FanPost

The Loss of Antrel Rolle

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.

<em>This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Revenge of the Birds' (ROTB) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of ROTB's editors.</em>