Antrel Rolle – Syndication Server

Is Bobby Okereke the Giants’ best free agent signing since Antrel Rolle?

Bobby Okereke is having an All-Pro season which begs the question: Is he the New York Giants’ best free agent signing since Antrel Rolle?

Overshadowed by the trade to acquire tight end Darren Waller during free agency, the New York Giants’ addition of linebacker Bobby Okereke flew somewhat under the radar.

After a somewhat slow start, Okereke has exploded and fans are seeing why general manager Joe Schoen targeted the linebacker.

The linebacker’s success begs the question: Is Okereke the best free agent acquisition since the Giants inked safety Antrel Rolle back in 2010?

At the time of his signing, Rolle was the highest-paid safety in NFL history. He would go on to win Super Bowl XLVI with New York while establishing himself as a team leader and dominant force on the field.

Coincidentally, most of the Giants’ big-splash free agents have come on the defensive side of the ball (since the Rolle signing):

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (2014)
Janoris Jenkins (2015)
Damon ‘Snacks’ Harrison (2015)
Olivier Vernon (2015)
Markus Golden (2019)
James Bradberry (2020)
Blake Martinez (2020)

In a small sample size, Okereke is on pace to set or tie career highs in total tackles, solo tackles, forced fumbles, interceptions and passes defensed.

Okereke was named a captain in his first year with the team and his presence has certainly been felt — he has been a big bright spot in a losing season.

Time will tell if his elite play continues beyond this season. However, if 2023 is any indication of what the Giants are getting moving forward, Okereke is well on his way to being the best signing since Rolle.

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5 things to know about new Bears CB Tyrique Stevenson

Tyrique Stevenson plays with a physical nature and has drawn comparisons to a former Pro Bowler. Learn more about the new Bears cornerback.

For the second year in a row, the Chicago Bears targeted a cornerback in the second round of the draft. This time, however, they moved up to get their guy. Shortly after they selected defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr. with the No. 53 pick, general manager Ryan Poles traded up with the Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 56 to select cornerback Tyrique Stevenson out of Miami. His selection comes one year after Poles drafted cornerback Kyler Gordon in the second round.

Stevenson is a physical defender who has the size to matchup with receivers on the outside. He should compete right away for the outside corner job with Kindle Vildor, while Jaylon Johnson mans the other side and Gordon plays in the nickel position. The Bears sent the No. 61 and No. 136 pick to the Jaguars for the selection as they continued to focus on defense.

But who are the Bears getting in Stevenson and what does he bring to the table? Here are five things to know about the new rookie.

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie: Antrel Rolle led me to sign with Giants in 2014

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie says Antrel Rolle was the “determining factor” in his decision to sign with the New York Giants back in 2014.

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It’s no secret that NFL players talk to each other and that there’s a certain level of recruitment going on when former teammates are available via free agency.

Back in 2014, when the New York Giants signed Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, it was pretty clear that safety Antrel Rolle played a role in bringing in his former teammate from their days in Arizona.

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What wasn’t clear was just how much of a role Rolle played in DRC coming to the Giants.

Rodgers-Cromartie, who currently plays in the AFFL, recently spoke with Giants Wire about signing with New York in 2014 and made it clear that Rolle was the determining factor in the move. He even called Rolle his mentor.

“I played with Antrel Rolle in Arizona,” DRC said. “You know he was my mentor out there. So he gave me a call and said, ‘look, I really want you to come over here and play with me’ and you know, that was the deciding factor. That was it and then he leaves the next year but he definitely got me to come over there.”

Rolle, of course, was a part of the Super Bowl XLVI roster and was a captain for the Giants during his time with Big Blue. He left via free agency in 2015 and while many believed he was past his prime at that point in his career, it was still hard for Giants fans to see him move onto another team.

Still, the recruitment of DRC is one that the Giants needed at the time and Rolle deserves credit for going above and beyond in his role as the captain.

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Antrel Rolle on Eli Manning: ‘You call him Mr. Two’

Retired New York Giants safety Antrel Rolle has a message for all the Eli Manning critics: You address him as “Mr. Two.”

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Retired New York Giants safety Antrel Rolle knows a thing or two about being a leader. He also knows a thing or two about what it takes to succeed in the NFL.

