Antrel Rolle hopes the rest of his Giants teammates got the same message from the Super Bowl he did.
“I think we can be more consistent and have more swagger, be a fearful defense,” Rolle said. “The Seattle defense instilled fear in Denver from the first play.”
Of course, it helped that the Seahawks defense, in addition to cocky, was really, really good.
“This game is won on attitude,” Rolle said. “You saw some fear in Denver’s offense. The defense created that. … I think that any defense would want to see themselves play to that caliber.”
To get to that level, Rolle believes some things need to change.
“We need guys taking more initiative and [having] more focus to craft and understand the defense inside and out,” Rolle said. “There were times [defensive coordinator] Perry Fewell was restricted from the defense I know he loved to run … and I know could have helped us out.”
When asked why Fewell was restricted in what he wanted to do, Rolle said: “Not everyone was on the same page at the same time. We failed to do that and Fewell had to simplify a lot of things.”
The Pro Bowler said he felt that played a role in the Giants’ disastrous 0-6 start they never recovered from.
“It takes everyone,” Rolle said. “If one guy’s wrong, we’re all wrong.”
Rolle, who was honored at the Thurman Munson Awards for the AHRC NYC Foundation at the Grand Hyatt in Midtown on Tuesday, watched some of the Super Bowl with Green Bay tight end Jermichael Finley, who is a free agent.
Rolle said he tried to recruit Finley to the Giants.
“He said he would love to be a part of the Giants,” Rolle said. “He’s an extreme talent. He’s a fiery guy and I think that’s something that we could definitely use on the offensive side of the ball. A guy with some fire and intensity.”
Rolle would also like to see Justin Tuck remain a teammate. Tuck has said he will test the open market.
“Tuck, I think, had one of his better seasons since being one of my teammates,” Rolle said.
As for his own status, he said he is fine heading into the final year of his deal.
“In my eyes, I’m still under contract with a year left to go,” Rolle said. “If the Giants want to do something, they’ll come to me. Whatever happens, it won’t be in the media.”