is frustration there and I am not sure that is the mechanism in which you express your frustration.”

Speaking about the team overall, Rolle wants every Giant to give the team everything they got in these next two games.

“Legitimate injuries are legitimate injuries,” Rolle said. “I am not saying be Superman. But I am saying if you can give us a little bit more, give us a little bit more. It all starts in practice. We need everyone on board if they can be on board.”

Linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka said Rolle’s comments were taken in the right manner.

“I always believe in what Antrel Rolle says,” Kiwanuka said. “He’s usually pretty spot on. He’s not necessarily calling out individuals, but as a team, if you can be out there on the practice field, then you need to be out there.”

“Whenever you have a certain number of people [not practicing], regardless of what point in the season you’re at, it’s not good for the team,” Kiwanuka added. “I agree. You can’t really judge somebody else’s injury. Everybody who’s been in the league understands that. If you can’t go, you can’t go. But we just need everybody to push as hard as they can so that we can have everybody out pulling the line in.”


(espn.com)

Antrel Rolle is tired of looking over at the sidelines during practice and seeing far too many of his teammates.

Some of them need to toughen up, the safety said, and start fighting through their injuries to get back on the field.

Rolle didn’t call out any of his teammates by name after the Giants’ 23-10 loss to the Redskins on Sunday, but it wasn’t hard to find his intended target. Only two players barely practiced last week and still played on Sunday: RB Ahmad Bradshaw and DE Justin Tuck.

“I’m not calling anyone out. It’s not about individuals,” Rolle said. “What I’m saying is this – and quote me on this – if you’re going to play Sunday . . . granted, some injuries you can’t practice through, I understand that. But little nicks and bruises? If you can push through it, push through it because your team needs you.”

There were nine players on the Giants’ injury report last week and five of them didn’t play in the game. LB Spencer Paysinger and S Kenny Phillips practiced every day on a limited basis. Only Bradshaw and Tuck sat out Wednesday and Thursday before a limited practice on Friday.

Rolle only mentioned either player once – when he said Tuck “had a pretty positive game” and “went out there and fought each and every play.” Rolle instead kept his attack broad and insisted, “I don’t even know who doesn’t practice half of the time.”

Still, he was clearly questioning someone’s toughness, and indicated more needed to be done to get those injured players back on the field.

“If you’re going to go out here and play the game on Sunday, you need to be out there with your men throughout the week,” Rolle said. “I’ve been nicked up all year long. A lot of other people have been nicked up all year long. We go out there and we’re fighting.

“I don’t know. I ain’t the coach, man. I’m not trying to be the coach and I’m not trying to say what he should do or shouldn’t do. But I feel as teammates we need to hold each other more accountable. If you’re going to be in the battle come Sunday, let’s be in the battle throughout the week. That’s only going to make us better.”

Tuck didn’t have a strong reaction either way to Rolle’s rant. He even admitted that “when I was young I used to look at some of the older guys when they missed practice, and kind of give them a little look like, ‘They should probably be out here.’ ”

“I don’t know,” Tuck added. “The one thing I understand is no one knows your body better than you do. I would hope — and I do believe that — everyone on this football team, when they’re able to go out and help this football team, they do it.

“I always say that it’s easy to be tough when you’re doing it with somebody else’s body.”


(nydailynews.com)

After earning their biggest win of the season last week against the Cowboys, the Giants laid an egg today against the Redskins. But Giants defensive back Antrel Rolle says the real Giants are the ones you saw last week, not the ones on the field this week.

“Washington, they’re not a bad team at all. But we are 10 times better than what we showed out there on the field today,” Rolle said, via Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News.

The truth is, as former Giants coach Bill Parcells used to say, the Giants are what their record says they are. And the record says the Giants are a .500 team. Maybe they’re not all that much better than they showed today against the Redskins.

The good news for the Giants is that they still control their playoff destiny: Win their last two games, and they win the NFC East. But in order to win their last two games, the Giants are going to need to be about 10 times better than they were today.



(profootballtalk.com)

After a 28-14 season-opening loss to the Redskins at FedEx Field, Antrel Rolle was so disgusted that he said “We know the Redskins are not a better team than us. If we played them 100 times they might win five.’’

That potentially-combustible quote on Tuesday was brought up to the Giants safety during his weekly radio spot on WFAN. Rolle was given the chance to back away from those comments with the Giants set for the rematch with the Redskins on Sunday at MetLife Stadium.

Did he really say the Giants would beat the Redskins 95 out of 100 times?

“I said ninety-nine,’’ Rolle said.

No, there was no backing away by Rolle, who was in a spirited and energized mood after the Giants ended a four-game losing streak with their 37-34 victory over the Cowboys.

“I don’t plan on losing to the Redskins, I’m going to be honest with you,’’ Rolle said. “I’m not guaranteeing a victory, I’m not doing any of that, we got to play the game come Sunday, but I’m very, very confident in this team and very, very confident we’re going to get the job done, go out there and bring it, bring it the way the New York Giants know how to bring it.’’

Rolle did not discount the defensive issues that continue to hurt the Giants.

“Our season will be shut short if we continue to play that way,’’ Rolle said.

But he took great exception to speculation that he was to blame for blowing the assignment on what turned out to be an uncontested 50-yard touchdown pass to an uncovered Dez Bryant, a play in which Rolle and cornerback Corey Webster clearly got their signals crossed.

“The play with Dez Bryant, I don’t know if I call that communication error, I don’t know what I want to call it, we don’t point fingers at each other but the mistake that was made, it shouldn’t have been made,” Rolle said.

“Which brings me to my other point. In this league every position you’re going to take some sort of blame, which is fine. People say the only thing that matters is what your coaches feel and your organization, which is fine, I understand that. But I don’t see it that way, because there’s fans out there, fans who really don’t understand the ins and outs of football, really doesn’t understand coverage and things of that nature. Whenever there’s a big play and you being the safeties, you’re always the one to get blamed and get finger-pointed and it’s wrong.”

The play gave the Cowboys a 34-22 lead late in the fourth quarter, and on the telecast, NBC’s Cris Collinsworth said Rolle was at fault.

“The commentators don’t know the coverage we’re in, they don’t know how we’re playing our defense, they don’t know I’m disguising, showing a Cover 2 but I’m really supposed to drop down and play a Cover 3,” Rolle continued. “It drives me crazy, when I speak about this I’m not speaking about this only on behalf of Antrel Rolle, I’m speaking out on behalf of people across the league. Commentators always want to point the finger as if they know what they’re doing and they know what they’re talking about but in reality they don’t half of the time.

“There was something wrong, which shouldn’t have happened. There’s no one without sin in our defense. Everyone makes their own mistakes, no one’s perfect. I take a lot of pride in understanding our defense in and out. I have to understand our defense in and out, being the quarterback of the defense. I’m not saying I don’t make mistakes, because I do, I’m saying if there’s a coverage and I’m supposed to be in a certain area best believe I’m going to be where I’m supposed to be. Like I was Sunday night, like I was against San Francisco, like I was against the Packers. They say ‘Antrel Rolle got burned.’ No, Antrel Rolle didn’t get burned, Antrel Rolle was exactly where he was supposed to be. Know what the hell you’re talking about. There’s people watching on TV, the only thing they know is what the commentators are telling them.

“I’m not going to explain exactly what happened on that play but I can say I was in the right spot, I was exactly where I was supposed to be. Whether it was Corey Webster screwing up, whether it was somebody else it doesn’t matter. Just because I am the safety or Deon Grant is a safety or Kenny Phillips is a safety that doesn’t mean we’re always supposed to be back deep. ‘’

Animated and full of energy, Rolle was on a roll during the interview, unable to contain his excitement as he heaped praise on Eli Manning and Jason Pierre-Paul, the two players most responsible for carrying the Giants to a comeback victory inside Cowboys Stadium.

On Pierre-Paul: “All-around defensive lineman, I don’t see anybody playing at a higher level than him. I mean that across the league. This guy does so much for our football team. I don’t even think he realizes. He’s out there, he’s playing care-free, he’s doing what he’s supposed to do and then some. His motor is through the roof. This guy has been, he’s definitely the MVP of our defense, hands down. I don’t think anyone comes close. He’s been that dude. I must admit, I’m his biggest fan. I love watching that guy go to work, I love putting on the film and I’m like ‘Damn, look at that boy go to work’ and I love his attitude about it.

“He should definitely be in that Pro Bowl. I don’t know what’s going on with these fans voting but Jason Pierre-Paul definitely needs to be in Hawaii this year, but hopefully he’s not there this year because we’re in a better place. He’s a monster, he’s freakish. I laugh because I really don’t think he understands how good he is.’’

After praising kicker Lawrence Tynes, punter Steve Weatheford and the coverage on special teams, Rolle was just getting warmed up for Manning.

“I’m talking about that No. 10,’’ Rolle said. “That dude, man, you can say whatever you want to say about him, No. 26 is No. 10’s biggest fan. I’m like Deon, ‘I beeeelieeve in Eli.’ He’s saved us all year long, man. We definitely have to keep him out of those situations. That guy is clutch. I don’t care about giving him those compliments because I know Eli can handle that, he can handle anything. He might not be the rah-rah rally kind of guy, he might not be like me, he might not be as vocal as I am. But that dude is a leader, in and out, and when it’s on the line. There’s one interview I heard this year and that when I knew, I said ‘This dude got it.’ He was like ‘If the game is on the line I would rather have the ball in my hand than for them to have it in theirs.’ That tells me all I need to know about our quarterback.

“Our offense has been outstanding, they’ve been saving us. I can’t speak enough of how impressed I’ve been with the offense all year long, they’ve been saving us. The defense hasn’t been getting the job done., which is unacceptable.’’



(nypost.com)

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. –- The Giants’ secondary has been torched in each of the last three games.

But safety Antrel Rolle wants Rex Grossman, Mark Sanchez and Tony Romo –-- the next three quarterbacks to face the Giants –- to throw the ball his way.

“I’m a ball hawk man,” Rolle said on Wednesday when asked about how he views himself and how his Giants career has gone so far. “That is what I do, that is what I love to do. This is my second year in this defense and I understand it like the back of my hand. Unfortunately, with injuries [to teammates] and things of that nature, I haven’t been able to do what I want to do. And even when I am back there [in coverage], I don’t get the opportunities that a lot of other safeties get for whatever reason.”

Grossman threw for 305 yards and two touchdowns in a season-opening win over the Giants this year. Now, Rolle wants Grossman to look his way during the rematch this Sunday.

“Honestly, I wish teams would challenge me more, I wish they would throw the ball,” Rolle said. “I like to be tested and I like to understand where I am as a safety. So, if I got to put it out there for teams to throw the ball at me, I am going to put it out there -- throw the ball at me because I want to go get it.”

The Giants defense has been reeling as of late, surrendering an average of 40 points per game in the last three games. New Orleans’ Drew Brees, Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers and Dallas’ Romo each passed for four touchdowns against the Giants (7-6). Tom Coughlin’s defense has had breakdowns in communication and mental lapses in the secondary against the high-powered offenses.

Rolle would love nothing more than to plug the leaky defense by making some big plays instead of watching a big play happen against his defense.

Since signing a five-year, $37-million contract with the Giants in 2010, Rolle has just two interceptions. In his last three seasons in Arizona from 2007-‘09, Rolle had a combined 10 interceptions and three touchdowns.

As a Giant, Rolle has had a variety of responsibilities from spending time near the line of scrimmage to blitz and stop the run last year to covering slot receivers earlier this season.

Rolle has racked up the tackles –- he had 87 last year and has 77 this season –- but the interceptions have not been there.

It wasn’t until the last two weeks, when Kenny Phillips suffered a knee injury, that Rolle says he has been able to play deep.

“I do what I am told to do and I do it very effectively,” Rolle said. “If it was up to me, I would definitely be back deep, hunting the ball and doing what I love to do. But that is not what is required of me right now with the position and roles that I am playing. I have to do exactly how my defensive coordinator wants me to play and I have been doing it extremely well all season long.”

So when Rolle heard NBC analyst Cris Collinsworth say during the Sunday night telecast that the safety was “barbecued” on a 50-yard touchdown reception by Dez Bryant in the fourth quarter of the Giants’ 37-34 win over the Cowboys, the safety was not thrilled.

On that play, cornerback Corey Webster let Bryant go as Rolle was coming up. Rolle said the play was disguised as a Cover 2 but was really a Cover 3 and that he was in the position he was supposed to be in.

“You have these analysts that figure like they know what is exactly going on,” Rolle said. “I am not criticizing them and I understand in a lot of situations even what they see… but don’t sit there and put someone on blast, ‘oh Antrel Rolle got barbequed.’ Like, you know, get out of here with that man.”

“There is no one without any sin on our defense and there are going to be times where I do mess up and where I have messed up,” he added. “But unless you know what you are saying, then don’t say it.”

Rolle has certaily done his share of saying things, including saying on his weekly radio appearance on WFAN earlier this season that if the Giants played the Redskins "100 times, they might win five." But he admits that he is not immune to what fans say and think about his play.

“I take a lot of pride in my game and in my craft,” Rolle said. “That stuff matters to me.”

“If I am wrong, I am going to say I am wrong,” Rolle added. “I don’t shy away from my faults. I am human at the end of the day.”

The Giants defense has looked incredibly fragile the past three weeks. But Rolle and his teammates know that if they win two of their next three, including beating Dallas in the season finale, the Giants will be playoff-bound.

And Rolle would love to start making some of those game-turning plays he made in Arizona in these last three weeks.

That’s why he wants Grossman, Sanchez and Romo to challenge him.

“When you watch certain teams on film, they really don’t attack us how they attack a lot of other teams,” Rolle said. “I think a lot of times, big plays have come more so [from] what we have allowed them to do as opposed to what they have done.”

“I played deep the last two games and haven’t gotten any balls,” Rolle added. “I’m just running around and trying to make something happen. As long as my defense wins, I could care less about my individual stats. It definitely weighs on you at the end of the day but as long we win, I’m winning.”



(espn.com)

A battle of logic has broken out before a football game.

On Tuesday, Giants safety Antrel Rolle said on his weekly spot on WFAN that the Giants would win 99 out of 100 games against the Redskins. He upped the total from September, when he said following a Giants loss to Washington that they would win 95 times out of 100.

On Wednesday, Redskins quarterback Rex Grossman responded and not surprisingly found some flaws in Rolle's proclamation.

"It is the NFL and nobody is going to beat anyone 99 out of 100 times," Grossman said on a conference call. "I am confident about where we are. We haven’t finished games lately and we need to finish and everything should take care of itself. I understand that there is a lot of pride in the NFL and a lot of people go about their business with a lot of pride and ego and we do the same thing."

Grossman will get his chance to prove Rolle wrong on Sunday as he and the Redskins will go for the season sweep of the Giants when the two teams meet at 1 p.m. Grossman threw for 305 yards and two touchdowns in a 28-14 Washington win.

"I don't care about playing the role of spoilers," Grossman said. "I play this game to win. You put so much energy and effort into each week that winning the game and feeling good after the game each Sunday and being proud of what you accomplished, that is plenty of motivation. You are playing for pride and going out there and trying to win and that's really all the motivation you need as far as I'm concerned. If we are spoilers in the process, it doesn't give you any gratification. It is good to go win.'

In what has been an up and down season for Grossman, who even lost his starting job during the middle of the year, one his brightest spots came against the Giants. Grossman completed 21-of-34 passes (just one of four times this season he completed more than 60 percent of his passes) and posted a 110.5 quarterback rating, his highest of the season.

This time around, the Redskins bring a much different offense into town on Sunday as they try to make Rolle eat his words. Roy Helu is now the starting running back, instead of Tim Hightower, who was placed on IR, and the team is without the services of tight end Fred Davis, who is suspended. Davis torched the Giants for a season-high 105 yards on five catches in the first meeting. The offensive line has also been saddled with injuries.

That doesn't mean the Redskins are going to go down with a fight, though.

"We just need to continue to establish our identity and what this offense, defense and special teams are trying to become," Grossman said of his team's up-and-down season. "We have played well but playing well in the NFL is only going to allow you to be competitive. We need to finish games and it at all possible to dominate some games to get where we need to be."



(espn.com)

NEW YORK — Eli Manning and the rest of the Giants offense kept the team’s playoff hopes alive with 15 points in the final 5:41 to beat the Cowboys Sunday night. In doing so, they bailed the defense out after the secondary was victimized for a 50-yard touchdown — due to another breakdown in coverage — that gave Dallas a 34-22 lead.

On the play, there was some miscommunication between cornerback Corey Webster and safety Antrel Rolle. Webster released Bryant, assuming Rolle was going to help out over the top, but Rolle jumped on an underneath route, leaving Bryant wide open.

In his weekly interview with WFAN yesterday, Rolle wanted everyone to know it wasn’t his fault and “I was exactly where I was supposed to be.”
“No, Antrel Rolle didn’t get burned,” he said. “Know what ... you’re talking about at the end of the day.”

Rolle was the subject of criticism during NBC’s Sunday night broadcast — NBC analyst Cris Collinsworth said Rolle was “barbecued” on the play — and in the aftermath of the game, and he wasn’t happy about it.

“Commentators always want to point the finger as if they know what they’re doing and they know what they’re talking about,” Rolle said. “But in reality, they don’t half of the time.”

Tuesday, fellow safety Deon Grant confirmed Rolle wasn’t at fault on the play.

“It wasn’t Antrel,” said Grant after a holiday gift giveaway event at an elementary school in the Bronx. “I’m not going to say who was in the wrong, but I can definitely say it wasn’t Antrel in the wrong.”

Blown coverage has become a recurring theme in the Giants secondary in recent weeks. A similar botched play allowed Packers wide receiver Donald Driver to score an easy touchdown the previous week.

“Those are the things we can’t have,” Grant said. “Last week better be the last week that happened. In order for us to get to where we’re tying to go, as a secondary, as a defense, we can’t have them small mental mistakes.”

“It’s time for us to give our offense a little break. Let them continue to put up the points, but in the fourth quarter it should be a time when we don’t have to worry about going with the four-minute defense and the no-huddle offense.”



(nj.com)

In an interview that aired on NBC before the Giants played the host Cowboys, Bob Costas asked Giants safety Antrel Rolle which quarterback was best - Tom Brady, Drew Brees or Aaron Rodgers.

Costas asked Rolle that because the Giants have played the Patriots, Saints and Packers this season.

"They are all dangerous," Rolle said. "I think I have definitely grown and have a high level of respect for each and every last one of those guys. Tom Brady, you know, he's magnificent. I think that the way he scans the field is like I've never seen before. Drew Brees is a very athletic quarterback and his release on the ball is like shoosh, shoosh. It's coming at you right now. And Aaron Rodgers, I think he is just overall a cocky guy. He's extremely cocky. And you know what? I love it. You know, I love it. He is extremely confident in his approach. He just feels like he is going to get the job done, and he has for (19) straight."  



(jsonline.com)

Mark Antrel Rolle’s words – the New York Giants will be in the playoffs.

It’s easier for the defensive back to say coming off his team’s loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday because the Dallas Cowboys stumbled themselves. The Giants are just a game back of the Cowboys with four games to play and the NFC East rivals face each other twice, including this Sunday.

As rocky and unbalanced as this season has been, the Giants control their own destiny in the final month of the season.

“You ask will we make the playoffs? Without a doubt,” Rolle said Tuesday on WFAN, according to Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News. “Without a doubt. We will be in that postseason.”

The Giants have lost four straight games but they battled the Packers, only to lose on a field goal at the very end. Rolle’s talk won’t mean anything if New York cannot step up and handle the Cowboys on Sunday night in Dallas.



(nationalfootballpost.com)

On the day after a brutal loss to the Saints, Antrel Rolle said the Giants will make the playoffs.

“Absolutely,’’ Rolle said Tuesday afternoon on his weekly WFAN radio spot. “Let me tell you something. We’re gonna fight, I don’t care how we fight, I don’t care what corner we’re gonna back ourselves up to, everyone might be off the Giants bandwagon, which is fine. We only had us from the beginning anyways. We only need us in order to get to where we need to. If the fans want to be there then be there, we would love you, we will love to have you there, we definitely appreciate you but if you’re not there, if you jump off the bandwagon, that’s fine, too. We’re gonna play ball regardless. We are professional football players. We are the New York Football Giants. We are not going to go out without a fight. ‘’

Those are strong words after the Giants put up an extremely weak performance in Monday night’s 49-24 loss in New Orleans. The Giants have lost three straight games and at 6-5 are one game behind the first-place Cowboys in the NFC East and appear for the second straight season to be headed for a collapse.

“I can only speak for myself, I’m a fighter and I fought to the end last night and I’m going to fight until the end of the season, no matter which road it takes," Rolle said. "We have to figure out what’s our purpose and what are we here for. Are we trying to be a playoff contending team or are we just going out there and just going through the motion? I play football for one reason and one reason only, that’s to go to the playoffs. Each and every year. I’m sure my teammates feel the same way but we’re not showing that right now. We’re not showing that as a team. I think everyone within the Giants organization needs to get together, coaches and players, and figure out what is going on and how do we stop this bleeding. Clearly there’s something wrong.’’

Rolle expressed similar sentiments after last week’s 17-10 loss to the Eagles that featured inept offense from the Giants. Monday was a case of no-show defense inside the Superdome, with the Saints gaining 577 total yards, the second-highest total against the Giants and the most yards given up in a game by them since 1943.

“Not taking anything away from the Saints, they are a great offensive team but I think we definitely made them look a whole lot better than they actually are,’’ Rolle said.

If numerous corrections are not made by this weekend, the Packers could make the Giants defense look as silly, or sillier than Drew Brees and the Saints did.

“The Packers are an outstanding team and they are led by Aaron Rodgers, his playmaking definitely speaks for itself,’’ Rolle said. “At the same time when we want to play ball as a Giants team and when everyone’s on the same p[age we play ball. That’s what we need to get back to. We need to find a way to get back to that. I don’t know what it’s going to take and I don’t know what has to happen but we need to find a way to get back to that.’’

Rolle last week questioned the way his team responded to several incidents and physical punishment by the Eagles. Rolle was not at all unhappy to see safety Kenny Phillips early in the fourth quarter deck Saints tight end Jimmy Graham with a shot that got Phillips flagged for unnecessary roughness.

“Kenny Phillips and myself kept talking throughout the game, we’re not gonna quit, we’re going to keep fighting,’’ Rolle said. “I don’t care what the score is, we’re going to fly around and we’re going to make sure we come to play. That’s what he was doing, he was playing football, the guy was trying to hang on and bobble the ball and Kenny Phillips laid him out,. He’s playing fast, trying to decapitate the receiver from the ball, not trying to hurt the guy intentionally, if the guy was leaning down and he was falling and Kenny was trying to run through him. I’m sorry, we have to play ball.’’


(nypost.com)

On Monday, Antrel Rolle was one of a few Giants players who expressed some frustration after Sunday night's 17-10 home loss to the rival Philadelphia Eagles. The safety said he didn't think the Giants responded as they should have after the Eagles came out physical and that changes are in store going forward.

"There’s a lot of things that rubbed me the wrong way and I don’t like the way we responded to it," Rolle said.

"At the end of the day, you play within the lines, you play within the rules, but you don’t take [stuff] from nobody at the end of the day. And that’s my attitude. You don’t take [stuff]from anybody and last night I felt like we took a little bit. Like I said, man, I don’t know what’s going to change and I don’t know how it’s going to change, but in order for us to be where we want to go, things are definitely about to change."

Rolle didn't go as far as to say that the Giants played soft on Sunday, but he didn't think they were exactly tough either, especially after given their success earlier in the season.

"I don’t think we’re playing soft," he said. "I think guys are out there flying around and we’re playing extremely hard. I don’t think we played to the standards that we know we could play. I don’t think we played with as much toughness as I know we can play. I didn’t see that same intensity as when we went out there and played the Patriots. I didn’t see that."

For Rolle, the Giants' lack of toughness was exemplified when Eli Manning took a couple hits following his first interception and his team didn't respond as he believes they should have.

"You don’t want to do anything foolish, you don’t want to do anything stupid," he said, "but I think there’s a way for you to send a message and still stay between the lines at the end of the day. But that’s something we didn’t see. I don’t know. At the end of the day we have to put our foot down. We have to make it to the point where teams fear us, where receivers fear coming across the middle, where we’re a feared opponent."

Rolle wasn't alone. Both Justin Tuck and Chris Canty expressed similar frustration. We'll have more on that later on.

