Bears release safety Antrel Rolle

[Prime Time]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/05/01/report-bears-release-antrel-rolle/

Bears release Antrel Rolle
Posted by Josh Alper on May 1, 2016

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The Bears took three defensive backs during the final day of the draft on Saturday and it appears those rookie additions to the roster were a precursor to a veteran deletion.

Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the Bears have released Antrel Rolle and Rolle has tweeted a farewell to Chicago. Rolle signed a three-year contract with the team before last season and was set to make a base salary of $2.4 million in 2016.

None of that money is guaranteed, so the Bears wouldn’t be on the hook for any money if Rolle remained with the team into camp but his first year in Chicago was apparently enough to leave the Bears feeling confident about moving on. Rolle played in seven games and ended the year on injured reserve with a knee injury, neither of which is a good omen for a player turning 34 in December.

Rolle never missed a game in five previous seasons with the Giants, however, and played well enough when healthy that he could get a look elsewhere this offseason.

The Bears took Deon Bush and Deiondre’ Hall in the fourth round before adding DeAndre Houston-Carson in the sixth round. Bush and Houston-Carson are listed as safeties. Hall is listed as a corner, but some think his best shot at an NFL future will come with a position switch.

 

[DaveFan'51]

Veeeerrry interesting, I'd definitely think about him! "You can never have too many Safeties!!

 

[Jorgeh0605]

No

 

[WestCoastRam]

I like him better as FS than Donte Whitner. Count me as interested.

 

[snackdaddy]

For the right price, yeah. Why not? Unless he's got someone on the roster that has the tools. Then maybe not. Wouldn't wanna take valuable snaps from a guy who might be the long term answer. I still would like to see what Joyner can do there. I like his closing speed. Could be a poor man's Earl Thomas with his ability.

 

[RAMpage28]

More interested in the other player the Bears cut, Matt Slauson. Just turned 30 in February. Guard/Center. Can add depth at guard and cold beat Barnes for a starting role. Started all 16 last year and was PFF's NO.16 guard out of 82 qualifiers.

 

[RAMpage28]

Now hearing Slauson cut for "health concerns". Still would take if he checks out medically.

Another health concerns guy I like that got cut was recent 1st rounder Dom Ealsy. Heard character concerns too, but would be nice to fill out the DT depth chart.

 

[Prime Time]

cut, Matt Slauson

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twqa9AppfeE

 

[…..]

More interested in the other player the Bears cut, Matt Slauson. Just turned 30 in February. Guard/Center. Can add depth at guard and cold beat Barnes for a starting role. Started all 16 last year and was PFF's NO.16 guard out of 82 qualifiers.

All Barnes does is play football games. And keep playing. In the trenches. Quietly. Game after game.

Yet we're always trying to replace him.

 

[Mojo Ram]

He's got to be getting up there in age.

 

[RAMpage28]

All Barnes does is play football games. And keep playing. In the trenches. Quietly. Game after game.

Yet we're always trying to replace him.

Because he has demonstrated, up to this point, that he is a replacement level talent. His reliability in terms of health is his greatest asset. He preforms at a mediocre level at best.

He doesn't have much room for improvement either it seems. He could turn it up a bit this year, but he could be improved upon by someone else seemingly easily.

 

[Mackeyser]

Yeah, but, but, but...

He covers fumbles!

No, seriously.

 

[RAMpage28]

Yeah, but, but, but...

He covers fumbles!

No, seriously.

Gotta say I really appreciateed rhe effort.

Dude will always be a legend for that at least.

 

[RamzFanz]

Because he has demonstrated, up to this point, that he is a replacement level talent. His reliability in terms of health is his greatest asset. He preforms at a mediocre level at best.

He doesn't have much room for improvement either it seems. He could turn it up a bit this year, but he could be improved upon by someone else seemingly easily.

With the needs the Rams have, which are admittedly fewer now, why would they replace a player that is at least good enough and cheap?

 

[RAMpage28]

With the needs the Rams have, which are admittedly fewer now, why would they replace a player that is at least good enough and cheap?

Because there is possibly a guy that can also be brought in relatively cheap who does a better job.

