The Pro Bowl squads have finished their walk-thru before tomorrow's game and I had the opportunity to catch up with a player who has his eyes set on playing for the Dolphins:
Free safety Antrel Rolle.
Rolle, a former University of Miami star in the Pro Bowl for the first time, is in a sort of limbo right now because the Cardinals are scheduled to pay him $12.1 million in salary and a bonus in 2010. The idea behind having such a whopping figure in the final year of Rolle's contract is to force both sides to renegotiate a new deal or simply cut ties.
And while Rolle insists he loves the Cardinals, he also loves the idea of playing for the Dolphins in South Florida, where he grew up, played at South Dade High and The U.
"That would be nice," Rolle told me. "You know what I mean. I would love to take some of the burden off of mom and dad seeing as they travel to every game. Miami is home for me. I haven't played here in five years, but hey, we can make it happen."
Rolle repeated that his parent fly across country to every game he plays. That's 16 weeks of travel and he'd like to lighten their burden by giving them eight home games in Miami.
"I'm still a Cardinal right now, you know," he said. "I don't know what's going to happen. But I love the Cardinals and their organization. I've been good to them and they've been great to me also. Let's just see what plays out.
"I don't know what's going to play out. They haven't given me any indication. I know they want to keep me there. We're trying to keep our franchise together, but I don't know what they're thinking right now."
What Rolle is thinking is that if the Cardinals decide not to pay him his $12 million and release him he will be on the open market. And the first place he will look is Miami. It is important enough a topic to him that he has studied Miami's personnel situation at free safety and is aware Gibril Wilson was something of a bust last year and could be cut when the league year begins anew in March.
"I'm more than aware," Rolle told me.
This season Rolle had 72 tackles, four interceptions, eight passes defensed, one forced fumble and 1.5 sacks. Wilson had 91 tackles, eight passes defensed and one sack. He had no interceptions and caused no other turnovers.
Rolle, who lives in Homestead in the offseason, is not completely disconnected from the Cardinals yet. He said Kurt Warner's retirement was "bittersweet."
"I'm happy for him," Rolle said, "But he's defintely going to be missed. He's one of the persons that has been my inspiration and one of the leaders I've looked to."
Matt Leinart is expected to take over for Warner.
"Leinert, I think his time is up right now," Rolle said. "It's time for him to produce and be the player that Matt knows he can be and the player we all know he can be. We're going to be behind him 100 percent of the way and I think he'll do a good job there."
Assuming Rolle is there with Leinert. Big assumption.
That a boy Graham!!!
Posted by: Mark in Toronto | January 30, 2010 at 05:07 PM
I worked in South FL for a while, New Jersey folks have their own style LOL.
Posted by: Po White Trash | January 30, 2010 at 05:08 PM
They should eat canfield up
Posted by: Bootang25 | January 30, 2010 at 05:08 PM
I also like cuban menace better . we now know his name is mike. slip up !!! LOL !!
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | January 30, 2010 at 05:08 PM
Looks like Sporano took too much time stroking Tebow's ego this week to get any effective coaching done.
Posted by: The Seer | January 30, 2010 at 05:09 PM
Po , yup !!
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | January 30, 2010 at 05:09 PM
I really like Sheffield in the 3rd or 4th too. Canfield is a bum I hate to say it
Posted by: Bootang25 | January 30, 2010 at 05:10 PM
Mike Perez name of a fat security guard w/big ego
Posted by: chi | January 30, 2010 at 05:10 PM
troy brothers look good
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | January 30, 2010 at 05:10 PM
Witherspoon showed good instincts and discipline there.
Posted by: Mark in Toronto | January 30, 2010 at 05:10 PM
How did Tebow fare for the day?I only saw the first posession for both squads before the woman reminded me that I shouldn't be watching football today.
Posted by: beerndrums | January 30, 2010 at 05:11 PM
I believe this is one of the best drafts as far as defense goes I can remember. So many good players are going to slip, we should be able to really find players
Posted by: Bootang25 | January 30, 2010 at 05:12 PM
He did Nothing special BD.