Click here to order Antrel Rolle’s proCane Rookie Card.


(nj.com)

Almost exactly three years since Plaxico Burress' fateful mishap on Manhattan's social scene, several other Giants had a scary scrape there early Tuesday morning.

But The New York Times reports that WRs Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks, DE Chris Canty and DBs Antrel Rolle and Aaron Ross are safe and sound after a man was fatally shot at the Juliet Supper Club.

Two other people were wounded, one seriously, by a lone gunman.

Cruz, who was there celebrating his 25th birthday, told the Associated Press that he hit the deck when the shooting started.

"I was just sitting there and you could hear it on the other side, the shots go off," he said. "The rest was just me on the ground and trying to get out of there."

Per its sources, The Times also says Chiefs T Branden Albert, Eagles S Jarrad Page and several NBA players were in attendance. None had any connection to the incident nor were nearby when it occurred.

Page was released by the Eagles on Wednesday, but the team says the nightclub incident is not the reason he was cut, according to the Philadelphia Daily News.

The Giants players, believed to be celebrating Cruz's birthday, left together shortly after the shooting. All of them are practicing today.

Click here to order Antrel Rolle’s proCane Rookie Card.


(usatoday.com)

Tom Coughlin says he may make a reference or show his team some footage of last year's meltdown against the Eagles sometime this week.

But Antrel Rolle says Coughlin shouldn't bother. This is a different season.

"I don’t give a [hoot] about that game last year," Rolle said. "Last year is last year. That don’t affect anything with us this year. If he wants to be reminded, he can be reminded."

Like Rolle, Coughlin said he is focused on this being a new year. But last year's loss could be a nice little motivational tactic for the head coach.

"I doubt we’ll talk about that," Coughlin said. "We may make reference to it or show a little tape from that. It’s a new year, a new season and we’ve been down, visited there, again."

Click here to order Antrel Rolle’s proCane Rookie Card.


(espn.com)

Michael David Smith is reporting on ProFootballTalk.com that New York Giants safety Antrel Rolle has been fined $5,000 from the NFL for wearing a University if Miami logo on his eyeblack.

The logo is clearly seen in the inset of the Getty Images photo posted above.

The NFL has strict regulations about players altering approved uniforms or posting personal messages or symbols on them.

Rolle played for the Hurricanes from 2001 to 2004 and was a consensus All American in his final season.

He was drafted in the first round (eighth overall) by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2005 NFL Draft. Rolle signed with the Giants in 2010.

Click here to see a photo of Antrel Wearing the eyeblack.

Click here to order Antrel Rolle’s proCane Rookie Card.


(sun-sentinel.com)

Antrel Rolle was sporting “U” eye black this sunday in the Giants’ win over the New England Patriots.



Click here to order Antrel Rolle’s proCane Rookie Card.

The NFL has fined New York Giants safety Antrel Rolle $15,000 and defensive tackle Linval Joseph $7,500 for their actions in the 20-17 win over the Miami Dolphins.

Rolle was fined for making a horse-collar tackle on running back Reggie Bush at the end of a 35-yard run in the second quarter. He was penalized on the play.

Rolle was fined $20,000 for spearing Washington tight end Fred Davis in the first game of the season, as well.

Click here to order Antrel Rolle’s proCane Rookie Card.


(wsj.com)

Antrel Rolle is a prideful guy. Or, as he put it while walking off after his session with reporters today, a “cocky (guy).” Note the brackets in his quote.
So all of this talk about the New England Patriots, Wes Welker and the Giants’ brutal schedule the rest of the way? Yeah, it’s clear he’s had enough of it.

“I don’t worry about our schedule,” the Giants safety said. “I think our schedule needs to worry about us.”

Over the past two seasons, Rolle has elicited plenty of eye rolls with his comments on the radio and in the locker room. He’s an outspoken player and that often gets him into trouble.

But he also brings the attitude — or as he likes to call it, “swag” — to the Giants’ defense. And while he and Tom Coughlin don’t always agree, Rolle definitely embodies the second half of Coughlin’s “Respect all, fear none” mantra in approaching opponents.

Rolle certainly isn’t fearing the Pats, whom the Giants face on Sunday. Not even close. And his attitude is apparently contagious because his fellow defensive backs were echoing his sentiments today.

“I mean, we’re not really worried about what the outside people feel about us,” safety Kenny Phillips said. “We definitely feel like we’re a good team and we play for each other, we play for our coaches. Whatever’s being said, we really don’t care.

“But if we win this, which I feel we will, the outside world will say the Giants are now a great team.”

The Patriots come into this weekend’s game with the second-ranked passing attack in the league, as they’re averaging 327.4 yards per game. Welker is on pace for 130 receptions and Tom Brady’s 67.6 percent completion rate is second to only the 68.9 percent he posted in 2007.

The Giants, meanwhile, have the 13th-ranked defense, are still trying to get over the loss of cornerback Terrell Thomas and have given up 25 passes of 20 or more yards.

All of the above is a big reason many see a mismatch here. And why the Patriots are favored by 8½ points against a team with an identical 5-2 record.

Just don’t expect Rolle to share such sentiments, particularly about Welker, whom he believes won’t be the problem for the Giants he’s been for other defenses.

“I don’t know. You have to ask those guys he’s given trouble to,” Rolle said when asked why Welker is tough to cover. “I don’t plan on having to answer those questions.”

Color Deon Grant unimpressed as well. Of shutting down Welker, he said, “It ain’t tough. It got done (Sunday), so it ain’t tough.”

The Steelers are the ones who got it done. They held Welker to 39 yards on six catches, thanks to a not-so-intricate plan.

“They played ball, man. They didn’t do anything spectacular,” Rolle said. “They weren’t double-teaming, they weren’t doing anything. They just lined up and they kicked their (butt). Bottom line.”

More brackets.

Speaking of which, the Giants defensive backs don’t believe they’ll need “bracket” coverage (i.e. double teams) on Welker or any of the Patriots’ targets. In fact, Phillips likes the matchups of Rolle or Ross or “whoever” against Welker. Notice he didn’t mention Corey Webster, who is more adept at handling bigger receivers. Webster might have his hands full with tight end Aaron Hernandez, whom the Giants said should be treated like a wide receiver.

“We’re not too shabby,” Phillips said of the Giants secondary in relation to Brady’s bunch of targets. “I think we’re pretty good also.”
Rolle put it flatly: “I can handle anything. And I’m up for all challenges.”

He’s not alone.

“We know what type of guys we have, especially in our secondary,” Phillips said. “It’s going to be a challenge. I’m not going to say it’s easy, but I think we’re up to it.”

Click here to order Antrel Rolle’s or Kenny Phillips’ proCane Rookie Card.


(nj.com)

Antrel Rolle rarely if ever comes out of games.

So when he has to cover slot receivers on third down, he may be tired.

That’s what makes his play so impressive, says Giants secondary/safeties coach Dave Merritt.

“For him to go into the slot position and cover that third wideout that comes into the game fresh when he has been on the field the entire time is tough,” Merritt said. “That is the one thing that I want to make sure everyone understands. A lot of times when that third wideout comes in, you bring in your third or fourth DB and they are both fresh and going to battle. Antrel is on the field the whole entire time and then all of a sudden he has to cover that third wideout who just came on the field as a fresh player. We have put him into man-to-man situations as well as zone and he has responded. He really has and he is doing a really good job.”

Rolle began his pro career as a corner in Arizona, but was moved to free safety in 2008. At that point, he never thought he’d have to switch back to his former position, but injuries to Terrell Thomas and Prince Amuakamara led to the veteran being thrust emergency slot corner duty.

“It actually goes back to when we first came into camp, we said we were going to use Terrell Thomas as the nickel and use Prince on the outside as well as Corey Webster or Aaron Ross,” Merritt said. “Then all of a sudden Prince and Terrell Thomas go down and you say who is the next best guy now. It is Antrel Rolle. We were never going to use Prince in that position right away. It would have been Antrel as the second nickel and when Terrell Thomas went down, that is when it accelerated his mental as far as learning the slot position which he hasn’t done in a couple years. If you go back to last year, he actually played in our three safety package at the nickel position. I actually related it to when we called it x, y, or z last year and that is all you are doing but just a little more. It is a little more man-to-man. He has responded well.”

Click here to order Antrel Rolle’s proCane Rookie Card.


(espn.com)

Giants head coach Tom Coughlin may not like the bye, but safety Antrel Rolle does.

“My body’s banged up,” Rolle said Wednesday during his weekly appearance on WFAN. “I can’t even feel my fingers, they’re jammed every which way. But the bye allows us to get some of our key players back and get them healthy. I think it came at the right time.”

During the Giants Week 7 bye, Rolle will be hanging out in Miami. Then he’ll come back up to New Jersey on Monday for practice.

The 4-2 Giants host the winless Dolphins on Oct. 30, and Rolle doesn’t think his team is going to have a post-bye letdown.

“We don’t plan on being upset on Sunday,” Rolle said.

Rolle thinks at worst the Giants should’ve won five of their first six games heading into the bye. But due to some mental errors and missed assignments, it didn’t happen.

“The biggest thing is being smarter, more disciplined in our technique and not beating ourselves,” Rolle said when asked what the team needs to improve going forward. “In a couple games, we beat ourselves.”

Rolle knows the Giants have a very difficult schedule on the horizon, but feels like the team will be ready.

“We have to make sure we keep our eye on the prize, and I’m sure we will,” Rolle said. “We’re gonna be ready for battle. We don’t take anyone lightly.”

Click here to order Antrel Rolle’s proCane Rookie Card.


(espn.com)

Many Giants have been playing out of position this season because of injury.

But Justin Tuck hopes that will change at least somewhat when rookie Prince Amukamara comes back, which he could do in two weeks.

Antrel Rolle has been playing a lot of slot cornerback in 2011, and has been doing a fantastic job according to Tuck, but would be better served playing his regular safety role when Amukamara returns and takes over as the third corner covering the slot.

“I give Antrel a lot of credit because a lot of people don’t understand what we’re asking him to do,” Tuck said Monday on WFAN. “He’s playing the slot receiver, who’s always the quickest, the toughest guy to play, and he’s a safety playing that position. But I give him a lot of credit because the coaches have asked him to do it and he’s stepped up for us. We’d like to have him play center field, but that’s unselfish thing for him to say ‘Yeah, coach. I’ll do it.’ I think he’s done an admirable job at it.”

Amukamara has yet to play a game this season because he's still recovering from foot surgery, but Tuck says the first-year pro has stayed mentally sharp in meetings and will be able to pick up the defense faster than people think.

Click here to order Antrel Rolle’s proCane Rookie Card.


(espn.com)

Antrel Rolle never was a teammate of Michael Strahan or Antonio Pierce, but the Giants safety Tuesday said he doesn’t feel either one of them should be chiming in on Justin Tuck’s neck injury.

“I don’t feel it’s Antonio Pierce’s place or Michael Strahan’s place to comment on someone’s injuries,’’ Rolle said on his weekly WFAN spot.

Strahan, during the Giants victory in Philadelphia on Twitter, questioned why Tuck, who reaggravated a neck injury, was out of the game in the second half. Pierce, afterward on ESPN, chided Tuck and Brandon Jacobs for missing the loss to the Seahawks and said as long as their injuries do not require surgery they should be on the field with their team.

Rolle said, “I’m not fully aware of the severity of Tuck’s injury,’’ but did not question why the Giants defensive captain did not play. As for Jacobs, who missed the game with a swollen knee, Rolle said, “I saw Brandon Jacobs’ knee first-hand. His knee was the size of a volleyball with the amount of fluid.’’ Rolle added he did not think there was any way Jacobs could play.

As far as the 36-25 loss to the Seahawks, Rolle said he thought the Giants “needed to play with a little more attitude, a little more passion. The initial strike wasn’t there.’’

Rolle was involved in allowing the game-winning touchdown when rookie receiver Doug Baldwin was allowed to run free for a 27-yard scoring catch.

“I could have sworn I heard a whistle,’’ Rolle said of when Osi Umenyiora jumped offside but did not blame any hesitation on giving up the touchdown, explaining he and cornerback Aaron Ross did not read the play the same way.

“We were on the right page but we didn’t see it the same way,’’ Rolle said. “We saw the same route but played it different ways and it cost us.’’

Click here to order Antrel Rolle’s proCane Rookie Card.


(nypost.com)

Antrel Rolle is not a punk. This is the core message he attempted to get across on Sunday against the Eagles.

The Giants safety was flagged for unnecessary roughness after engaging in some extracurricular activities with tight end Brent Celek. The penalty pushed the Eagles deeper into Giants' territory, setting up a touchdown by running back LeSean McCoy.

Despite that, Rolle has no regrets.

"I felt like they were cheap-shotting a little bit, they kept trying to put their hand up in my facemask and kept grinding after the play," Rolle said, according to ESPN.com. "I just had to let them know that I am not a pushover, I am not a punk under any means and sometimes you have to put your foot down. Even if it costs you a little bit, sometimes it has to be done.

"It is more of a mental toughness and more of an attitude than anything sometimes," he continued. "That is where I was going with that. I wasn't going to get myself ejected, I wasn't going to throw any blows. At the same time I am going to stand my ground."

It's easier to use this kind of rhetoric when you win, as the Giants did on Sunday against their division rivals. Something tells us Rolle is a much quieter man this week if the Eagles come out on top.

Click here to order Antrel Rolle’s proCane Rookie Card.


(nfl.com)

Whether he is answering a question about his opponent on his weekly radio spot, or refusing to back down when engaged in a tussle on the field, Antrel Rolle rarely takes a passive approach to anything he does.

In his short time as a Giant, the safety has shown that he is not going to shy away from saying what he believes -- like last week, when he said on WFAN that he wanted Michael Vick to play so the Philadelphia Eagles would have no excuses when the Giants "put it to them the way we will" -- or run from a fight when challenged by an opponent.

Take his minor scuffle with Eagles tight end Brent Celek late in the second quarter of the Giants' 29-16 win on Sunday. Rolle had just gotten into a shoving match with DeSean Jackson on the play before, and now Celek was getting physical with him. Rolle ended up retaliating and receiving an unnecessary roughness penalty that would eventually help the Eagles score a touchdown on that drive.

While coach Tom Coughlin was not thrilled with the flag, Rolle viewed it as a necessary unnecessary roughness penalty.

"I just had to let them know that I am not a pushover, I am not a punk under any means and sometimes you have to put your foot down," Rolle said. "It is more of a mental toughness and more of an attitude than anything sometimes." Since signing a five-year, $37 million deal with the Giants in 2010, Rolle has certainly brought an attitude to the Giants' defense.

This coming Sunday, the Giants may feed off Rolle's energy when he returns to Arizona to face the Cardinals, the team that drafted him out of Miami as a cornerback in 2005.

"There's going to be extra special ... you definitely want to go in and give them a show," Rolle said. "But I am not going to let any emotions take me out of the game or make me even more exhausted than I already will be."

"I had a great career there, fans were awesome," Rolle added. "If you get claps or get booed, it doesn't matter."

Rolle certainly evokes mixed reactions from fans with his comments at times. His weekly radio spot has often created headlines thanks to juicy quotes.

From discussing how early the Giants should've shown up to the stadium prior to their loss at Indianapolis last season, to suggesting Coughlin should lighten up, to boasting that the Giants would beat the Redskins 95 out of 100 times after they lost to Washington in Week 1, Rolle speaks his mind and rarely bites his tongue.

"Antrel is the man," linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka said. "He came in and quickly became a big part of this team and this defense. He is a guy who is going to hit you in the mouth and he is going to tell you about it afterward. And we like that around here."

In Arizona, Rolle spent his first three seasons playing cornerback for the Cardinals and had five interceptions in 2007, including three returned for touchdowns. He was converted to safety in 2008 and helped the Cardinals reach the Super Bowl that season. "That whole playoff run, we came together as a unit," Rolle recalled. "We had a mental toughness that we weren't going to be denied. I've never seen a team come together like we did. No one gave us a chance but we proved everybody wrong."

After he had four interceptions and 61 tackles in 2009, the Cardinals released Rolle for salary purposes, and he joined the Giants, including good friend and fellow Miami product Kenny Phillips.

"I had a great time with that organization and staff," Rolle said of the Cardinals. "Basically their hand was pretty forced. I had a lot of money backed into that last year. Obviously you have to pay a safety $17 million in one year so they were forced to cut me and tried to re-sign me."

As a Giant, Rolle has had to fill a lot of roles for defensive coordinator Perry Fewell. Last season, he was often asked to play up near the line of scrimmage to help against the run or blitz. Safeties coach Dave Merritt said the Giants asked Rolle to take on a lot of responsibilities last season.

This year, Rolle has been asked to cover receivers in the slot at times after cornerback Terrell Thomas was lost for the season with a torn ACL in the preseason.

So far, Rolle leads the team with 20 tackles. But he also has two unnecessary roughness penalties in three games, the second of which came from his tussle with Celek.

"Antrel is a tough kid and he really plays well down at the line of scrimmage," Coughlin said. "He is very physical. I think for all of us, in the competitive nature of that game, there are so many emotions going on, it really is important to grab ahold of yourself and stay under control."

"You never know what is going to happen and you are out of control," he added. "You can be ejected. You can cost your team valuable yardage. I know he thought at the half [about] the way I am expressing it [emotion] and hopefully he will learn and we all will learn."

Rolle said he will continue to defend himself if he feels it is necessary.

"If I feel like something has to be done, I am going to handle it and I will take care of disciplinary actions after that," Rolle said. "I wasn't going to get myself ejected [in the Philadelphia game], I am a smart player and I wasn't going to hurt myself or my team by getting ejected. I think I definitely had to make a statement and hold my ground."

"I just felt like sometimes it is bigger than the game," Rolle added about his unnecessary roughness penalty against the Eagles. "I don't want them to get that attitude over us, that they have more swagger than us or they have more passion or more desire or even more toughness."

While Coughlin may want his players to offer more boring quotes and walk away from all altercations on the field, Rolle believes his never-back-down attitude can be a plus for the Giants.

"You definitely have to have swag and definitely have to have attitude," Rolle said. "I am definitely a guy that is never going to back down from any opponent. If you speak it enough, it will come to light."

Click here to order Antrel Rolle’s proCane Rookie Card.


(espn.com)

Antrel Rolle was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct during the Giants">Giants’ 29-16 win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday and was involved in a handful of other scuffles throughout the game. This is emblematic of Rolle’s moxie — or “swag,” as he calls it — and he’s not shy in defending it.

“When I play the game, I play the game,” Rolle said today. “At the end of the day, the coaching gets done Monday through Saturday. Sunday, when I’m on the field, I’m in the zone. When I feel something needs to get done, I’ll handle it.

“I’ll take care of disciplinary actions after that. I wasn’t going to get myself ejected. I wasn’t going to hurt myself or hurt my team. I definitely was going to make a statement and hold my ground.”

Rolle didn’t understand why he was issued a 15-yard penalty because he said both he and Eagles tight end Brent Celek were tussling. Celek’s helmet came off, and Rolle admitted he pulled it off, but he said both players were involved. He added that he and Celek exchanged pleasantries after the game.

The 15-yard penalty didn’t seem to bother Rolle because “I have confidence that 15 will get 30 more.”

“And that’s the way I look at it, in the heat of the moment like that,” Rolle said. “Sometimes you have to put your foot down.”

Coach Tom Coughlin did not agree with this logic. The coach said Rolle was aware of how costly a personal foul can be and understands Rolle is an emotional, physical player. Coughlin did not expect the need to talk to Rolle this week about the emotions of playing Rolle’s former team, the Cardinals.

Rolle spoke fondly of his time in Arizona, where he helped the Cardinals to the Super Bowl. He had an amicable departure, understanding that they couldn’t pay him the money he wanted.

The Giants made Rolle the NFL’s highest-paid safety during the 2010 free agency period.

“I had a great time with the organization and with the teammates and the staff,” Rolle said. “Excited to go back and play ball.”

Click here to order Antrel Rolle’s proCane Rookie Card.


(nj.com)

It's week three of the NFL regular season and that means the New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles rivalry is about to be renewed. It also means trash talk is going to be a dominant fixture in the media over the next several days. In fact, it's already begun. Shocker, right?

The chatter began late Tuesday afternoon when Giants safety Antrel Rolle said he's covered Eagles wide receiver before and would be happy to do it again.

“You know, I’m no stranger to the cornerback position,” Rolle said. “I have handled DeSean Jackson one-on-one before, and I don’t see why I can’t handle him again.”

The comments didn't seem overly controversial, but Jackson's teammate, Jeremy Maclin, apparently took them to heart and fired back at Rolle and the New York Giants today.

"When you talk, you're either insecure or scared. And he's talking," Maclin said. "They have no business talking, because they haven’t done anything the last six times."

If we're talking about relevant history, well…the Eagles have never done anything. But that's neither here nor there.

Defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka also joined the trash talking party, saying the following about Eagles quarterback Michael Vick:

"I want to be able to go there & throw the knockout punch while the ref and the other guy are looking," Kiwi said.

Ding! Ding! Ding!

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(giants101.com)

NEW YORK (WFAN) – Bring on DeSean Jackson.

Even Michael Vick, if he’s healthy enough to go. Giants safety Antrel Rolle is ready to take care of the Eagles.

While many Giants fans are hoping the Eagles sit their banged-up quarterback in Week 3, Rolle is rooting for No. 7 to recover in time from the concussion he suffered Sunday against the Falcons.

“You’re asking me, I think you already know the answer to that. I want the best of the best. He is the best,” Rolle told WFAN’s Joe Benigno and Evan Roberts on Tuesday. “I hope Michael Vick plays, because at the end of the day I don’t want any excuses, you know, when we go down to Philly and put it to them the way we will.”

New York is 1-1 and coming off a sloppy 28-16 win at home against the St. Louis Rams. But there’s no shortage of optimism in Rolle’s game plan.

“We can beat anyone,” said Rolle. “That’s my mindset. If I didn’t think that we could play in this game, I’d put my shoulder pads on the rack and tell them, ‘You know, I don’t want to play anymore.’”

The biggest challenge for the Giants’ depleted secondary will be covering Jackson. Who could forget how he burned the Giants with a punt return to seal Philadelphia’s shocking comeback in East Rutherford last December?

Giants fans have to be wary considering the state of their cornerbacks. Terrell Thomas is done for the season. Prince Amukamara is still rehabbing. Aaron Ross was benched for a short time after he gave up a couple big plays last night.

According to Rolle, Ross will be fine. Heck, the Giants’ safety will even cover Jackson if need be.

“You know, I’m no stranger to the cornerback position,” Rolle said. “I have handled DeSean Jackson one-on-one before, and I don’t see why I can’t handle him again.”

And if something should go awry with Eli Manning and backup quarterback David Carr? Yeah, Rolle’s got that covered, too.

“I’ll go out there and make things happen,” he said. “I’d find a way to make it happen.”

Click here to order Antrel Rolle’s proCane Rookie Card.


(newyork.cbslocal.com)

The New York Giants’ starting safeties have been fined a total of $30,000 for a pair of hits in Sunday’s 28-14 loss to the Washington Redskins.
Antrel Rolle was fined $20,000 for spearing, while Kenny Phillips was fined $10,000 for striking an opponent in the head and neck area.

Rolle was flagged for unnecessary roughness for a hit on Redskins tight end Fred Davis, and spearing is one of the infractions the NFL takes very seriously: $20,000 is the minimum fine. Rolle’s penalty was even costlier for the Giants than it was for him personally, as it gave the Redskins an automatic first down just as the Giants’ defense had stopped them on third down. The Redskins led 21-14 at the time, but instead of punting to the Giants and giving them a chance to tie the score, the Redskins scored a touchdown after Rolle’s penalty to seal the victory.

Phillips was not flagged at any point in the game, and the NFL hasn’t said exactly what he did to earn a fine, but it was reportedly also a hit on Davis. Phillips said today that he plans to appeal.

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(nbcsports.com)

Antrel Rolle admits that the New York Giants defense has a lot of work to do after the Redskins won the season opener. But the safety believes that if the two NFC East rivals played each other 100 times, New York would prevail at least 95 times.

"As a team and organization, we know that the Washington Redskins is not a better team than us," Rolle said in his weekly spot on WFAN radio. "We know that hands down. If we played them 100 times, they might win five. They won that day. It never leaves a good taste in your mouth when you lose to an opponent that you know you are better than."

