Giants Daily Blitz Blog

Rolle talks Eli’s “stamp” on SB XLVI

Indianapolis isn’t exactly New Orleans, but each host city presents its own distractions during Super Bowl week. That’s why a year ago the short-winded Eli Manning got up in front of his team before the Giants departed East Rutherford, laying out what to expect and how to prepare.

“I think Eli definitely put a stamp on that team when he said what he said,” Antrel Rolle recalled on WFAN’s “Joe and Evan” on Tuesday. “Eli is not a guy of many words, but we know whenever he speaks, you know it’s coming more from the heart and that it’s something that’s going to be very beneficial for the team. And I think, honestly, I was extremely delighted that he made that comment.”

Shortly after, the Giants were hoisting the Lombardi Trophy after beating the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI. Rolle wasn’t as lucky in his first championship appearance when he was with the Arizona Cardinals, who lost Super Bowl XLIII to the Pittsburgh Steelers on a last-minute touchdown by Santonio Holmes.

Rolle, a little older and wiser, was more prepared the second time around, saying the difference was “like night and day.”

“The first Super Bowl, I really didn’t know what to expect,” Rolle continued. “Obviously I was a few years younger and just kind of caught up in the moment. I was just kind of caught up in the moment that we were actually able to accomplish something of that magnitude of reaching the Super Bowl. As opposed to last year, I was extremely more focused. I understood what was ahead of me. I understood the approach. I understood the mentality I was supposed to have, and more so I understood how to pace myself throughout the week, how to keep my emotions under control.”

As for the next Super Bowl, which will be held in MetLife Stadium, Rolle likes the change of scenery.

“I love the idea,” said Rolle, a Florida native and University of Miami product. “I love the idea more so because it’s Giants Stadium [MetLife Stadium] and second of all I think it brings a change. I think it brings a different atmosphere to the Super Bowl, and I think everything needs a change. Everything needs a change. It doesn’t always need to be in the warm weather, etc., etc., so I’m looking forward to it. I’m looking forward to the battle.”

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