Antrel Rolle: 2013 Giants can Run the Table
By Adam Ganeles
Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
The last time we heard an outlandish proclamation from Antrel Rolle, back in December of 2011, the Giants had just wasted a 6-2 start and dropped four straight games. Rolle showed no retreat following a home loss to Green Bay, boldly predicting that “once we get into the playoffs there’s not going to be anything that can stop us.” On WFAN the next morning, Rolle once again reiterated “Without a doubt. We will be in that postseason.”
At the end of the day, Rolle represented the guild of soothsayers quite adequately. He was 200% correct, as the Giants went on to win three of four games to close out the regular season and earned home field advantage in the wild-card round. The rest is history of course, as the Jints went on to romp through the postseason and claim their second Super Bowl crown in the span of four seasons.
At media day for Super Bowl XLVI, Rolle stated that his days in the prediction business were over; apparently not. On Monday afternoon, the Giants strong safety and team captain had this to say:
"“I believe we can go 12-0 from this point on”. “And I truly believe that and I’m not (just) saying that. And people may look at me like I’m crazy, but you know, I couldn’t really give a damn at this point.”"
On Tuesday morning during his weekly spot with WFAN’s Joe and Evan, Rolle took his powerful sentiments a step further by challenging the veterans to provide more leadership:
"“I really don’t believe that everyone believes that we can win within our locker room. And it’s hard. There’s guys that haven’t been there before, there’s guys that haven’t been affiliated with how the Giants make comebacks and how we can come back in the games, or how we can overcome adversity.”"
More than anything else, this is a desperate motivational tactic from the team’s vocal commander. Rolle believes there is still life inside the Giants locker room that’s one solitary spark away from igniting. And perhaps he’s correct. His past history has earned him the benefit on the doubt, or at minimum that he hasn’t lost his marbles.