Not only did Rolle serve as a defensive captain for two seasons with the Giants, he also helped lead the team to a Super Bowl XLVI victory over the New England Patriots — an accomplishment that will be celebrated this coming season.

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As part of that celebration, there will be a reflection on the careers of those involved. That includes quarterback Eli Manning, who retired last year and will soon be the focal point of a fierce Hall of Fame debate.

In the mind of Rolle, critics and naysayers simply don’t grasp who Manning was as a player or a person.

“His look is his look. His demeanor is his demeanor. That does not tell us who he is on the field; that does not tell us who he is as a person and what type of leadership he possesses because I’ve seen it firsthand. I know he’s a leader,” Rolle said during an appearance on the Giants Huddle podcast. “I knew that dude was a dog.

“At the end of the day, when we needed him, he was there. When we needed him to go out there and be that rugged Eli — to put himself on the line, to put his body on the line — he was there. He did that.”

But the crickets on the outside continue to chirp.

“People are going to say whatever they want to say. At the end of the day, you call him “Mr. Two.” Two MVPs and two Super Bowls. That’s what you call him and that’s what you address him as. Because he is that person and he’s that guy,” Rolle said.

“It doesn’t matter what anyone says. What matters is what the other 52 men in the locker-room thought and how we see him. And I’m pretty sure that’s the only thing that mattered to Eli because he wanted to be accountable to his teammates. And he did just that.”

“Mr. Two” was loved and respected by his teammates and his coaches. At the end of the day, as Rolle often says, that’s the most significant feather in his cap.

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Antrel Rolle wanted Cardinals to beg for his return, but never was re-signing

Rolle explains on Patrick Peterson’s podcast that it was a little personal with head coach Ken Whisenhunt.

It was over a decade ago, but after five seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, defensive back Antrel Rolle hit free agency. He had his best season with the team in 2009. He was moved from cornerback to safety and had a Pro Bowl season.

He signed with the New York Giants following the season, but the Cardinals wanted to bring him back.

Although Rolle did go into negotiations with the team, he knew he was not going to come back to Arizona.

He spoke about it on the All Things Covered podcast with former Cardinals cornerbacks Patrick Peterson and Bryant McFadden.

Rolle, the team’s first-round pick in 2005, was taken out of the starting lineup in 2007 when Ken Whisenhunt became head coach. Rolle didn’t like it and also didn’t like how he had been used as a cornerback, playing mostly off the ball.

He accepted his role and made plays in 2007. He had five interceptions and returned three for touchdowns, playing a little bit of cornerback, some nickel and some safety.

Rolle never doubted he would become successful in the league.

“I was going to find my way, no matter what,” he said.

He made the move to safety in 2008 so he could be around the ball. He became an impact player for two seasons, helping the Cardinals win their division and make a couple of postseason runs.

“Once they started letting me get around that ball, they started to figure out who I was,” he explained.

However, free agency came after the 2009 season and he knew one thing. He would not come back to the Cardinals. He wanted to, for lack of better words, stick it to Whisenhunt, who didn’t believe in him initially.

“There wasn’t anything personal, but it was personal,” said explained. “I said if I ever got the chance, one day I’m going to make him beg me. So when that free agency came around, I got my wish.”

The Cardinals tried to re-sign him. It didn’t matter.

“They could have offered me the house. Honestly, I wasn’t going back to Arizona just because of principle,” he said. “I felt a certain kind of way, I wasn’t going back to Arizona. My mind was made up before any of the negotiations even started.

“I felt like I wasn’t really given a fair shake. and then I ended up making my way and now you want me to stay.”

He would go on to be a Pro Bowl-caliber player for the remainder of his career with the Giants. After making it to the Pro Bowl for his last season with the Cardinals in 2009, he would make it two more times.

Initially viewed as a disappointment as a first-round cornerback, he went on to be a solid player for many years.

Had Whisenhunt used him differently in 2007 or believed in him from the start, he might have had a long and productive career with the Cardinals instead of with the Giants.

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Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Sub scribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

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Antrel Rolle thought about tripping James Harrison on fateful Super Bowl INT

The guy that got in Larry Fitzgerald’s way had to keep himself from tripping Harrison on the way to the end zone. he should have.

