Search SiteSearch OptionsSearch Web

MSN Home | Mail | My MSN

Rolle Rearranges Roster
This story originally published on AZRedReport.com
FS Antrel Rolle (Stephen Dunn/Getty)
FS Antrel Rolle (Stephen Dunn/Getty)
By Amberly Richardson
Cardinalinsider.com
Posted Feb 9, 2008

| More

The Cardinals employ the NFL's fourth- and fifth-highest paid safeties, but Arizona is still looking for more return on its investment. Antrel Rolle is expected to pick up the slack, but his move to safety leaves a huge void at cornerback.

The Cardinals have confirmed that Antrel Rolle will move from corner to free safety. The popular sentiment is that the move was long overdue. However, because the Cardinals lacked depth at corner during the 2007 season, they stuck it out with Rolle in man-to-man coverage.

Rolle’s shift is bad news for Terrence Holt, who is out of a starting job one year after signing a five-year, $15-million contract.

Rolle can empathize with Holt’s position. Rolle did not move into the golden-boy role until Week 11 when he intercepted three Carson Palmer passes, returning two for touchdowns.

"It just goes to show that character is your biggest asset," Rolle said. “I never pouted, never ranted and raved, never became a cancer to this team."

Holt must share the same attitude if he hopes to continue his employment in the desert. Whether he stays or goes will have a big impact on the Cardinals' roster.

Holt posted 69 tackles and nothing else last season. As the fourth-highest paid safety in the league, his tie for 48th on the leader boards just didn’t cut it.

Holt is scheduled to earn more than Adrian Wilson next season, a fact the Cardinals are eager to rectify. Wilson, whose game was put on pause last season by a heel injury, is deserving of his status as the NFL's fifth-highest paid safety.

Wilson has only two years left on his contract and is eager for a new deal. Perhaps the Cardinals can use the money they save by releasing or restructuring Holt to pay their more deserving safety.

Combine Corners

With all the esteem Rolle’s move brings the safeties, the corners will suffer even more. Arizona needs an immediate starter. Draft possibilities are projected first-rounders Mike Jenkins out of South Florida and Antoine Cason of South Florida.

Cardinalinsider.com will be in Indianapolis for the NFL Combine to see how the Cardinals plan to fill their gaping hole at cornerback.

Amberly Richardson is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America and a correspondent for Scout.com. She has contributed to the official Web sites of several NFL players for Sixthman Communications.



Related Stories
Whisenhunt Shuffles Pieces into Place
 -by AZRedReport.com  Feb 15, 2008
Rolle Aims to Hold Francisco at Bay
 -by AZRedReport.com  Feb 15, 2008
NFL Scouting Combine Preview: CBs
 -by ScoutNFLNetwork.com  Feb 20, 2008

Story Tools
Top Stories 
Search Stories 
Discuss on Forums 

MAGAZINE COVERAGE
Get the 2010 Scout.com Recruiting Yearbook with an annual Total Access Pass
Sign Up Today!

Upgrade Now!
Free Email Newsletter
Don't miss any news or features from USFNation.com. Subscribe to our newsletter to have our newest articles emailed to you on a daily or weekly basis.
Click here for a list of all Team Newsletters.

Add Players to My HotList
Get free email alerts with news about your favorite players. Click name to add to My HotList.
S Terrence Holt (profile)
CB Mike Jenkins (profile)
CB Antrel Rolle (profile)
[View My HotList]