Land rush for Antrel Rolle

Posted by Mike Florio on March 4, 2010 8:40 PM ET

Now that a $4 million roster bonus and an $8 million salary have gotten safety Antrel Rolle released by the Cardinals, multiple teams are hot on his trail.

Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports that Rolle's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, currently is negotiating with the Bears.

A league source has confirmed that the Bears are indeed chasing Rolle. We're also told that the Giants and Dolphins are pursuing Rolle, and that the Cardinals still hope to get him back.

Rolle, a top-ten pick in the bust-filled first round of the 2005 draft, started 15 games in 2009. For his career, he has appeared in 68 games, starting 61.

He entered the league as a cornerback, but he eventually was moved to safety.

Giants | Rolle expected to visit Friday
Thu, 04 Mar 2010 20:00:56 -0800

Omar Kelly, of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, reports free-agent FS Antrel Rolle (Cardinals) is expected to visit the New York Giants Friday, March 5.

Dolphins | Make five-year offer to Rolle
Thu, 04 Mar 2010 19:41:54 -0800

Ethan Skolnick, of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, reports the Miami Dolphins have made a five-year offer to free-agent FS Antrel Rolle (Cardinals)

Bears | Negotiating for Rolle
Thu, 04 Mar 2010 17:36:27 -0800

Brad Biggs, of the Chicago Tribune, reports the Chicago Bears are working on a deal with free-agent S Antrel Rolle (Cardinals), according to a source with knowledge of the situation. The team is actively involved in negotiations and could have a deal in place soon.

New York Giants start free-agent period quickly, pursue ex-Cardinal Antrel Rolle

By Ralph Vacchiano
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

Thursday, March 4th 2010, 10:46 PM
Safety Antrel Rolle, who is released by the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday, is now on the New York Giants' radar.

The Giants got a jump on the free-agent market tonight by getting in the race for safety Antrel Rolle.

Rolle was released by the Arizona Cardinals Thursday, which freed the 27-year-old Pro Bowler to negotiate with teams even before the free-agent market opens at midnight. The Giants were one of the first to call, according to a source, joining a race that reportedly includes the Chicago Bears, Miami Dolphins and Cards.

The Bears, however, appear to be the prohibitive favorites. They are reportedly deep in negotiations with his agent and hadn't balked at his enormous price tag, with some reports out of Chicago suggesting a deal could happen overnight.

Even if it doesn't, the Giants are likely long shots because Rolle's asking price is large. He has already turned down a reported six-year, $38.6 million offer from the Cards, who released him rather than pay him a $4 million roster bonus he's due next week. Rolle, who was due $8.1 million in salary in 2010 and he's rumored to be looking for $8 million per year.

The Giants, according to a team source, aren't likely to go that high despite being desperate for safety help. They were unhappy with the play of Michael Johnson, Aaron Rouse and C.C. Brown last season, and Kenny Phillips' status for 2010 is uncertain as he tries to recover from knee surgery.

If the price comes down, though - or if the Giants change their minds about not overspending - - there isn't a more attractive option than Rolle, the eighth overall pick of the 2005 draft. He had an up-and-down five years in Arizona, where he started as a cornerback, but was by far the best player in a weak safety market.

Rolle had 12 interceptions in his five years with the Cardinals, including four last year - - one of which came in a win against the Giants.

NY Giants expected to host free agent defensive back Antrel Rolle Friday, report says
By Mike Garafolo/The Star-Ledger
March 04, 2010, 11:15PM

The official start of free agency is less than an hour away, but the Giants are already cranking on at least one player.

The team is in the mix for former Cardinals safety Antrel Rolle and, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, the 2009 Pro Bowl selection is expected to be in East Rutherford for a visit Friday.

While we're handing out credit for scoops, let's mention Adam Schein of Sirius Radio, SNY, FOXSports.com and your corner bodega because he's been talking Rolle to the Giants for a few days now. I was telling my man Scheiner I was hearing similar stuff, but I'd be lying if I said I was as strong on this one as he was from the jump.

One other guy who had picked up on some Rolle-to-Giants vibes is Cardinals defensive lineman Darnell Dockett. Schein had him on Sirius Thursday afternoon and pressed him on where he thought Rolle might end up. Dockett threatened violence against his then-teammate, who was cut a few hours later, if he didn't end up back in Arizona. Late Thursday night, Dockett tweeted he had spoken to Rolle and that he knew what was about to go down.

"I'm speechless I'm going to Bed," Dockett wrote. "I'm done with twitter BYE!"

The Bears and Dolphins have been mentioned as Rolle's other suitors, with the Cardinals apparently also making a push to bring him back. Earlier Thursday, it seemed Chicago was Rolle's most likely landing spot. But the tide has turned and the Sun-Sentinel report certainly makes it seem like the Giants are in the driver's seat in the race to land a player who clearly impressed them with an excellent performance at Giants Stadium last season.

Stay tuned.

Giants | Rolle undergoing physical
Fri, 05 Mar 2010 12:56:24 -0800

Ralph Vacchiano, of the New York Daily News, reports the New York Giants are having unrestricted free-agent FS Antrel Rolle (Cardinals) undergo a physical but it does not guarantee that he will sign with the Giants, according to a source.