Antrel Rolle has sacrificed stats by switching positions when needed

Antrel Rolle considers himself to be a Pro Bowl player, but for the past two years the rest of the NFL did not. He says he is going to change that perception.

“Absolutely, there’s no doubt about it,’’ Rolle said recently.

There is no talk from Rolle about a return to form, a return to health or a return to the lineup. In his three years with the Giants, Rolle always has been there, starting all 52 games (counting the postseason) but his impact seemingly has ebbed and flowed with the rise and fall of the entire Giants defense. He is an every-down player, never coming off the field, but as the point-prevention operation sagged and clunked through a historically bad season last year, Rolle often appeared to blend into the badness.

Rolle never will evaluate his performance by such pedestrian standards.

“Last year I just didn’t have the numbers as far as interceptions and things of that nature,’’ Rolle said, “but as far as just being a football player and going out there and playing the position I need to play and being that role player for my team … I’ve been All-Pro. But that’s not what you get measured at within this league. Teams notice you. I’m sure the offensive coordinator on the other team knows where Antrel is going to be at any point in time.’’

It no longer is a dirty little secret within the Giants defense that Rolle rarely plays his natural position, which is free safety. It is not a sign of decline that Rolle has just five interceptions in his three seasons with the Giants after amassing 10 interceptions in his previous three years with the Cardinals. With the Giants too often a man down at cornerback, Rolle has been asked — actually told — that for the greater good of the defense, he must spend far too much time playing nickel cornerback, perhaps the most demanding spot in the entire secondary. Rolle can do it, but not at the heightened level he reaches when allowed to roam at deep safety.

“We always shoot for that each and every year. We always shoot for me to play the safety role and stay at the safety role but it’s never happened, unfortunately,’’ Rolle said. “At one point in time I would get frustrated. … It’s a part of growing up, a part of being professional and most important a part of just being a team player and doing whatever you have to do in order for this team to be successful.’’

Rolle, 30, came to grips with the hybrid role down the stretch of the 2011 season, a key factor in the defense coming together for the Super Bowl run. His hammering home the “All In’’ theme was an energizing force, and Rolle staying on the field despite two torn labrums in his shoulders strengthened his standing within the team hierarchy.

At first, Rolle, bristled at coach Tom Coughlin’s firm hold, but he has come full circle and now is one of Coughlin’s most trusted advocates.

“What’s helping ’Trel now is understanding the Giants’ way, the Giants’ system,’’ teammate Justin Tuck said. “He wasn’t accustomed to that when he came in. He was more accustomed to [University of] Miami, things of that nature. Now I think he’s a lot smarter with some of the things he says in the media and some of the things he says in the locker room, and I think he’s gonna be a huge part of our leadership and success of the football team.’’

The Giants need and expect greatness from Rolle, who is by far the highest-paid player on defense, set to make $7 million this season (Tuck is a distant second at $4.5 million) and another $7 million in 2014. Rolle will do what is asked of him but is hoping defensive coordinator Perry Fewell can find a capable third cornerback behind starters Corey Webster and Prince Amukamara — with second-year Jayron Hosley, veteran Aaron Ross (returning after one season in Jacksonville) and perhaps even Terrell Thomas coming back from another ACL surgery as viable options.

“Safety is easier than other positions I’ve been required to play,’’ Rolle said, smiling. “Yeah, the level of expectation for myself is going to be through the roof. I understand that once I’m asked to play certain roles maybe my interceptions won’t be as high. Honestly, at this point in time it really doesn’t matter to me. As long as I get the credit from myself, as long as I get the credit from my team, as long as the credit from my coaches, that’s all that really matters to me. I really don’t care what outsiders say.’’


(nypost.com)