Is Antrel Rolle an option for next Eagles free safety?
by JasonB on Feb 22, 2010 3:09 PM EST
in Philadelphia Eagles News
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PrintThe Arizona Cardinals own website had an interesting note about the status of their pro bowl free safety Antrel Rolle.
Antrel Rolle and the team have talked contract, but this close to Rolle’s magic date — he’s due that giant $4 million roster bonus next week — I expect him to be released into the open market. What that means is anyone’s guess. The Cardinals believe Rolle would like to come back, but again, it’s all relative when it comes to dollars.
As bizarre as it would be for a team to cut a 27 year old pro bowler, if this actually happens it seems like it would be a no brainer for the Eagles to make a run at Rolle.
The three guys who attempted to fill the hole at free safety left by Brian Dawkins' departure didn't exactly get the job done. Quintin Demps, who was the odds on favorite to take over the position, ended up losing it in training camp. He would go on to battle injuries and was inactive for most of the last part of the season. Macho Harris won the job coming out of training camp, despite the fact that he was a rookie fifth round pick who was a corner and never played safety in college. Harris had some bright moments, but eventually lack of experience and youth really started to show. Of course in addition to being a rookie 5th round pick learning a new position Harris was also asked to be the team's primary kick returner. It was always going to be a lot to ask of the kid. Then there was Sean Jones, who after signing as a free agent in the offseason, always appeared better suited to a strong safety role(if any role at all).
More after the jump.
Point is, the guys expected to replace Dawkins were hardly blue chips. If indeed Antrel Rolle comes available, he'd likely be by far the best free safety available to the Eagles this offseason. At #24 in the draft, the Eagles won't have a shot at a guy like Eric Berry and with the uncapped year changing free agency proven vets like Oshiomogho Atogwe will be restricted free agents.
For me, Rolle would be this year's Leonard Weaver. A good player, freely available, at a position of obvious need. Get it done, check safety off the list of needs and move on.
Of course, it's not that simple... With such an anemic free agent market looming, Rolle would certainly demand a huge payday. Probably a good bit bigger than he really deserves. But hey, there's no cap and you always have to overpay in free agency.
Here's a quick scouting report on Rolle.
A converted cornerback with exceptional cover skills. Has great range when playing safety. Can be effective in man or zone coverage. Has great hands and can run with the ball. A good enough tackler to play free safety.
Has some concentration lapses and will make errors in judgment at times. Can get flagged far too often.
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As bizarre as it would be for a team to cut a 27 year old pro bowler, if this actually happens it seems like it would be a no brainer for the Eagles to make a run at Rolle.
No-brainer indeed…
And at 27 with 5 years of NFL experience, he’s right in the sweet spot of the “Eagle Free Agent Zone” in which the Eagles have historically invested heavily. A few examples…
- Jevon Kearse – 5 years in the league when he signed in Philly, was 27 years old. Signed for 8 years, $66 million.
- Asante Samuel – 5 years in the league when he signed in Philly, was 27 years old. Signed for 6 years, $57 million.
- Jason Peters – 5 years in the league when Philly traded for him, was 27 years old. Signed for 6 years, $60 million.
Another one...
- Stacy Andrews – 5 years in the league when he signed in Philly, was 27 years old. Signed for 6 years, $39 million.
Sounds like a no brainer, absolutely
It’s funny this post reminded me of your Weaver post last year and lo and behold you declared it your 2010 Weaver signing. Young, and talented, we should absolutely make it happen.
E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES!!!
Absolutely
He could fill a huge gap and we can concentrate on other things.
Reid- Best Coach in Eagles History
McNabb- Best QB in Eagles History
This is the year
I don’t get why Cardinals won’t just pay the 4 millions and keep him…
But I’ll gladly see him in green.
RIP Jim Johnson, best ever.
Kurt Warner: HOF Class of 2015
Because they'd end up paying him something like $12 million this year
and thats a lot, even for him.
Because the Cardinals don't pay their players.
That’s a big part of why they’ve been so bad for so long. They’ve always been willing to pay a couple of big names, but on the whole they’re not willing to do what it takes to be a winning franchise. If it wasn’t for just dumb luck in stricking gold with Kurt Warner, we wouldn’t have seen them winning the last couple of years. Remember, they brought him in to be a backup.
yeah releasing Rolle stinks of being cheap
I really don’t get it with how good their team is right now, I won’t believe it till it’s official.
