Brian Rolle of Ohio State ~ 5.10/220
"An undersized backer who plays with a real chip on his shoulder and mean streak inside. Showcases good toughness to his game, loves to attack downhill, generates a burst into contact and tackles with consistent leverage. Lacks ideal power because of his size and will fail to wrap up at times, but does display some violence as a striker.
Exhibits above-average range when asked to run sideline-to-sideline, works hard in pursuit and can consistently make plays away from his frame. Does a nice job keeping himself clean, as he isn’t a guy who can take on blocks inside. Is easily sealed from the play once an opposing lineman gets his hands on him, but has a good feel inside with the body control to spin off/run around blocks and quickly close on the football.
Exhibits slightly above-average instincts in coverage with the balance and fluidity in his drop to quickly make his way down the field and redirect out of his breaks. Loves to be really physical off the line, consistently delivering a good jolt on contact and disrupting the timing of receivers into their routes. Has the range to run down the seam and can be difficult to separate from down the field in man coverage.
Impression: A nasty little linebacker who is a bit limited because of his size, but is the ideal kind of late round, cover two type pick who can end up making and eventually contributing to an NFL roster."
Exhibits above-average range when asked to run sideline-to-sideline, works hard in pursuit and can consistently make plays away from his frame. Does a nice job keeping himself clean, as he isn’t a guy who can take on blocks inside. Is easily sealed from the play once an opposing lineman gets his hands on him, but has a good feel inside with the body control to spin off/run around blocks and quickly close on the football.
Exhibits slightly above-average instincts in coverage with the balance and fluidity in his drop to quickly make his way down the field and redirect out of his breaks. Loves to be really physical off the line, consistently delivering a good jolt on contact and disrupting the timing of receivers into their routes. Has the range to run down the seam and can be difficult to separate from down the field in man coverage.
Impression: A nasty little linebacker who is a bit limited because of his size, but is the ideal kind of late round, cover two type pick who can end up making and eventually contributing to an NFL roster."
"Rolle played an integral role on an extremely talented Ohio State Buckeyes' defense, lining up at middle linebacker and making the majority of the defensive calls. He'll try to following the footsteps of his cousin, New York Giants' safety Antrel Rolle, and his former high school teammate, Indianapolis Colts running back Javarris James, into the NFL.
As a freshman Brian Rolle played mostly on special teams and recorded 18 tackles and a sack on the season. As a sophomore he totaled 21 tackles with an interception, playing primarily on special teams. He started at middle linebacker as a junior, posting a career-high 94 tackles and an interception. As a senior captain in 2010, he put up 76 tackles with three sacks and two interceptions and was named first-team All-Big Ten.
Rolle is a very athletic, undersized linebacker who needs to find the right system to be successful in the NFL. He projects to be drafted as an outside linebacker in the mid-to-late rounds. He plays at top speed and is capable of making big hits, but he has below-average awareness and gets engulfed by big offensive lineman. His best chance to be successful is most likely with a team that runs the Tampa Two and can take advantage of his speed and agility.
***
Strengths: Good overall athlete with a quick burst. Has good agility. Plays on the balls of his feet and can change direction quickly. Can make plays from sideline-to-sideline. Aggressive tackler and can make the big hit. Flips his hips open in coverage to turn and trail. Drops quickly and can get back and cover deep zones. Keeps receivers in front of him and his eyes on the quarterback. Very aggressive in coverage, regularly knocking receivers off their routes. Runs well with tight ends and running backs in man coverage. Tackles with a low base and attacks the ballcarriers' lower body. Avoids cut blocks. Gets into the backfield very quickly when blitzing. Effectively weaves his way through the interior of the line. Good blitz timing.
Weaknesses: Undersized and really struggles to fight off blocks. Does not have great balance and is knocked to the ground easily. Overpursues and struggles to break down and square himself up for the tackle. Struggles to work his way through traffic. Does not take good angles on inside runs. Tends to lead with his shoulder rather than wrap up ballcarriers. Does not read misdirection well. Does not possess good instincts as a blitzer. Will takes plays off. Does not get into a ready position fast enough and is often caught off guard by the snap."
As a freshman Brian Rolle played mostly on special teams and recorded 18 tackles and a sack on the season. As a sophomore he totaled 21 tackles with an interception, playing primarily on special teams. He started at middle linebacker as a junior, posting a career-high 94 tackles and an interception. As a senior captain in 2010, he put up 76 tackles with three sacks and two interceptions and was named first-team All-Big Ten.
