Steelers Sign Rhodes Scholar Myron Rolle to Futures Contract
by Neal Coolong on Feb 1, 2012 12:01 PM EST
in Steelers Roster
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PrintFormer Florida State standout safety - and Rhodes Scholar - Myron Rolle announced on Twitter Tuesday he had worked out for and signed a contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The move could be in anticipation of Will Allen's release at the start of the league year March 13.
Rolle signing with the team isn't what's newsworthy about him, though.
Rolle played three seasons at Florida State, having graduated with a degree in exercise science (and a 3.75 grade-point average) in just 2.5 years. Although he was draft-eligible in 2009, he instead decided to further his education by studying at prestigious Oxford University in England.
There, he received a master of science degree in medical anthropology. Upon his graduation, he returned to the U.S. to prepare for the 2010 NFL Draft.
Tennessee selected Rolle in the 6th round of last year's draft, and he spent that season on the practice squad. He was released at the start of the 2011 season, and has been unsigned until the Steelers inked him to a futures contract.
Rolle was a highly-recruited athlete out of high school, the cousin of Giants S Antrel Rolle and former Ravens CB Samari Rolle, as a big-bodied safety. He excelled on the field while with Florida State, having earned Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2008, and third-team All America and All-ACC in 2008.
The year away from football probably didn't help Rolle's development as a player, but perhaps he'll have more of an opportunity to re-harness his 4.59 40-speed in his 6-foot-2, 213-pound frame when he's likely competing for a roster spot and special teams duties with Damon Cromartie-Smith in 2012.
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This signing seems to be a "Rolle" of the dice........
I truly hope that during the time off, he has kept his nose to the football grind and has stayed physically fit. Who knows? I’m pulling for him though.
Good Signing!
If I remember correctly, Rolle was expected to be drafted much, much earlier had he chosen to participate in the 2009 draft, and I thought he’d have been a great choice by the Steelers in later rounds in 2010. He’s got the potential, and an intelligent, heady DB certainly can’t hurt. Looking forward to seeing what Lake and LeBeau can do with him
Yes!
That’s awesome, I was hoping to see him drafted by us in the late rounds last year. Obviously an extremely intelligent kid who can learn the defense quickly, he’s a guy whose good athletic skills.
The glare of the spotlight is harsh, and the pressure that success breeds immense. We revere our heroes, but expect much. And criticism can come as easily as praise.
Perspectives become reality.
Twitter: @shanecglass
Im all in
regardless if Allen is released, it gives further development depth at a need position and likely takes safty off our draft board to concentrate other priority position needs… Hopefully, with a full camp and coaching, he can contribute early this season..
Agreed
This is the type of project I had in mind with a mid round draft pick. This probably does take that need off the board, and should allow them to focus on depth at other positions. Hopefully to include OLB
The glare of the spotlight is harsh, and the pressure that success breeds immense. We revere our heroes, but expect much. And criticism can come as easily as praise.
Perspectives become reality.
Twitter: @shanecglass
Not sure what happened
Anyway, this probably takes S off the mid-late round board and bumps a different need up a little higher. Hopefully we see some OLB and WR depth here
The glare of the spotlight is harsh, and the pressure that success breeds immense. We revere our heroes, but expect much. And criticism can come as easily as praise.
Perspectives become reality.
Twitter: @shanecglass
Love this move
Wanted him drafted by the Steelers and worst case, they lose a little money on a guy who sure has earned a paycheck. Hope he turns into a stud.
by Michael Uhlhorn on Feb 1, 2012 1:08 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
I am happy with this move as well.
anyone trying to contact me via my yahoo account should be aware it has been hacked
by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Feb 1, 2012 2:10 PM EST up reply actions
Someone needs to splash water on Momma
I’m sure she swooned.
If you buy a foreign made product you give money to a person who will not be buying an American made product that you get paid to make. Think about it next time you're at the store.
by SNW on Feb 1, 2012 1:25 PM EST reply actions 2 recs
Rec'd
I was expecting her to have carpetbombed these comments with excitement by now
Are you on Facebook? Have you connected with BTSC's page yet? You should.
She might have fainted
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
Follow me on Twitter
by John Stephens on Feb 1, 2012 2:54 PM EST up reply actions
I don't faint -
as SNW properly pointed out, I swoon. But my son brought the smelling salts and lavender water, and I’m better now, thanks.