My "t" and "y" buttons are messed up so don't bitch at me about misspelling, I'm just saying.
by RadioheadbeatlesEagles on Feb 22, 2010 10:05 PM EST up reply actions
My only question about him would be how good is he in the Box
Being an ex-corner I wounder if he can really hold his own down there
Let's get it Birds.
With that said
I would love to see him in eagles green
Let's get it Birds.
by homestar2281 on Feb 22, 2010 3:50 PM EST up reply actions
he's not an in-the-box safety at all.
he’s great with the ball in his hands though, I remember a couple defensive TD’s the last couple years.
My "t" and "y" buttons are messed up so don't bitch at me about misspelling, I'm just saying.
by RadioheadbeatlesEagles on Feb 22, 2010 10:06 PM EST up reply actions
I would prolly bust a nut if we get him
thats Cobb on Kolb crime if you ask me... as said by yophillybro
"I'm trading Kolb to Buffalo for Cribbs"- the brilliant Trade Kolb
I would prefer getting Peppers over Rolle because of the tremendous depth at Safety in the draft. If they don’t sign Peppers, no doubt they should go after Antrel.
if the raiders don't tag him
Eagles should go after Seymour instead, and still draft a DE…..They could then have enough money to go after another big name FA….either rolle or dansby.
"Eagles fans are a passionate group who love their team," said McNabb, "if not the actual players. It's not like winning a Super Bowl before the first month of the season is the hardest thing they've ever asked of me. That'd be all those times they asked me to go kill myself."
by greenbean#twoOH on Feb 23, 2010 2:05 PM EST up reply actions
Our Gain
This is a gift from God if it really happens. We can also use Rolle as a corner in some formations, which would be perfect because he was and still could be a very physical corner. Also, there is alot of depth at the DE position and a NT like Shaun Rogers or Vince Wilfork would do more for our pass rush then Julious Peppers ever could.
by MidwesternEaglesfan on Feb 22, 2010 4:26 PM EST reply actions
wilfork's been franchised
My "t" and "y" buttons are messed up so don't bitch at me about misspelling, I'm just saying.
by RadioheadbeatlesEagles on Feb 22, 2010 10:09 PM EST up reply actions
Signing Rolle
Would be a very nice way to get this offseason going. Would likely take care of FS for the next 3 years and would reduce the Eagles need to draft a S in the first 2 rounds just to fill a need.
This has become my new number 1 priority.
Since moving to FS I’ve been really impressed with him.
Jim Johnson 1941-2009
"The 0-2 pitch, swing and a miss! STRUCK HIM OUT! The Philadelphia Phillies are 2008 World Champions of baseball! And let the city celebrate! " - Harry Kalas 1936-2009
agreed 100%
impressed me greatly the last two years, he and Adrian Wilson make a nice safety tandem.
My "t" and "y" buttons are messed up so don't bitch at me about misspelling, I'm just saying.
by RadioheadbeatlesEagles on Feb 22, 2010 10:10 PM EST up reply actions
Peppers
For how big of a contract Peppers will want you have to think twice about signing him because he is getting older and u have to question his work ethic
yup
My "t" and "y" buttons are messed up so don't bitch at me about misspelling, I'm just saying.
by RadioheadbeatlesEagles on Feb 22, 2010 10:10 PM EST up reply actions
I don't know why Rolle is so underrated at Pro Football Focus...
They rank him as the 67th best Safety in the league, even lower than Nacho Harris. That is VERY wrong. He had very solid numbers last year…
1041 snaps – 59% completion pct against him, 14.2 avg(pretty high), 2 TD, 4 INT, 65.9 QB rating.
His biggest negative is his 14 missed tackles which is one of the top 5 highest in the league. He had just 9 in the ’08 season though.
Let’s compare him to Macho…
527 snaps- 77% completion pct, 7 missed tackles, 15.1 avg, 1 TD, 0 INT, 140.2 QB rating.
Now Sean Jones….
541 snaps- 75.5% completion pct, 7 missed tackles, 13.8 avg, 2 TD, 2 INT, 109.3 QB rating.
I think it’s safe to say Rolle would be a HUGE upgrade at the Free Safety position.
the only thing lookin not so good is the missed tackles. teaming him and asante up would be an insane combo of INT’s, but completions would go for 6 every time. (i kid, i kid….)