When the Arizona Cardinals made it to the Super Bowl against the Pittsburgh Steelers after the 2008 season, there were three legendary plays. One was the touchdown Larry Fitzgerald had to put the Cardinals in the lead in the final minutes and another was the miraculous catch in the end zone by Santonio Holmes.

The other was at the end of the first half when Steelers linebacker James Harrison picked off a Kurt Warner pass at the goalline and returned it for a touchdown as time expired.

Former Cardinals safety Antrel Rolle is an unlikely protagonist on this play because he got in the way of a pursuing Larry Fitzgerald. A number of Cardinals fans (myself included) resent him for being too close to the sideline.

He talked about in on the All Things Covered podcast with former Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson.

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“It was a crazy turn of events,” Rolle recalled. “I just had a bad feeling that something was going to go down.”

It did. Harrison picks off the pass and Rolle sort of forgot where he was and actually considered interfering with the play. He was obviously on the sideline because the offense was on the field.

“When I think about it now, I honestly felt like I was going to trip this dude,” he said, referring to Harrison. “That’s what I felt in my body and I’m stopping myself but I didn’t realize how close I was to that boundary line.”

Fitzgerald closed in on Harrison down the field but had to slow down because Rolle was in his path. Harrison scored and took a lead into halftime.

The Cardinals went on to take the lead with Fitzgerald’s touchdown, but Holmes’ catch in the back of the end zone won it for the Steelers, who Rolle said was definitely the better team and deserved to win.

But the ending likely is different had Fitzgerald been able to tackle him. No points would have gone on the board.

Rolle said it best.

“If he hadn’t run into me, he definitely would have caught Deebo (Harrison).”

What is interesting is that had Rolle actually tripped Harrison, he would have been penalized, but there would not have been a touchdown. The Steelers would have been given an untimed down on offense. Instead of a touchdown, they probably kick a field goal.

I probably wouldn’t resent Rolle as much now if he has chosen to do that.

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Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Sub scribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

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4 Giants among the ’20 best free-agent signings in New York sports history’

Four New York Giants were named among The Athletic’s “20 best free agent signings in New York sports history.”

The state of New York has a rich sports history that includes a plethora of championships, great moments and unforgettable parades down the Canyon of Heroes.

Several of those moments have been created via imports — free agents who signed with teams and went on to etch their names in the history books.

Recently, The Athletic took a look at some of those free agent signings and decided to make a list of the “20 best free agent signings in New York Sports history.”

The New York Giants, unsurprisingly, had their fair share of representation.

First up? Perhaps one of the most underrated Giants in history — quarterback Kerry Collins.

19. Kerry Collins (1999)

The Giants were drifting aimlessly at quarterback in the post-Phil Simms years until general manager Ernie Accorsi took a chance on Collins in 1999. The fifth pick in the 1995 draft by the Panthers, Collins saw his career derailed by alcoholism. But he made the most of his second chance after signing a four-year, $16 million contract with the Giants. A revitalized Collins led the Giants to the 2000 Super Bowl, where they lost to the Ravens, and a playoff appearance in 2002. That helped get the franchise back on track before Collins was replaced when Eli Manning was acquired in a 2004 draft-day trade.

Many forget that Collins steadied a very rocky ship in East Rutherford. He put an end to the revolving door at the quarterback position and very nearly won a title as he revitalized his own career. And while he never earned a Super Bowl ring, he did help create a foundation which later led to success for Eli Manning.

Next up? The one, the only… Antrel Rolle.

18. Antrel Rolle (2010)

The Giants defense had a void from the 2007 Super Bowl team after Michael Strahan and Antonio Pierce retired. Rolle took charge as a leader after signing a five-year, $37 million contract in 2010. He started every game during his five seasons with the Giants, earning two Pro Bowl selections and helping the team win Super Bowl XLVI.

More than just a talent on the field, Rolle was an unquestioned leader in the locker room. His influence could not be overstated and to this day he still commands respect in team facilities.

The next Giant to make the list had one of the most memorable entrances and exits in team history. What was was great, but what could have been… That still torments Giants fans.