When asked by WFAN hosts Joe and Evan if he was impressed by Rex Grossman or thought the Redskins were better than he thought, Rolle replied, "No, not at all."

"We'll definitely prove that next time around," Rolle said. "He is going to feel the Giants come the next time around. We will take care of that when the time comes."

Grossman completed 21-of-35 passes for 305 yards and two touchdowns on Sunday to lead the Redskins to a 28-14 win over the Giants at FedEx Field. Playing without defensive captain Justin Tuck and with a depleted secondary, the Giants defense failed to rattle Grossman and had a six-game winning streak against Washington snapped. The Giants had won 9-of-10 meetings between the teams prior to Sunday.

Rolle finished with six tackles but was flagged for a costly 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty in the fourth quarter after the Giants defense should have gotten a stop. On a third-and-9 at the Washington 45, Grossman hit tight end Fred Davis for a 7-yard gain but Rolle's penalty gave the Redskins a first down at the Giants' 33 before they eventually scored to make it a 14-point lead with 5:04 remaining.

The Giants, who face the Redskins again on Dec. 18 at MetLife Stadium, now have to bounce back against former defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and the Rams on Monday night.

They hope to have Tuck back this week from a neck injury that kept him out of the season opener.

"I definitely feel there is a lot of work to be done," Rolle said of the defense. "We have a lot of guys playing different positions we have to fill in for some key areas. We still haven't found that chemistry yet. It is getting close."

"We understood where things went wrong," Rolle added. "I don't think we played a good game as a team. I don't think we played good on special teams, on defense or on offense. The Giants will come out there and we will show the world what we are all about and we will come play."

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(espn.com)

Both Tom Coughlin and Antrel Rolle felt referees were wrong to penalize Rolle for unnecessary roughness in the fourth quarter.

Rolle banged helmets with Redskins tight end Fred Davis when Davis was on the ground, untouched, following a seven-yard reception.

Had Davis been stopped where he caught the ball, he would have been short of the first down.

But referees whistled Rolle for the 15-yard unnecessary roughness because he hit Davis helmet to helmet.

The flag gave the Redskins a first down on a drive they'd eventually score on to build a two-touchdown lead.

"I definitely didn't think it was helmet-to-helmet," Rolle said. "I definitely didn't lead with my helmet. I've never led with my helmet. At the end of the day, there's nothing I can do about it - the call was made."

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(espn.com)

It really doesn't matter today whether the Giants or the Jets are the best team in New York. Their preseason game on Monday night, a 17-3 Jets win, has little significance in the big picture. However, which team reigns supreme when they meet again on Christmas Eve will be vastly important.

By then it will be Game 15 for the Giants, and they will be deep into-at least as it stands right now on paper-one of the most treacherous stretches seen by any team in football. The seeming difficulty of the Giants' schedule in the second half of the season increases the urgency for them to get off to a strong start.

Logic says the Giants must be at least 5-3 to conclude the first half if they are going to make the playoffs. A critical component to that necessity is safety Antrel Rolle. His value to the team's success has increased exponentially over the past several weeks, resulting from myriad serious injuries to the Giants' defensive backfield.

The most prominent, all incurred by cornerbacks, are a season-ending torn ACL sustained by Terrell Thomas, a broken foot that will sideline No. 1 draft pick Prince Amukamara for several more weeks and a ruptured Achilles by Bruce Johnson that has ended his season.

"It's extremely important," Rolle said of his increased responsibility to be a high impact player. "We have a lot going on, a lot of guys playing several positions, trying to learn things on the run...It is a midstream adjustment. As a veteran, I have to take it upon myself to help our defense."

The 28-year-old Rolle is beginning his seventh season in the NFL and second season with the Giants. They signed him to a five-year, $37 million free agent contract in March 2010, at the time making Rolle the highest paid safety in history. Rolle's versatility-he began his career as a cornerback-enables the Giants to utilize him at multiple spots in the secondary to compensate for the losses.

With only one more preseason game remaining before the Sept. 11 regular season opener, Rolle maintains the Giants' revamped secondary has much room for improvement. "We have a long ways to go," he said after the loss to the Jets. "We're making strides, and that's the most important thing.

"We understand where we have to be and where we're trying to get to."

Click here to order Antrel Rolle’s proCane Rookie Card.


(amsterdamnews.com)

NEW YORK — The Giants decided against moving Antrel Rolle to cornerback after Terrell Thomas suffered a season-ending knee injury. That doesn’t mean Rolle won’t play cornerback this season.

During practice this week, Rolle lined up as the slot cornerback in nickel situations. Deon Grant entered at safety. Rolle confirmed yesterday that, as it stands now, the nickel cornerback is his spot in that formation.

“I don’t know what to expect this season, but I know as of right now, that’s the plan,” Rolle said at a fan festival for MetLife Stadium. “I have no problem doing that. It’s something I’m very comfortable with pretty much my entire career.”

This will be different than the three-safety formation the Giants employed last season because Rolle will take the responsibilities of a cornerback. He said he plans on dropping from 206 pounds to 200 pounds to get quicker.

Rolle came into the NFL as a cornerback in 2005. He switched to safety with the Arizona Cardinals in 2008. In 2010, the Giants made Rolle the highest-paid safety in the NFL. He was productive last season, although he expected an even better 2011 after getting used to the “mental gymnastics of the position.” He does not expect this change to require much adjustment.

“There’s a lot of carry over from last year, so it’s not like everything’s going to be new to me,” Rolle said. “I pretty much know what to expect and I know how to play my teammates.”

Click here to order Antrel Rolle’s proCane Rookie Card.


(nj.com)

I know what you’re going to ask…..why would the Giants’ move Antrel Rolle, who made the Pro Bowl at safety last year, to cornerback?

Well, many reasons. They don’t have enough depth at corner right now and may need Rolle to fill in at some point. He currently is taking reps at corner as well as safety in practice and – you never know – they may need him there at some juncture this season.

The way cornerbacks are dropping on this roster, the Giants need to explore all options and that appears to be what they are doing. The signing of Brian Williams will help depth-wise, but the 32-year-old cannot be expected to face-off against the Dez Bryants, Santana Mosses and DeSean Jacksons of the world. The Giants need a better player to do that and Rolle may be the one they call on.

The Giants do not feel comfortable even after signing Williams.  Their depth chart at CB after Aaron Ross and Corey Webster is littered with inexperienced players. Until they get Prince Amukamara back in late October, the Giants will have Webster, Ross, Williams, Michael Coe, Joe Burnett and Darnell Burks as their corners. In this pass-happy league we live in, that is not going to cut it.

Unless the Giants want to bring in another veteran – someone in the line of a Lito Sheppard – who worked out for the Giants along with Williams, or Dre’ Bly who was here last year for a tryout, the Giants will throw Coe or one of the others into the mix.

Coe appears to be ready for the challenge.  He was drafted by the Colts in 2007, but blew out his knee and missed all of 2008. He likes the way DC Perry Fewell uses the corners in the defense and feels he can succeed, especially now that he is getting more reps in game situations.

“We play a lot of man-to-man, which is what I played at Arkansas,” Coe told reporters yesterday. “We do a lot of pressing. When I went to Alabama State for my last year we did the same thing. Me being a taller (6’0″, 185lb), faster corner, those are the things I do well and feel comfortable doing.”

If he can’t, Rolle will be there to pick up the slack. Who will fill in at safety for Rolle in those situations? Deon Grant, for one. Or even rookie Tyler Sash if he is ready. One thing at a time, folks…

Click here to order Antrel Rolle’s proCane Rookie Card.


(giantsfootballblog.com)

Anyone who saw safety Antrel Rolle after Monday night’s preseason victory over the Bears could see he was shaken up about the loss of cornerback Terrell Thomas, who went down with torn knee ligaments and is out for the entire season.

A day later, Rolle didn’t sound as if he had overcome any of his disappointment.

“I had a huge comfort level [on the field] with Terrell Thomas,’’ Rolle said Tuesday on SiriusXM’s Mad Dog Radio channel. “We worked a lot together, we talked a lot, because our roles were similar in a lot of ways. That’s why it hurts me a lot to see him go down, it really did. Honestly, I don’t know what to do. I still don’t know how to handle it at this point but I’m going to have to try to find a way. I have to. We have to as a defense.’’

Thomas was emerging as a star cornerback, and Rolle said his loss cannot be minimized.

“That’s going to have a huge impact on our season and most of all on our hearts, you know, as players,’’ Rolle said. “He’s a great football player but most of all he’s a great guy and it’s very unfortunate for a situation like that to happen to someone of his caliber.

"You know, you can’t question what the guy above does, his plan is always different than what you may think it is, and I think it’s only going to make T2 stronger. I think it’s going to make him a better person, which is hard to believe, I don’t see how you can become any better than what he already is but, you know, there’s always a way. And, you know he’s going to be fine. We’re just gonna make sure we keep his spirits uplifted and just make sure he comes back to us better than he was when he left.”

Click here to order Antrel Rolle’s proCane Rookie Card.


(nypost.com)

Giants safety Antrel Rolle allegedly received a $7,500 watch, thousands of dollars of cash gifts and paid trips to nightclubs and strip clubs from a University of Miami booster while a standout cornerback for the Hurricanes, according to a Yahoo! Sports investigation released on Tuesday.

The benefits came from Nevin Shapiro, who is in prison for his role in a $930 million Ponzi scheme. All would violate NCAA rules. Provided an opportunity today, Rolle neither confirmed nor denied the allegations against him.

"To me it doesn’t matter what’s true or what’s not true," Rolle said today.

"There’s nothing for me to comment on this guy. Obviously he’s on a rampage to cause havoc, and I’m just going to let him do his talking. Because right now, to me, it’s irrelevant. It don’t concern me at this point. I’ll deal with it when the right time comes."

The report indicated that Rolle also received $1,000 for shutting down Georgia Tech wide receiver Calvin Johnson in a 27-3 win over Georgia Tech on Oct. 2, 2004 and $500 for a game-sealing interception in a 41-38 victory over Louisville on Oct. 14, 2004. It also accused Rolle of accepting $40,000 from an agent who was Shapiro’s former business partner.

Rolle was one of 72 athletes named in the report. The report also included fellow Giants safety Kenny Phillips, who allegedly accepted food, drink and entertainment at Shapiro’s home and yacht, and meals at restaurants in the Miami area. Phillips was not available for comment today.

"You get 20 years in prison, certain things like that happen, you’re going to find something to take it on, right?" Rolle said. "I guess we have to bite that bullet."

Rolle said he and other Miami players are not frustrated by the report because "we understood our place, and we also understand what he’s trying to do."

However, Rolle expressed concern about the possible ramifications on Miami’s football program, which could be in line for significant sanctions if the NCAA finds the allegations are true.

"I think this is bringing unnecessary drama to the program that doesn’t need to be," Rolle said. "I’m a Miami guy at heart and I always will be a Miami guy at heart. I just want those guys to have the same fortunate career as I had and other people ha, and right now there’s a lot of drama going on at that school. And it’s all caused by one guy."

Busy in training camp, Rolle has not yet read the report. However, he’s received messages from those who have. He said his mother called after seeing a photo of Shapiro wearing Rolle’s No. 6 college jersey.

"I’m like ... I didn’t give him the jersey’," Rolle said. "When I saw him, he switched up jerseys each and every week. It just happened to be the jersey he had on in the Florida State game. He represented me. I played ball down there, he should have represented the No. 6 jersey."

Click here to order Antrel Rolle’s proCane Rookie Card.


(nj.com)

With the NFLPA website now up and active, a few contracts have changed and it looks like Corey Webster and Antrel Rolle both restructured their deals to help the Giants’ cap situation.

Webster was slated to make $8 million but that number has been reduced to $5 million this season in base salary. Rolle also has a base number of $1.25 million compared to the $5.25 million he was scheduled to make originally.

Click here to order Antrel Rolle’s proCane Rookie Card.


(giants101.com)

Not to suggest that NFL fans shouldn’t believe that the work stoppage may finally be lifted by July 21st as the new target date, but we have been told for three months that the lockout will finally end. Both sides of the current labor dispute know the fans do not care about what happens in June and July, but rather that football will be back in time for training camp in August for the start of the regular season in September. We are inching closer-and-closer to August and the time period where training camp would be set to start under a normal off-season and both sides seem to want to get this new collective bargaining agreement done already.

Antrel Rolle made a few headlines last year in his first season with the New York Giants by saying he wasn’t scared of playing against Peyton Manning and has made an impact early on for Big Blue after signing a 5-year, $37 million dollar deal in March of 2010. Rolle contends that he wants the lockout to end when both the owners and players get their fair share and that most players like himself are in good shape during this lockout dispute. The real problem at hand is are these current NFL players during the lockout in football shape? Rolle believes it shouldn’t be an issue once the players finally take the field again.

Antrel Rolle joined WQAM in Miami on The Gino Torretta Show with Steve White to discuss what he has been doing this off-season during the NFL lockout, the players being sick of the work stoppage and how they’re just ready to get back to work officially, how long it will take him to get back into playing shape once the lockout is finally lifted, his comfort level regard playing in exhibition preseason games if the lockout were to end next week, and how good he thinks the 2011 New York Giants can be.

We saw you have been training down at the University of Miami and with your New York Giants teammates. What have you been up to this off-season?
“I have been working out at UM [University of Miami] most of the time and been doing some work here on my own.”

Are you guys as players over the lockout so we can get this thing over with and just play football?
“I am a guy who believes in what’s fair is fair. I think it has to work in hand for both the owners as well as for the players and until it reaches that point I’m all for the mediations and things of that nature, so we can get on the same page at the same time. Let it be 50-50 and no 60-40 or 70-30.”

How long will it take once the lockout is over to get you into playing shape where you could play in an exhibition game?
“I’m in great shape right now. I wouldn’t say I’m in great football shape, but I’m in great shape. The only thing that is going to prepare you to get into football shape is actually playing football, so once you get out there with the guys and run around and do a couple of drills and have a little contact. You know what I mean? We have been playing this sport of football for a long time. It’s not going to take to long to get back into football shape and maybe a week and a half, two weeks maximum.”

The reports say that July 21st, 2011 may be the day the lockout ends. Do you guys feel comfortable once the lockout ends if that were to happen in the next week or two?
“To be honest with you I have been hearing that it is going to get done in a week, two weeks, ever since the beginning of March, so I’m at the point right now that whenever it happens I’ll be ready and whenever I get that call I’ll be ready. That’s the only thing I’m looking forward to right now.”

How good do you think this New York Giants team will be this season?
“The sky is the limit for us. I think we have control of our own destiny. I think all we have to do is finish games. We have a great team. I have never been around a team that has as much talent at each and every position. We just have to get on the same page at the same time and be a better football Giants team. We’re already good, but need to be great.”

Listen to Antrel Rolle on WQAM in Miami here

Click here to order Antrel Rolle’s proCane Rookie Card.


(sportsradiointerviews.com)

(hurricanesports.com)

Let's call this Antrel Rolle Version 2.0. The New York Giants Pro Bowl safety, whose January comments about coach Tom Coughlin landed him in a hailstorm of controversy, sounded like a player determined to avoid such missteps in 2011 during an appearance Monday on ESPN Radio New York with Ian O'Connor.

"The only thing I'm gonna focus on is being a better number 26," Rolle told O'Connor. "That's all I can do. If I work on being a better safety that's going to trickle down, that's going to help other players. It's going to help my team. I'm not doing it for my own selfish reasons, I'm doing it for the betterment of my team.

"That's going to be my only focus this year. There isn't going to be any problems, there aren't going to be any things said about Coach Coughlin."

O'Connor pressed Rolle on the Coughlin topic, as he should have, asking him directly "Do you like him as a head coach?"

"I like him ... Coach Coughlin knows how I feel about him. … I never said he was a bad guy, I never said anything remotely close to that," Rolle said. "I made one comment and everyone wants to take it like ‘oh my God, Antrel doesn’t like Coach Coughlin, he hates being with the Giants, which is not true at all. I love being with the Giants and Coach Coughlin and myself, we talk on a daily basis.

"I tell everyone all the time I like Coach Coughlin as a coach, and I’m sure he likes me as a player. You’re both men, men are not always going to agree. It was my fault to voice that, I should have just kept quiet about it which I will do from now on."

Rolle said coming to New York from Arizona was "a bit of a shocker," and that he needs to handle the change better.

"It was a bit of a shocker. I was unaware of how things are run with the Giants organization. I love the organization, it's definitely been great to me, but it was a bit of a shocker," Rolle said.

"That's part of being a man and that's part of being a professional. I have to adapt and take things as they come, not Coach Coughlin."

Rolle, of course, was a member of the Arizona Cardinals before coming to the Giants as a richly-rewarded free agent. He was part of a Cardinal team that went to the Super Bowl in 2008 and went 10-6 in 2009 before losing to New Orleans in the divisional round. He said, though, that this Giants team is the most talented he has ever been on despite having missed the playoffs last season.

"We need to come together and finish games. As far as talent-wise I've never seen anything like it. I've never been a part of such a dynamic group and such a special group with as much talent at each and every position," Rolle said. "We just need to learn how to close out games."

Click here to order Antrel Rolle’s proCane Rookie Card.


(bigblueview.com)

Friendly Disclaimer: The following list is influenced largely -– but not strictly -– by film study of all 32 teams from the 2010 season. Stats weren’t acknowledged, but players with poor numbers generally don’t make top 10 lists anyway. Vague enough for you? Criteria for top 10 lists tend to be. That’s why most of you will have no trouble finding some disagreement with what you’re about to read.
(Last year’s ranking of safeties in parentheses.)

10. O.J. Atogwe, Redskins (NR)
Solid role player, but not a big-time creator.

9. Roman Harper, Saints (7)
Stupendous in the box but not so much in space. Save for the wild-card disaster in Seattle, that’s been just fine in New Orleans’s scheme.

8. Jim Leonhard, Jets (NR)
A Swiss Army Knife in Rex Ryan’s pocket.

7. Malcolm Jenkins, Saints (NR)
Superb natural talent who can cover the slot man-to-man and make rangy plays from centerfield. If he can learn to harness his aggressive instincts, he’ll be elite.

6. Eric Berry, Chiefs (not in league)
Physical young whiz who eats up a lot of ground in a hurry. The writing on the wall is in all caps: FUTURE SUPERSTAR.

5. Nick Collins, Packers (5)
Classic rangy free safety. Understands angles and route combinations. 4. Antoine Bethea, Colts (6)
About as flashy as a Tuesday afternoon in Lubbock, Tex., but there’s something to be said for calendar-like consistency. Indy’s secondary has survived injuries over the years because its centerfielder does everything well.

3. Antrel Rolle, Giants (8)
Played the role of Charles Woodson for the Giants last season. All-around versatility is a huge asset.

2. Ed Reed, Ravens (2)
Nothing new to report here.

1. Troy Polamalu, Steelers (1)
A future first ballot Hall of Famer. Great as he is, just for fun as an aside, let’s ponder this question: What would his reputation be if he didn’t have long hair?

On the cusp:
Kenny Phillips, Giants; Brian Dawkins, Broncos; Michael Griffin, Titans

Dropped from list:
Darren Sharper, Saints (3)
Brian Dawkins, Broncos (4)
Brandon Meriweather, Patriots (9)
Adrian Wilson, Cardinals (10)
Sharper and Dawkins are long in the tooth. Meriweather, for some reason, stopped listening to his coaches early last year (he rebounded down the stretch). Wilson’s severe limitations in coverage make him a de facto linebacker.


(nytimes.com)

Pat Kirwan from NFL.com ranks the top 30 safeties in the NFL. 3 proCanes made the list.

Each player listed has either an (^) for players on the rise and has room for growth, (>) for players maintaining their status and playing at their peak level or (v) for those who can't sustain their level of play and are on the decline.

4. Ed Reed, Ravens (>): A free safety with special ball-hawking skills. He has missed 10 games in the past three years and still has 11 interceptions in his last 22 games. Reed is a Hall of Fame player and the best deep middle player in the NFL. He's forced 32 turnovers (interceptions and forced fumbles) the last four years.

18. Antrel Rolle, Giants (>): The Cardinals' defense suffered when Rolle left in free agency last year. He had one interception for the Giants in 2010 after recording 10 interceptions during the three previous seasons. A free safety who does a solid job in the deep middle of the field, or in the deep half in the Cover 2.

24. Brandon Meriweather, Patriots (>): Made the Pro Bowl as an alternate in 2010. He has had some issues off the field, but on the field finds the football with 12 interceptions and 24 passes defended the last three seasons.

Click here to see the full rankings.

Click here to order Ed Reed’s or Antrel Rolle’s or Brandon Meriweather’s proCane Rookie Card.


(nfl.com)

Alex Smith, Ronnie Brown, Antrel Rolle and Cedric Benson 2005
The four first-round picks have had mixed results in their careers. Smith, the No. 1 pick, has been a part-time starter for the 49ers. Brown has battled injuries in his career but made the 2008 Pro Bowl. Rolle has been the most successful of the four, making two Pro Bowls in his career. Benson was a bust for Chicago but has restarted his career in Cincinnati, rushing for more than 1,000 yards in each of the past two seasons



Vinny Testaverde 1987
The Heisman Trophy winner talks on the phone after being selected by the Buccaneers with the No. 1 pick in the draft. He struggled with Tampa Bay, throwing 25 more interceptions than touchdowns and compiling a 24-48 record. But he went on to have a productive 21-year career in the league and earned two Pro Bowl selections.



Chris Berman 1987
The long-time ESPN NFL analyst and host works the draft board during the telecast. On the 1987 you can see eventual first pick proCane Vinny Testaverde and eventual 3rd pick Alonzo Highsmith.



William Bidwell and Ottis Anderson 1979
The Cardinals' first-round pick holds up his jersey alongside owner William Bidwell. The running back won Rookie of Year in 1979 and made the Pro Bowl in his first two seasons. He later added the 1991 Super Bowl MVP award for his performance in the Giants' win over the Bills.

Welcome to our 1st annual and long overdue proCane Rankings where we look back at the 2010 NFL season and rank the 43 proCanes that took snaps in 2010 (except for Sinorice Moss who was placed on IR before the start of the season).

Stay tuned as we countdown from number 43 to number 1. Our rankings are based on each player’s performance last year. In August we’ll go ahead and re-rank the player’s based on our 2011 expectations. For now read our review of each player’s 2010 season and where they rank overall. Enjoy!

To read our rankings of players 43-35, click here.

To read our rankings of players 34-26, click here.

25. Jeremy Shockey TE New Orleans Saints/Carolina Panthers: In Shockey’s nine-year career he has not once been able to play all 16 games in a single season and unfortunately 2010 was no different. Shockey was only able to play in 13 games which ultimately led to the emergence of fellow proCane TE Jimmy Graham and Shockey’s release in the offseason and signing with the Panthers. Shockey accumulated a career low 408 yards receiving, and career lows in receptions (31) and yards per reception (31.2). Shockey will be reunited for the 2011 season with proCane offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski in Carolina. If he can stay healthy and the Panthers can find a quarterback, Shockey could have a big season because Chudzinski’s offenses emphasize the TE.

24. Bryant McKinnie LT Minnesota Vikings: After making the Pro Bowl in 2009, but not being voted to the Pro Bowl in 2010, most would think McKinnie did not have as good of a 2010 campaign, but on the contrary McKinnie according to himself and coaches played more consistently in 2010 while protecting Favre’s backside as well as Tarvaris Jackson’s. McKinnie still needs to lose some weight this offseason to improve his quickness versus edge rushers and vowed to do that with a personal trainer, especially since he will be seeing Julius Peppers twice again this season.

23. Willis McGahee RB Baltimore Ravens: McGahee the last two seasons has been stuck behind Ray Rice as the number two back for the Ravens. As a result in 2010 McGahee had his worst year statistically with only 380 yards rushing and 5 TDs on the ground and 1 TD through the air on only 100 rushing attempts. McGahee in 2009 had totaled 14 TDs as he was the main red-zone threat for the Ravens, but wasn’t featured as much inside the 20-yard line in 2010. McGahee can still be a starter in the NFL and is approaching free agency this year where it looks like he will not be resigned by the Ravens. Look for him to have a bigger impact in 2011.

22. Jimmy Graham TE New Orleans Saints: After not appearing in the first two games of his rookie season, Jimmy Graham slowly made his presence known for the Saints as he topped 70 yards receiving in two games and finished the 2010 season with five touchdowns as he subbed for fellow injured proCane Jeremy Shockey. Graham performed so well in 2010 and showed so much potential that the Saints released Shockey this offseason and plan on using Graham as their feature TE in 2011.

