Antrel Rolle returns to nickel cornerback role

Last year, it took Antrel Rolle a while to come around to the assignment of playing nickel cornerback, instead of staying at his preferred safety spot. This year, the change was no big deal.

The return of Kenny Phillips to the lineup for Sunday’s win against Green Bay prompted the Giants to again roll out their three-safety packages, and again move Rolle to the nickel corner spot“

Although I love playing safety, one thing I like more than playing safety is winning games,” Rolle said. “So whatever it takes to win at this point in time, our coaches are going to put us in the best position possible, and we got a little glimpse of that Sunday night.”

The three safeties used this year are Rolle, Phillips and Stevie Brown, who emerged while Phillips missed six games with an MCL sprain. Rolle said the change allowed the Giants to “put the more experienced players on the field.” Rookie Jayron Hosley had been used as the nickel corner the past few weeks, and made a few costly mistakes at key spots.

The Giants used the three-safety package for a majority of the game. Rolle and Brown played 85 percent of the defensive snaps, while Phillips played 75 percent, before leaving early after re-aggravating his knee injury.

If Phillips misses more time, the Giants may have to adjust again. Phillips said Sunday night he was “not worried,” but Coughlin said Phillips did not simply leave the Packers game just for precautionary reasons.

“Hopefully, he can deal with it and it’s not going to be anything major, but I can’t speak to that just yet,” Coughlin said. “He’s going to have to go through a couple of days of examination.”

While Rolle may not have as many opportunities to make plays at the nickel corner position, he called it a “natural fit.” Defending Randall Cobb was Rolle’s “primary responsibility,” and the Packers’ multi-purpose threat had just four catches for 39 yards against the Giants. Whether or not he’ll stay there depends on the weekly game plan, Rolle said.

“Outstanding football player. Savvy. He’s been there before,” coach Tom Coughlin said of Rolle. “He’s a pressure player as well; you can bring him in the pressure. I thought he reacted very well last night to that spot, made some key tackles in there. Was in very good shape on a lot of the parts of the throwing game. Seemed to not miss a beat in terms of the time that he has been away from that spot.”


(nj.com)