Eagles Give Rolle the Boot

Former starting linebacker is released following a lackluster special teams performance by the Eagles

Another one of the Eagles 2011 draft picks is gone as the Eagles released former starting linebacker Brian Rolle Tuesday morning.

“Words can't explain the hollow feeling I have right now,” Rolle tweeted following his release. “Love this city but I'm on to another journey.”

Rolle, a 2011 sixth-round pick out of Ohio State, appeared in all 16 games -- starting 13 at linebacker -- during his rookie season, recording 54 tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery for a touchdown. But this season he had just four tackles as he saw limited action -- mostly on special teams after losing his starting weak-side linebacker gig to Akeem Jordan -- through the Eagles’ first four games.

After the kick unit allowed 36.2 yards per a return to New York’s David Wilson Sunday night, something had to change and Rolle became the scapegoat, according to the Inquirer’s Jeff McLane.

Rolle's release was presumably in response to the Eagles' poor performance on special teams, specifically the kick return cover unit that was gashed by the New York Giants on Sunday. The team credited Rolle with one special teams tackle in four games.

Rolle joins second-rounder S Jaiquawn Jarret and seventh-rounder LB Greg Lloyd as 2011 Eagles draft picks that are no longer with the team.

Rolle’s release paved the way for the Eagles to sign LB Adrian Moten. The Maryland grad played in 12 games last season with the Colts and Seahawks. After spending training camp with Philly, the Eagles released him at the end of the preseason.

The Eagles made another roster move Tuesday as they added G Julian Vandervelde (a 2011 fifth-round pick) to the practice squad and released longsnapper Kyle Nelson from the practice squad. Nelson’s release came as no surprise. He was brought in as a security blanket in case starting longsnapper Jon Dorenbos missed the Giants game with an ankle injury.

Contact Us