"If you're not getting better, I don't care what business you're in, you're a dead man. I try to look critically at the mistakes that I make and try to learn from them, like our team does." - Mike Tomlin
by Rebecca Rollett on Feb 1, 2012 5:19 PM EST up reply actions
Haha
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
Follow me on Twitter
by John Stephens on Feb 1, 2012 7:19 PM EST up reply actions
I did, I did!
I could hardly believe my eyes. I need to go back and check out a few of the pics, just to remind me of why I had him so highly rated in my BLA mock draft : )
"If you're not getting better, I don't care what business you're in, you're a dead man. I try to look critically at the mistakes that I make and try to learn from them, like our team does." - Mike Tomlin
by Rebecca Rollett on Feb 1, 2012 5:18 PM EST up reply actions
Hope you did not hit your head.
Next player meet and greet could be a good one for you.
If you buy a foreign made product you give money to a person who will not be buying an American made product that you get paid to make. Think about it next time you're at the store.
by SNW on Feb 1, 2012 6:18 PM EST up reply actions
thanks, Neal!
"If you're not getting better, I don't care what business you're in, you're a dead man. I try to look critically at the mistakes that I make and try to learn from them, like our team does." - Mike Tomlin
by Rebecca Rollett on Feb 1, 2012 7:36 PM EST up reply actions
Lake him!
I like this signing. Book smart does not mean “instinctive”, but he has good team mates around him and a great coach. I think he’s a safe bet as far as projects go.
The only real knock on him
…that kept him out of having a second round grade was the fact he was planning to study in England if he was named a Rhodes Scholar. Then a bunch of people freaked out cuz he said he would miss a game if he was given the award (the ceremony was held at the same time of one of FSU’s game).
He played three seasons but graduated (WAY) early, and took a year off away from the game.
If that’s the biggest concern of a 6-foot-2 215-pound safety who ran a 4.59 at the Combine, I’d scoop him up as quickly and quietly as I can. If he was in the 4.4 range, he would have been a second round pick even with a year off.
I also heard that aside from the physical trip to jolly ole England...
…was the perception that football wasn’t that important to him.
With a Rhodes Scholar on the roster, we’re gonna hafta larn ta speek gooder.
United we Stand, melded like Steel
To Roger Goodell, We'll never Yield.
Football wasn’t his No.1 priority, and I guess you can’t really fault teams for having an issue with that. It’s not personal, but they aren’t gonna take a big risk (i.e. a high draft pick) on him if he’s got that kind of a career (orthropedic surgeon) on hold.
And I guess the Steelers have the same concern, it’s tough to look at him as a long-term option. Worth a look, but he’d be a year-to-year kind of guy. Of course, he’s not being paid right now, and he won’t get more than a 1-year deal if he makes the roster.
I hope he works out cuz I would like to have a tall, athletic safety behind the starters.
Football isn't Troy's #1
but I am happy with his play.
anyone trying to contact me via my yahoo account should be aware it has been hacked
by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Feb 1, 2012 11:18 PM EST up reply actions
If he’s gonna be an orthopedic surgeon, does that mean that when he blows out his knee, he gets to operate on himself?
by Mr. Goodwraith on Feb 2, 2012 8:33 AM EST up reply actions
No, but he can most likely tell the surgeon how he would do it
Players who should be in the Hall of Fame: Pat TIllman, Dwight White, Donnie Shell, L.C. Greenwood, Ray Guy, Steve Tasker, Jack Butler, Greg Lloyd, Andy Russell, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene, Curtis Martin, Willie Roaf, Andre Reed and Jerry Kramer
"Clemson should've stopped turning the ball over" Dana Holgorsen when asked about running up the score in the Orange Bowl
I'm sure if you ask a lot of players if they had a chance to take the Rhodes Scholorship they would
You can’t play football forever and not everyone is cut out to be a coach.
Players who should be in the Hall of Fame: Pat TIllman, Dwight White, Donnie Shell, L.C. Greenwood, Ray Guy, Steve Tasker, Jack Butler, Greg Lloyd, Andy Russell, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene, Curtis Martin, Willie Roaf, Andre Reed and Jerry Kramer
"Clemson should've stopped turning the ball over" Dana Holgorsen when asked about running up the score in the Orange Bowl
I like this signing
Whether it will pan out or not I can’t tell, I am in no way good at projecting college players to the pros, but when he came out of college I felt he reminded me of Ryan Clark.
