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.
Folks tune in after the 2nd half for NJ's live blog. Please reserve seating is limited. Only five participants during the first half and only one seat available. Total of six participants for this once in a lifetime chance to be with NJ. Listen to him cut people down for expressing their opinion. NJ at his finest
Posted by: tai | January 30, 2010 at 05:42 PM
Dan Williams and even Mount Cody made some plays in the 1st half... kind of sucks that we have to watch them in the 4-3 though...
The two Defensive lineman from Georgia, especially Geno Atkins are playing well...
The LBs from the North are also having good games (missouri and michigan)
Blount will be a good RB in the NFL, he is a violent runner
Taylor Mays made a nice play, but the guy is huge! Does not look like a safety.
This is my synopsis of first half
Posted by: carlito from golfito | January 30, 2010 at 05:43 PM
Mark my point exactly, because brace and butler were both hot names for us last year at this time. Would love to see them go more offensive early on, leaving us to pick stud D players
Posted by: Bootang25 | January 30, 2010 at 05:44 PM
like carlito know what synopsis is.
Posted by: tai | January 30, 2010 at 05:45 PM
Sorry, typo. Their vs they're.
Good point Bootang regarding McClain but in addition to Weatherspoon's leadership, what about that athleticism? He covered friggin Dexter McCluster and kept an athletic QB from making a big scramble - twice. Nice element to have in a MLB.
Posted by: Mark in Toronto | January 30, 2010 at 05:45 PM
Carlito, spot on with my assessment. Mays didn't so much make a big play as canfield made a bad one. That wasn't Ed reed baiting Peyton manning.
Posted by: Bootang25 | January 30, 2010 at 05:45 PM
there you are carlito. good job,
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | January 30, 2010 at 05:46 PM
I think we see things the same way, Bootang.
Carlito, mays is huge. We don't see 230 lbs free safeties every day.
Posted by: Mark in Toronto | January 30, 2010 at 05:47 PM
Like I said mark, when you said about covering TEs, you cover mccluster, you can stay with a TE. And I said mcclain better right now, doesn't mean he is better 3 years from now. I really liked weatherspoon coming into this game. And that was before I heard him firing the team up before kickoff, make the tackle on the opening kick, cover mccluster, and do the interview. He has blown me away
Posted by: Bootang25 | January 30, 2010 at 05:48 PM
How is Cam Thomas (North Carolina) on the North team?
Posted by: carlito from golfito | January 30, 2010 at 05:48 PM
carlito , thomas had a nice bull rush and almost sacked the qb on a spin move,
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | January 30, 2010 at 05:50 PM
RUTGERS BABY !! joisey in da house!!!
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | January 30, 2010 at 05:50 PM
I'm absolutely blown away by Weatherspoon as well.
Carlito, C Thomas hasn't played that much but kept pushing highly rated guard John Jerry of ole Miss into the backfield when he was there. Impressive.
Posted by: Mark in Toronto | January 30, 2010 at 05:51 PM
Tai , nobody gives a crap . now go get your milk bottle and go to bed
Posted by: Chalupa | January 30, 2010 at 05:52 PM
NJ,
I missed it, I've been watching for him to come on on the South D. And just saw him on a replay for the North... lol... I guessed I just figured NC should be on the south team
Posted by: carlito from golfito | January 30, 2010 at 05:52 PM
LOL @ carlito , NORTH carolina hence the north squad .
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | January 30, 2010 at 05:53 PM
Williams caused that to bounce outside
Posted by: Bootang25 | January 30, 2010 at 05:54 PM
That doesn't sense at all
Posted by: carlito from golfito | January 30, 2010 at 05:54 PM
make sense
Posted by: carlito from golfito | January 30, 2010 at 05:54 PM
No push that time
Posted by: Bootang25 | January 30, 2010 at 05:54 PM
Dan Williams blows up that run.
Posted by: Mark in Toronto | January 30, 2010 at 05:55 PM
carlito , i know. but the south has alot of good players already
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | January 30, 2010 at 05:55 PM
Can we draft weatherspoon right NOW please
Posted by: Bootang25 | January 30, 2010 at 05:55 PM
Wow
Posted by: Bootang25 | January 30, 2010 at 05:56 PM
great catch from the kid from the citadel
Posted by: carlito from golfito | January 30, 2010 at 05:57 PM
LOL @ mayock. he going nuts about the south players on d. I agree
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | January 30, 2010 at 05:57 PM
Graham is beastly
Posted by: carlito from golfito | January 30, 2010 at 05:57 PM
Look at the window he threw that into. Tebow couldn't make that throw if you gave him 100 tries
Posted by: Bootang25 | January 30, 2010 at 05:57 PM
and north
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | January 30, 2010 at 05:58 PM
I second that notion Bootang.
Dan Williams pushed Iuapati backwards on the 4th down run too. Split the double team to bounce it outside on 3rd. Very impressive.
Posted by: Mark in Toronto | January 30, 2010 at 05:58 PM
NJ, where do they determine which is south and which is north????
