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Monday afternoon, Ed reported that rumors had surfaced regarding New York Giants safety Antrel Rolle's impending free agency. Well, later on Rolle took his case to twitter.
First Rolle opined that it would be a dream to reunite with his former Miami teammates Andre Johnson and Vince Wilfork.
I would love to play with my brothers @johnson80 & @wilfork75. This would be magical. Some team make this happen please #PackageDeal
— Antrel Rolle (@antrelrolle26) March 9, 2015
Johnson was released by the Houston Texans earlier in the day, and Wilfork's 2015 option wasn't picked up by the Patriots, making him a free agent as well.
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Later, he released a tweet that seemed to be aimed directly at the Giants. In it, he compared himself to Devin McCourty, Rahim Moore, and Ron Parker, safeties who are -- reportedly -- the Giants' top targets to replace Rolle.
But they still doubt be becuz I am 32 women lie men lie #numbersdontlie pic.twitter.com/D0jdxjRYgx
— Antrel Rolle (@antrelrolle26) March 9, 2015
Finally, Rolle expressed his desire to get back to football, and wished all the free agents well.
I am just ready to play ball PERIOD. I wish nothing but the best for every free agent on the market. This game is tough. #gogetit
— Antrel Rolle (@antrelrolle26) March 9, 2015
Rolle's insistence that numbers don't lie is an interesting one. Simply looking at the box scores, he has been much more productive over the last four years than Moore or Parker -- we'll leave McCourty out of it now that he re-signed with New England. However numbers without context are just noise.
Rolle, Moore, and Parker were all used very differently by their respective teams. Moore has largely been a true, centerfielding, free safety, which was the role Rolle was originally signed to fill. However circumstances made it necessary that he fill a number of others, at times being a slot corner, strong safety, linebacker, and free safety -- sometimes all in the same game.
Parker, on the other hand, was a cornerback until Eric Berry's unfortunate illness made a switch to safety necessary.
My point being, how Rolle has been used has put him closer to the action than the other two. It hasn't always used him to the best of his abilities, but it has had a positive effect on his numbers.
One thing Rolle can't dispute is that his age ultimately has to be a factor, Father Time has yet to lose a battle.
We will just have to wait and see what, if anything, Rolle's tweeting means, or if anything comes of it.