According to a report by ESPN.com, the Arizona Cardinals will release Pro Bowl caliber free safety Antrel Rolle instead of paying him $12 million.
A year removed from trying to patchwork filling the position after the departure of Brian Dawkins, the Birds must sure up the position. The Eagles defense is predicated upon a pass rush and strong play in the defensive backfield.
Antrel Rolle could be the answer at free safety for the Eagles.
Rolle, who moved from cornerback last year, picked off four passes and and registered 72 tackles a year ago. He and Darren Sharper are the top safeties that will be on the free agent markets. Sharper is well in his 30s, and going after him would raise too much outrage over the Eagles letting Dawkins walk when he is about the same age. Rolle is 27. In the Eagles eyes, that is the ideal age for a potential Pro Bowl free agent.
Combining Rolle with Asante Samuel, Sheldon Brown and Quintin Mikell would restore the Eagles as the best defensive backfield in the NFL.
Don’t be surprised to see him in for a visit the first day of free agency. This has an Asante Samuel-type situation written all over it. Remember, the eagles signed Samuel in the opening hours of free agency two years ago.