Posted by: cuban menace | January 30, 2010 at 05:59 PM
just remember to take into consideration it's all star game and these OL haven't worked with each other but these guys have played great
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | January 30, 2010 at 06:00 PM
Can someone explain yo me why Brandon Graham can't be the No 12 overall pick?
Posted by: Armando | January 30, 2010 at 06:00 PM
I agree carlito NC state is south team so should UNC.
Posted by: FinFanEd | January 30, 2010 at 06:00 PM
Mando in the house.
Posted by: Po White Trash | January 30, 2010 at 06:00 PM
I'm almost tempted to say my new wish at 12 may be E Thomas because of what appears to be amazing depth at LB and pretty good depth at the nose.
Posted by: Bootang25 | January 30, 2010 at 06:01 PM
LOL @ mike , i mean cuban menace.
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | January 30, 2010 at 06:01 PM
Dan "too short" LeFevour
Posted by: Mark in Toronto | January 30, 2010 at 06:01 PM
there's yuur boy dickerson mark.
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | January 30, 2010 at 06:03 PM
Armando, Brandon Graham is 6'1. Considered short. That causes him to be drafted later than he should be.
Posted by: Mark in Toronto | January 30, 2010 at 06:03 PM
NJ agreed but QBs know exactly what coverage they are getting too. So the D is showing just straight skills. I can't wait to get some of these guys, and like I said, there are a lot of great players we aren't even seeing today
Posted by: Bootang25 | January 30, 2010 at 06:03 PM
Do you know, My girl just asked and I dont have the answer???? if it was a west-east game I could say the dividing line is the Mississippi river... HELP a Cuban out!!!!!
Posted by: cuban menace | January 30, 2010 at 06:03 PM
mark , that's not armando.LOL !!
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | January 30, 2010 at 06:04 PM
Another thing with Graham, I don't know how much he has played standing up. Or how ood he is in space, in coverage. As far as pass rushing goes, he's a monster. But to be picked 12 you have to be more than just a pass rusher. Not saying that is all he is, but if he wants to go that high, he needs to show that skill
Posted by: Bootang25 | January 30, 2010 at 06:05 PM
LMFAO , what the hell is wrong with you menace. ???
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | January 30, 2010 at 06:05 PM
Ok guys , just got in with not a minute to spare. It's senior bowl time !! Lets talk draft and the players in this game .
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | January 30, 2010 at 04:01 PM
=================================================
Is that even possible with your huge ego.
Thanks for stopping by. Oh snap, that's one of yours ain't it?
Posted by: Richard Nibbler | January 30, 2010 at 06:06 PM
He signed in as Armando. I know it's not Salguero but I think it's another Armando. There's more than one on this blog.
Posted by: Mark in Toronto | January 30, 2010 at 06:07 PM
NJ, My first names actually Miguel, but i answer to mike, michael and if it's my old man I'll answer to dumb @ss.....
Posted by: cuban menace | January 30, 2010 at 06:07 PM
Bootang , that's the point , graham hasn't played standing up or in space, that's what knocks him down a little. he must learn the 3-4 olb
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | January 30, 2010 at 06:07 PM
Cam Thomas again
Posted by: Bootang25 | January 30, 2010 at 06:08 PM
CAM THOMAS BABY !!!
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | January 30, 2010 at 06:08 PM
LOL @ CM
Posted by: Po White Trash | January 30, 2010 at 06:08 PM
Cam Thomas sack!!!!
Clemson is on the North squad?!?
Posted by: carlito from golfito | January 30, 2010 at 06:09 PM
We are going to need a geography map to sort this stuff out
Posted by: Bootang25 | January 30, 2010 at 06:09 PM
Two things make me think NJ is Mando.
1. NJ mysteriously steps in for Mando hosting a live blog.
2. A few weeks ago Mando used the childish word bawawawhahawabaawa or some trash like that in a sanctioned Herald article.
Man up NJ Mando and own up to your words. Don't be a coward son.
Posted by: Richard Nibbler | January 30, 2010 at 06:10 PM
Is that even possible with your huge ego.
Thanks for stopping by. Oh snap, that's one of yours ain't it?
Posted by: Richard Nibbler | January 30, 2010 at 06:06 PM
nOW THAT'S A CLASSIC NAME.....LMFAO.....
Posted by: cuban menace | January 30, 2010 at 06:11 PM
Graham is two inches taller than Elvis Dumervil. This is the thing that kills me about the draft. Sometimes what you see on the field really does matter.
Posted by: Armando | January 30, 2010 at 06:11 PM
Sharpton took the Channing Crowder angle on that one
Posted by: carlito from golfito | January 30, 2010 at 06:11 PM
Richard, Mando would be a genius if that was the case. Mando preaches adding offense and playmakers, to he'll with defense. NJ preaches D and going that route. Would be impressive.
Posted by: Bootang25 | January 30, 2010 at 06:12 PM
Blount MVP of Senior Bowl
Posted by: carlito from golfito | January 30, 2010 at 06:12 PM