Antrel Rolle Relieved, Ready To Challenge Cruz and Nicks In Practice
By Mike Dyce
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning said he is relieved that Victor Cruz has a deal and they can return to focusing on football. Safety Antrel Rolle echoed Manning’s sentiments and told NFL Network’s NFL Total Access that “as a teammate and as an organization, we are extremely relieved.”
Rolle is looking forward to practicing with Victor Cruz because he challenges and pushes Rolle.
“He is a huge part of our offense and, more importantly, he gives me my best work when I am in practice, especially when I am in the slot,” Rolle said. “We are just glad to have everything behind us. We all understand this is a lengthy process, it is a business process. And more importantly he is back with the Giants for a long time.”
With Cruz back on the field, they Giants safety and the rest of the secondary have to try to cover Nicks and Cruz. Both presenting equally different challenges as a slot receiver and an outside receiver.
“Totally different to defend,” Rolle said of the pair. “Hakeem Nicks, I think he is a little more deceptive than Victor Cruz. When you look at Nicks you might not think he is moving as fast but when you are up against him, running with him, you understand this guy is moving. His hands are probably the biggest I’ve ever seen on a receiver. I call him ‘The Silent killer.’ His routes are so smooth; everything he does is so smooth.”
“While Victor Cruz is going to always put a little bit of salsa on it. I think he goes out there and gives you the wiggles, gives you the shake and he is exceptionally quick. If he takes a step on you, you can pretty much cancel Christmas.”