Rolle is a very athletic, undersized linebacker who needs to find the right system to be successful in the NFL. He projects to be drafted as an outside linebacker in the mid-to-late rounds. He plays at top speed and is capable of making big hits, but he has below-average awareness and gets engulfed by big offensive lineman. His best chance to be successful is most likely with a team that runs the Tampa Two and can take advantage of his speed and agility.
***
Strengths: Good overall athlete with a quick burst. Has good agility. Plays on the balls of his feet and can change direction quickly. Can make plays from sideline-to-sideline. Aggressive tackler and can make the big hit. Flips his hips open in coverage to turn and trail. Drops quickly and can get back and cover deep zones. Keeps receivers in front of him and his eyes on the quarterback. Very aggressive in coverage, regularly knocking receivers off their routes. Runs well with tight ends and running backs in man coverage. Tackles with a low base and attacks the ballcarriers' lower body. Avoids cut blocks. Gets into the backfield very quickly when blitzing. Effectively weaves his way through the interior of the line. Good blitz timing.
Weaknesses: Undersized and really struggles to fight off blocks. Does not have great balance and is knocked to the ground easily. Overpursues and struggles to break down and square himself up for the tackle. Struggles to work his way through traffic. Does not take good angles on inside runs. Tends to lead with his shoulder rather than wrap up ballcarriers. Does not read misdirection well. Does not possess good instincts as a blitzer. Will takes plays off. Does not get into a ready position fast enough and is often caught off guard by the snap."
"Bio: Two-year starter at middle linebacker awarded all-Conference honors as a senior after leading Ohio State in tackles with 76/11.5/2.5. Also intercepted two passes and broke up four more. Junior numbers included 95 tackles.
Positive: Small yet fearless linebacker who makes plays sideline to sideline. Fast moving in all directions of the field, fluid getting out to the flanks, and gets depth on pass drops. Quick to read and diagnose the action. Fires up the field filling gaps in run defense then immediately changes direction and loses no momentum. Displays tremendous range on the field, has a burst to the play, and is effective in pursuit. Breaks down well, gets his hands up, and is rarely off his feet.
Negative: Does not have great size. Easily turned from the action by single blocker and gets swallowed up in the trash. Drag-down tackler and struggles to bring opponents down at the point of attack.
Analysis: Rolle has been a terrific linebacker who was out of place in the middle of Ohio State's defense. Size limits him at the next level, but he could be an effective backup in a one-gap system or potentially get consideration at strong safety. Plays with a special teams mentality, which enhances his possibilities in the NFL."
Positive: Small yet fearless linebacker who makes plays sideline to sideline. Fast moving in all directions of the field, fluid getting out to the flanks, and gets depth on pass drops. Quick to read and diagnose the action. Fires up the field filling gaps in run defense then immediately changes direction and loses no momentum. Displays tremendous range on the field, has a burst to the play, and is effective in pursuit. Breaks down well, gets his hands up, and is rarely off his feet.
Negative: Does not have great size. Easily turned from the action by single blocker and gets swallowed up in the trash. Drag-down tackler and struggles to bring opponents down at the point of attack.
Analysis: Rolle has been a terrific linebacker who was out of place in the middle of Ohio State's defense. Size limits him at the next level, but he could be an effective backup in a one-gap system or potentially get consideration at strong safety. Plays with a special teams mentality, which enhances his possibilities in the NFL."
"Positives: Has good speed and quickness for the position (mid 4.5-40), plays with quick feet and good straight-line speed in the open field... Has a solid closing burst, hits an extra gear within 10 yards of ball carrier... Does an excellent job of protecting legs against cut blocks at the second level while keeping eyes on the play... Has good hands, and will make a lot of plays when dropping in to deep zone coverage... Displays good instincts in coverage and breaks on the ball quickly when it is in the air... Takes good angles and breaks down well at contact, plays fast but does not miss a lot of tackles... Is shifty and quick at the line of scrimmage, is hard to block and is small enough to find creases in the line... Plays with a good motor, flies around the field and rarely gives up on plays across the field... Is a good runner with the ball in his hands, has the ability to avoid tackles and get good yardage on interception returns, displays good field vision... Can lower shoulder and make explosive hits, surprisingly hard-hitting for his size... Has been a valuable special teams contributor for Buckeyes... Is very aware of what he must do to help teammates get better, is an education major, likes to teach younger players how to play the game... Is the cousin of NFL safety Antrel Rolle.