15. Plaxico Burress (2005)

The Giants’ trophy case likely wouldn’t be as full if not for the signing of Burress. The Giants signed Burress to a six-year, $25 million contract in 2005 to give young quarterback Eli Manning a No. 1 receiver. Burress delivered with 209 catches, 3,227 yards and 29 touchdowns in his first three seasons in New York, culminating with a victory in Super Bowl XLII. Burress was instrumental in that Super Bowl run, recording 11 catches for 151 yards in an upset of the Packers in the NFC Championship Game and then making the game-winning touchdown grab in the Super Bowl. Burress’ time with the Giants came to an abrupt end the following season when he accidentally shot himself in a New York City nightclub. Despite the ugly ending to his tenure, Burress provided exactly what the Giants needed on the field.

The connection between Burress and Manning was unstoppable. They were as deadly a duo as there was in the NFL and they were just getting started when Burress had his infamous accident.

Finally, we come to one of the greatest undrafted rookie free agent signings ever. Another key component to a Super Bowl run and a career that left many wondering, “what if…”

11. Victor Cruz (2010)

The Giants signed Cruz as an undrafted free agent out of UMass in 2010. He turned heads with a spectacular three-touchdown performance in the preseason, but a hamstring injury limited him to three games as a rookie. Cruz proved he wasn’t a flash in the pan the next season, exploding for 82 catches, 1,536 yards and nine touchdowns. His 99-yard touchdown catch against the Jets in Week 16 was a turning point in the season, and he capped the fairytale year with 10 catches for 142 yards in the NFC Championship Game and a touchdown in the Giants’ Super Bowl XLVI win. Cruz’s patented salsa touchdown dance skyrocketed him to stardom. He had 168 catches for 2,628 yards and 19 touchdowns in his first two full seasons while playing on his ridiculously cheap rookie contract. Injuries cut Cruz’s career short, but his meteoric rise is a shining moment in franchise history.

Cruz was electric until he wasn’t. Injuries ended his career far too soon — arguably even before he reached his prime. There’s no telling how high he and the Giants could have soared had he stayed healthy, but that’s simply not how the cookie crumbled for Cruz of Big Blue.

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Ranking each Bears’ free agency class under Ryan Pace

Bears GM Ryan Pace has had major hits and huge misses in free agency. But how does each of his FA classes stack up against one another?

There’s no doubt that NFL free agency is one of the most exciting time of the year for football fans. It’s the first major opportunity for teams to find new talent, shuffle their roster, and make the necessary changes to contend for a playoff spot in the season to come.

However, while a free agency class can take a team to the next level, another can cripple them financially and pull them down to the bottom of the division. When it comes to the Chicago Bears and general manager Ryan Pace, they’ve experienced both situations.

Pace, now in his sixth season leading the Bears, has had major hits and huge misses in free agency. But how does each of his free agent classes stack up against one another? Below is a ranking from Pace’s worst to best free agent groups between 2015 and 2019.

5) 2017 free agent class

Key hits – CB Prince Amukamara

Key misses – QB Mike Glennon, S Quintin Demps, TE Dion Sims, WR Markus Wheaton

What a group, huh? When free agency officially opened, Pace inked Glennon, Demps and Sims to three-year deals right off the bat, possibly becoming one of the worst “big three” ever assembled in sports. Glennon, signed from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, was given the opportunity to start but only lasted four games before rookie quarterback and first-round selection Mitchell Trubisky took the reins.

Demps, meanwhile, truly only had one memorable play as a Bear which took place in week one when Atlanta Falcons tight end Austin Hooper stiff-armed the veteran to the ground on his way to an 88-yard score. Demps went on injured reserve just two weeks later. Both only lasted one season in Chicago.

Sims at least made it through two seasons, but was lackluster at best. Other signings such as receiver Markus Wheaton, who caught three more passes than I did for the Bears and cornerback Marcus Cooper, who’s most memorable moment in Chicago was showboating after an interception, turning a pick-six into a pick-three.

The only true standout from the class was cornerback Prince Amukamara, who was a consolation prize for the Bears after other corners such as A.J. Bouye and Stephon Gillmore spurned them for other teams. Amukamara became a solid starter for an eventual playoff team and turned his tryout into a bigger contract. But overall, this class was a colossal failure for Pace.

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