21. Rocky McIntosh LB Washington Redskins: McIntosh had his best season statistically with 73 tackles despite playing for the first time in his career in a 3-4 defense as the RILB. McIntosh has had a solid and somewhat underrated career and turned many heads by showing his versatility and playing so well in a 3-4 defense as well as versus the pass. Most seem to think he won’t be with the Redskins next year, but look for him to have no trouble signing with another team and picking up where he left off.

20. Kenny Phillips S NY Giants: Phillips played in only two games in 2009 because of the need of microfracture surgery on one of his knees. Many at the time said Phillips’ career was over and he would never be able recover after such a serious injury and surgery. Not only did Phillips come back, but he had a solid season in his first season playing beside fellow proCane Antrel Rolle. Phillips played in all 16 games and started 15 of them. Though he only recorded one interception he had career highs in tackles (77) and pass deflections (5). Phillips did admit that it took him a while to feel 100% physically and mentally but he did stay healthy and put up good numbers which leads us to believe he is in for a big 2011 season.

19. Antrel Rolle S NY Giants: In his first season with the Giants, Rolle was named to his second consecutive Pro Bowl and had a solid though not spectacular season for the Giants. Rolle started all 16 games and the fact that he had only one interception may be misleading as he played a lot closer to the line of scrimmage than most safeties. Look for Rolle to become more comfortable in the Giants’ defense and as long as he continues to play well on the field and create less headlines off of it, he and Phillips could become one of the best safety tandems in the NFL.

18. Eric Winston RT Houston Texans: The only explanation we can come up with for Winston not making a Pro Bowl yet, is that he plays for the small market Texans. Winston has been stellar at RT for the Texans and 2010 was no exception. Winston played at an All-Pro level during 2010 with one exception versus the Tennessee Titans where he was beat for two sacks. Look for 2011 to be an even better season for Winston and the Texans, and look for him to make his long overdue first Pro Bowl.

17. Brandon Meriweather S New England Patriots: Meriweather made his second consecutive Pro Bowl after a good 2010 season, though he was inconsistent at times. Meriweather started 13 of the 16 games and in three games only record one tackle while versus the Colts, for example, recorded 7 tackles and an interception. His inconsistency led to him sharing time with the other Patriot safeties as his numbers did slip from his 2008 and 2009 seasons. The Patriots do expect more from Meriweather, and look for him to step up in the 2011 season with the increased competition at the safety position.

16. Chris Myers C Houston Texans: Despite having a solid 2009 season Myers did take a lot of heat in the offseason from Texan fans mainly because of the lasting image of Kris Jenkins throwing him to the turf towards the end of that season. Myers followed up his solid 2009 campaign with a stellar 2010 season where he was ranked as the #3 center in the league by ProFootballFocus.com and anchors a Texans offensive line which at one point featured three proCane starters; Myers, Eric Winston, and Rashad Butler. Look for Myers to continue his stellar play in 2011 and hopefully make his Pro Bowl debut.

Check back tomorrow to see which proCanes were ranked 15th through 8th!

New York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck hasn't been thrilled with the way safety Antrel Rolle has handled himself since joining the team via free agency last March. He doesn't have any issue with Rolle's on-field product, but the fact he went on a Miami radio station earlier this month and talked about how Giants coach Tom Coughlin needed to be more like Jets coach Rex Ryan didn't sit well with Tuck.

"Everything we do with the Giants needs to be a team effort, no matter what we’re talking about," said Tuck. "So it’s very important he realizes he’s a tremendous, important part of the success of this football team. And not only on the football field but off it, too. It can be as important in what you say as in what you do."

As Mike Garafolo of the Star-Ledger pointed out, it sounds like Tuck is telling Rolle to keep his mouth shut when it comes to criticizing the head coach. Rolle called out the coach early in the season for arriving at road games too early and being too demanding. Then he and fellow safety Kenny Phillips did a Miami radio interview earlier this month in which they seemed to be longing for a more player-friendly coach such as Ryan. Tuck is the unquestioned leader of the Giants' defense, and I think he probably made it clear to Rolle that it's OK to bite your tongue every now and then.

"Me and Justin, we are on the same page," said Rolle. "We’re both competitors and we’re both going after the same goal which is to win,” Rolle said.

Of course, that's easy to say when you're hanging out together in Hawaii. We'll see if Rolle can remain on the same page with Tuck and Coughlin next season.

Click here to order Antrel Rolle’s proCane Rookie Card.



(espn.com)

Ten proCanes were named to the 2011 NFL Pro Bowl. Antrel Rolle, Vince Wilfork, Andre Johnson, Reggie Wayne, Ray Lewis, Devin Hester, Ed Reed, Jon Beason, Jon Vilma and Brandon Meriweather were selected to play in the annual NFL All-Star game which will be held in Hawaii this year. Andre Johnson will not be playing on Sunday, due to injury and Ed Reed will also not participate because of the death of his brother.

As a sidenote, only one Florida Gator, 1 Notre Dame Fight Irish and zero Florida State Seminoles were selected to the Pro Bowl

Check out the full proCanes Pro Bowl History here dating back to the 1961 Pro Bowl.

OFFENSE
Quarterback-Tom Brady, New England.
Running Backs-Jamaal Charles, Kansas City; Arian Foster, Houston.
Fullback-Vonta Leach, Houston.
Tight End-Jason Witten, Dallas.
Wide Receivers-Roddy White, Atlanta; Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis.
Tackles-Jake Long, Miami; Joe Thomas, Cleveland.
Guards-Logan Mankins, New England; Jahri Evans, New Orleans.
Center-Nick Mangold, New York Jets.
Kicker-Billy Cundiff, Baltimore.
Kick Returner-Devin Hester, Chicago.
---
DEFENSE
Ends-Julius Peppers, Chicago; John Abraham, Atlanta.
Tackles-Haloti Ngata, Baltimore; Ndamukong Suh, Detroit.
Outside Linebackers-Clay Matthews, Green Bay; James Harrison, Pittsburgh.
Inside Linebacker-Patrick Willis, San Francisco; Jerod Mayo, New England.
Cornerbacks-Nnamdi Asomugha, Oakland; Darrelle Revis, New York Jets.
Safeties-Troy Polamalu, Pittsburgh; Ed Reed, Baltimore.
Punter-Shane Lechler, Oakland.
---
SECOND TEAM
OFFENSE
Quarterback-Vacant.
Running Backs-Michael Turner, Atlanta; Adrian Peterson, Minnesota.
Fullback-Ovie Mughelli, Atlanta.
Tight End-Antonio Gates, San Diego.
Wide Receivers-Brandon Lloyd, Denver; Calvin Johnson, Detroit, and Dwayne Bowe, Kansas City (tie).
Tackles-Jason Peters, Philadelphia; Sebastian Vollmer, New England.
Guards-Chris Snee, New York Giants; Carl Nicks, New Orleans.
Center-Maurkice Pouncey, Pittsburgh.
Kicker-David Akers, Philadelphia.
Kick Returner-Leon Washington, Seattle.
---
DEFENSE
Ends-Osi Umenyiora, New York Giants; Justin Tuck, New York Giants.
Tackles-Vince Wilfork, New England; Kyle Williams, Buffalo.
Outside Linebackers-Cameron Wake, Miami; DeMarcus Ware, Dallas.
Inside Linebackers-Brian Urlacher, Chicago; Ray Lewis, Baltimore.
Cornerbacks-Devin McCourty, New England; Charles Woodson, Green Bay.
Safeties-Nick Collins, Green Bay; and Antrel Rolle, New York Giants, Eric Weddle, San Diego, Malcolm Jenkins, New Orleans, Quintin Mikell, Philadelphia, Chris Harris, Chicago, Michael Huff, Oakland, Michael Griffin, Tennessee, and Darren Sharper, New Orleans (tie).
Punter-Mat McBriar, Dallas.



(miamiherald.com)

New York Giants general manager Jerry Reese said he has spoken with Antrel Rolle and Kenny Phillips pertaining to recent comments the two made about Tom Coughlin.

Reese said both safeties did not intend to say anything critical of Coughlin in a recent interview with a Miami radio station.

“Well again, when things go bad and your season doesn’t end like you want it, anything you say can be misconstrued,” Reese said in an interview with YES Network's Kimberly Jones in the upcoming “This Week In Football." “I talked to both of those players. They’re very remorseful about how it was spun. Both said they’re not that kind of people and I believe them, I think they’re both good people.”

While praising the Jets’ playoff run and Rex Ryan’s coaching style, Rolle said Coughlin could loosen up with his coaching style. The safety did go out of his way to say that he and the Giants head coach have a great relationship but he admitted to “not having the fun.”

Phillips, who joined Rolle during the radio interview with Miami’s WQAM, said he still was trying to figure out who Coughlin is outside of his coaching style. He also said that Ryan was the type of coach he and other players would like to play for. Phillips did not intend for his comments to be interpreted as jabs at Coughlin and immediately came out the next day and clarified his remarks.

Rolle, who in his first year with the Giants has been forthcoming in interviews, explained his stance to Reese that he did not mean to criticize Coughlin. Reese said he has spoken to the safety about saying less. Earlier in the season, Rolle questioned the leadership in the locker room and whether the team had too much of a controlled atmosphere.

He later sat down with Coughlin and Rolle was one of several players to defend the head coach at the end of the season when Coughlin’s job status became a hot button topic when the Giants collapsed against the Eagles and were crushed by the Packers with a playoff berth on the line.

“That’s some of the things that he and I talked about,” Reese said of Rolle. “I had a private conversation, but those are some of the things that we talked about… Less is more with the media. Hey, you do more on the field. You leave more on the field. You do your things on the field. You let your plays do the talking… and he said he was 200% in, and I believe him.”

As for his two safeties, Reese said they would likely be talking about something different had they made a few more defensive plays down the stretch. Reese made it clear in his press conference at the end of the season that he was disappointed at times with the amount of “explosive plays on the back end of the defense” allowed last season.

“If we make a couple plays, if Antrel makes a play back there, if Kenny Phillips makes a play back there, we’re not having this conversation,” Reese said. “We’re probably still playing and everybody’s saying, ‘Wow, Tom Coughlin’s got a great formula.’ That’s how it goes. Whoever is winning has the best formula for that year.”

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(espn.com)

The Giants were not happy to hear the borderline comments made by FS Antrel Rolle about head coach Tom Coughlin, even if they were not incendiary. "Honestly, I'm not having the fun I'm used to having," Rolle said after the season. "When you're talking about the coaching side of things, do I feel like things are a little too uptight? Yeah, I do." Rolle then went on to praise Jets head coach Rex Ryan and was joined in near chorus by fellow secondary member, Kenny Phillips. Although Rolle had a good season and the Giants want to continue with him as their starting safety, they were disappointed that Rolle would step outside what they believe to be their inner sanctum with comments to the media. The Giants feel they are extremely close to something special heading into the offseason, coming off a 10-win year with a talented roster, and the last thing they need is for players such as Rolle and Phillips stepping outside Coughlin's design for a tightly knit unit where coaches are not questioned publicly.

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(profootballweekly.com)

Antrel Rolle thinks Tom Coughlin is "too uptight" and wishes his coach were a little more like Jets coach Rex Ryan.

Rolle's teammates, though, wish the mouthy safety would keep his thoughts to himself.

Several Giants told the Daily News Tuesday that they were not pleased with Rolle's latest controversial radio interview, in which he praised Ryan and ripped Coughlin during an appearance on WQAM in Miami on Monday. At least one of his teammates even planned talk to him about it Tuesday.

"I haven't talked to him yet, but it is on my agenda to call Antrel," defensive captain Justin Tuck told the Daily News. "When I do, I will make a statement."

Rolle already made quite a statement when he criticized Coughlin's coaching style and heaped heavy praise on Ryan. He clearly envied the way Ryan relates to and inspires his players and said "that team is going to war for him. They would die for him."

Obviously Rolle doesn't feel as strongly about the Giants' coach.

"Honestly, I'm not having the fun I'm used to having," he said. "Do I feel like things are a little too uptight? Yeah, I do. I feel like if he just loosened up just a little bit - still run the ship the way you want to run it, but let us have a little fun. Because at the end of the day, that's what it's all about."
In fact, Rolle said, that lack of fun is a big reason why the Giants are home while the Jets - a team Rolle thinks isn't as talented as the Giants - are one win away from Super Bowl XLV.

"Do I think (the Jets) are a better team? No, I don't think so at all," Rolle said. "But I think their chemistry might be better than ours. I think that they have a lot more fun than we have. Yeah, we're professional athletes. Yeah we get paid a lot of money to do what we do. But at the end of the day, we're all human. No one is a robot at this level. So we do have feelings. We like to have fun. That's what it is.

"I like (Coughlin)," Rolle added. "I understand what he's trying to do. But he has to understand it's 2011. Things have changed."

This isn't the first time Rolle, who signed a five-year, $36 million contract to play for Coughlin last March, has been critical of the Giants' coach. In a radio interview back in September, he seemed to have the coach in his sights when he said the atmosphere around the Giants was "too controlled."

He got little support from his teammates then, and it appears that he won't be getting any now. Even Jessie Armstead, the former Giants linebacker and current consultant, warned Rolle via Twitter that his Ryan-envy was misguided.

"The grass is not always greener," Armstead tweeted. "Jets are making a good run, but if you open your eyes, we have three Super Bowls."
Armstead's tweet was actually directed at both Rolle and safety Kenny Phillips, who joined Rolle on the radio and said, "I would love to play for a guy like Rex (because) he allows you to be you. He's not asking you to hide. If you're a guy that likes to talk, go out and talk as long as you back it up."

Phillips, though, backed off those comments in an interview with the Daily News Tuesday. He said he didn't mean that as a criticism of Coughlin and was stunned at the outcry over his words.

"I was not trying to throw the Giants organization under the bus," Phillips said. "I was not trying to compare Coach Coughlin to Rex Ryan. The Giants have been great to me. That was just taken the wrong way."

It was hard to take Rolle's words any other way, though.

"(Coughlin) does a lot of things the way they're supposed to be done," Rolle said. "But he's got to understand that we have a great team. We don't have a problematic team. We don't have guys with discipline problems. So we're going to take care of our business on the field. Just let us have a little fun a little bit, man. That's it.”

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(nydailynews.com)

New York Giants Pro Bowl safety Antrel Rolle waited until Week 2 of his first season with the club to go off on his head coach and teammates. You may recall the former Cardinals player complaining that Giants coach Tom Coughlin dropped the team off at the stadium too early in Indianapolis and he questioned the team's leadership skills.

Things eventually calmed down and Rolle seemed to enjoy himself with his new team. He made some ridiculous comments about fans booing the Giants, but for the most part, he became well-liked by his new teammates. But as ESPNNewYork.com's Ohm Youngmisuk points out, Rolle was up to his old tricks while appearing on a radio show in Miami. He thinks Coughlin could stand to loosen up a bit more. You know, like the head coach who shares a home field with the Giants.

"As a person I don't have any problem with Coach Coughlin," Rolle said. "We have a great relationship. When you're talking about the coaching side of things, do I feel like things are a little too uptight? Yeah, I do. I feel like if he just loosened up just a little bit, still run the ship the way you want to run it, still run the program the way you want to run it but let us have a little fun ... because at the end of the day that's what it's all about."

"And people like to talk about Rex Ryan and this that and the other. That team is going to war for him," Rolle added.

Someone needs to plant a bug in Rolle's ear that he's made enough war references for one season. And maybe they could also remind him that it seems like poor form to pine away for the coach of their neighborhood rival. To make matters worse, Giants safety Kenny Phillips followed Rolle's lead and started praising Ryan. (What's said in Miami doesn't stay in Miami.)

"I would love to play for a guy like Rex," Phillips said. "He goes to bat for his players. He'll take the blame, he allows you to be you. He's not asking you to hide. If you're a guy that likes to talk, go out and talk, long as you back it up. Like [Antrel] said, his guys are playing for him and I'd love to be a part of that."

From what I can tell, Rolle and Phillips continued to embarrass themselves throughout the interview. Perhaps the safeties could have a little more "fun" if they weren't allowing Greg Jennings and Jordy Nelson to shred them for big gains during a blowout loss to the Packers.

One of the Giants' biggest issues down the stretch was the back end of the defense. And when general manager Jerry Reese is trying to decide how to address those issues this offseason, something tells me he'll remember those comments from Rolle and Phillips.

Sometimes it's OK to lay low when you've collapsed at the end of the season and blown an opportunity to make the playoffs. Rolle and Phillips apparently missed the memo.

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(espn.com)

“I’m proud of myself. I took on a lot of responsibilities,” Giants safety Antrel Rolle said the other day as he cleaned out his locker and headed toward the offseason. “But my grade sheet a lot of times would come back with five negative plays, six negative plays just because my mind was just wandering. “But through it all, I was always hustling, just trying to get around the ball somehow. And when you hustle to the ball, great things happen sometimes.” In his first season as a Giant, the fifth-year veteran was credited with 87 tackles, the second-highest total of his career. He also had four passes defensed, a game-clinching interception against the Lions, a half-sack, a forced fumble and a bunch of pressures on quarterbacks, notably the Eagles’ Michael Vick.

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(gridironfans.com)

New York Giants safety Antrel Rolle played well enough to earn a Pro Bowl bid this season, but he still has room for improvement. He provided an interesting explanation Monday for how he gave up so many big plays.

"I’m proud of myself. I took on a lot of responsibilities,” the Giants safety said. “But my grade sheet a lot of times would come back with five negative plays, six negative plays just because my mind was just wandering.

"But through it all, I was always hustling, just trying to get around the ball somehow. And when you hustle to the ball, great things happen sometimes."

I'm not sure Tom Coughlin enjoyed reading that quote. Rolle went on to explain that he may have been trying to grasp too many facets of the game plan during games. He played closer to the line of scrimmage than he was used to in Arizona. Overall, you'd have to say he had a solid season. But there were too many moments when he couldn't transition quickly enough to being a pass defender.

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(espn.com)

Giants FS Antrel Rolle admits his "mind was just wandering" often during his first year in New York.

"I think he thinks he could have played better for us," remarked GM Jerry Reese. An undeserving Pro Bowl selection, Rolle finished with one interception and four pass breakups (a low since his rookie year) after signing a five-year, $37M deal last offseason. Pro Football Focus graded Rolle as the 80th best safety in football. Teammate Kenny Phillips was No. 8.

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(rotoworld.com)

Antrel Rolle was asked to do something foreign for the Giants this season. And he did it well. But it might have taken away from the qualities that made him the big free-agent safety the team landed last offseason.

Unlike when he played for the Cardinals and was a ball-hawking hitter in the secondary, the Giants had Rolle playing near the line of scrimmage for most of the season as part of their three-safety sets. He excelled there, especially in games against the Eagles when he was targeting Michael Vick. The problem was that when Rolle went back deep, he often felt out of sync. He had only one interception and just five passes defensed, and in the last two weeks in particular, he found himself in the middle of bad coverage on deep scoring passes.

"I have to get in the mind-set of being able to transform myself from being up as opposed to playing back deep," Rolle said while cleaning out his locker Monday. "I caught myself a couple of times when I was playing deep, things not being as clear as I'm used to them being back there just because I'm playing up so much that I lose focus of the primary things I'm used to targeting."

It would be like learning French as a second language, but losing the ability to speak effective English in the process.

"I took on a lot of responsibilities," Rolle said. "My grade sheet a lot of times would come back with five negative plays, six negative plays, just because my mind was just wandering. But through it all, I always hustled and tried to get around the ball somehow."

General manager Jerry Reese, who signed Rolle last offseason, said he was pleased with how Rolle played in his new position, which was more linebacker than safety. But he also pointed to the "too many explosive plays" as one of the problems on defense. And more than a few of those were because of Rolle.

"That's one of the things that was the most disappointing for me is that we gave up too many plays on the back end of the defense and in this league, you just can't give up explosive plays," Reese said. "A couple of games that gets you beat."

Rolle said he is confident he will rebound in 2011. "I've always been an incliner, I've never been a person to decline," he said. And he added that he will spend time this offseason studying the Giants' defense without the distractions of game plans and opponents to get a more firm grip on the system.

"He did good in that role for us," Reese said of Rolle's play near the line of scrimmage. "But . . . I think he thinks he could have played better for us. I do think he can play better and he thinks he can play better."

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(newsday.com)

The season began with Antrel Rolle saying some unspecified things need to change.

It ended the same way.

“There are a couple of other things that maybe need to be stirred up a little bit,” the Giants’ safety said after Sunday’s victory over the Redskins in his weekly interview with The Star-Ledger and SNY. “But that’s something we need to fix within the organization, which we can fix, which is very fixable. As players, we need to hold ourselves accountable a little bit more, have a little more fight, especially when opportunities present themselves, those big games come up, we get our opportunities to close it out and put yourself in a position to go into the playoffs. But we didn’t capture those.

“It is what it is at this point. But we will be a better team next year.”

Rolle will take an active part in that. Just how active remains to be seen.

Asked if he’ll be the one to “stir things up,” he replied with a laugh, “I don’t know. I don’t want to stir things up too much. But I definitely will hang a responsibility on my part as a teammate and be the best player I can be for the team. And hopefully, it’ll be a domino effect.”

Rolle has just completed the first of five seasons in the contract he signed last May. If he wants things to change so much, perhaps he should figure out this offseason how he could be a team leader.

In fact, he’s already considered it.

“That’s something I’ve thought about on several occasions. I just have to find the right way to approach it and the right way to go about things,” he said. “We’ll see what happens come next season. But my goals are big. My goals are extremely big. And my expectations for this team are even bigger than that.

“We’re the fighting Giants. That’s what we are. We’re going to continue to fight and we’re only going to get better.”

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(nj.com)

The Giants are coming off one of the worst losses in franchise history and yet will clinch a wild card playoff berth if the beat the Packers Sunday in Green Bay.

One of the most outspoken Giants doesn’t merely believe that will happen.

“I don’t think it, I know it,’’ safety Antrel Rolle said. “That’s because that’s what’s going to happen.’’

It sure sounded as if Rolle was guaranteeing that the Giants would get into the playoffs.

“I know it’s going to happen this weekend,’’ Rolle insisted. “I have no doubt. I said it’s going to happen, it’s going to happen.’’

Rolle says the Giants have what takes, despite their incredible meltdown against the Eagles, allowing a 31-10 lead to dissolve in the final 8:17 of what became a 38-31 loss in a battle for the NFC East title.

With the division title realistically gone, the Giants control their destiny in terms of getting into the playoffs.

“It’s either fight or flight and we ain’t running,’’ Rolle said. “We’re here to stay for the long haul and we gonna give it everything we got. If everything we got it not good enough then so be it but I definitely believe that it is.’’

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(nypost.com)

On Sunday, Sal Alosi committed one of the more heinous acts in recent NFL memory, sticking his knee out and tripping Miami cornerback Nolan Carroll during a punt late in the third quarter.

What ensued was a team investigation launched by the Jets in cooperation with the NFL, resulting in Alosi's indefinite suspension from the team.

Carroll did not confront Alosi, and didn't even know it had happened until he was informed by reporters. When he was made aware of what happened, he seemed rather reserved, joking that he wanted part of the inevitable fine Alosi would receive.

But Giants safety Antrel Rolle said he would have done things a little differently.

"Well you know me, I would have taken it straight to the head. We would have definitely been throwing blows on the sideline," Rolle said. "I don't play that. I'm not a nasty player and I don't expect anyone to be nasty to me"

As far as the situation, Rolle said he found it funny -- just not for Alosi and the Jets.

"I know when I was in the Super Bowl, I was like, 'Dang, I should have just tripped (James) Harrison on the sideline,' but that's not something you actually go and do. For him to do that, I honestly don't know what to say about that."

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(nj.com)

The updated Pro Bowl voting is Giants-heavy, for both explainable and inexplicable reasons.

-- Rolle, who signed with the Giants during the offseason, leads all NFC free safeties with 131,136 votes. Green Bay's Nick Collins is second with 118,712. Rolle has been a standout for the Giants this season, including 71 tackles and strong coverage through most the season.

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(nj.com)

Less than a week after he put his foot in his mouth by comparing the Giants being booed by their fans to booing the troops coming home from Iraq, Antrel Rolle worked side-by-side with veterans packing care packages.

