Miami Dolphins Expected to Pursue Safety Antrel Rolle Once Free Agency Begins

Despite the New England Patriots' decision not to franchise Devin McCourty, the free agent market at safety will still be relatively thin in 2015. In fact, in addition to McCourty, the only other potentially available safety that's worth a high-cost investment is New York Giants safety Antrel Rolle.

With the Giants placing the non-exclusive franchise tag on Jason Pierre-Paul on Monday, it all but assured Antrel Rolle the ability to test the market come March 10th. And one team already reportedly prepared to pursue him is the Miami Dolphins, who also had him in their sights five years ago before he signed with Big Blue.

#Dolphins will pursue Antrel Rolle in free agency.

— Sports Update (@MySportsUpdate) March 2, 2015

A proud member of the University of Miami during his college days, Rolle was excited by the prospect of potentially joining the Dolphins in 2010, going as far as to say it's be less strain on his parents if he played closer to home.

"That would be nice," Rolle said at the time. "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."

But Rolle didn't sign with the Dolphins. Instead, he signed a five-year, $37.1 million deal with the New York Giants and played out that contract in its entirety. Over the last five seasons, Rolle didn't miss a single game, barely missed a single practice, never once complained about his contract or asked for a raise/extension. Rather, he kept himself focused on winning a championship and in 2011, he did exactly that.

It's that sort of focus and leadership head coach Tom Coughlin has raved about and a prime reason he wants the veteran back.

"He's an outstanding young man and really I've never come across a player that was more interested in his team and trying to help his team be better in any way they could," Coughlin said. "I think countless Tuesday's Antrel was in my office with, 'How can we get better? What can we do to get better?' Just thoughts going back and forth between coach/player, in terms of how our team could improve.

"I don't think I was ever involved with a player that was more sincerely interested in how his team could improve. And I admire that very much in him as a young man and a leader."

On the other side of the coin, Rolle has started he'd like to retire with the New York Giants, but only after helping them win another championship. In order for that to happen, the two sides must come to a mutually beneficial deal — something that doesn't appear to be close at the moment. And with a safety market this thin, Rolle will likely attract a lot of potential suitors and generate a lot of offers that may be more than General Manager Jerry Reese & Co. are willing to spend.


(giants101.com)