The Arizona Cardinals drafted Rolle #8 overall in the 2005 draft, the 1st defensive back in the draft. He played corner his first 3 years in AZ before it was noticed he was going nowhere at the position and being smoked by the speedy receivers. Rolle than moved, not transitioned, just plained moved to Free Safety, which is a natural fit, IMO, safeties don't have to have lightning speed but should have above average play recognition abilities.
Rolle sufficed at this position and did as well as a failed cornerback could at this position, he did a good job his first year at the position and a better job his 2nd year, but was no where near elite at the position. When i think of a elite FS in the NFL I think: Ed Reed, Brian Dawkins, and Darren Sharper. As a Cardinal fan I wouldn't even dare put Rolle in that conversation.
(tell me one of them picked the ball and who has the best shot at getting a pick six out of it and its a different story)
I post this blog, because its the offseason, a time where fans can belittle fans of other teams and boast of their own teams. And what we've seen here and everywhere else is we lost Antrel, how can we (immediately) recover from that.
Tackling
1. Tyvon Branch 124
40. Adrian Wilson 74
46. Antrel Rolle 72
72. Kerry Rhodes 63
Pass Deflections
1. Darrelle Revis 37
2. DRC 31
27. Kerry Rhodes 16
51. Antrel Rolle 12
Interceptions
1. Jarius Byrd 9
Darren Sharper 9
12. Adrian Wilson 5
23. Antrel Rolle 4
41. Kerry Rhodes 3
Rolle didn't return any picks for six. Never Ranked top ten in any these three categories. Well Rhodes also doesn't appear to be an improvement, he was benched a few games and his numbers don't trail Rolle by much.
Kerry Rhodes
Height: 6 ft 3 in 40 Time: 4.60 |
Weight: 220 lb Vertical: 42" |
Antrel Rolle
Height: 6 ft 0 in 40 Time: 4.49 |
Weight: 208 lb Vertical: 38.5" |
What I believe is that Rhodes is not an improvement over Rolle, but isn't a downgrade either.
I believe a majority of the people are distracted by Rolle's big plays
:
In the end, I think people think Rolle was a massive lost because of the plays above. He didnt do these every game, but when he did it was awesome.
I wish Rolle the best of luck in NY, and really hope he lives up to that contract.
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