“It was great. It was great,” Rolle said. “It was an opportunity, a way to show a small token of our appreciation for what they do for us. Of course we can never put ourselves in their positions, but it always good for them to come home and have welcoming gifts, especially around the holidays.”

Rolle was one of eight Giants players who went to JCPenney’s in Herald Square Tuesday night to help out with “Combat to Career,” sponsored by Joseph Abboud. The players, including Kevin Boss, Corey Webster and Shaun O’Hara, made packages that included things like umbrellas, makeup and shaving kits to help returning veterans transition back into civilian life.

Rolle said he had been scheduled to appear at the event before his comments about the troops last week.

“That didn’t have anything to do with it,” Rolle said. “None.”

In trying to clarify his comments criticizing fans for booing the in the Nov. 27 win over the Jaguars, he compared it to the troops being booed.

“We risk ourselves out there on the field each and every day also. When soldiers come home from Iraq you don’t boo them. I look at it the same way. I take my job seriously.”

Hours later, Rolle clarified his comments.

“Obviously, there is no comparison between the men and women of our military putting their life on the line defending our country and what I do,” Rolle said in a statement issued by the team. “They risk their lives and that gives me the opportunity to play a game for a living.”

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(nydailynews.com)

With two weeks remaining in the voting period, two Giants players are the top vote-getters at their positions as voted by the fans on NFL.com   The winners will get  an opportunity to represent the NFC in Hawaii at the Pro Bowl in January.

Shaun O’Hara, despite only playing in four games this season leads all NFC centers with 149,394 votes.

Antrel Rolle is the frontrunner at free safety in the NFC with 111,510 votes.

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(giantsfootballblog.com)

When fans booed the Giants at halftime following a miserable first-half performance by the home team, Antrel Rolle was less than thrilled.

Rolle, who is in his first season in New York after spending the last five years in Arizona, doesn’t care for boo birds.

"It [ticked] me off," Rolle said when asked about the halftime jeers in his weekly interview with WFAN’s Joe Benigno and Evan Roberts. "It really did. That is something I haven't heard since I have been here."

"You don't boo your team," he continued. "I don't care what happens. You don't boo your team. We are out there playing and pouring our heart out for our team as well as for our fans. You don't boo your team, I don't care what the situation is. We are 7-4. We are not 2-10. There are going to be ups and downs during the course of a season."

As they went to the locker room down 17-6 following a lackluster first half, fans let the Giants hear it. Justin Tuck said after the Giants' 24-20 come-from-behind win that he didn't blame the fans for booing considering how much they pay for their tickets.

Rolle disagreed. When told that sometimes New York fans boo out of love because they want to see their teams play better and know they can perform better, the Giants safety still said there's no place for screaming at the home team. He was also reminded he is no longer in Arizona -- and that New York fans are more demanding.

"I've never heard booing out of love," Rolle said. "If someone slaps me, I've never heard they slap you out of love. If you want to slap me, then you want to slap me."

Rolle says fans need not worry about the Giants, who will give them plenty to cheer about in January and February.

"I want our fans to hang in there with us," Rolle said. "We know we don't give the best of the best show all the time. But we are Giants. We are all as one. Players, coaches, fans, organization, we are one. Because when we go to the big show, as we are going to go this year, and we win that thing, we are going to bring it home. And we are all going to celebrate it as one."

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(espn.com)

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — They were 12 minutes 58 seconds that pivoted the Giants’ season, but safety Antrel Rolle has said all along that he was just speaking his mind.

If a sound bite can turn around a season, Rolle provided it when he criticized the Giants for what he saw as a lack of leadership after a Sept. 19 loss to the Colts. He sent a message — transmitted over radio waves to his coaches, his teammates and thousands of listeners — that reverberated loudly at the Giants’ practice facility in the short time it took to conduct an interview.

“I don’t care what changed the season,” Rolle said last week after practice. “As long as it changed. And as long as we’re heading in the direction we’re heading now, the sky is the limit for us.”

The Giants (6-2), who host the Dallas Cowboys (1-7) on Sunday, have won five of six games since Rolle criticized them on the sports-talk radio station WFAN, their performance improving each time on the field.

The mood of the team has changed decidedly from the dismal end of last season and the frustrating start to this one. The Giants are buoyant and confident. Players joke with one another on the sidelines. The defense has hit its stride under the first-year defensive coordinator Perry Fewell, who gets into the middle of the defense before games and fires up the players like a preacher. The members of the secondary have a dance competition before kickoff.

“I definitely think it was for the better of the team,” Rolle said of his critical comments. “I only did it for the better of the team. Not taking credit for anything, but I think it woke a lot of people up.”

It may have taken an outsider’s perspective to help change the mood surrounding the Giants. After playing five seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, Rolle signed a five-year contract with the Giants in March.

On the field, Rolle has been a valuable component of the secondary, one of the three safeties the Giants deploy simultaneously to confuse opposing offenses. In the locker room, Rolle has also been a noticeable presence.

“He could stand up and speak and people would listen,” Rick Courtright, the Cardinals’ assistant defensive backs coach, said in a telephone interview during training camp. “It’s my belief guys earn the right to do that with their performance on the field. I think his performance and his track record has earned that.”

Last season, the Giants lost 8 of their final 11 games, a tailspin that left some players disgruntled, a defensive coordinator jobless and an owner fuming. Their poor play seemed to carry over into this season. They were not impressive in a Week 1 win over the overmatched Carolina Panthers, but it was a sluggish 38-14 loss to Indianapolis Colts on Sept. 19 that led to Rolle’s comments.

Two days after that loss, Rolle made his weekly appearance on “Joe and Evan,” hosted by Joe Benigno and Evan Roberts. Rolle started the interview by saying the Giants looked flat in Indianapolis. Then Benigno asked if the Giants would be ready for their next game.

“I’m assuming your team will be ready this game, though,” he said. “They won’t be too relaxed before the game. Is that fair to say?”

Rolle replied: “That shouldn’t be the case. I saw some things that I wasn’t too fond of in that locker room. I felt like there was no one that stepped up to the plate when the opportunity presented itself.”

Suddenly, the Giants found themselves in the headlines, and for the wrong reasons.

Rolle did not realize that he had caused a disturbance by sharing his sentiment on the radio until he arrived at the Giants’ practice facility the next day and saw a swarm of reporters around his locker.

“Rolle was from a culture in Arizona that had to learn how to win, and they did it well,” Carl Banks, an All-Pro linebacker who played with the Giants from 1984 to 1992, said in a recent interview. “When he came in and he started to notice some things, he spoke up. And I have no problem with that. And I think none of his teammates had a problem with it. They probably welcomed it.”

Not everyone welcomed it. Coach Tom Coughlin called a meeting with Rolle to address the matter; he asked Rolle what he saw and how things could be improved. Rolle also discussed his statements with Justin Tuck, the soft-spoken defensive end who was elected a captain in September and has been encouraged to take a greater leadership role. The issue for Coughlin and Tuck was not the content of the message, but the manner in which it was delivered.

Still, the Giants’ next game seemed to underscore Rolle’s comments. They beat themselves with sloppy and undisciplined play in a 29-10 loss to the Tennessee Titans, when they had 3 turnovers and were called for 11 penalties. Many players, though, said that game indicated that they had talent, but they needed the focus to match.

“I think that made a huge difference,” cornerback Terrell Thomas said of the week of the Titans game. “I think we just had enough of it.”

The Giants have not lost since. Perhaps the moment most indicative of the change in the team came in their first game against the Cowboys, on Oct. 25. Down by 20-7 in the second quarter, the Giants did not slouch. Tuck paced the sidelines encouraging his teammates, making his presence felt and heard, but without overreacting. The Giants scored 31 unanswered points and won, 41-35.

For his candid contribution to the turnaround, Rolle earned a towel bearing a profane saying that referred to his unvarnished assessment of the team.

After the Giants’ win over the Cowboys three weeks ago, Rolle had another bold statement to make in his subsequent weekly radio appearance.

“We are the best team in the N.F.L.,” Rolle said. “And that’s hands down.”

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(nytimes.com)

Giants safety Antrel Rolle said no one on the Giants sideline, including the coaching staff, was ruffled by an early deficit to the Cowboys.

A few weeks ago, Antrel Rolle was dismayed by what he saw from the Giants’ “so-called leaders hanging their heads” before the blowout loss to the Colts was over.

It was assumed, rightfully, Rolle was talking about the leaders in the locker room. But after the victory over the Cowboys, Rolle said the “coaching staff showed me a lot” by not getting “down” in the face of a 10-0 deficit.

It appears Rolle expected more from the coaches earlier in the season as far as encouragement, and that he’s finally getting what he wants from them.

“It works hand-in-hand – players, coaches, everyone,” the Giants’ safety said Wednesday. “We were down by a large margin in the early part of the game. Things weren’t going the way, obviously, we wanted to go. No one panicked, the coaches didn’t panic, there wasn’t any screaming or shouting on the sideline. It was kind of, ‘Okay, we’re in a hole, we know how to dig ourselves out. Let’s go play ball.’

“When you see that as a player, it gives you a boost of confidence to understand these guys have trust in us to go out there and do what we need to do, so lets go out there and show them we’re going to get it done.”

As I noted in my game review, the ESPN cameras caught a shot of Tom Coughlin after the first touchdown. Reading Coughlin’s lips, it was clear he asked someone in his headset, “Who had the flat?”

Coughlin didn’t yell. He didn’t flail his arms. He just tried to gather the information to address the issue. Rolle agreed the entire coaching staff showed such poise under fire and has done so even during the week.

“That’s something that carries over in practice. No one’s going to be perfect on each and every play,” Rolle said. “Sometimes guys are going to bust (big plays), sometimes there’s going to be some missed assignments. But it’s how you can make that adjustment. Is he going to bust again? You can’t have the same repeated mistakes.

“The thing is they understand we’re a veteran unit. We work together and work hand-in-hand with the coaches. They understand if they tell us something we’re going to do our best to get it done.”

* * * *
Rolle said Tuesday in his weekly interview on WFAN he believes the Giants are the best team in the NFL right now.

"I say what I feel," Rolle said. "It might not have been the political thing to say, but I don't care. I just feel that we're a great unit, we're a very worthy opponent and I think we're working great as a team and we're playing great team ball. Monday was a great display. Being down from that margin, honestly I don't know how many teams I've been on that would have come out of the game the way we did, scoring 31 unanswered points. It was great looking at it from my standpoint, so I can only imagine what the outsiders felt."

* * * *
On another note, Rolle said something Wednesday I haven’t heard a Giants defensive player say since at least the early part of the 2008 season: “The communication on the field is excellent.”

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(nj.com)

Antrel Rolle is so confident in what’s going on with the alone-in-first-place Giants that Tuesday on his weekly WFAN radio spot he said, “I don’t think, I know it, we are the best team in the NFC. Hey, we are the best team in the NFL and that’s hands down.’’

Funny how four-game winning streaks prompt players to make such proclamations. Rolle wasn’t operating on much sleep after the return flight home from Dallas after Monday night’s wild 41-35 victory over the Cowboys but he certainly sounded clear-headed as he lauded his own team and did not back away from making strong and bold statements.

“Our defense is the best defense in the business, no doubt about it,’’ Rolle added.

Time will tell if Rolle is accurate in his assessments, but there’s no doubt the Giants are on a roll entering their bye week. At 5-2, they are a game ahead of the Eagles and Redskins (both 4-3) in the NFC East and buried the Cowboys (1-5) not only by beating them but also beating them up, putting Tony Romo out at least 6-8 weeks with a fractured left collarbone.

As a reward for the Giants' turnaround from a 1-2 start, Tom Coughlin is taking it easy on his team this week. Players are off Tuesday, come in for meetings Wednesday, then are off by the afternoon for the remainder of the week until a workout next Monday.

Click here to order Antrel Rolle’s proCane Rookie Card.



(nypost.com)

In addition to UM CB Antrel Rolle speaking to the team Tuesday, Shannon said two more former ‘Canes — OL Eric Winston and LB Darrin Smith – talked to the team Friday. Shannon said he didn’t ask Rolle and Winston to come by. They did so on their own to provide motivation. 

“I don’t know what happened in the team meeting, but I think Antrel might have told them, ‘Coach wants to have fun. He’s always been a coach that’s had fun with his players,’” Shannon said, adding that Rolle wasn’t a part of the actual players-only meeting. “‘The things he has demanded of you is nothing different than what he demanded of the defense when he was defensive coordinator.’”

Shannon said he thinks it was only the first or second players-only meeting since his first season as coach in 2007.

“I don’t know what happened in that team meeting,” he said. “Whatever they said, they didn’t tell me.”

Rolle’s discussion was separate, Shannon said, from a Tuesday team meeting called by cornerback Brandon Harris, linebacker Sean Spence and safety Vaughn Telemaque to bond and fire up their teammates.

``Sometimes you get in that spot and you get wrapped up in trying to do everything and you forget how much fun it is,'' former UM tackle Eric Winston said Sunday, a day after attending the UM game during his off week with the Houston Texans.

Winston visited Shannon in Coral Gables during the Hurricanes' walk-through Friday.

``Randy and I were talking and I told him to smile,'' Winston said. ``He kind of laughed. I think he probably realizes it, too. This thing is fun. There aren't that many people who get to coach their alma mater, and I know it means the world to him.''

Shannon said Sunday that, indeed, his ``guys played with a lot of emotion, a lot of enthusiasm. They had fun. This is a team that is creating its own identity.''

Click here to order Antrel Rolle’s, Darrin Smith’s or Eric Winston’s proCane Rookie Card.



(miamiherald.com & sun-sentinel.com)

Q: How about the physicality as far as the Dallas receivers? They're big, strong, fast.  Because of that, do you have to be more conscious of wrapping them up?
A: I mean you've got to play football at the end of the day. It doesn't matter how big, how short, how tall - it doesn't matter. You can't play each guy the same way. You have to be more physical with these guys being that they're physical specimens. So we're just going into the game plan playing effective football, same football we play each and every week. 

Q: Do you look at this game as an opportunity to do damage to their season and put them in your rearview mirror?
A: We're not really worried about damaging their season. We're just only worried about getting better as a Giants team, prolonging our season and being as effective as we can be as a unit. 

Q: Do you have a thing in your head as far as the tackling issue?
A: Not at all. It's not going to affect my play one way or another. I've never had any concussions or worried about it before because that's not something that happens intentionally. If it happens, then it happens. But I'm going in playing my game and I'm going to continue to try to be the best I can be. 

Q: Tom said he was going to talk about that with the team today. Did you do that yet?
A: No, not yet. We're going to watch that this afternoon. 

Q: When you have to play a team like the Cowboys who are very good but now they're playing for their lives, do you feel like this is a do-or-die type thing?
A: In my eyes, everyone is in a must-win situation each and every time you take the field come Sunday. It doesn't affect my play one way or another. We're going in expecting a battle. Dallas is a great team, and we're very aware of the talent they have on both sides of the ball. So we're definitely looking for a battle come Monday and we're going to play our "A" game and that's that. 

Q: But it doesn't make them any more dangerous?
A: No. Not on our behalf. We don't worry about that. We just worry about playing the best that we can play as Giants, and whether it makes them more dangerous or not, who's to say? But we can't concern ourselves with them having their backs against the wall and them having something to prove. 

Q: The defensive line has done a great job of getting to the quarterback this year. As that continues, do offenses change what they do? Do they throw more screens?
A: They might try to rely on getting the ball out quicker, knowing that our guys up front are getting to the quarterback extremely fast. So it depends on the scheme. It depends on the scheme. They might have something to play - they might revert to the screen. They might revert to the quick game. But who's to say, I mean we don't know what they're going to do yet. We only have what we see on film.

Click here to order Antrel Rolle’s proCane Rookie Card.



(sportspagemagazine.com)

The NFL is ready to crack down on dangerous helmet-to-helmet hits. But Antrel Rolle thinks that's "absolutely ridiculous."

Rolle, the Giants' 27-year old safety who has already amassed more than $30,000 in fines in his six-year career, said the NFL is already doing more than enough to protect offensive players during his weekly interview Monday afternoon on WFAN. Anything more, he said, will result in "a very, very tentative" game, which he obviously doesn't want.

"This is the game of football," Rolle said. "This is a game of speed. This is a game of power. This is a game of physical guys going to battle. Once you start saying to guys 'You'll get suspended for a game,' that's when you're going to get a very, very tentative football game.

"And you know, it's fine for the offensive players but I'm on the defensive side of the ball. So are you telling me that now I have to slow down? I think we're already being cautious of what we're doing and how we're attacking the ball or how we're trying to make a tackle. I think that's absolutely ridiculous because under any circumstances you can't just absolutely have control over your body when you're pursuing a tackle."

The NFL obviously disagrees since, for the second straight day, NFL Vice President Ray Anderson spoke out on the epidemic of helmet-to-helmet hits that left several players with concussions and other injuries on Sunday. After reviewing the carnage, he promised again that suspensions and heftier fines are coming.

And, in an earlier interview on ESPN Radio, he made it clear that he's already heard the concerns Rolle expressed and he absolutely doesn't agree.

"We get the pushback all the time that, 'What's a defender to do?'" Anderson said. "Well, we, in these situations, have to say the defender has to adjust his target area. The player has to wrap up. He has to do the things more fundamentally that we used to do when we used to tackle back in the day. We would like them to do more of that."

Rolle, however, said that suspensions would be unfair because it would imply the dangerous hits were intentional when "A lot of times it's receivers or offensive guys that maybe are ducking their head or maybe they're running up high. Who's to say what? No one is at fault. Nothing's intentional.

"You suspend someone for doing wrong, or misbehavior, or things of that nature," Rolle added. "But now you're just suspending people for playing the game. And like I said, No one tries to hurt anyone, but sometimes in the game of football it's going to happen."

Rolle should know. The safety, who signed a five-year, $37 million contract with the Giants during the offseason was fined $7,500 this summer for "unnecessarily striking a defenseless receiver" when he illegally hit Ravens receiver Mark Clayton in a preseason game. Last season, when he was with the Cardinals, he got the same fine for a brutal, helmet-to-helmet shot on Giants tight end Kevin Boss. He also has a $12,500 fine for a facemask tackle in 2006 and a $5,000 fine for a horsecollar tackle in that same season on his resume.

Regardless of anyone's intent, though, Anderson made it clear that the NFL needs to be on the side of protecting players. 

"With the seriousness of the head and neck trauma and concussions generally," he said, "we've got a responsibility to just make sure that players understand and adapt."

"We will take all the criticism and all the backlash against those that say we are acting too aggressively in this regard," Anderson added. "We are not going to be apologetic. We are not going to be defensive about it. We are going to protect our players and hopefully players at the lower levels as well by example."

Click here to order Antrel Rolle’s proCane Rookie Card.



(nydailynews.com)

Antrel Rolle spoke to Michael Irvin on his radio show on WQAM yesterday and said that he would head down to Miami today and talk to the current crop of Hurricanes and try and help motivate them to finish off the season with an ACC Championship. You can also listen to interviews with proCanes Dan Morgan, Lamar Thomas and Bernie Kosar. Click here to listen to the interviews.



(wqam.com)

Antrel Rolle's hybrid position in the Giants defense is still too new to have an intimidating nickname just yet.

But it might only be a matter of time.

If the veteran defensive back plays like he did the past two weeks, then it won't be long before Rolle's refashioned spot earns one of those ominous monikers usually reserved for pass rushers like Jason Taylor, Charles Haley and the late Derrick Thomas.

While Thomas terrified quarterbacks as "The Falcon" in Kansas City, Haley was "The Elephant" for San Francisco and Taylor simply "Jack" -- as in jack of all trades -- with Miami.

For now, Rolle is content to be known merely as "producer" in New York.

"The nicknames will take care of themselves," Rolle said yesterday as the surging Giants prepared to take on the hapless Lions this weekend at New Meadowlands Stadium.

Rolle, a former Pro Bowl safety and cornerback for the Cardinals until Big Blue lured him away in free agency, technically was listed as a free safety the past two games.

But with new defensive coordinator Perry Fewell reacting to linebacker injuries and an abundance of talent in the secondary by using three safeties, Rolle was all over the field in successive wins over the Bears and Texans.

Last week's rout of Houston, in particular, showed what the 6-foot, 208-pound Rolle can do when he drops down to defend the run. He finished with a team-high six tackles, including five solo, as the Giants limited the Texans' top-rated rushing attack to just 24 yards in 15 carries.

As a result of that strategy shift the week of the Bears game, Big Blue go into Sunday's contest with Detroit boasting the NFL's top-rated defense, including ninth against the run.

"It's a combination of what Antrel did as a corner and a little bit as a safety, but it's also a new frontier for him," Fewell said yesterday. "We're exploiting his talent. We're taking advantage of all the little things he can do from a [cornerback] standpoint, as well as a from physical safety standpoint."

Though Rolle wasn't con sidered a big hitter in his five seasons with the Cardi nals, the added physicality of the new role didn't scare him off when Fewell first unveiled it against Chicago.

It did amuse Rolle, though.

"I didn't know I was such a big guy to stop all these running backs and offensive linemen pull ing," he said with a laugh. "I've never had to worry about being physi cal, though, and it's good thing be cause I'm giving the coaches flexibility to do what they want to do."

Poor safety play was considered one of the biggest reasons for the Giants' 2009 meltdown, which is why they loaded up on veterans at that position in Rolle and Deon Grant while hoping Kenny Phillips could make it back from left microfracture surgery.

Rolle's ability to play what amounts to a linebacker position -- and play it well -- is letting Fewell maximize the Giants' talent without having to worry about it fitting a scheme.

"We haven't given [Rolle's position] a name yet," Fewell said. "We're just trying to use him in a creative way, and he's responded."

Click here to order Antrel Rolle’s proCane Rookie Card.



(nypost.com)

When Antrel Rolle made tackles with the Cardinals, they were down the field at the end of long runs, screen passes or receptions made in his area.

Through five games with the Giants, Rolle has been credited with making 31 stops, many of them down low near the line of scrimmage — tackles that mean something, tackles that stop a play before it gets going.

“Tackles that have my neck sore today,” the Giants safety said on Monday, one day after the Giants’ 34-10 victory over the Texans. “But I’ll take it. As long as I see a ‘W’ at the end of the day, I’m all for it.”

A former cornerback at the University of Miami and through his first three seasons in Arizona, Rolle made the move to safety before the 2008 season. Last year, he recorded four interceptions and several big hits on receivers making catches in his area. He had one of each against the Giants — an interception to secure Arizona’s victory and a huge hit on Kevin Boss — in Week 7.

But Rolle has never played as much down low as the eighth man “in the box” as he has with the Giants, who have put him near the line against run-heavy teams.

The Colts (160 yards on 43 attempts) surprised the Giants with their run attack; the Texans didn’t, and Rolle was there to help contain the previously top-ranked rush offense to just 24 yards on 15 carries by making tackles on cutback runs by Arian Foster.

“That’s a part of the scheme,” coach Tom Coughlin said. “The ball (carrier cuts) all the way back, and there is Antrel to make the tackle and still keep it at a very short gain.”

In the second quarter, Foster appeared to have room on a cutback to the right side after the offensive line got a decent push. But Rolle made the stop for a gain of only 3 yards. A few plays later, he dodged fullback Vonta Leach to contain a counter play that gained only 1 yard. And one more time, he was there to eat up Foster on a cutback when he seemed to have plenty of space. Later, Rolle made a stop on a pitch to Steve Slaton.

Even when he didn’t make the tackle, Rolle was a factor. On the first play of the Texans’ third drive, he timed his blitz perfectly, ate up a blocker and cleared a path for Jonathan Goff to make a stop in the backfield.

“He has that ability to read run-pass so well early in the down,” defensive end Justin Tuck said, “that we feel comfortable bringing him in the box.”

Said Rolle, “I enjoy playing football. I don’t care what it is. You could put me in the box all day every day. I might not be so happy at the end of the season when I see zero picks. But if I see zero picks, 14 wins and a Super Bowl, I’ll take that over picks any day.”

By an unofficial count, Rolle has been targeted on only seven passes by opponents this season. Still, he claims he thinks, “Let’s get it,” when presented with a game plan that requires plenty of run support instead of pass coverage.

“The interceptions, I’m really not worried about that,” Rolle said. “If it happens, it happens. ... If they tell me to go out there and play nose tackle, I’ll play nose tackle.

“I don’t care where I am on the field. I just try to be the best at that position.”

Click here to order Antrel Rolle’s proCane Rookie Card.