Two Thumbs Up
"My mentality is singular in that I want to be world champs each and every year, so that's what we work toward. I have a tough time acknowledging levels of success short of that. That's just how I'm wired." - Mike Tomlin
I wonder if someone like Ike will call him up and invite him to Tom Shaws with him.
Maybe “loan” him some money or something to tide him over.
Seems like a good way to get him a leg up without “practicing”
Anyone know?
If you buy a foreign made product you give money to a person who will not be buying an American made product that you get paid to make. Think about it next time you're at the store.
That would be cool.
I was hoping we’d draft him that year. Be nice if he develops into something.
I'm sure he came cheap enough
If he doesn’t pan out in training camp, the Steelers won’t have much tied up in him. Seems like a very safe signing, that has big upside potential.
I remember
conducting an interview with a former Steeler and spent some time talking about Rolle’s situation and how messed up it was that he was criticized for actually taking his education seriously. The Rhodes Scholarship will probably be of more value in the long run than anything he accomplishes in football. In any case, I have been a fan and have been rooting for his success. I’d love for it to happen in the Black and Gold.
by Ivan Cole (RickVa) on Feb 1, 2012 3:42 PM EST reply actions
The dude’s building a hospital named after him in the Bahamas! How could anyone possibly look down on him for his decision? What 25-year-old builds hospitals between football seasons?!?
I'm pretty sure that's where T.O.'s $80+ million went to.
An unselfish project like building hospitals.
This is a character guy with the pedigree of a good player. He’d be a good fit. I’m pulling for him to get into playing form.
And where it was pointed out that a Rhode Scholarship doesn’t equate to football instincts, it does very, very much equate to being able to study like no other, comprehend like a savage, and retain like a well-constructed dam. Physical gifts + intelligence can definitely trump instinct + physical gifts.
Ask Pac Man Jones.
http://tr4f.wordpress.com
Mountainbiking the Continental Divide in 2012 to raise awareness of human trafficking.
by Fifty-Eight on Feb 1, 2012 4:53 PM EST via mobile up reply actions 3 recs
Physical gifts + intelligence = Carnell Lake
though he probably had the instincts also.
If you buy a foreign made product you give money to a person who will not be buying an American made product that you get paid to make. Think about it next time you're at the store.
by SNW on Feb 1, 2012 6:20 PM EST up reply actions
intelligence can guide your instincts
I suspect guys with great instincts spend a lot of time in the film room.
anyone trying to contact me via my yahoo account should be aware it has been hacked
by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Feb 1, 2012 11:20 PM EST up reply actions
I remember a coach asked him at the Combine how he felt for walking out on his team
which makes no sense because don’t juniors that declare for the draft do the same thing?
Players who should be in the Hall of Fame: Pat TIllman, Dwight White, Donnie Shell, L.C. Greenwood, Ray Guy, Steve Tasker, Jack Butler, Greg Lloyd, Andy Russell, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene, Curtis Martin, Willie Roaf, Andre Reed and Jerry Kramer
"Clemson should've stopped turning the ball over" Dana Holgorsen when asked about running up the score in the Orange Bowl
Now just imagine him learning behind Troy and Ryan.
Oh man!
"If you havin' dragon problems I feel bad for you son, I got 99 arrows but my knee took one."
Considerably bigger than both of them….ohhh…it’d be great to get this kid to work out.
by Neal Coolong on Feb 1, 2012 10:36 PM EST up reply actions
2 years too late but ill take it!
one of my favorite prospects for the steelers back in 2010.
by steel.curtain.number2 on Feb 1, 2012 7:45 PM EST reply actions
As much as I like the guy
there is a reason why he is available right now. I’m not getting my hopes up but I am pulling for the guy,
I love the Steelers.
I have mixed emotions about him playing football
I just hope he gets through his NFL career without
the devastating effects that many live with.
So does this mean that
our offseason has started off on a Rolle
Players who should be in the Hall of Fame: Pat TIllman, Dwight White, Donnie Shell, L.C. Greenwood, Ray Guy, Steve Tasker, Jack Butler, Greg Lloyd, Andy Russell, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene, Curtis Martin, Willie Roaf, Andre Reed and Jerry Kramer
"Clemson should've stopped turning the ball over" Dana Holgorsen when asked about running up the score in the Orange Bowl
Hopefully...
…we’re on the right Rhode to re-loading; its gotta be a sign, we have a Myron back with the Steelers!
United we Stand, melded like Steel
To Roger Goodell, We'll never Yield.
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