admin
When Antrel Rolle joined the New York Giants in 2014, it was smack in the middle of the best of the Tom Coughlin era. The Arizona Cardinals had just released him so the team could avoid a $4 million bonus, and while the Cardinals expressed interest in re-signing him, Rolle attended meetings with both the Giants and the Miami Dolphins.
Ultimately, Rolle signed with the Giants and was part of the 2011 Super Bowl team. What he wasn’t prepared for, though, was the distinct treatment of NFL players in the New York market.
When Rolle spoke with Gambling Industry News earlier this week, he was asked if he could tell the difference between the organizations.
“Oh, like that,” he said, snapping his fingers. “‘Oh, so this is what the NFL is like?’ No shade on the Cardinals, but you didn’t get that NFL love. We got it on Sundays because of the new stadium, the fans were rocking, the fans were awesome. You got it then. But outside of that, we didn’t get the love. It felt like we were a forgotten team. When I got to New York, man, you’d have to be careful sneezing or it could get headlines.
“And you felt it within the organization. Ownership was different. (John Mara) loved it, lived it, adored it. It wasn’t a money thing. It really mattered to them. I’m not saying it was necessarily like that with the Cardinals, but I wouldn’t know, because I didn’t have any close interactions with (the Bidwills). Just hi and bye, things of that nature.
“But you could just tell. The equipment, the locker room, the facilities, the meal prep. Everything was different from top to bottom. It was eye-opening, and it was appreciated. I really appreciated that (in New York).”
This recollection from Rolle is exactly what the Giants are trying to get back to. Jerry Reese built a solid culture in New York with the help of Coughlin. When they both departed, that’s when things got really messy. Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll are trying to put the Giants back atop the league as a respected organization.
Rolle earned two Pro Bowl appearances, two second-team All-Pro selections, and a Super Bowl ring with the Giants.
#3time #Pro #Bowler #joining #Giants #awakening