(nj.com)

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Antrel Rolle says when the New York Giants finally come together and everything starts to click, it will be something everybody will see right away.

As Phil Collins says, you'll will feel it in the air.

"You will see it," Rolle said. "We will feel it as an organization, as a team. You all will see it in the stands, you all will see it as reporters. It is not something that will go across the skyline, 'Giants are united, they are together.' [But] you all will feel it just as well as we will feel it."

The Giants say it's only a matter of time before they will put it all together. But they can't wait much longer. Riding a two-game losing skid into Week 4, the Giants have to find a way to beat the undefeated Chicago Bears (3-0) on Sunday night at home before traveling to Houston.

The Giants (1-2) don't start their journey through the NFC East gauntlet until Week 7, when they visit the Cowboys on "Monday Night Football." Well before that, the Giants must figure out their identity, what kind of team they want to be -- and who will lead the way.

Rolle stepped up and sounded the alarm last week when he wondered about the lack of leadership in the locker room and the "controlled" atmosphere around the organization.

He has since talked to both head coach Tom Coughlin and defensive captain Justin Tuck about his comments and he says the team took positive steps last week toward erasing the concerns he has.

None of that showed on Sunday when the Giants suffered a mental collapse and were flagged for 11 penalties, including five personal fouls after the whistle was blown. There were two critical turnovers inside the 5-yard-line and the Giants looked disgraceful at times during a home loss to Tennessee.

Coughlin said he has gotten some good vibes from his team this week.

"It's a good group of people," Coughlin said. "I think that we have to come together a little bit more. We do have some new additions to our team. I think we continue to preach 'team.' We are determined. We have great resolve."

Rolle is one of the new guys. He was also one of the Giants whistled for a personal foul after he retaliated for being hit in the facemask by hitting a Titan in the helmet.

Rolle and the Giants were embarrassed by their loss of composure. Players say they are focused on turning things around after last Sunday's frustrating loss.

"Whatever it takes," Rolle said of what it will take to fix the Giants. "If something is going to get done, it is not going to be anything that the outside world is going to know about, it is something that is going to take place in this locker room. Something will get done and eventually it will take place."

And when it does finally take place, Rolle says everybody will see it -- and feel it.

Click here to order Antrel Rolle’s proCane Rookie Card.



(espn.com)

Turquoise dominates nearly every room of Antrel Rolle’s 2,000-square-foot apartment on the North Bergen waterfront.

Turquoise rugs, turquoise pillows, turquoise artwork, napkins, sheets and goblets. Even the tray for the remote controls is turquoise.

“He told them he wanted turquoise,” his mother, Armelia, said as she entered her son’s refreshingly muted-toned office. “But not this much.”

Armelia Rolle has hired a new interior decorator who has laid out patterns for wallpaper and accessories — none of them turquoise.

“These pillows have to go,” Armelia says before tossing them aside so she can sit on the office couch. “He wants modern. These are old-fashioned.”

Perhaps it shouldn’t be surprising this “bachelor pad,” as Antrel’s father, Al, has dubbed it, is getting an early makeover a half-year after it was first decorated. The Rolles are a decisive, sometimes feisty bunch. When they see something that could improve, they work to fix it.

Such was the case last week with Antrel, a Giants safety for not much longer than he’s owned his apartment. After an embarrassing loss to the Colts last Sunday night, Rolle perceived a lack of fight, leadership and energy from his coaches and teammates. Only two games into his Giants career, Rolle saw ominous signs of a situation opposite of the one for which he signed up.

He tried to fix it by airing his concerns during a radio interview.

Five controversy-filled days later, Rolle has decried his own methods but stuck by his message — in true family form.

“I’m just a fighter, my dad was a fighter, the Rolles are fighters,” said Al Rolle, who persevered through staunch opposition to become the first African-American police chief and captain in the history of Homestead, Fla. “Not in a negative way; we fight in a positive way.”

Antrel Rolle’s first fight was nearly his last.

It came when he was 2 years old. His grandfather, who maintained a grove near his house, filled a Sprite can with paraquat (an herbicide used to kill weeds) and gave it to his son to use around the house. Al planned to put the can out of reach of his children but was sidetracked when Armelia called.

Just home from day care, Antrel took a sip. His older brother, Antuan, noticed the black substance on his lips and knocked the can away. Still, the youngest of the Rolle’s four children passed out within minutes. Doctors pumped clay into Antrel’s body to absorb the poison while telling his parents they might want to talk to a priest.

Thanks to Antuan’s quick reaction and five days in intensive care, Antrel survived. The burns in his mouth hampered his ability to eat for quite some time, but otherwise he was unaffected and doesn’t remember the incident.

Within years, he was an active, rambunctious young boy who often got into trouble in school for acting up. His parents punished him by temporarily pulling him from football, track, karate and other activities.

“He’s always been a clown, he loves fun,” Armelia said. “That’s why he can’t stand what’s happening there (with the Giants). It’s no fun.”
On the day of Antrel’s free-agent visit with the Giants, Armelia was unable to reach him by phone. She was in contact with his agent Drew Rosenhaus and wanted to relay contract information to her son. Just last week, Antrel finally asked his mother what his base salary is for this season.

More than money, more than having fun, Rolle wants to win.

“I can understand his intensity in thinking someone’s not putting all out,” Don Drinkhahn, Rolle’s coach at South Dade High School, said by phone. “It’s difficult for him to see people that have the opportunity those people have, not putting forth a great effort.”

Or, for that matter, anyone who has the opportunity to play football.

Drinkhahn, who retired in 2007, recalls seeing Rolle, then in college or the NFL, encouraging his players. Rolle even delivered a few pregame and halftime speeches, once helping his alma mater overcome a halftime deficit to defeat a rival.

“We don’t bow down,” Rolle recalled telling the players. “When we’re down, we get up and fight hard.”

Drinkhahn said Rolle was always an intense player but often relied on his athleticism while in high school. It wasn’t until he arrived at the University of Miami that his competitive nature soared. Even his current teammates who aren’t former Hurricanes believe the spirited environment at “The U” was a big factor in Rolle’s development.

Armelia said her son told then-defensive coordinator Randy Shannon he should start early in his career. When Shannon declined, Antrel replied, “Well, then you’ll have 12 men on the field.”

Al told Antrel he needed to earn that starting job by playing “like a wild man.” Rolle did in the next practice and became a starter after returning an interception for a touchdown. Soon, he was passing on his father’s advice.

“In the locker room — the complaining and moaning of guys who wanted more playing time or the ball — he pretty much put a stop to it,” said former Miami coach Larry Coker, now the coach at Texas-San Antonio. “ ‘If you have issues, let’s go to coach and we’ll talk about them.’ ”
Rolle, 27, should have heeded his own advice last week, former Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce said.

“I never did that because it’s not going to get fixed that way,” Pierce said by phone. “All I was going to do was get a call from Coach Coughlin to go upstairs, and I knew that. ... You don’t go about it that way.”

Still, Pierce can sense from afar the lack of fire in the Giants’ defense that has been missing since he suffered a career-ending neck injury midway through last season. Pierce respects Justin Tuck and believes he can lead in his own way, but he knows Rolle can be a passionate presence.

“He has the swagger that defense needs,” said Pierce, who has twice spoken to Rolle about being a leader with the Giants since he signed in March. “He’s so worried about he’s the new guy there and he can’t really be vocal or step up to guys. That’s not the case. That’s a young defense and they can easily be persuaded by a guy of his caliber coming in.”

Veteran safety Deon Grant said Rolle has been vocal behind closed doors and will often stop a meeting of the entire defense if he hears them install a call or coverage he doesn’t like.

“He does it out of respect,” Grant said. “But he also does it to let the coach know he’s not about to put himself in a position to lose.”

Rolle heard about how his parents sometimes didn’t have enough money to put gas in the car, about the time they lost out on a house when they arrived at the closing without the $800 they didn’t realize they needed. He was 16 when he watched his father refuse to flinch as he was told Homestead wasn’t ready for a black police chief, only to finally get the job after the community rallied for him.

So after the game plan against Indy kept him from roaming the way he believed the Giants would let him, after his teammates seemed to accept losing, after he gave team leaders a chance to speak up, he bubbled over.

“By being in the house and hearing us say things, how we handle things, how we make adjustments,” Al said, “he probably thought, ‘If it was Mom and Dad, would they let it go on or would they stop me right now if I did something wrong in school?’”

Al and Armelia did not condone their son’s public venting last week, but they understand. And they’re quick to remind those who label their son a malcontent that he never complained about being demoted with the Cardinals, who moved him to safety.

“If he was a whiner, he would have whined about that,” Armelia said. “He’s a strong-willed person, and when he’s convinced and feels strongly about something, he’ll do something about it.

“And if he didn’t feel it was detrimental to the team, you never would have heard a word.”

Click here to order Antrel Rolle’s proCane Rookie Card.



(nj.com)

In an interview on WFAN this afternoon, Giants safety Antrel Rolle vented about plenty of things, including the game plan against the Colts, his teammates’ energy, his own energy and even the logistics of the team’s schedule for a road trip.

All of the above were criticisms he either couched or ones that were outright questionable. But there was one topic on which Rolle was very clear and very critical without hedging his bets. It was about the lack of leadership in the Giants’ locker room. It came in response to a question about whether the team will be lackadaisical this Sunday against the Titans.

“That definitely shouldn’t be the case,” Rolle said before looking back at the loss to Indy by saying, “I saw some things I wasn’t too fond of in that locker room. I felt like there was no one that stepped up to the plate when the opportunity presented itself.”

All summer long, we talked about Justin Tuck being the leader the team has been lacking since the loss of Antonio Pierce midway through last season. Tuck said the coaching staff and a few of his current and former teammates (Michael Strahan being one) have spoken with him about becoming more of a vocal leader.

Rolle didn’t mention Tuck by name, nor did he point out any other teammate. But he clearly identified some players in his own mind as leaders who didn’t speak up.

“I don’t take anything away from any player. I love my teammates, my teammates are great, they’re warriors,” Rolle said. “But I felt like, in a situation like that, something should have been done to a higher extent. I don’t feel like there was enough done at all taking place in that game, especially a game of that magnitude.”

Rolle, who in March signed a five-year, $37-million deal as a free agent, also pointed toward the coaching staff as not providing any direction.
“I definitely see things. I see little things here and there, and it’s not all with the players,” he said. “There are a lot of other things that go on behind closed doors that a lot of people don’t know about. It’s not all about the players sometimes. Things have to change.

“If you want a winning team that has a competitive attitude and to have that dog mentality, sometimes you have to let that team be a dog. Everything can’t be controlled and right now everything is controlled within this organization, everything is controlled.”

* * * *
Unfortunately, the above is where the interview ended. There were no follow-up questions about what specifically needs to change, what’s going on behind closed doors, why the “dog” isn’t being unleashed or what’s being controlled that shouldn’t be controlled. Those questions will certainly be asked of Rolle later this week.

However, earlier in the interview, Rolle indicated he wasn’t too fond of the way the Giants handle the schedule for a road night game. He believes the team arrived too early in Indianapolis (about 3 p.m., he said) for a game the following night and that there was too much sitting around at the hotel and the stadium.

“I just felt like we had too much down time doing nothing and just relaxing,” Rolle said. “I really felt like that carried over to the game.”

To which I present this point: under Tom Coughlin, the Giants are 7-7 in road night games. Not a bad record at all. And frankly, the NFC Championship game in Green Bay, which kicked off at 6:30 p.m., was pretty much a night game as well. So make that 8-7.

And the Super Bowl was also played at night, though the team was there for a week, so I’m not sure that counts. But if you want to include it, go ahead and make that record 9-7. After all, it shows the coach’s ability to handle the logistics of a difficult road schedule. And heck, if that’s the case, why not toss in the London game against the Dolphins, which was also played in the early evening? So make it 10-7, then.

In short, a lot of the “controlled” stuff that Coughlin does that drives the players nuts is also what makes them a competitive team. So I don’t put too much stock into their arriving four hours earlier than Rolle would like. Not at all. And getting to the stadium early should be a good thing; I know I get cabin fever when I sit in a hotel room the day of a night game … and I’m not even playing.

2:12 p.m. UPDATE I originally counted victories over the Falcons in 2006 and 2007 both as night games. Just realized the one in '06 was a 1 p.m. game. The records above have been adjusted to reflect that change. Sorry about that. Still impressive numbers for Coughlin's teams.

* * * *
As for Rolle’s other concerns about the team, he noted his issues with the game plan. But at the same time, he said the coaches still put the players in position to make plays. It sounded like standard frustration about a plan and the execution of said plan that didn’t work.

And Rolle certainly isn’t the first one to criticize the plan. As I noted a little while ago, the decisions to dress only two DTs and play the safeties up high the entire first half were both questionable.

Click here to order Antrel Rolle’s proCane Rookie Card.



(nj.com)

Want to know how badly former Miami players want revenge on Ohio State for the loss in the 2003 National Championship Game?

Each time they went to work out at Miami this summer, they told the younger players how much they wanted the game back. Cornerback Brandon Harris recalled Andre Johnson, Jonathan Vilma and Ed Reed all talking revenge. Olivier Vernon says he feels like he played in the game because he has been told so much about it.

Giants safety Antrel Rolle played in that game. ESPNNewYork.com Giants writer Ohm Youngmisuk caught up with him Wednesday and asked for his thoughts on getting revenge.

Ohm Youngmisuk: Is this a revenge game for the Canes?
Antrel Rolle: Hell yeah. Hell yeah it is a revenge game for the Hurricanes. Absolutely it is a revenge game and we are definitely going to go out there and bust their ass.

OY: How much did the loss stick with you afterward?
AR: It is something you will never forget. It will stick with me for the rest of my life until we meet them again for the national title and reclaim that victory, then it is going to stick with me until then.

OY: What do you think of the pass interference call at the end of the game?
AR: It was definitely a BS call. It was obvious to everyone watching the game but that is why you have to take it out of the hands of the refs.

OY: How much do these current Canes know what you guys went through?
AR: They might be aware but they will never understand or feel what we went through. So they can go in and play with a chip on their shoulder representing the older Canes that went through it, but this is for them to go out there and play for their season, not to worry about revenge or anything else, go out there and establish who they are.

Click here to order Antrel Rolle’s proCane Rookie Card.



(espn.com)

Antrel Rolle's crushing hit on Ravens wide receiver Mark Clayton last week delivered a blow to the New York Giants safety's paycheck.

The NFL fined Rolle $7,500 on Friday.

Rolle's hit to Clayton's head came in Saturday's preseason game at M&T Bank Stadium and gave Clayton a concussion. Rolle was penalized for hitting a defenseless receiver, since the ball had already sailed past Clayton. That was a point of emphasis in the offseason.

A few days later, Clayton said Rolle shouldn't be fined. "It's football, stuff like that happens," Clayton said earlier in the week.

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(baltimoresun.com)

Ravens wide-out Mark Clayton said Giants safety Antrel Rolle should not be fined for the concussion-enducing hit Rolle delivered in Saturday night's preseason game.

"It's football, stuff like that happens," Clayton said Monday.

Rolle called Clayton on Sunday, apparently to apologize for the second-quarter hit that drew a personal foul penalty and gave the Ravens a first down. On the next play, Rolle was flagged for illegal contact as Todd Heap made a 13-yard touchdown catch.

"[Rolle] said, 'Man, I kind of knocked myself out a little bit,'" Clayton said. "He asked if I was OK, and I asked if he was OK."

Rolle was called for hitting a defenseless receiver, since the ball had already sailed past Clayton. That was a point of emphasis in the offseason, and the reason Rolle might be fined.

It seems very unlikely Clayton would play in the preseason finale in St. Louis on Thursday, but he says he'll be fine for the season opener on Sept.13 against the Jets. He said his neck was "pretty sore," but he felt fine otherwise.

Clayton said he was having a "conversation" with himself after the hit and decided to take his time getting up.

"I was saying, 'Man, I can't believe he hit me like that,' because I saw him coming and I was like, 'Man, he's going to hit me,' and then I was like, 'Dang, he hit me.' After that, I'm like, 'Yeah, take your time getting up, because when you get up, there'll be a rush [of blood] to the head.'"

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(baltimoresun.com)

Five months ago, UM's website called Nevin Shapiro ``an ardent, devoted, intense supporter.'' A student lounge was named in his honor.
Now, facing years in prison for allegedly running a Ponzi scheme, Shapiro is writing a book about the UM football program in which he alleges former Canes players committed NCAA violations, said his attorney, Maria Elena Perez. Perez said Shapiro told the federal government about the violations, which are alleged to be major, but it did not investigate because ``that's not their area.''

Shapiro, who lived in a posh Miami Beach home before his April arrest, said from a New Jersey jail that he will not detail the allegations until the book is published; he's aiming for December. He wrote a first draft and will seek a publisher. The title: The Real U: 2001 to 2010. Inside the Eye of the Hurricane.

UM's website said Shapiro, who had a suite at games, contributed $150,000 to the athletic program; prosecutors allege he used ``stolen funds'' for that. Shapiro said he donated $300,000 to UM, and that $130,000 was returned to the bankruptcy trustee.

Shapiro has said he was close with Jon Beason, Devin Hester, Antrel Rolle, Randy Phillips, Robert Marve, Kyle Wright and others when they played at UM, plus former UM assistant coach/recruiting coordinator Clint Hurtt, now at Louisville.

``This will be a tell-all book from a fan and booster perspective,'' said Shapiro, who did not attend UM. But why write a book that will hurt UM?
``I want to make the average fan aware of what really exists under that uniform,'' he said. ``They might be great players, but they're certainly not great people. I'm speaking of no less than 100 former players.''

Shapiro, 41, is angry because ``once the players became pros, they turned their back on me. It made me feel like a used friend.'' He was motivated by ``heartbreak and disappointment on behalf of the university, which I considered to be an extended part of my family.''

He said the heartbreak was caused by ``former players mostly'' and ``some administrative staff and coaches. I've always had the utmost respect for Donna Shalala, Kirby Hocutt and Paul Dee.''

Shapiro will use book profits to pay back investors in the alleged Ponzi scheme but cannot keep any for himself, Perez said.

Some players call Shapiro ``Little Luke'' after Luther Campbell, who years ago gave cash to UM players for big hits.

When he specifies the allegations, the NCAA will decide whether to investigate. Asked if the NCAA investigates claims by people in jail, spokesperson Stacey Osburn said, ``When reasonably reliable information has been obtained indicating intentional violations may have occurred, the enforcement staff will undertake a review of the information in order to determine the credibility.'' Factors considered include ``how they know the reported facts and what their potential motivation may be,'' among others. UM's Hocutt declined to comment.

Perez said Shapiro will accept a plea deal on money laundering and security fraud charges and will go to prison for an undetermined time. Prosecutors said Shapiro, 41, used a Florida-based company called Capitol Investments USA Inc., to raise nearly $900 million from investors who thought they were buying into a wholesale grocery distribution business. Instead, they said Shapiro left at least 60 investors in Florida, Indiana and New Jersey with about $80 million in losses after the scheme collapsed.

`He's accepting responsibility for his conduct and making his best effort to give everyone back their money,'' Perez said. ``It was a legitimate business until 2007. An individual who was close to him stole $20 million from him and that set him back.'

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(miamiherald.com)

New Giants safety Antrel Rolle and running back Ahmad Bradshaw were both in Tom Coughlin's doghouse Saturday night.

The two spent the first series of the Giants' first preseason home game at their new stadium standing on the sideline as punishment for being late for team meetings, according to a team source. Both were back on the field for the start of the second series.

"I was in the hotel and I read my schedule wrong, so I was late for a special teams meeting," said Rolle, who signed a five-year, $37 million contract during the offseason. "I've been around long enough to understand there are consequences, so I took it like a man. There is no issue. We'll move on."

Bradshaw was not available for comment after the game to explain his situation.

Rolle was replaced in the starting lineup by second-year pro Sha'reff Rashad. Bradshaw, who would've gotten the start in place of the injured Brandon Jacobs, was replaced by D.J. Ware.

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(nydailynews.com)

How long does it take to become a leader?

The Giants hope not very long when it comes to Antrel Rolle.

In less than two weeks Rolle will go to Albany for his first training camp with the Giants, and he'll arrive not merely as a high-priced safety ready to step into the starting lineup. The Giants are hopeful Rolle, in a relatively short period of time with his new team, will emerge as the leader of the secondary.

In his five years in Arizona, Rolle not only helped the Cardinals make it to the first Super Bowl in franchise history but he also became a catalyst for the entire defense. The Giants, realizing their defensive backfield was in shambles in 2009 and that Kenny Phillips is coming back from micro-fracture knee surgery, made Rolle their free-agent priority and signed him to a five-year, $37 million contract, one of the richest deals for a safety in NFL history.

Rolle didn't come in and proclaim he's a leader but it is clear that's where he's headed.

"There's a lot of new faces on this team, a lot of veteran leaders," Rolle said. "We're all learning a new system. Everyone's becoming a teammate at this point. That's first and foremost before we try to step out of bounds and do too much. Before you name leaders, before you become a leader you know you have to be a teammate first.

Last week, former Giants star Michael Strahan told The Post now that linebacker Antonio Pierce is retired, a leadership void could hurt the team if someone such as Justin Tuck doesn't rise up and assume that role.

"I think it's important for Tuck and Osi [Umenyiora], [Mathias] Kiwanuka and Corey Webster," Strahan said, "important for some of these guys to step up."

Add Rolle's name to that roll call of candidates.

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(nypost.com)

After five seasons with the Cardinals, safety Antrel Rolle found a new home, signing a five-year, $37 million free-agent deal with the Giants. Rolle is being counted on to help the Giants' defense bounce back from a disastrous 2009 season. Sporting News' Clifton Brown recently caught up with Rolle to talk about his transition to the Giants' secondary and his excitement about coming to New York.

Sporting News: Were the Giants at the top of your wish list even before free agency began?
Antrel Rolle: I really didn't have a preference where I would play. I hit free agency, and I got the call. Once the Big Blue called, I was ready to go. It's the one of the biggest markets in the world, one of the biggest stages in the world. I'm excited.

SN: Did it help that the Giants already had another former University of Miami guy in their secondary, safety Kenny Phillips?
AR: It sure did. Kenny and I talked about it. He asked if I would ever consider playing for the Giants. I said,  "Absolutely.''

SN: From what you've seen in minicamps and OTAs, how does the Giants' defensive scheme differ from the Cardinals'?
AR: It's all football. A few things are different, a few coverages and schemes may be tweaked differently. But I don't think it will be any different fitting into this program.

SN: Is it hard to be a leader right away when you join a new team?
AR: Not at all. This team has welcomed me, the city of New York has welcomed me. It's been a great transition. The guys and the coaches have made it smooth.

SN: How proud are you of what the Cardinals accomplished the last two years, becoming a contender after so many years of struggling?
AR: I'm very proud. I saw us go from 5-11 seasons to a Super Bowl. I was part of that, part of helping us grow. That's something that will always be there for me. Like they say, "It's not how you start; it's how you finish."

SN: After the way the Giants' defense struggled last season, how confident does the unit seem to you?
AR: The swagger is still there. We can't let last year impact this year. It's a brand-new season, brand-new team, brand-new attitude. That's what we're bringing into the 2010 season.

SN: Does having a huge contract put any more pressure on you?
AR: Absolutely not. I'm still playing ball. I've been playing ball all this time without the big money. I love this game. I love playing in front of the bright lights. Nothing has changed.

SN: How much are you looking forward to being a part of the NFC East rivalries the Giants have with the Cowboys, Eagles and Redskins?
AR: Absolutely, I'm going to love it. The bigger the games, the better my game.

SN: For many years, you played next to a Pro Bowl safety in Adrian Wilson. Do you look at coming to New York as a chance to get more recognition?
AR: I'm still going to be me. I'm not really concerned with who gets the pub. I'm here for a reason.  The coaches must have seen something in my game that they felt could help the Giants win. As long as my teammates and coaches are satisfied with my play, we're good to go.

SN: From what you've seen, do you think Kenny Phillips can come all the way back from major knee surgery?
AR: Kenny looks great. He stays on top of his treatment every day. We talk every day. We'll have a great rotation back there, no matter what. But having Kenny back will be a huge plus.

SN: Did you treat yourself to anything after signing your new contract?
AR: No, I didn't. That's kind of funny, isn't it? My family doesn't ask me for much, never really has. I splurged a little bit on my firstcontract, kind of got everything out of the way. This contract, I was a little more conservative.