Negatives: Undersized for the position, plays a lot more like a hybrid safety/linebacker, has good speed, but is very small... Has not put up flashy numbers in any given year, especially in the solo tackles department (86 career solo tackles)... Only four career sacks, three of which came in 2010, went 2008 and 2009 seasons without a sack... Inconsistent production, recorded five or fewer tackles six times in 2010... Tackles a little high at times, leaves feet or drags down ball carrier at the shoulder pads, which he will not be able to do against larger backs in the NFL... Has limited upside at the linebacker position, may find himself as predominantly a special teams contributor early in career... May project better as a safety in the NFL, has the speed, quickness and ball skills to play safety, and is simply too small to be a productive full-time linebacker at the next level."
Negatives: Undersized for the position, plays a lot more like a hybrid safety/linebacker, has good speed, but is very small... Has not put up flashy numbers in any given year, especially in the solo tackles department (86 career solo tackles)... Only four career sacks, three of which came in 2010, went 2008 and 2009 seasons without a sack... Inconsistent production, recorded five or fewer tackles six times in 2010... Tackles a little high at times, leaves feet or drags down ball carrier at the shoulder pads, which he will not be able to do against larger backs in the NFL... Has limited upside at the linebacker position, may find himself as predominantly a special teams contributor early in career... May project better as a safety in the NFL, has the speed, quickness and ball skills to play safety, and is simply too small to be a productive full-time linebacker at the next level."
"Ohio State University's outside linebacker Brian Rolle is an undersized prospect who relies on instincts and aggressiveness that can pack a punch. Rolle is a two-year starter at linebacker who finished the 2009 season with 94 tackles, good for second on the team. Rolle is a fiery player that can really hit and has a nose for finding the ball-carrier.
The problem for Rolle though is that he is extremely undersized for the position at the NFL level. Prototypical outside linebackers are at least a few inches taller and inside linebackers can sometimes be even bigger. But because of his speed and penchant for tackling, it is possible that Rolle projects as a strong safety in the NFL.
Due to that positional projection though, Rolle doesn't quite fit with what most teams want out of the strong safety. For teams that line up their strong safety to assist in run support, Rolle is a good fit. He plays downhill toward the football. If he is going to stay at OLB, he needs to work on his hands, not for catching, but for disengaging from would-be blockers. Using his hands in space to get free from blockers who, in the NFL, will be much larger and stronger than him.
Brian Rolle projects as a late sixth to seventh round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft."
The problem for Rolle though is that he is extremely undersized for the position at the NFL level. Prototypical outside linebackers are at least a few inches taller and inside linebackers can sometimes be even bigger. But because of his speed and penchant for tackling, it is possible that Rolle projects as a strong safety in the NFL.
Due to that positional projection though, Rolle doesn't quite fit with what most teams want out of the strong safety. For teams that line up their strong safety to assist in run support, Rolle is a good fit. He plays downhill toward the football. If he is going to stay at OLB, he needs to work on his hands, not for catching, but for disengaging from would-be blockers. Using his hands in space to get free from blockers who, in the NFL, will be much larger and stronger than him.
Brian Rolle projects as a late sixth to seventh round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft."
"The undersized linebacker has the athleticism his teammate does not possess and really presents himself as a three down defender. Rolle is fast and fluid moving in reverse and gets terrific depth on pass drops. Showing speed in every direction of the field, Rolle stands out in pursuit and sacrifices his body in order to make the tackle. Still, as Brent Sobleski pointed out in our podcast of July 26th, Rolle’s limited size (5’10’’/220lbs) will have teams looking away from him next April."
Fanatical FootBall Fiend on Brian Rolle
Because of his size, Brian Rolle will have a very hard time winning a starting gig, but there is absolutely no question that this guy will win a spot on somebody's Roster, earn playing time, and make a LOT more plays that most folks will ever imagine him making.
As always, the preceding thoughts were regurgitated, derivative tripe, adding no value whatsoever, while in fact obliterating intelligent thought and offending the spirit of all decent men. You are now stupider for having read it, and are encouraged, in the strongest possible language, never to expose your eyes to this Site again.
As always, the preceding thoughts were regurgitated, derivative tripe, adding no value whatsoever, while in fact obliterating intelligent thought and offending the spirit of all decent men. You are now stupider for having read it, and are encouraged, in the strongest possible language, never to expose your eyes to this Site again.
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