MDS noted a while back that Myron Rolle’s experience as a Rhodes Scholar would hurt his stock among NFL evaluators. That post looks prescient now.
First, Rolle faced a ridiculous question at the combine about “deserting” his Florida State team. On Wednesday, during a benign conference call, Gil Brandt showed what obstacles Rolle could face.
Brandt wondered why Rolle had to schedule his own Pro Day in Orlando instead of working out with his former Florida State teammates. (Rolle works out today.) Brandt specifically questioned Rolle’s “love of football” when doing so.
That sounds crazy to us; plenty of players have their own Pro Days for a variety of reasons. Questioning Rolle’s love of the game sounds like the fear of knowing a player is smarter than the men hiring him.
Do evaluators really think Rolle won’t give his best effort? Someone with outstanding discipline that aspires to greatness is going to do their best in all endeavors.
NFL Network’s Mike Lombardi steered the conversation away from Rolle’s Pro Day, saying simply that Rolle is poor in pass coverage. He’s more of an “in the box safety” and those types of players don’t get drafted highly.
That criticism makes a lot more sense than questioning Rolle’s “love of the game.”