SN: So many former University of Miami players still train there during the offseason. Why have you been training with the Giants?
AR: I usually do train in Miami, and I love training down there. I've never been with my team for a full offseason working out. But they're expecting big things from me, and it's in my contract for me to be up here. If that's what they want, that's what they're going to get.

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(sportingnews.com)

New York Giants safety Antrel Rolle believes the turf at the New Meadowlands Stadium is the reason why wide receiver and returner Domenik Hixon is out for the year. Rolle said he was watching when Hixon crumpled to the new FieldTurf untouched on a punt return and tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee on Tuesday. "I was right there when it happened and I saw it right away," Rolle told ESPNNewYork.com on Thursday after the Giants' final practice of veterans' minicamp. "And I was like, 'Damn, it don't look good.' He didn't make a cut or anything. It just got caught in the turf." Giants general manager Jerry Reese said on Wednesday that the new FieldTurf was not the reason why Hixon suffered his season-ending injury and that it could have happened on any surface.

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(gridironfans.com)

The addition of safety Antrel Rolle could also change the face of the New York Giants' offense.

The Giants have been among the dwindling minority of NFL teams that do not use the ``Wildcat'' formation. The Dallas Cowboys call it the ``Razorback,'' but by any name it is a derivation of the single wing.

Arizona had Rolle take the direct snap in the ``Wildcat'' a few times last season. He gained nine yards on one run and had an incompletion on his only pass, which became a no-play because of a penalty.

At an introductory news conference on Friday, Rolle lobbied to be a two-way player. Rolle, a heralded high-school quarterback, told reporters that he can throw the football ``a million miles'' and is comfortable with the run, too.

``Once I'm here, I think they will get a pretty good feel of what kind of athlete I am,'' Rolle said. ``Whether they're going to use me with that, I don't know yet. I hope so. I think it brings another dimension to football. It's something that also can excite the fans."

Giants coach Tom Coughlin was noncommittal about adding the ``Wildcat,'' saying of Rolle ``he's a very talented guy.''

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(dallasnews.com)

Kenny Phillips knew what people were thinking when the Giants signed Antrel Rolle for $37 million on the first day of free agency. He knew some took it as a sign the Giants were worried he'd never make it all the way back.

But Phillips insists those fears are completely unfounded. In fact, he told the Daily News earlier Wednesday that his recovery from left knee surgery is on track to have him on the field for the start of training camp in July.

And once he's there, he plans to help Rolle make good on his vow that they'll form "the best safety tandem in the NFL."

"The coaches have reassured me they didn't bring him in to replace me - they made that very clear," Phillips said. "After the performance we had last year in the secondary, they had to bring someone in. It would be foolish not to. It'll be a privilege playing next to him."

That will happen, the third-year pro insisted, even though several orthopedic surgeons have said that the condition in his knee - patellofemoral arthritis - - can be career-threatening. Phillips and the Giants have denied that possibility from the moment his season ended after their Week 2 game last September. In fact, Phillips recently wrote in his blog that "I feel like I could play tomorrow."

Earlier today, Phillips added that team doctors have continually "assured me I can return and be 100 percent when I do."

"I feel real good," Phillips said. "I'm making a lot of progress. The rehab is coming along real well. I should be running soon - - probably by the end of this month. As far as they tell me, it's looking good. The knee is getting stronger."

The rehab, which Phillips has done mostly from his home in Miami, has been a very long process since he underwent surgery in September, mostly involving weights and strengthening exercises. He said he's consulted with some athletes who suffered from the same condition (though he declined to name them) and "They reassured me that it's something I can bounce back from as long as put in the work."

"Now I have no doubt at all," he said. "When it first occurred, I didn't really know what it was myself. But after talking to trainers and doctors, I felt great about it. I already feel myself get stronger and getting back to the form that I had. I feel that I didn't lose anything, to be honest with you."

Phillips will likely sit out the organized team activity (OTA) sessions in May and  June and the mini-camp in mid-June, but he "definitely expects to be ready for the start of full-speed practices in late July. He's so sure, in fact, that he occasionally pauses and pictures himself back on the field for the first time since mid-September.

"I kind of picture it all the time," Phillips said. "From the way my rehab is going I feel I'm definitely not going to lose anything. I can only get better. So I sometimes picture myself making interceptions, making tackles, just making the plays I used to. I just can't wait."

It'll be more exciting, he said, now that he'll be on that field with Rolle, whom he's known since he was as senior in high school and Rolle - then a senior at Miami - presented him with an award. He said he helped the Giants recruit Rolle and constantly talked with him as the ex-Cardinal was pondering the Giants' big offer.

Rolle, in fact, was scheduled to arrive in Miami earlier today to workout with Phillips - something the newest Giant said he planned to do a lot in the next few months.

"I'm looking forward to it," Phillips said. "You could say he'll be like that older brother for me. He's been in the league longer and he's someone I wouldn't mind taking advice from. He's very intelligent. He has experience. You can't do nothing but learn.

"It's going to be a great addition to an already pretty good secondary," Phillips added. "He's going to bring so much more to our secondary because of things he can do. He's basically a play-maker. You can sum him up in that one word. That's kind of what we were missing this last year."

They were missing that, at least in part, because Phillips was missing. So if he returns, the Giants won't have one play-maker at safety. They'll have two.

"I'm definitely excited," Phillips said. "(Rolle) has that Miami swagger. There's nothing wrong with it. He's very confident. And tell you the truth, we just have two guys that can go out and get it. Most teams usually have just one dog. For us, we have two of us that can go out make some plays.

"And like he said, if we go out there and work at it, we definitely can go for that title of best safety tandem in NFL."

Click here to order Kenny Phillips' proCane Rookie Card.



(nydailynews.com)

Q: Have you talked to Kenny Phillips in this process?
Rolle: “I’ve been talking to Kenny Phillips for the last month or so. Getting a feel for things, just having a conversation – not even about football all the time. Just about life in general. Making sure he’s staying on top of himself. I didn’t know what the future held for me. Kenny is a great guy on and off the field. We’re going to have a brotherhood relationship, no doubt about it.”

Q: His rehab is going well?
Rolle: “Absolutely. He’s rehabbing down in Miami, rehabbing here. He’s never going to leave my side now, because I’m desperately going to need him. And we’re going to need each other. I’m going to make sure he’s doing whatever it takes to get back on the field and be my partner, side by side.”

Q: What number do you want to switch to?
Rolle: “I don’t have an idea yet. We have a couple of ideas in mind, trying to see if we can make that happen. You will know as soon as I know.”

Q: What was the award you presented to Kenny?
Rolle: “I was already in college and I was receiving an award myself. I’m not sure what the award was, but I remember they had me present him an award when he was a senior at Carol City High School.”

Q: At any point during your visit did anyone mention the game you had against the Giants last season?
Rolle: Yeah. I think that played a big part in the reason why I’m here. When you’re in the NFL at this level, you’re not just playing for yourself and your pride and your fans. It’s a job interview. You’re putting film out there. You’re building a resume. You never know what effect you’re going to have on certain teams. This was a team that we knew coming in was an outstanding team. I came in head first. I wasn’t going to be denied. I came in with a chip on my shoulder and I was just going to do whatever it took to make sure that the Arizona Cardinals came back with a win and we did that.

Q: Did Coach Coughlin or anyone else bring that up during your visit?
Rolle: Yeah. I think pretty much all the coaches brought it up. It’s obviously something that stood out in their minds. Something that I’m pretty sure they watched over and over again before making such a huge decision to bring me in as a New York Giant. So it was definitely brought up. We discussed things, went through and watched some of the film and we went over coverages and pretty much broke down some of the scenarios that took place during that game.

Q: Can you take us through that last play, the interception and is that typical play for you that you can make?
Rolle: I think I can make every kind of play, to be honest with you. Not to sound cocky and arrogant but that’s just the way I am. I never go into a game denying myself of any opportunities. If it presents itself, I think I can definitely make the play. That last play of the game, I was hurt, I had torn my plantar fascia at that point and I was very limited as to what I could do. It was pretty much just suppose to be a typical cover two coverage but I pretty much tweaked it on my own. I just got my corner and my nickel together and myself and explained to them what was going to take place on that play and I explained to them exactly how I wanted it to be played. We definitely tweaked the cover two, we didn’t play it the way it was initially supposed to be played and I think it worked out for the best. Sometimes you have to take a gamble, you have to take a chance. That comes from a lot of film study and watching film and understanding the concepts of your opponents and it was something that I was pretty sure was going to take place and I guessed right.

Q: In your game last year against the Giants, you threw a pass out of the wildcat, is that something you will try to convince the coaches to let you do here?
Rolle: Absolutely, like I said, I think that’s going to come from showing them exactly what I can do. Once I’m here with this organization, they will get a pretty good feel of what kind of athlete I am. I can throw the ball a millions miles, I think everyone knows that at this point. Whether they are going to use me for that, I don’t know yet. I hope so because I think it brings another dimension to football. It creates a mismatch. It’s also something that can excite the fans and it can be a momentum changer.

Q: In that game against the Giants, you also put a pretty heavy hit on Kevin Boss and it was pretty costly for you too, do you think its going to strange running into him now that you guys are on the same team?
Rolle: No. It’s not going to be strange at all. We’re all men amongst this league and at any given time, it could be your brother out there but you have to come out there and you have to compete. You never try to hurt anyone under any means. It definitely wasn’t intentional but I was coming to make a statement. I was definitely coming to make contact. When I’m on the field, I hold no pity for the next man but at the same time, I never try to go out and hurt any opponent because his career is just as valued as mine. I never go out there with any intentions like that, I’m not that kind of player at all. But when I’m coming, I’m definitely a headhunter and I want to make sure my presence is felt. That is pretty much all that took place on that play. I was definitely trying to make a play. I was trying to put my team in a better situation than their team and that all it boils down to.

Q: This Giants defense kind of lacked leadership and swagger, do you think you can bring that to this team?
Rolle: No question about that. I think that just comes natural. I think that’s just a part of who I am. I don’t want anyone to name me a leader. I don’t want anyone to pinpoint what I’m going to bring to a team. I think it’s just something that has to come naturally. If it happens, it happens, if it doesn’t then it doesn’t but knowing myself and knowing what kind of competitor I am and what kind of player I am. I think I will definitely be a great fit for this organization and with this team. I’m going to make sure that regardless of what I am within the team and not trying to be beyond the team. I’m a team guy, 120%. I’ll go out there and put everything on the line for my team. I want to make sure they know and I’m going to make sure that I show that when they get Antrel Rolle they are getting 150% each and every down, never take a play off.

Click here to order Antrel Rolle's proCane Rookie Card.



(nyg.scout.com)

The Miami Dolphins had a deal on the table for Arizona's Antrel Rolle, but Rolle signed a five-year, $37 million deal -- that has $15 million in guaranteed money -- with the New York Giants that made him the highest-paid safety in NFL history. Rolle reportedly turned down $32 million over five years from the Dolphins.

Here's a transcript of my interview with the former UM star, who was on the show this morning:

Q: How thrilled are you to land that big of a contract?
A: "It worked out for the best. I'm in a great situation with a great system and a great organization. The best thing about the whole thing was I felt like I was at home when I went there. That's the main thing when you make a free-agent [visit]."

Q: Were the Dolphins in the mix to sign you?
A: "They contacted my agent, Drew Rosenhaus, and they expressed interest. But, I think, the budget that they were willing to spend on a saftey was a little bit lower than what I was looking for. Miami would have been nice just for the fact that it's home. But I don't think anyone would sell themselves short just to stay in their hometown, especially when you have someone like the Giants making such a great offer and giving me such a great opportunity. . . . It pretty much boiled down to whether I wanted to stay an Arizona Cardinal or become a Giant. I think, hands down, I made the right decision."

Q: What can you tell Dolphins fans about Karlos Dansby, a guy you played for a long time?
A: The thing I said about the Dolphins was if they didn't get me, they better get Karlos Dansby. They got one hell of a football player. I think he's one of the most underrated linebackers in the league. I never think he gets the credit that he deserves. He's an all-around linebacker. There's times that we dropped him back at safety and I even went to linebacker and we didn't miss a beat. That alone tells a lot about a guy. Most of all, he's an upstanding guy. He's going to bring to the table exactly what the Dolphins are looking for -- and more."

Q: Are your surprised by how much the Giants offered you?
A: "I just know that when the Giants made their first offer I knew they wanted me to be their guy. They're asking a lot of me, which is fine, because it's something I'm going to bring to the table regardless. I'm definitely going there going head first."

Q: How eager are you to play with Kenny Phillips with the Giants, another former University of Miami standout?
A: "Kenny Phillips is going to be my best friend. I'm going to make sure he's on top of everything he needs to get done because I definitely want him back there with me. I think we can be a dynamic duo once he gets healthy and once we get on the same page. Kenny is an outstanding guy and he's going to look at himself more than anyone else."

Q: How important is it to get a fresh start?
A: "I'm definitely looking forward to it. It's going to be a lot of fun. I'm just looking forward to the change. I'm looking forward to the change of weather. There's a lot of things that came into mind when I made this decision. I've been born and raised in Miami. So I went from hot to hotter, playing in Arizona. I just felt it was time for a change all the way around. I can't wait."

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(sun-sentinel.com)

The Giants did their best to make everyone think they were going to approach the free agency spending spree the way Jerry Seinfeld's parents approached a dinner after the Early Bird Special was over, yet there they were Friday night making Antrel Rolle one of the highest-paid safeties in NFL history. An impressive smoke screen put up by Jerry Reese and the rest of the Giants and one that got them a good player.

A good player, not the great player the salary would indicate. We won't quibble too much about dollars and cents. It's an uncapped year, no one in the Mara family is crying poverty and desperate times call for desperate measures. In the Giants secondary, these are desperate times. With Kenny Phillips's future uncertain because of knee problems, the Giants couldn't let finances get in the way of upgrading their safeties.

Rolle does that. He's not the best tackler nor the best coverage guy in the business, but he's more than competent in both areas. That's a lot more than you can say about C.C. Brown and Michael Johnson. If Phillips is healthy enough to play at 100 percent, the Giants will have a pair of rangy, athletic safeties to protect the back of their defense next season.

That's a big if, though, and if things go the other way then you've still got one good safety and one mediocre one playing behind a defense that looks just as bad as the one that got humiliated down the stretch last season. Perry Fewell's new schemes may mitigate some of their struggles, but the linebackers are still an underwhelming group and the defensive line is still one that couldn't generate any meaningful pressure on quarterbacks who didn't play for crap teams.

If that happens again, it doesn't much matter who you have playing safety. Defenses that can't pressure the quarterback give up big passing plays and Rolle's not going to change that equation. What's more, if Phillips is healthy -- and the Giants keep claiming that he'll be fine -- then the Giants have just doubled down at one of the few positions of strength in a defense with plenty of holes. They tried that last year, and it didn't work out too well for them.

In short, the Rolle signing is good but it's hard to see how much better the defense is because of it. It's reminiscent of a Chinese meal that's awfully tasty while you're enjoying it but does nothing to stop you from feeling hungry in an hour. Perhaps it is unfair to expect any one move to leave fans satisfied, but if the Giants are being honest then this is the only move we're getting. At least Chinese food comes with a fortune cookie.

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(nbc.com)

Antrel Rolle has been a Giant for a little more than a half-day. And already, he believes he's part of something great.

The $37-million man was asked Saturday during his introductory conference call how good of a pair of safeties he and Kenny Phillips can be.

"The best in the league," Rolle replied. "Hands down."

Rolle and Phillips missed each other at the University of Miami by one year, but they've been friends for a while. Rolle said he actually knew Phillips before the younger Hurricane safety's time at the school began. Rolle presented Phillips with an award while he was a promising high-school player.

"From that point on, I knew he was a stand-up guy, a first-class guy all the way, a dynamic athlete and just a great overall person, a person you want to have on your team," Rolle said. "But most of all, just a great individual in himself."

"He's never going to leave my side now because I'm desperately going to need him," Rolle said. "And we're going to need each other. I'm going to make sure he's doing whatever it takes to get back on the field, be my partner, side by side."

Rolle was in contact with Phillips the past couple of weeks, as he knew his time with the Cardinals might be over. Arizona wanted to avoid paying Rolle a $4 million roster bonus, so the team was set to cut Rolle loose - with the hope of re-signing him.

Though the Cardinals made a push for Rolle the past two days, the opportunity to play alongside Phillips and other factors led him to start anew in East Rutherford.

"I was extremely excited when this opportunity presented itself, to be back there with your own guy and a guy that I know his potential will be maximized and my potential will be maximized with him," Rolle said. "And I think we’re going to push each other. It’s going to be a dynamic duo."

What makes him think that will be the case?

"I know what we’re capable of," he said. "And also, I know as a unit, what abilities we have to get things done. It’s just going to be up to us to establish that relationship and that chemistry to make sure we’re on the same page and to make sure that we’re all one within this secondary backfield. The sky’s the limit for us. We’re definitely going to go out there and make things happen."

Plus, they'll be able to do so as similar, interchangeable players.

The days of strong and free safeties for many NFL teams are pretty much long gone. Teams now use their safeties to roll their coverage to either side, meaning on any given play one safety will have a different responsibility than he had the play before.

Rolle said defensive coordinator Perry Fewell suggested that will be the case with him and Phillips.

"I think that’s the way they’re going to look at us because, without a doubt, we’re both interchangeable safeties," Rolle said. "We’re both are very versatile, we can handle multiple positions and multiple tasks at hand. That will best benefit our secondary back there."

One more question: who gets to wear the No. 21?

"That’s his jersey. He’s been a Giant before I got here, he’s earned that jersey," said Rolle, who is unsure what his new number will be. "That’s a very valuable number to me, but I’m going to be in a new system. It’s time for me to start over and make a new number for myself, and I will do that."

UPDATE Rolle will wear No. 26, the Giants have announced.

Click here to order Antrel Rolle's or Kenny Phillips' proCane Rookie Card.



(nj.com)

When Antrel Rolle signed his new five-year, $37 million contract with the Giants, word quickly spread that he's now the highest-paid safety in NFL history.

We said it.

Adam Schefter said it.

Jason La Canfora said it.

But then we started getting questions from readers who thought that Colts safety Bob Sanders had gotten a better deal.  Last night, we laid out the differences between the two contracts, pointing out that Sanders had signed six-year, $38.5 million deal, and that Rolle had signed a five-year deal from scratch.

That hasn't put the matter to bed, and for good reason.  As a source with knowledge of the Sanders contract pointed out today, the Sanders extension was done late in the 2007 season, so it really wasn't a six-year deal.

The new money for Sanders' deal was $37.5 million over five years.  Rolle's deal was $37 million over five years.  (The deal possibly was done at the tail end of the 2007 season to take advantage of any remaining cap space.)

Factoring in the reality that Sanders' deal was negotiated late in the 2007 season, the numbers are very close, with Sanders holding the total edge as to total dollars.

This doesn't change the fact, however, that Rolle has $15 million that is guaranteed for skill and injury; Sanders' guarantee for skill and injury is only $8 million.  It means that, for example, if Sanders passes a physical before the start of the 2010 season and the Colts decide based on their success in 2009 without him that they don't want to pay him the balance of the deal, any remaining guaranteed money not guaranteed for both skill and injury would be lost.

The reality is that there are enough facts to allow manipulation based on perspective.  Rolle's camp has every incentive to characterize those facts as making the former Cardinal the highest-paid player in the league.  And Sanders' camp or Troy Polamalu's camp or other agents who are competing with Rolle's agents have every reason, as they undoubtedly did, to funnel contrary information to folks in the media, like our friend Mike Garafolo of the Newark Star-Ledger, who in our view adopted a tone that was a little too preachy and not sufficiently pragmatic given that his article was influenced by the other side of the same coin that got us, Schefter, and LaCanfora to declare that Rolle is now the highest paid safety in the league.  (In this regard, we also think that Polamalu's four-year extension signed before the 2007 season even started must be viewed as a five-year deal, which would presumably make his contract inferior to both Sanders' and Rolle's.)

It's also possible that the Giants are pushing this information in order to deflect criticism that they made a guy who arguably isn't the best safety in the league the richest one.  But teams rarely put out accurate contractual information, since they want the player to be happy with his deal -- and thus not asking for more money while the ink is still moist.

From our perspective, we care only about making sure the audience has access to accurate information.  Even if it means clarifying the numbers at best, and scraping canine fecal matter off our shoes at worst.

In this case, both sides can make a plausible claim to having the biggest contract for any safety in league history.  And, obviously, both sides are.

Click here to order Antrel Rolle's proCane Rookie Card.



(profootballtalk.com)

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Giants have made Pro Bowler Antrel Rolle the richest safety in the NFL.

In the waning hours of the opening day of free agency, Rolle signed a five-year, $37 million contract that has $15 million in guaranteed money.

Agent Drew Rosenhaus tweeted the announcement late Friday, offering his personal congratulations to Rolle on becoming "the highest paid safety in NFL history!" The Giants formally announced the deal around 11:30 p.m.

"I'm ecstatic," the 27-year-old Rolle said. "Words can't really express how I feel now. I had five great years with the Cardinals organization. But I felt it was time for a change. The Giants are a first-class organization all the way. There are great opportunities for me, and I am excited to be working with the players I'll be working with. I think the sky's going to be the limit as to what we can do."

The signing fills a major need for the Giants, who lost Kenny Phillips to a serious knee injury early last season.

Phillips is expected back this season and having the two Miami products deep in the secondary should help a defense that struggled last year.

"Antrel is a young, ascending veteran player, and he is an outstanding person who will bring leadership, versatility and more big play ability to our secondary," general manager Jerry Reese said.

Rolle, who was recently released by the Cardinals, had four interceptions last season. The one that impressed the Giants the most came in late October when he stepped in front of Steve Smith to intercept an Eli Manning pass around the Cardinals 21-yard line with 68 seconds to play to nail down a 24-17 win.

New York had driven from its own 1-yard line in the final three minutes in an attempt to tie the game in which Rolle also had eight tackles.
Rolle has played in 68 regular season games with 59 starts. His career totals include 337 tackles (296 solo), 12 interceptions, 36 passes defensed, three forced fumbles and 1.5 sacks. He has returned four interceptions for touchdowns, including three in 2007.

This past season, Rolle started all 15 games in which he played and was credited with 72 tackles (61 solo).

Arizona, which also lost linebacker Karlos Dansby to Miami late Friday, released Rolle on Thursday because it wanted to avoid paying him the $4 million roster bonus and the $8 million salary he was due.

However, the battle for Rolle came down to the Giants and Cardinals, and Rolle chose New York after visiting with the team most of Friday.
"I'm extremely excited for the opportunity, and I feel truly blessed," Rolle said. "They have the confidence I can come in and be the player that they expect me to be, and I will live up to everything they expect and go beyond."

Rolle was Arizona's first-round pick, the eighth selection overall, out of Miami in 2005. He began his pro career as a cornerback but had most of his success after being switched to safety in 2008.

In four seasons at the University of Miami, Rolle had 183 tackles and five interceptions. As long as Kenny Phillips makes a full recovery, there will be three proCanes in the Giants defensive backfield; Rolle, Phillips and Bruce Johnson.

Click here to order Antrel Rolle's proCane Rookie Card.



(ap.com)

It might not take long for the Giants to make their first signing in free agency.

Safety Antrel Rolle is in for a visit today and by all accounts and reports he is already close to a contract agreement. Rolle was seeking a deal worth $8 million per season and it appears the Giants will come close to making that a reality.

Rolle turned down a six-year, $38.6 million offer from the Cardinals, who would like to keep him but are unwilling to pay him more than their other starting safety, Adrian Wilson.

The Dolphins are believed to have made a five-year offer to Rolle, a 27-year old converted cornerback. He would instantly move in as a starter in the Giants secondary and provide insurance in case Kenny Phillips cannot make it back all the way from knee surgery. If Phillips returns, he and Rolle would form a dynamic safety duo.

Click here to order Antrel Rolle's proCane Rookie Card.



(nypost.com)

Now that a $4 million roster bonus and an $8 million salary have gotten safety Antrel Rolle released by the Cardinals, multiple teams are hot on his trail.

Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports that Rolle's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, currently is negotiating with the Bears.

A league source has confirmed that the Bears are indeed chasing Rolle.  We're also told that the Giants and Dolphins are pursuing Rolle, and that the Cardinals still hope to get him back.