Posted by: Po White Trash | January 30, 2010 at 05:12 PM
I want graham round 2 NOW !!!
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | January 30, 2010 at 05:12 PM
I would like Weatherspoon inside as well in a 3-4. He would cover those TEs that gave Miami so much trouble this year.
Posted by: Mark in Toronto | January 30, 2010 at 05:13 PM
Damn I love weatherspoon and Graham, not sure who I like more lol
Posted by: Bootang25 | January 30, 2010 at 05:13 PM
Bootang , agree , i've been saying this draft is loaded on d for awhile. That's why we must go d early and often.
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | January 30, 2010 at 05:14 PM
If u can cover a guy like mccluster, you can cover TEs. Very versatile, can play all over
Posted by: Bootang25 | January 30, 2010 at 05:14 PM
yeah , witherspoon can play anywhere at LB. some buffoon told me he can only play MLB in the 4-3.
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | January 30, 2010 at 05:15 PM
The days of graham and Weatherspoon being 2nd rd picks may be over if they keep up this pace through the combine.
Posted by: Mark in Toronto | January 30, 2010 at 05:16 PM
There's ed dickson. he a good one.
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | January 30, 2010 at 05:16 PM
Gotta give props to canfield on that, Im hard on him but that was NICE
Posted by: Bootang25 | January 30, 2010 at 05:16 PM
NJ, You pointed out bout tony S. Clapping after a F.G, I agree, this guy needs to chew some butt when his team dosnt get a T.D, I remember Bill Cower chewing his rookie Q.B (Roethlisberger) a new Orifice in his 1st game as a starter....
Posted by: cuban menace | January 30, 2010 at 05:17 PM
Yep, a guy like Dickson would make an excellent complement to Fasano at TE
Posted by: Mark in Toronto | January 30, 2010 at 05:18 PM
Yeah mark , maybe late 1 for both of them.
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | January 30, 2010 at 05:18 PM
I hope Sporano & Ireland & co. took some time to check out the North's players this week too!
Posted by: The Seer | January 30, 2010 at 05:19 PM
My Philosophy is "If you cheer mediocrity(F.Gs)You'll only achieve mediocrity"
Posted by: cuban menace | January 30, 2010 at 05:19 PM
LB is such a reaction type position, one of the easiest for rookies. And with Nolan and maybe JT helping, guys like weatherspoon and graham could pay immediate dividends.
Posted by: Bootang25 | January 30, 2010 at 05:20 PM
Weatherspoon may make his way up to 12 before it's all said and done. I wouldn't be surprised.
Posted by: Mark in Toronto | January 30, 2010 at 05:20 PM
I think miami is much better off if they can find a partner and trade down. They'll have their choice of guys like williams , witherspoon and graham to go along with a extra pck.
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | January 30, 2010 at 05:21 PM
Ok guys be back after half time, gotta make a beer run.....
Posted by: cuban menace | January 30, 2010 at 05:23 PM
NJ the one thing is a stud player has to slip for someone to want to trade up, and depending on the player, we would likely take a hard look at picking that player. I do know this, I'll be MAD if we trade anything earlier than a 4th for a WR
Posted by: Bootang25 | January 30, 2010 at 05:23 PM
At least there are some good LBs to pick from.
Posted by: Po White Trash | January 30, 2010 at 05:23 PM
Well arguably there are 3 or 4 guys ever bit as impressive as Graham, good players are going to fall.
Posted by: Bootang25 | January 30, 2010 at 05:25 PM
Good point NJ. This may be a draft for Miami to accumulate as many picks as possible in the first 2 rounds. Those bastards in NE are sitting pretty.
Posted by: Mark in Toronto | January 30, 2010 at 05:26 PM
Mays . hallaluah. terrible pass
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | January 30, 2010 at 05:26 PM
Pretty funny Mays gets a pick lol. Been getting killed for no ball skills. Again, Canfield is overmatched
Posted by: Bootang25 | January 30, 2010 at 05:27 PM
Yeah mark , f'n NE is sitting pretty.
