Rolle hits books for new role as Cards free safety

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. -- Antrel Rolle finally seems to have found his home in the NFL.

The Arizona Cardinals shifted him from cornerback to free safety this season, and it's a job that he's taken to naturally.

"It's coming pretty easy to me right now," he said.

Rolle was supposed to be the Cardinals' cover cornerback when Arizona drafted him out of Miami in 2005 as the No. 8 pick overall. But he struggled at the position. Lacking speed to keep up with receivers who went deep, he would play far off the line of scrimmage, leaving wide-open opponents in front of him.

Last year, under new coach Ken Whisenhunt, Rolle lost his starting cornerback spot. But he became the inside or "slot" player when Arizona went to a five defensive-back "nickel" defense.

And there he thrived. He became one of only 22 NFL players to return three interceptions for touchdowns in a season. He took two back for scores against Cincinnati, becoming one of 24 to do that in league history. He returned a third for a score in that game but it was called back because of a penalty.

Rolle's duties in the slot were similar to those of a free safety, and Arizona's coaches began thinking about moving Rolle.

"The light bulb kind of went on and we said 'Hey, this guy might be pretty good at that,'" Whisenhunt said.

The talkative Rolle said there's "three times" more information to learn about playing free safety than cornerback. That's meant a lot of studying before and after practice in training camp.

"I might have to be in there all day every day," he said. "I'm going to do whatever it takes for me to not miss a beat. I want to go in there and play confident and play comfortable and just not think so much."

With Pro Bowler Adrian Wilson at strong safety, Arizona should have a tough final line of defense. But Whisenhunt cautioned that learning the free safety position takes time.

"You have to be comfortable because there are so many situations that unfold," he said, "so many changes or adjustments that you have to make to formations, to offenses and their sets."

Rolle will get his first test Thursday when the Cardinals open preseason play at home against the New Orleans Saints.

"It's going to be invaluable for him to get some experience in games so he can see some of that live action and we'll see how he adapts to that," Whisenhunt said.

Rolle can't wait.

"I'm ready, man," he said. "I mean, the game can't come fast enough. I'm definitely going to be tested and I hope I get tested. I hope I'm not out there just covering air."

Whisenhunt said he's already noticed that Rolle has slipped nicely into his new position.

"I will say this about him: He does have a good feel," Whisenhunt said. "That was evident by the way he played last year in that slot position and how he was able to see the offenses and anticipate things."

Rolle would like to get a chance to return punts, but that job belongs to Steve Breaston, who excelled as a rookie last year.

"Right now Breaston's the man back there and he's doing a great job," Rolle said, "but if he needs a breather or two, I'll take the opportunity."

For now, Rolle will have to pick off passes to show what he can do with the ball.

During Saturday's practice, he intercepted Matt Leinart's pass and headed through would-be tacklers.

"Take it to the house if that was a real game!" someone shouted from the crowd.

"Every last one of them," the new safety replied.

(kvoa.com)