Rolle, a top-ten pick in the bust-filled first round of the 2005 draft, started 15 games in 2009.  For his career, he has appeared in 68 games, starting 61.

He entered the league as a cornerback, but he eventually was moved to safety.

Click here to order Antrel Rolle's proCane Rookie Card.



(profootballtalk.com)

If the Giants are truly interested in fortifying their defensive backfield and aren't scared off by last year's high-spending, low-impact free agency results they owe it to the organization to make a run at Antrel Rolle.

And they are.

The Pro Bowl safety yesterday was released by the Cardinals -- no big surprise, because he was due a $4 million bonus and an $8.1 million salary and they were unwilling to pay him in excess of $12 million for this season. The demand and price will be high for a 27-year old former first-round pick (eighth overall in 2005) with 12 career interceptions and four touchdown returns.

Free agency began at 12:01 a.m. this morning, but because Rolle was cut the Giants could strike immediately, and they quickly contacted his agent, Drew Rosenhaus. According to reports, Rolle will meet today with the Giants, who will have stiff competition with the Dolphins -- who came up with a five-year offer for Rolle -- and perhaps the Bears and the Cardinals, who do want to get in the bidding to get Rolle back.

The word is Rolle is looking for $8 million per year. Giants general manager Jerry Reese is not going to open the vault this signing period, but he will not be gun-shy when it comes to spending for a player he believes will make a difference. The Giants could wrap this up today.

If Kenny Phillips returns to form following knee surgery, a safety tandem of Rolle and Phillips would be young and dynamic. Like Phillips, Rolle went to Miami and he's a converted cornerback with exceptional coverage skills. The Giants as presently constituted don't really have a safety on their roster they can count on until Phillips proves he's healthy. The other starter, Michael Johnson, is coming off a poor season. The NFL is evolving into a league where the importance of playmaking safeties is growing and Rolle would fit that description.

There's not expected to be much of a play for Karlos Dansby, who is not a true 4-3 middle linebacker and will command a king's ransom, most likely from the Dolphins. Gary Brackett, the only unrestricted true 4-3 middle linebacker of real value, is likely to re-sign with the Colts.

Other alternatives such as DeMeco Ryans (Texans), D'Qwell Jackson (Browns), Kirk Morrison (Raiders) and Barrett Ruud (Buccaneers) all lost out on their unrestricted status and as restricted free agents will find it difficult to change teams.

No team ever has enough cornerbacks and Dunta Robinson of the Texans would be a great addition, because he's 28, in the prime of his career and unrestricted. But he could command $9 million per year as the top corner on the market, which is too much for the Giants. Leigh Bodden of the Patriots is the next-best cornerback.

It is no secret the Giants need help on defense but not exclusively. Their running game, not long ago tops in the NFL, sagged last season and new blood is needed. The 1-2 punch of Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw limped to the finish line -- Jacobs with a bum knee and Bradshaw with two bad ankles. Both players underwent offseason surgery.

There are some options on the unrestricted market, meaning no compensation is required for signings. Chester Taylor (Vikings) is versatile and has limited mileage on his legs. Willie Parker (Steelers) has straight-ahead speed. Mighty-mite Darren Sproles was tendered at the highest-level possible, with a first and third-round pick as compensation, ensuring he will remain in San Diego. The Jets today will release Thomas Jones, who is coming off a 1,402-yard, 14-touchdown season but refused to take a pay cut.

Click here to order Antrel Rolle's proCane Rookie Card.



(nypost.com)

In addition to the Bears, the Redskins are expected to pursue FS Antrel Rolle after he's released by the Cardinals.

Rolle has his sights set on a huge payday, and teams are lining up to get a shot at him. The Cardinals are considered the favorites, but the Redskins could overpay. One source calls their interest in Julius Peppers overstated, so they should have money to allocate elsewhere.

Click here to order Antrel Rolle's proCane Rookie Card.



(rotoworld.com)

The Cardinals have officially cut Pro Bowl FS Antrel Rolle loose after speculation they would do so.

The Chicago Bears have wasted little time trying to secure Rolle, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Rolle was due a $4 million roster bonus and an $8.1 million dollar salary this season. He is free to sign with any team right now -- as a released player, he does not have to wait for the beginning of the free-agency period March 5 -- but he could also re-sign with Arizona if he and the team can strike a new agreement.

The eighth overall pick of the 2005 draft out of Miami (Fla.), Rolle has excelled since switching from cornerback to safety in 2008. Rolle had four INTs and 72 tackles in 2009.

Click here to order Antrel Rolle's proCane Rookie Card.



(usatoday.com)

The Bears are in desperate need of a free safety. If there was any doubt about how Lovie Smith felt about the situation, the Bears coach erased it last week at the scouting combine when he said the team needs to "invest" more in the position.

That means the Bears need to get away from their standard approach, which has been to throw a late-round draft pick at the position and hope it sticks. They've selected a safety in five straight drafts and they couldn't tell you with confidence that any one of them is a solution for 2010 as a starter.

The Tribune reported that Danieal Manning will be tried at strong safety, at least to begin the offseason program. If you're keeping score, it will be Manning's fourth position. Al Afalava, a sixth-round pick, fell out of favor late in the season. Craig Steltz probably be the free safety if the season started today. Josh Bullocks would be in the mix along with Kevin Payne.

That is why it's easy to say Antrel Rolle would be a definite upgrade for a defense in need.

Rolle is athletic, can cover and has ball skills. Personnel men interviewed at the combine like his game and believe he'd help the Bears instantly, but cautioned about one thing: He's not going to be a Pro Bowl player. He's not a strong tackler and while he has better instincts than the Bears' safeties, they're not elite.

So the question becomes what will Jerry Angelo and the Bears be willing to pay for Rolle, who is expected to be cut loose by the Arizona Cardinals. He has a roster bonus that is due March 9, according to one league source. Free agency is the marketplace where many a player has been overpaid, and that is why Angelo is so reluctant to be a big spender in March. He knows teams often aren't getting what they pay for.

Rolle is expecting a contract that averages $8 million annually, one source with knowledge of the situation said. That's going to be a hard figure to reach. He already has turned down a contract offer from the Cardinals that averages more than $6 million annually, the source said.

Only three safeties average more than $7 million per year. They're all strong safeties: Adrian Wilson, Troy Polamalu and Bob Sanders. None averages $8 million, although Rolle's teammate in Arizona, Wilson, comes closest at $7.938 million.

Are the Bears prepared to pay Rolle like an elite safety? It's going to require a departure from their way of doing business. They let Tony Parrish walk and become a Pro Bowler in San Francisco after the 2001 season.

Here are some numbers to keep in mind:
Average annual salary for NFL's top 10 free safeties: $5.30 million.
Average annual salary for NFL's top 5 free safeties: $6.25 million.
Average annual salary for NFL's top 10 safeties: $6.51 million.
Average annual salary for NFL's top 5 safeties: $7.24 million.

That shows what a big price a team can pay for its last line of defense. The Bears have been skating by with rookie contracts at the position for a long time. Are they ready to make the jump? Will Rolle realize anything close to $8 million annually? We'll find out soon.

Click here to order Antrel Rolle's proCane Rookie Card.



(chicagobreakingsports.com)

As expected, the Arizona Cardinals are poised to deal with the back end of a bad rookie contract by dumping safety Antrel Rolle, a top-ten draft pick in 2005.

Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, the release is expected to come this week.  But Schefter also reports that the Cardinals will attempt to re-sign Rolle.

Rolle is due to earn a $4 million roster bonus soon, along with an $8 million base salary during the 2010 regular season.

And that's way too much for any safety to make.'

Click here to order Antrel Rolle's proCane Rookie Card.



(profootballtalk.com)

Arizona's eventful offseason will continue this week when the Cardinals release former first-round pick Antrel Rolle, an NFL source said Sunday.

Rolle's release will follow Kurt Warner's retirement and the Cardinals decision not to use their franchise tag on linebacker Karlos Dansby.

Rolle will become the premier safety in this year's free-agent class, but it is still possible the safety will return to the Cardinals.

Arizona would like to have Rolle back, and the two sides continue to talk about a potential return.

With less than a week until the start of the March 5 free-agent signing period, Rolle wants to see what he's worth at a time when the Cardinals are reluctant to pay him more than the $12 million that would be owed to him this season.

Rolle had four interception and was a Pro Bowl alternate this season. A starter on the Cardinals' Super Bowl team, Rolle moved to free safety in 2008 after playing cornerback for his first three seasons. He has 12 interceptions and four touchdowns in his career.

Click here to order Antrel Rolle's proCane Rookie Card.



(espn.com)

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Arizona Cardinals are going to continue with their efforts to try to re-sign free safety Antrel Rolle, but barring an unexpected breakthrough he is expected to hit the open market and become a potential Bears target.

The problem for the Cardinals is he is owed $12 million this coming season ($8 million plus a pending $4 million roster bonus) and isn't inclined to renegotiate. If the Cardinals can't sign him to a long-term deal, they are expected to release him and let him enter the free market, where he will be perhaps the most pursued veteran at his position.

"We're going to try hard to get a contract in place with him before we have to make a decision about his contract," Cardinals general manager Rod Graves said. "If not, we will continue to work with him and treat him as if he is a free agent we are pursuing.

"We've always been under the impression Antrel wanted to remain an Arizona Cardinal. We have been able to develop him and we have seen him develop into an outstanding player and we want to keep that relationship going. We're not looking to lose quality players, but again, all of those decisions have to make sense to us from a team standpoint. Obviously he is a top priority."

The Cardinals' focus this offseason will be on a defense that was steamrolled in the playoffs by Green Bay and New Orleans. Losing Rolle will only create more work for the club, but Arizona is already heavily invested in strong safety Adrian Wilson and can't pay Rolle more than him. The team also faces the prospect of losing linebacker Karlos Dansby in free agency.

"At this point, I realize those guys could become free agents and they are interested in what the market will bear," Graves said. "At the same time, I am confident those guys don't undervalue what they mean to our football team and their relationship with us."

Coach Ken Whisenhunt, fresh off his contract extension that averages $5 million per season, said the team is committed to getting a deal done with Rolle and his agent Drew Rosenhaus.

"He's done a great job of making that transition from corner to safety, and is still growing in that role (as a safety)," Whisenhunt said. " He's made a number of big plays for us in the last few years. We're working to try and get that deal done.

"It's a different position to him after all the years of playing outside as a corner. He played nickel for us the first couple years, which was inside and covering a slot receiver, and did a good job for us. But to play the back half of the field, to be able to make the adjustments, make the calls to the secondary, which is critical for safeties to do, he's done a great job of studying and learning the position.

"He still has a lot to learn as far as where he lines up, how he reacts to certain things. Obviously, we're excited about the progress he's made at safety."

So are other teams, the Bears included, and that is why Rolle is destined for free agency.

(chicagobreakingsports.com)

It now appears that the Cardinals will release Pro Bowl free safety Antrel Rolle within the next week. The impetus is almost certainly to avoid the $4 million roster bonus due to Rolle next week. In addition, Arizona is hesitant to commit to a hefty new contract.

Rolle would most likely require an offer that at least approaches Adrian Wilson’s 5-year, $37 million in total dollars deal. It is doubtful the Cardinals would be willing to match that deal, which puts a ceiling on Rolle’s value to the team.

Rolle, a former Miami Hurricane, might be looking at a homecoming with the Dolphins should he become available. According to Brian Biggane of the Palm Beach Post, Rolle expressed a specific interest in playing for Miami and the Dolphins appear to be unhappy with their current free safety, Gibril Wilson.

Of course, these things are never clear. For instance, when coach Tony Sparano was asked in the final days of last season about Wilson, the questioner pointed out that Wilson had a disappointing year all the way around. “That’s your opinion,” Sparano responded.

Although the head coach seems to be playing it cagey, there seems to be little doubt that Miami will take a long look at Rolle if he becomes available. Whether they would sign him is obviously yet to be determined.

Click here to order Antrel Rolle's proCane Rookie Card.



(nflgridirongab.com)

Antrel Rolle has finally come into his own ... yet the Arizona Cardinals might let him walk away.

The Cards may cut the eighth overall pick of the 2005 draft unless they are able to sign him to an extension and avoid paying a $4 million roster bonus by next week, according to the team's website.

Rolle is coming off his first Pro Bowl appearance. He found his niche after switching from cornerback to free safety last season. If he is cut loose, speculation is already building that he could return to Miami, where he starred as a member of the Hurricanes in college, and plug a hole in the Dolphins' secondary.

Fellow Pro Bowl S Adrian Wilson received a 5-year, $39 million extension from the Cardinals last June. Now the team is also facing contractual issues with LB Karlos Dansby, set to hit the open market, as well as WR Anquan Boldin and DL Darnell Dockett, both seeking heftier paychecks.

Click here to order Antrel Rolle's proCane Rookie Card.



(usatoday.com)

The Arizona Cardinals have many boardroom discussions to attend this offseason, but none more important than, corner turned safety, Antrel Rolle's contract talks.

The Cardinals most immediate priority this offseason is to sign free safety Antrel Rolle.

Rolle is due a $4 million roster bonus in March and without a new deal, his salary will escalate to $12 million in 2010.

Even in a year without a salary cap, that's too steep a price for the Cardinals to pay.

The roster bonus and escalator clause were put into the contract to prompt the team to renegotiate before the last year of Rolle's contract.

That's exactly what the Cardinals intend to do. Rolle, however, might see things a bit differently.

He said several times this season that he doesn't intend to take a pay cut. It's hard to say what that means since the club never intended to pay him $12 million. The Cardinals viewed that level of compensation as a device to get both sides back to the bargaining table.

Rolle is an important part of the team's future, but it's not as if the 2010 season will be lost if the team can't re-sign him.

Drafted as a cornerback, Rolle was below-average at the position and moved to free safety two years ago.

He played well there, especially in the 2009 season. Rolle showed great improvement and with Adrian Wilson, gives the team a solid safety duo.

The Cardinals have some options, however, if Rolle's salary demands are viewed as too high. They want to re-sign Matt Ware, who played in dime situations for the past two years.

Ware played well and while an unrestricted free agent, he would cost far less than Rolle. The Cardinals also drafted Rashad Johnson in the third round last year, although he had a disappointing rookie season.

Click here to order Antrel Rolle's proCane Rookie Card.



(ari.scout.com)

Arizona Cardinals’ free safety Antrel Rolle is a name that’s probably on the Green Bay Packers radar.

Why, you ask? Rolle is under contract with the Cardinals.

Well, that contract isn’t going to fly in Arizona. Rolle is due $8 million in base salary and a $4 million roster bonus on March 5. Although Rolle was a Pro Bowler and recorded 72 tackles and four interceptions in 2009, he’s not going to get $12 million from the Cardinals or anyone else in 2010.

So, the Cardinals are in the precarious position of having to rework Rolle’s contract or releasing him by March 5. Thus far, there hasn’t been much movement by the Cardinals’ camp to get a new deal done and as the days tick on, it becomes more likely Rolle will simply be released.

Although the Packers will presumably re-sign starting free safety Nick Collins, who is a restricted free agent, Rolle could offer an intriguing option to replace strong safety Atari Bigby, who’s also a restricted free agent. Bigby has been injury prone throughout his career and his play seemed to tail off towards the end of last season, ultimately making him replaceable.

Rolle (6-0, 208) and Bigby (5-11, 213) are virtually the same size, but Rolle is superior in coverage and has missed only one game the past two seasons, compared with Bigby’s 12.

This isn’t to say converting Rolle to strong safety would be seamless. When healthy and at the top of his game, Bigby is an asset against the run and it’s no certainty the Packers would be able to make up for that absence with Rolle in the defensive backfield. It’s in coverage where Bigby can sometimes be a liability and the Packers’ losses to the Vikings, Steelers and Cardinals showed that the team needs to improve dramatically in coverage to stop top-flight passing teams.

The other wild card here, of course, is if the Packers will pursue Rolle and if Rolle would consider signing with Green Bay.

Rolle played collegiately at Miami and there have been indications that if the Cardinals cut him and the Miami Dolphins have an opening, Rolle would like to return to South Beach.

Still, Rolle is someone to keep an eye on the next few weeks and would be an exciting addition to the Packers’ secondary.

Click here to order Antrel Rolle's proCane Rookie Card.



(totalpackers.com)

Check out our exclusive photos from Saturday Morning's AFC and NFC Pro Bowl Practices. Six of the record 11 proCane Pro Bowlers were on hand, including Warren Sapp of the NFL Network. Click here or above on the proCanes Gallery link to view the photos.

Cardinals safety Antrel Rolle's future in the desert is looking hazy thanks to a $12.1 million salary in 2010 and he's already spent some time thinking about where he might head if he parts ways with the NFC West champs.

Rolle spoke with Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald and told him that he enjoys playing for Arizona but wouldn't mind coming home to play for the Dolphins.

"That would be nice," Rolle told me. "You know what I mean. I would love to take some of the burden off of mom and dad seeing as they travel to every game. Miami is home for me. I haven't played here in five years, but hey, we can make it happen."

Rolle said earlier this week that he won't take a paycut to remain with the Cardinals, which makes his departure a real possibility. Despite that and the discussion of the Dolphins, Rolle was still talking about Arizona as if he sees himself playing there in 2010. He called Kurt Warner's retirement "bittersweet" and shared his thoughts on Warner's presumptive successor Matt Leinart.

"Leinert, I think his time is up right now," Rolle said. "It's time for him to produce and be the player that Matt knows he can be and the player we all know he can be. We're going to be behind him 100 percent of the way and I think he'll do a good job there."

Still, Rolle sounds like a man who is thinking about playing for the Dolphins and not just because he has a desire to eat his mother's cooking more often. He told Salguero that he has kept abreast of the Dolphins' personnel situation and knows that they may be looking to make a change from Gibril Wilson at free safety.

Rolle, who will play in Sunday's Pro Bowl, had 72 tackles, four interceptions and 1.5 sacks during the 2009 season. Wilson had 93 tackles and one sack for the Dolphins. 

Click here to order Antrel Rolle’s proCane Rookie Card.



(profootballtalk.com)

Due an $8.1 million salary in addition to a $4 million roster bonus, Antrel Rolle's status with the Cardinals is up in the air this offseason.

Rolle has said he won't take a paycut, but there's no chance the Cardinals will pay him $12 million this season. Rashad Johnson isn't ready to take over at free safety, so the sides will have to work out a long-term deal or renegotiate Rolle's 2010 salary.

Click here to order Antrel Rolle’s proCane Rookie Card.



(rotoworld.com)

The Internal Revenue Service says Arizona Cardinals safety Antrel Rolle understated his taxable income by more than 50% during his first two years in pro football, sending him a $2.2 million bill for back taxes, interest and penalties.

The IRS claims are contained in a previously unreported lawsuit Rolle filed in U.S. Tax Court against the agency. His petition asserts the IRS violated the Taxpayer Bill of Rights, denied him due process and failed to treat him in a "fair, professional and courteous manner." He complains the agency refused to transfer his tax audit from Sacramento to Los Angeles where his advisors and records were located and would not accept proffered documentation.

However, Rolle does not specifically dispute the IRS audit findings, which he attached to his pleading. The IRS findings state that it was discrepancies and inconsistencies in Rolle's own filings that accounted for most of the bill. Cited points included nonexistent or unlikely addresses, huge deductions claimed by Rolle for a personally run executive business and hard-to-locate churches listed as recipients of big cash gifts, with the amounts and descriptions of these donations changing.

Hiram M. Martin, the lawyer for Rolle in the tax case, declined comment Tuesday on specifics. Calling the matter "confidential," he said it was "totally inappropriate" for Forbes to have obtained his pleading. "I am outraged," he said. By law, Tax Court lawsuits are public record at the clerk's office in Washington, D.C.

Rolle is a new twist on what has become an epidemic of legal troubles plaguing NFL players. His case is a civil tax matter, and Rolle is the plaintiff. Recently New Orleans Saints defensive end Bobby McCray and Atlanta Falcons receiver Eric Weems were arrested for driving while under the influence, while Green Bay Packers defensive tackle Johnny Jolly and Falcons lineman Jonathan Babineaux were charged with drug offenses. None has admitted guilt. Player legal problems are so widespread that there is even a blog devoted to NFL-related crimes.

The hard-tackling Rolle, 27, just finished his fifth season in the National Football League, where he has developed into a top defensive free safety with a knack for turning interceptions into touchdowns. His last game was on Jan. 16, when a head injury forced his first-quarter departure during the Cardinals' 45-14 divisional playoff loss to the New Orleans Saints.

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(forbes.com)

The NFL 2010 Pro Bowlers were announced with 11 proCanes named on the AFC and NFC rosters.

AFC:
- Andre Johnson - WR - Houston Texans - Starter
- Brandon Meriweather - S - New England Patriots - Starter
- Reggie Wayne - WR - Indianapolis Colts - Starter
- Vince Wilfork - DL - New England Patriots
- Ray Lewis - MLB - Baltimore Ravens - Starter
- Ed Reed - S - Baltimore Ravens - Starter
- DJ Williams - OLB - Denver Broncos - Alternate

NFC:
- Bryant McKinnie - OL - Minnesota Vikings - Starter
- Jonathan Vilma - MLB - New Orleans Saints
- Antrel Rolle - S - Arizona Cardinals - Starter
- Frank Gore - RB - San Francisco 49ers - Starter

*Updated 1/25/10

The Cardinals will have to restructure the final year on FS Antrel Rolle's contract this offseason.

Rolle hit escalators in his incentive-heavy rookie deal, pushing his 2010 salary to a whopping $8.11 million. The Cards won't sever ties with their best option at free safety, but will have to get creative about reducing his pay.

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(rotoworld.com)

It wouldn't be the NFL playoffs without a little drama and some bulletin-board material. Cardinals safety Antrel Rolle provided both this week and spent Wednesday trying to back-pedal his way out of it.

What set things off was this quote attributed to Rolle about Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers that reporter Michael Silver wrote on yahoo.com:

"Let me tell you something - that dude is scary. We have a great defense and we were up on him and ready to pounce, and he found ways to tear us apart.

"I don't ever want to face him again in my life. I am dead serious. I'll face Drew Brees any day of the way before I face him again."

The quote quickly made its way to New Orleans, where Rolle and the Cardinals are to meet Brees and the Saints on Saturday in an NFC divisional playoff game at the Louisiana Superdome.

Brees brushed off the remark on Tuesday telling reporters, "I think that's just part of the game. We've encountered that over the year. The fact is, that doesn't affect the way I prepare."

Rolle, however, said his quote was taken out of context, that Silver "twisted and turned" his words around.

"It's a complete and total lie," Rolle said. "First of all, I wasn't even talking to Michael Silver. Adrian (Wilson) and myself were having a private conversation and I was simply praising Aaron Rodgers.

"(Silver) decided to throw Drew Brees' name out there and I was like, 'I'm not even talking about Drew Brees. I'm talking about Aaron Rodgers. . . . I have all the respect in the world for Drew Brees. His game speaks for itself."
Rodgers passed for four touchdowns and a team playoff-record 422 yards in Green Bay's 51-45 loss to Arizona on Sunday.

"Michael Silver threw Drew Brees' name up as I was walking out of the locker room," Rolle continued. "After a game like that, who's going to be thinking about Drew Brees? The guy that just ripped us was Aaron Rodgers. That's who I was talking about. That's who I was giving praise to."

But if the Saints want to hang the quote up in the locker room, Rolle said they can have at it.

"If they want to go out there and use that as motivation, then let it be done," he said. "I don't back down from anyone."

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(azcentral.com)

Yahoo! Sports - The Cardinals may have advanced, but Arizona defensive back Antrel Rolle never wants to face Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers again.

"Let me tell you something – that dude is scary," Rolle said of Rodgers. "We have a great defense, and we were up on him and ready to pounce, and he found ways to tear us apart.

"I don't ever want to face him again in my life. I am dead serious. I'll face Drew Brees any day of the week before I face him again."

Rodgers completed 28-for-42 passes, throwing for 422 yards and four touchdowns in Green Bay's 51-45 overtime loss to Arizona.

"Hey, nobody ever said the guy was a bad player. But to have him actually do what he did to us in the second half was unbelievable. He was on fire. The whole half. The guy was just amazing," added safety Adrian Wilson.

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(realgmfootball.com)

Free safety Antrel Rolle missed practice because of a bruised thigh, which caused him to sit out last Sunday. He declined to say how he was feeling, saying only that he would be evaluated as the week progress.

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(azcentral.com)