Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
The NFL Network is in the process of counting down its top 100 players of 2014, with 10 new names uncovered every Wednesday at 7 PM EST until Mid-July. A New York Giant finally made an appearance during the 80-71 slotting last night — team captain Antrel Rolle cracked the big board at #72.
Very humbling and honored to be amongst the top 100 players countdown. Not satisfied until I am #1 PERIOD #nevercontent #hungergames
— Antrel Rolle (@antrelrolle26) May 22, 2014
Rolle was named a second alternate for the Pro Bowl at strong safety in 2013, recording career-highs in solo tackles (98), interceptions (6) and passed defensed (12). He graded out as the #10 overall performer at his position by Pro Football Focus at +7.4.
Eagles wide receiver Jeremy Maclin exalted the ferocity of Rolle: “He’s an aggressive player; a guy who’s not afraid to come up and hit you”. Ironically, it was Maclin who responded with anything but pleasantries when asked about Rolle’s trash talking in September of 2011:
"“A lot of times when people talk, they’re either insecure or scared. You guys choose. I don’t know what he’s trying to do but he’s not going to intimidate, not going to scare nobody in this locker room. He’s talking. That says something.”"
As we press forward, the countdown will certainly include marquee Big Blue names like Eli Manning, Victor Cruz and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, but who else would you rank inside the top-100? Geoff Schwartz? Will Hill? Jason Pierre-Paul? Rashad Jennings?
Weigh in with your take on who’s deserving in the comments section.