MIAMIBrian Rolle has earned the Eagles trust. Rolle recorded his first career sack in Sundays win over the Dolphinsand he blitzed on his own.
It was kind of crazyit was man coverage, and I tell the coach every time Im in man coverage, Im going to blitz to make the back stay in and block, and they blocked, and I just so happened to get in and get the sack, Rolle said.
Once the ball is snapped, Rolle watches his mana running back or tight end. If his man stays in to blockleaving Rolle without anyone to coverthe rookie linebacker is free to go after the quarterback.
The coach gives you the freedom to do it. At the same time, you have to make sure he doesnt get out in coverage, Rolle said.
If they sit in, youre free to blitz through that guy.
A sixth-round pick out of Ohio State, Rolle has been the Eagles starting weak-side linebacker since Week 4, replacing Moise Fokou, who moved over to the strong side when Jamar Chaney took over for the ineffective Casey Matthewswho also recorded his first career sack Sunday (see post)in the middle.
Rolle entered the game with a pair of QB hurries, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery but no sacks or interceptions. In the first quarter, he sacked Matt Moore for a six-yard loss.
NFL
It felt good, Rolle said. Actually I got 1 sacks in the Jets game in the preseason. But for it to actually count, it felt good.
It was the first of nine sacks for the Eagles.
It was a great scene out thereit seemed like everybody got a sack today, Rolle said. Thats what you want to see. The young guys, the older guyseverybody playing together. Thats something that I think we lacked in the first half of the seasoneverybody playing together as a unit. I think we definitely built that camaraderie, and everybodys playing within the scheme, and then believing. And coach Juan did a good job of switching up the calls and making great calls and putting us in right situations.
E-mail Andy Schwartz at aschwartz@comcastsportsnet.com