Mike Lombardi of the National Football Post hears that the Cardinals will be the "favorite" to re-sign Antrel Rolle even after releasing him.

Rolle's release will occur before Thursday night, when he's due a $4 million roster bonus. According to Lombardi, the Cards "don't want to lose him." Miami and Chicago are also expected to make competitive contract offers

This is just speculation but if they are going to make a run at Rolle, I would imagine Wilson and Bell would battle it out for the SS position (may the best man win). I think if we did sign Rolle, it would be Wilson who would win out at SS (his natural position).

I'd personally prefer to keep Bell back there.

Bell is the only guy on our defense who earned a Pro Bowl berth. I'm pretty sure he's not gonna be sitting on the bench next season.

"earned" is a bit of a stretch there. He was a replacement.

Bell is still better than Wilson.

"earned" is a bit of a stretch there. He was a replacement.

Bell is still better than Wilson.

I would imagine Wilson and Bell would battle it out for the SS position

If Miami happens to land Rolle or any other high priced safety in free agency Wilson is GONE, period.

Doesnt matter if Wilson supposedly played out of position as far as I am concerned he isnt the right fit for our defense.

We need a true athletic safety that can make big plays, tackle and intercept passes. Wilson showed me NONE of this for an entire 16 game season.


I say good riddance.

Speaking of Cardinals, free safety Antrel Rolle will be cut today so the Cardinals don’t have to pay his $4 million bonus and the $12 million salary he’s due in 2010 courtesy of a contract he outperformed. But don’t shed too many tears for the former Hurricane because being one of the few young, talented players on the open market was Rolle’s goal.
While the Dolphins aren’t willing to pay Rolle the $7 -8 million a year salary he seeks, it appears plenty of teams who think they are a playmaking safety away will. But Rolle’s not just looking for a payday, he’s looking for the right team, and right scheme

....

Rolle: As you know, The Miami Herald broke the story about Rolle wanting to play for the Dolphins. The former University of Miami standout hasn't changed his mind and he will get a chance to hit free agency because his agent Drew Rosenhaus and the Cardinals have been unable to agree on what Rolle is worth.

It is clear he's not worth the $4 million roster bonus due him March 9 plus the $8 million salary he's scheduled to earn from Arizona in 2010. Thus, the Cardinals will cut Rolle as early as Friday. They will allow him to test the market and see what he can find, while obviously believing they have a good enough sense of his worth that their offer to him will stand up with whatever the market is offering.

I regard this a case of more Rolle wanting to play for the Dolphins than the Dolphins wanting Rolle to play for them. He's a good player. He's a playmaker. But he, too, wants big bucks. (Shocking ain't it?)

The Chicago Tribune is reporting Rolle wants a contract that averages $8 million. The Dolphins will absolutely not come anywhere close to that. You might argue Miami paid an average of $5.5 million to Gibril Wilson to be a resounding bust, and that would be true.

But $8 million per year is more than game-changers Ed Reed or Troy Polamalu make on an annual average.

The interest the Dolphins show in Rolle will be the first test of Jeff Ireland's credibility when he suggested the team was expecting Wilson to play better in 2010. If Rolle is added, there would be no room for Wilson on the roster at all.

I believe Ireland to be honorable. I believe the Dolphins won't be making a strong bid on Rolle. We'll see.