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | January 30, 2010 at 05:28 PM
Uh oh NJ, you are going to hear about that one
Posted by: Mark in Toronto | January 30, 2010 at 05:28 PM
bootang25 , Yeah that was a horrible pass.
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | January 30, 2010 at 05:29 PM
What sucks about NE, they have so much ammunition they can also realistically trade even into the top 5. Four picks in the first 2 rounds this year, 2 firsts next year
Posted by: Bootang25 | January 30, 2010 at 05:29 PM
nice pass
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | January 30, 2010 at 05:30 PM
I like Zac Robinson. He fits Parcells formula for picking a QB.
Posted by: Mark in Toronto | January 30, 2010 at 05:30 PM
Tebow makes that throw 3 out of 10 times. Good throw by Robinson
Posted by: Bootang25 | January 30, 2010 at 05:31 PM
lol @ mark . my 90 year old grandma could've had that INT.
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | January 30, 2010 at 05:31 PM
I think MIA likes playing from behind. Even this game lol we said screw it, we willspot you a big lead.
Posted by: Bootang25 | January 30, 2010 at 05:32 PM
Yeah mark , robinson was the best qb during the week.
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | January 30, 2010 at 05:32 PM
LMAO @ bootang25
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | January 30, 2010 at 05:33 PM
Bootang, the best thing that could happen for Miami is if NE packages all those picks and trades into the top 5. I'll be a lot more concerned with them with 4 NFL ready players drafted in the first 2 rounds vs 1 or 2 players.
Posted by: Mark in Toronto | January 30, 2010 at 05:34 PM
BERGEN CATHOLIC !! Joisey baby !!
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | January 30, 2010 at 05:34 PM
I shall return guys, they will no doubt praise tebow somehow and I can't stand to watchthat at halftime.
Posted by: Bootang25 | January 30, 2010 at 05:34 PM
Time to eat .
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | January 30, 2010 at 05:34 PM
i think we should take taylor mays if mcclain and bryant are gone dat would be a great pick dnt u think so
Posted by: money | January 30, 2010 at 05:35 PM
Ditto-re NE---every freaking year it seems that they have 2x the picks than evryone else.
Posted by: The Seer | January 30, 2010 at 05:36 PM
Mark you are right. There draft last year, Chung, Brace Butler, combined with another 3 or 4 players similar this year, and there D will be pretty nasty in a few years.
Posted by: Bootang25 | January 30, 2010 at 05:37 PM
Food for thought. Just talked to the most knowledgeable football guy I know and he isn't watching this game. I mentioned that Weatherspoon was having a good game and his opinion is that Weatherspoon is better than Rolando McClain. That's just his opinion though but makes me think that they are a lot closer to each other in talent than I did a few weeks back.
Posted by: Mark in Toronto | January 30, 2010 at 05:38 PM
NJ,
I think Dan William was a beast in that first half. This is the guy we need to get first ONLY is we trade down not at 12th tho.
Posted by: TD IN THE HOUSE | January 30, 2010 at 05:38 PM
I think the one thing that bodes well for us is they really need to address Oline to protect Brady, need to really reassess there RB, and even WR is a ? Moss getting older, Welker off a knee, Edelman is good but I think they still look there. So I could see them splitting those picks on both sides of the ball
Posted by: Bootang25 | January 30, 2010 at 05:39 PM
Bootang, I'm not sold on Butler and Brace hasn't showed anything yet. Chung looks good. I'm more concerned about who they get this year. Thankfully they need to spend some resources on offense because on defense, they're needs are similar to ours - big c0ck blocking possibility.
Posted by: Mark in Toronto | January 30, 2010 at 05:41 PM
Mark,
What makes mcclain better prospect for us right now is having played in a complex 3-4 scheme, the learning curve is much shorter. I like the leadership I saw from weatherspoon, his vocal leadership is crazy. Say what you want about joey Porter, but he gets the guys fired up. I like guys like that, though not when talking to the press
Posted by: Bootang25 | January 30, 2010 at 05:42 PM