If you dont like Big Red, then F#%@ You!
-Ricky Bobby
by GreenInBaltimore on Feb 22, 2010 5:14 PM EST up reply actions
you may be kidding but he is a bit of a soft tackler
he’s no asante though
My "t" and "y" buttons are messed up so don't bitch at me about misspelling, I'm just saying.
by RadioheadbeatlesEagles on Feb 22, 2010 10:11 PM EST up reply actions
yeah he's alot like Reid with the ball in his hands.
My "t" and "y" buttons are messed up so don't bitch at me about misspelling, I'm just saying.
by RadioheadbeatlesEagles on Feb 22, 2010 10:12 PM EST up reply actions
hahahahahahaha. i was about to comment and say, “what?” before I got it.
http://www.libertyballers.com/
haha Reed
My "t" and "y" buttons are messed up so don't bitch at me about misspelling, I'm just saying.
by RadioheadbeatlesEagles on Feb 23, 2010 10:50 AM EST up reply actions
Antrel Rolle and Myron Rolle, please make it happen
Desean Jackson- Im Number 1, the real deal, The 1(0)ne to Watch.
Interview while at Cal.
This is nuts
Didnt the cards just say that there not going to Franchise Tag Karlos Dansby either. This makes no sence at all.
I'd take all three!
My "t" and "y" buttons are messed up so don't bitch at me about misspelling, I'm just saying.
by RadioheadbeatlesEagles on Feb 22, 2010 10:12 PM EST up reply actions
Can Rolle blitz?
Given that JJ’s defense scheme calls for the FS to be versatile and blitz occasionally, I wonder how Rolle is at positioning himself & getting to the QB if needed on a blitz?
he's very fast, so i'm sure that helps coming off the edge.
My "t" and "y" buttons are messed up so don't bitch at me about misspelling, I'm just saying.
by RadioheadbeatlesEagles on Feb 22, 2010 10:13 PM EST up reply actions
Why stop with Antrel and Myron?
Who does Samani play for?
by MidwesternEaglesfan on Feb 22, 2010 9:10 PM EST reply actions
samari?
samari rolle plays for the ravens…
"Eagles fans are a passionate group who love their team," said McNabb, "if not the actual players. It's not like winning a Super Bowl before the first month of the season is the hardest thing they've ever asked of me. That'd be all those times they asked me to go kill myself."
by greenbean#twoOH on Feb 22, 2010 9:55 PM EST up reply actions
my bad...
pretty sure he was cut, don’t know if he was ever signed..
"Eagles fans are a passionate group who love their team," said McNabb, "if not the actual players. It's not like winning a Super Bowl before the first month of the season is the hardest thing they've ever asked of me. That'd be all those times they asked me to go kill myself."
by greenbean#twoOH on Feb 22, 2010 9:58 PM EST up reply actions
We won't know
I am not impressed with Q, he needs to show me more. If we get Antrel, we could draft Iupati or Ducasse which would upgrade our line. The way I see it, Free Safety who can hit and cover, Tall Wideout, and Offensive Guard and Center are what we should look for, Maurkice Pouncey might be an upgrade over Jamaal at center which is crazy to say about an effective starter, Iupati is aite, but I honestly want the Andrews sisters to become men and help this team. Which means that filling all needs could help us get a DT who would bring pass pressure which we haven’t had in FOREVER, Dan Williams welcome to Philadelphia
Offseason Dreams
Sign Rolle, Peppers, Thomas Howard
Draft Picks
Dan Williams
Maurkice Pouncey
Dexter McCluster
DaNario Alexander
LeGarrette Blount
your turn haha
1. Agree with Rolle and Peppers.
2. Iupati is not “aite”. Best Guard in the draft, by far. Dude is a mauler and my pick for round 1.
3. I want Maurkice Pouncey as well. Best Center in the draft. Projected in the second and quite possible to get him but we might need a DE or Safety here, depending on Free Agency.
4. Thomas Howard is RESTRICTED. Can’t get him.
5. I want Blount if he drops to the 5th.
Rolle out there out there, and rumors from Yahoo that the Panthers are just gonna let Peppers walk … It definitely looks to be another great off-season for dreaming.
If the Eagles take Antrel Rolle, who will play SS?
Will Mikell get moved over, will Rolle get moved over, or will they split the FS slot and one of the current guys take over at SS?
And what if on top of that Myron Rolle gets drafted?
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