What's Next for the Giants After Losing Antrel Rolle in Free Agency?
Whether you loved or hated now former New York Giants safety Antrel Rolle, who signed a three-year deal with the Chicago Bears on Thursday, his departure is a significant blow to a Giants team that faces a “win or else” ultimatum from management.
Why is this so, considering that Rolle was part of a defensive unit that contributed to a dismal 6-10 season and which, per StatMilk, finished 29th overall (30th against the run, 17th against the pass and 22nd in points allowed)?
Let’s rewind the proverbial tape and then explore where the Giants go from here to replace Rolle.
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Leadership
While a good number of his teammates would take refuge in the areas designated as off-limits to the media during the open locker room period, win or lose, Rolle was at his locker, available to answer questions, even if they were the same ones.
Media obligations aside, Rolle never missed a game during his five-year career with the Giants. He also rarely missed a practice.
The one summer when he collided with former Giants tight end Bear Pascoe and twisted his ankle during training camp, Rolle attacked his rehab with vigor and aggression so that he could get back on the field as quickly as possible.
Why rush back to a training camp practice when a veteran like Rolle knew what he was doing? His answer was simple and, as far as his teammates should have been concerned, inspiring.
"I’m not a fan of injuries; I really hate to even speak about this, but it happens in this game. I’m just going to do the best I can, try to get out there before the preseason’s over with and take it one day at a time. … I’m going to do whatever it takes to make sure [I return]. Treatment—two times a day, three times a day, four times a day—whatever it takes, I’m going to do it.
"
It was only fitting for Rolle to feel that way. In December 2011, following a lopsided loss to Washington, a frustrated Rolle suggested that some of his teammates—players he never mentioned by name—who were nursing minor injuries needed to toughen up.
“I’m not calling anyone out. It’s not about individuals,” Rolle said to the reporters gathered around his locker.
“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.”
No wonder why head coach Tom Coughlin told reporters last month that he would love to have Rolle back this year.
"He is an outstanding young man and, to be honest with you, I have never come across a player that was more interested in his team and trying to help his team get better in any way he could.
I think countless Tuesdays Antrel was in my office with [questions about] how we can get better, what can we do to get better. Just thoughts going back and forth between coach and player in terms of how our team could improve.
I don’t think I have ever been involved with a player who was more sincerely interested in how his team could improve. I admire that very much in him as a young man and a leader.
"
Rolle might not have always been politically correct, but when he spoke, his teammates and his coaches listened. That in itself is a rare quality in today’s NFL locker rooms, and a trust that sometimes takes players years to earn.
Versatility
Like any other player, Rolle has his strengths and his weaknesses.
Playing down by the box was one of his strengths. In all five seasons with the Giants, Rolle finished no lower than second on the team in total tackles.
| 2010 | 87 | 2nd |
| 2011 | 96 | 1st |
| 2012 | 96 | 2nd |
| 2013 | 98 | 1st |
| 2014 | 87 | 2nd |
According to data collected from various Pro Football Focus pages, Rolle finished with at least 25 stops (defined as tackles for zero or negative yards) in four of his five seasons with the Giants, eclipsing 30 stops twice.
Playing as a slot cornerback was also not necessarily a strength of Rolle’s, nor was playing in coverage. He allowed 244 of the 428 yards completed against him in 2014 to come after the catch.
Rolle was also ranked as having the most missed tackles in all but one of his seasons, the exception being in 2010, when he finished second on the team in that category.
Still, whatever the coaches needed him to do, Rolle was more than willing to put aside his ego to help the team.
What’s Next for the Giants?
The attempts thus far by the Giants to land a young veteran safety have gone nowhere, as those linked to the Giants such as Rahim Moore and Devin McCourty have signed elsewhere.
Other prospects, such as Ron Parker (Kansas City) and Darian Stewart (Ravens) have also been linked to the Giants.
However, Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News reported that neither appears to be planning a visit to the Giants’ East Rutherford headquarters in the near future.
According to PFF’s free agency tracker, some other remaining safety prospects who were still unsigned when this article was written included Dawan Landry (Jets), Jeromy Miles (Ravens) and Kurt Coleman (Chiefs).
The Giants are also likely crossing their collective fingers that one or both of Nat Berhe and Cooper Taylor emerge as contenders for the vacancies.
Of those, Berhe is perhaps the most intriguing as a potential replacement at Rolle’s old strong safety spot. Berhe is a hard-hitting safety with decent speed and instincts to anticipate the arrival of the ball.
Unfortunately, he didn’t get much of an opportunity last year as a rookie, playing in just 32 defensive snaps to refine his craft.
With a full offseason under his belt, Berhe could be someone to keep an eye on this summer from those safeties returning.
As for the leadership void, assuming the Giants stick with two captains on offense and two on defense, one candidate who would be the logical to replace Rolle as a captain is linebacker Jon Beason, voted as a co-captain last year despite having missed all of training camp with a toe ailment.
Beason’s communication style is a little less blunt than Rolle’s, but his message about preparation and playing for one’s teammates is still the same, as is his commitment to backing up his words with actions.
His teammates also seemed to respond to him almost from the minute he walked in the door back in October 2013, following his acquisition via trade from Carolina.
The problem with Beason is that he needs to hang around—he can ill-afford to land on the injured reserve list again, something that he has had to deal with regularly since 2011. If he is due to have a 16-game season, this would be a great year for him to do it.
Paul Schwartz of the New York Post suggests other possibilities to step up into the leadership role, including defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and cornerback Prince Amukamara.
Of those, Pierre-Paul probably makes the most sense based on personality and seniority with the team. However, is he ready to step up and officially be one of the voices that needs to be heard when things go amiss?
The bottom line is that replacing Rolle isn’t going to be an easy task, both in terms of production and leadership.
Yet, with the defensive starting from scratch under defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, and with this year being a critical one in terms of the need to win, how general manager Jerry Reese and the rest of the Giants brass approach this challenge could very well set the tone for what’s to come.
Unless otherwise noted, contract and salary-cap information is from Over the Cap and advanced stats are from Pro Football Focus.
Patricia Traina covers the Giants for Inside Football, the Journal Inquirer and Sports Xchange. All quotes and information obtained firsthand unless otherwise sourced.
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