PLEADING ROLLE
Pending free agent wants to return to Big Blue — and that’s right call
ANTREL Rolle is as much the heart and soul of the Giants as anyone in their locker room, and yet his future with the team is uncertain.
Rolle, who turned 32 Tuesday, has two games remaining — beginning with Sunday’s clash against the Rams in St. Louis — to put the finishing touches on the $37 million free-agent contract he signed with the Giants five years ago.
That makes him a rarity in the league: A high-priced free agent who actually plays out his entire contract.
Rolle would like to doubledown on that rarity and sign another deal with the Giants to f inish his career with them. He said Wednesday he wants to play three more years.
The Giants should make bringing Rolle back one of their offseason priorities.
Firstly, Rolle is still a productive player. Secondly, he’s a durable player. Thirdly, he’s an invaluable leader inside a locker room that is growing younger by the day and needs veteran leadership.
“I would love to finish my career here,’ ’ Ro ll e said in a reflective moment. “That’s not my call to make. This is a great fit. I feel like next year, when we get all our guys healthy and we can get on the same page at the same time I think it’s going to be wonderful.’’
Rolle then rattled off some of the young talent the Giants have on the roster, including defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul (himself a free agent after the season) and Odell Beckham Jr., and he talked about the return of injured receiver Victor Cruz from his knee injury.
“I want to be with JPP and Beckham and I can’t wait to see Cruz come back,’’ he said. “These are all my boys, these are my brothers who I’ve shared [the] battlefield with. DRC [cornerback Dominique RodgersCromartie] is someone I helped bring here, and he always tells me I ain’t going anywhere.’’
That, of course, is not Rolle’s call. The Giants are 5-9 and headed for a third consecutive season out of the playoffs. Giants ownership, while more patient than most, is not a stand-pat group. Changes will be made — on the coaching staff and in the locker room.
“It would be great to stay here with these guys and build something,’’ Rolle sa id . “I feel like next year if we keep everyone healthy, we have a great chance. I feel like we have a great thing going right now. It’s all going to start with attitude, jelling and chemistry.’’
Rolle has been — and can continue to be — as much the glue element to that chemistry as anyone. Players look up to him. They are energized by him.
Is Rolle the most productive safety in the game? No. Is he the hardest-hitting safety? No.
But he remains the playmaker he’s been his entire career, during which he has 26 interceptions, eight forced fumbles and six recoveries.
Since he was signed by the Giants in 2010, he’s played and tarted all 78 games. He’s second n the team this season in interceptions with three and in tackles with 58. He had six interceptions inn 2013, the most of his career.
Though he insisted he’s not consumed by what his future holds, Rolle conceded, “At a certain time, it does get hard when you start to find yourself drifting off. That’s when you grab your- self and say ‘Hey, snap out of that. Just make sure you get back and play ball the way yo of playing ball.’ ’’
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Rolle playing mu again next season f best for the Giants.