Antrel Rolle should be brought back at the right price
By Ryan Disdier
The New York Giants have a huge decision to make as they decide whether or not to re-sign defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul. JPP isn’t the only big-name defensive player the Giants need make a decision on, though. Safety and defensive captain Antrel Rolle is also set to be a free agent, and he deserves to be brought back for one last run with Big Blue.
Antrel Rolle arrived in New York in 2010, and he’s been one of the most productive players for the Giants defense over that time period. Rolle made the Pro Bowl last year, but he took a step back in 2014.
Rolle had an up-and-down 2014 season, but the entire secondary didn’t play well as a unit. Father Time isn’t doing Rolle any favors either. Rolle is now 32-years-old and he’s beginning to slow down. NJ.com noted that Pro Football Focus rated Rolle as the worst defensive back on the team, with a rating of -13.9. That rating is good for 82nd out of 88 total safeties in the NFL. Rolle isn’t the only one to blame for the defensive backfield’s troubles, though. Once Prince Amukamara went down with a torn bicep, the Giants didn’t have a whole lot of help at cornerback.
Zackary Bowman, Jayron Hosley, Chykie Brown and Mike Harris aren’t exactly the Legion of Boom. Add in the fact that Stevie Brown had a bad year and Quintin Demps was uninspiring, and you have a perfect recipe for disaster.
Rolle had some plays that were so uncharacteristic of a player of his caliber that it was hard to fathom what had just happened. The week 15 game against Washington was filled with plays like that, as Rolle had what was perhaps his worst outing of the year. He whiffed on a tackle that would’ve halted a long run by Robert Griffin III, and on the same drive he blew coverage and made a huge mistake while covering Redskins receiver Andre Roberts. Fellow defensive back Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie would prevent the 61-yard Roberts catch-and-run from being a touchdown, thus saving Rolle.
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Rolle also had some boneheaded penalties, including an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for excessive celebration on an interception that would eventually be nullified.
However, with that being said, Rolle is still a leader on the defense as well as an intricate part of the team. Rolle is adamant in making sure his “see ball, get ball” philosophy is alive and well. We’ve all seen how much passion Rolle has and how he has no problem calling out the team.
The veteran safety wants to stay with the Giants, but Rolle is still uncertain about his future.
“I want to stay. I definitely want to stay here. I feel like we’re building something, although we haven’t had the season we wanted to,” Rolle said, according to NJ.com. “Collectively, I think we’re still building something. There’s a lot of room for us to grow with what we’ve accomplished so far, and I’d love to be a part of that.”
Despite Rolle’s wishes, the team could decide to part ways with him, much like they did with former defensive captain Justin Tuck following last year’s 7-9 season.
“I’ve been through this process once before, and I think you just have to take it in stride. If this was my last game as a Giant, I’m very appreciative. I wouldn’t change anything for the world, one of my five years here,” Rolle said, following the team’s week 17 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. In his career with the Giants, Rolle has 381 tackles, 2.5 sacks, five forced fumbles and 14 interceptions.
How much is Rolle worth, though?
His last deal was $37 million and there’s likely no way he’ll see a similar deal from the Giants, let alone any other team. If Rolle understands the business side of things, I think the Giants will make sure a fair deal gets done. Rolle is invaluable as a leader, and he still has some good years left in him.
The Giants can’t afford to overpay Rolle, especially if they want to re-sign Jason Pierre-Paul and sign other free agents. Furthermore, Rolle likely won’t see a deal exceeding three years. I expect the Giants to offer Rolle a one or two-year deal, at the very least.
Rolle has the right attitude, and I believe he truly does want to remain a Giant for life.
“We’ll see what happens once the offseason comes and once everybody settles down and figures out what it is that we need to do,” Rolle said. “Hopefully we can come to an agreement and get something done.”