There is always room for improvement and I'm the NFL you improve when the need is there and an option is available that comes at a reasonable value and offers a substantial enough improvement.

The bigger the need, the more the idea of what's reasonable changes, but I don't think a player like Slauson would come at an unreasonable price and I do think he would offer a substantial enough improvement to the position, that it would be worth bringing him in, or at the least give him a look.

It's just where value, need, and quality all meet in my opinion.

 

[RamzFanz]

Because there is possibly a guy that can also be brought in relatively cheap who does a better job.

There is always room for improvement and I'm the NFL you improve when the need is there and an option is available that comes at a reasonable value and offers a substantial enough improvement.

The bigger the need, the more the idea of what's reasonable changes, but I don't think a player like Slauson would come at an unreasonable price and I do think he would offer a substantial enough improvement to the position, that it would be worth bringing him in, or at the least give him a look.

It's just where value, need, and quality all meet in my opinion.

I would rather season and improve my known commodity then trot in a 30 year old coming off an injury. I personally don't agree that Barnes has no upside, but we shall see.

 

[Corbin]

Honestly I see our weakest long on the team right now as C. I hope Barnes steps up this year because last year I got so tired of seeing him get driven into the backfield and blown up. I will say though in that Seattle game he seriously saved our asses... Twice.

 

[RAMpage28]

I would rather season and improve my known commodity then trot in a 30 year old coming off an injury. I personally don't agree that Barnes has no upside, but we shall see.

Barnes is 27, been in the league since 2011. In his time in the league he has mostly been a practice squad guy or a reserve. He wasn't able to beat out Scott Wells who was at the end of his career and in Barnes first year as a starter, he played at a replacement level. He was mediocre at best and bad at worst, spending most of his time somewhere in the middle. Definitely below average. His hutle and durability are the qualities he has going for him.

How much more development does he have to go through? How much more can seasoning add to his game? He's most likely a finished product at this point. Has the ability to improve slightly. The ceiling is low.

Slauson is coming off an injury... kinda. He got cut apparently for "medical reasons" which could mean a wide range of things (I know that sounds stupid to say). He played all 16 last year and surrendered one sack. He plays guard and center both at high levels. If he checks out medically and comes at a price that is manageable, it would be worth bringing him.

Its worth it to at least give him a workout. No harm in exploring that option.

 

[…..]

I agree with @RamzFanz on this one. We have other pressing needs to address, like depth at DT, LB, WR and S. Center is a slight weakness in that its not a strength and hasn't been for a few years, I think we can all agree on that. so Its nothing new that we're all discussing Tim. Barnes is the only guy up there not crackin 320 and he needs to improve his strength. But its also the most settled and tenured position on the line. Experience here helps trump other intangibles. Upgrading every position is a luxury we don't have, but we are closer to being able to address it. To your point, there is no harm bringing in someone and seeing if he can play himself into a roster spot, I'll give you that. Ig he can come in, I doubt its Barnes that get cut loose. We have Kush, Rhaney, Folkerts that are much more likely to be replaced imo.

On topic....Antrelle Rolle is not a Safety I would consider at this point because I'd rather have Hitner.

 

[RamFan503]

Barnes is 27, been in the league since 2011. In his time in the league he has mostly been a practice squad guy or a reserve. He wasn't able to beat out Scott Wells who was at the end of his career and in Barnes first year as a starter, he played at a replacement level. He was mediocre at best and bad at worst, spending most of his time somewhere in the middle. Definitely below average. His hutle and durability are the qualities he has going for him.

How much more development does he have to go through? How much more can seasoning add to his game? He's most likely a finished product at this point. Has the ability to improve slightly. The ceiling is low.

Slauson is coming off an injury... kinda. He got cut apparently for "medical reasons" which could mean a wide range of things (I know that sounds stupid to say). He played all 16 last year and surrendered one sack. He plays guard and center both at high levels. If he checks out medically and comes at a price that is manageable, it would be worth bringing him.

Its worth it to at least give him a workout. No harm in exploring that option.

The center is the most reliant on the guys next to him of any position along the line. Our line has been anything but helpful to Barnes. As they gel as a unit, it is very possible that Barnes looks better and is actually a pretty decent center.