Antrel Rolle: 'This Was The Place Where I Needed To Be'

By Dan Durkin-

(CBS) New Bears safety Antrel Rolle said he asked for a sign from above Sunday night about which direction he should go in free agency. At 4:33 a.m. Monday, he got an email alert on his phone from Orbitz about flights to Chicago. That was exactly the sign Rolle was seeking, and once he arrived in Chicago, he liked everyone he met and everything he heard about his place within a Bears organization led infused by new general manager Ryan Pace, coach John Fox and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.

"Once I met the general manager Ryan Pace, Foxy, Vic Fangio, man, I knew off the bat, this was the place where I needed to be," Rolle said in an interview with Mully and Hanley on Friday morning. "More importantly, this was the place I knew needed my play-making ability, needed my leadership -- more importantly, needed someone who was going to war each and every single game no matter what the outcome shows."

The draw of working with Fangio was a big factor in Rolle's decision to come to Chicago.

"His schemes allow certain kinds of mismatches," Rolle said. "It creates a one-on-one. It creates the double team. It allows the safeties to come downhill and play fast and play ferocious, and more importantly play between the numbers. If receivers cross those numbers, you've got to make them remember you. You've got to make them not want to cross those numbers again.

"The way he has his safeties attacking from top to bottom, I love it. I'm just a huge fan. I love the way they play certain coverages. I'm excited. I'm excited for the opportunity."

Rolle's leadership was well-respected during his time in New York, where he was a team captain. He was also an ironman on the field who didn't miss a single start in his five years with the Giants. He intends on coming to Chicago and being himself and a player his teammates can always depend on.

"I put my hard had on each and every single day I come into the building," Rolle said. "I try to go out there and be the most accountable player that I can be. Be a safety that my corners can always depend on. Be an extreme communicator. I don't like missed assignments. I hate busted coverages."

Rolle wants to be a mentor to second-year cornerback Kyle Fuller and not only keep the communication going between his teammates, but his coaches as well.

"Coaches coach and players play the game," Rolle said. "So, a lot of times we may see certain things differently from the coaches. So as long as you have a straight line, direct communication with your coaches, you should have a successful defense. That's something I plan on doing. I know Chicago has had it's tough times, as we had our tough times in New York. I hope to come in here and be a part of a unit that will come in here and change this thing around."

Click here to listen to Rolle's full interview with Mully and Hanley. He talks about how the defense needs a "dog," gives his thoughts on Aaron Rodgers and talks about how difficult his decision was.

Dan Durkin covers the Bears for CBSChicago.com and is a frequent contributor to 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter at @djdurkin.