Loading ...The running anecdote of “Where ‘Trel at?” may very well become defunct this season. With health and key players (see: #24) coming back into the Giants secondary, the talk of safety Antrel Rolle moving back to his natural position to make plays has already been alluded to by Defensive Coordinator Perry Fewell.
"We have a backup plan in case he [Terrell Thomas] is not ready," Fewell said. "But he is heavily in our plans. We have to wait until Albany to see which plan we go with. Like anything that we try to do, we have a Plan A and a Plan B, and he is in the Plan A."
Before it’s brought up that Thomas is slated to be starter at cornerback (not nickel), remember what he brought to the table as that starting corner—as well as what was missing in 2011 on that side. Rolle played just two games at his natural safety position in 2011. With T2 lost for the season (during preseason) to a torn ACL, Rolle had been asked to fill holes at nickel corner; this, in turn, affected his play-making ability. At times, his frustration showed, but #26 always self-reflected. Even two years ago, Rolle recognized the need to improve.
"So when I have more time to myself, I'm going to be able to put in my mind, ‘Look, you're going to have to be able to do this, do this, do this, do that,' " he said. "Next year will definitely be a better season for me. I've always been a climber. I've never been a person that declined. I'll look to get better."
In 2010, Rolle made 87 tackles, had one interception, four passes defensed, a forced fumble and two recoveries. Throw in a shared sack. In ’11, his stats improved to 96 tackles, a forced fumble, two interceptions and another four passes defensed—all career bests. Since he took leadership (with Deon Grant) of the defensive backfield, there was marked improvement—albeit late in the season and into the post-season. Safeties coach, Dave Merritt noticed that when Antrel spoke out, things changed.
"In my opinion, that was the pivotal moment for us," said Giants secondary coach David Merritt, in January of this year. "That's when everybody came on board. Guys started analyzing themselves, and it helped we also became healthier."
Better things should be expected on the horizon if health remains on ‘Trel’s as well as Big Blue’s side. He’s already claimed that 2012’s defense is “stacked.” It would seem as though the Miami native has taken to the bright lights and big city—expecting more of himself as well as his future.
“I’m in the New York swing of things right now," Rolle said. “I can actually say New York is my second home. I can’t see anything being greater than being an athlete and playing in the brighter stage of New York. It’s something I’m definitely blessed to be in. I’m gonna try to capture it and appreciate it and ride it until the wheels fall off."
Anticipate this attitude bleeding even more so into the safety’s defensive teammates in training camp—where an infectious vibe floats around the practice fields in Albany—especially when the bonding and swagger-filled chant on three of “Deeeeeee-Beeeeeeeeeees!” is heard.
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Pumped for my trip to Albany
norm … I’ll definitely catch a few practices. I try to narrow down what I’m looking at … and hopefully make a few helpful observations. This year I want to see who’s getting snaps at kickoff-and-punt returns. Who lines up with who at LB … and where. And what the starting OL shapes up as.
Individual players include Barden, Jernigan, Rivers, and Bennett. Naturally I’ll watch the high draft picks too, but that’s often difficult.
This year I plan to take some pics … and maybe find a place to upload them. But being untalented as a photographer they’ll probably suck.
big year for bennett i loved ballard but bennett is alot more athletic n eli will make his true potential come out
Is this a beautiful day in New York or what? Played tennis and golf and now am going to sit down and watch a tape of the Super Bowl before having an al fresco dinner in the city. After all these horrid days this one seems like manna from heaven.
As for Trel, I mentioned a few years ago that Kurt Warner had told me that he was the real leader of the Cards when he was out there and a great teammate. That’s why I was astounded when he started to get labelled as a bad guy with the Giants by the press and fans. I think everyone found out what kind of a presence in the locker room he really was when he called out Tuck and others and the team turned around from that moment and made its run to the Lombardi.
I expect him to have a GREAT year. With the front seven we’ll have there will be plenty of opportunities for the defensive backs to make plays on the ball when quarterbacks throw under pressure. Rolle excels in that kind of situation. I think we’re going to see the best he’s got in 2012. He and Phillips make a ridiculously great pair at the safety position and allow this defense to do a lot of things other defenses won’t dare. I believe we’re going to see quite a show.
Rolle is one of those guys who needs to stay off social media.
I’ll be at camp with field passes as much as my work allows me. If anyone wants me to pay attention to anything, holler.
On wilison i saw him play clemson dudes a stud in college curious how he lools as a pro