Eagles Release Brian Rolle
Brian Rolle got a call from an unknown “215” number this morning, and immediately took it as a bad sign.
“I thought, I guess I’m getting released. If its a ‘215’ number and I don’t have it, that can’t be good,” Rolle told Birds 24/7.
The call was from head coach Andy Reid, telling Rolle that he had in fact been cut.
“I’m surprised to say the least,” said Rolle. “I felt like there’s been tension the last couple weeks there anyway. I’m at a loss for words. It’s crazy but I know I’ll get an opportunity somewhere else. I know I did everything in my power and played hard, and obviously it was not enough. Wherever I end up, there’s going to be hell.”
Taking Rolle’s place on the roster is linebacker Adrian Moten, the 24-year-old out of Maryland who was with the team during training camp. The Eagles also signed offensive lineman Julian Vandervelde back to the practice squad and released longsnapper Kyle Nelson.
Rolle, a sixth-round pick in 2011, started 13 games in his rookie campaign and ended with 42 tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and a fumble return for a touchdown. The linebacker position got bolstered in the offseason with the additions of DeMeco Ryans and Mychal Kendricks. Rolle was in the mix for the starting weakside linebacker spot but that job ultimately went to Akeem Jordan. With Jordan sidelined against the Giants because of a hamstring injury, Jamar Chaney got the call at WILL.
Rolle said he felt under-appreciated this season.
“I felt like I didn’t get the chance. People saw how productive I was last year. Why I am I not in there this year?” he said.
“I was one of the most productive guys last year. Wherever I get an opportunity I’m going to prove to them that I should have stayed there. I’m not going to bad talk the organization, it is a wonderful organization. At the end of the day it’s football and I can’t let it get to me.”
According to a source, special teams play was a big factor in this decision. Reid was clearly irked by the shoddy kick return coverage against New York.
“Special teams-wise, we’ve got some work to do on the kickoff coverage and kickoff return units. There’s no reason we should be playing like we are in those spots,” said Reid. “Had an opportunity to go through that with [special teams coordinator] Bobby [April] [Monday] morning and we’ve just got to straighten a few things up there. So, we’ll go about working on that this week.”