Antrel Rolle’s advice helped push Olivier Vernon to the NY Giants

OLIVIER Vernon just signed the richest contract for a defensive end in NFL history, but he could have missed out if not for these words of wisdom.

Oliver Vernon

THE time came for Antrel Rolle to advise Olivier Vernon, and he did “as if I was guiding my own son”.

The fatherly advice that followed helped nudge Vernon toward the Giants as his new football home.

“I consider him family, I pretty much just gave it to him honest,’’ Rolle told The New York Post on Saturday. “There wasn’t going to be anything I would do to mislead him or misguide him or embellish anything or not tell him the full truth about anything.’’

The unadulterated gospel, according to Rolle, was this: Run, do not walk, to the Giants.

“I told him I loved playing in Arizona, I loved the stadium, I loved my teammates in Arizona, I felt like we were a very scrappy group,’’ said Rolle, the former Giants safety. “But I don’t think I got the full NFL experience, meaning being taken care of first-class all the way, the fans you run into, the atmosphere outside of the actual facility and practice field and games, the opportunities off the field — I just told him you can’t go wrong with New York.

“That was when I really experienced what the NFL was all about, when I signed with the New York Giants.

“I told him honestly, that would be an ideal situation for you, you will love every minute of it. You still have to go out there and play and produce, as I know he can.’’

Vernon will be wearing different colours in 2016.

Rolle, 33, said he had “a couple of lengthy conversations’’ with Vernon, 25, in the days leading up to free agency. The two are South Florida products who attended (at different times) the University of Miami.

They train together in the off-season. Rolle spent his first five NFL seasons with the Cardinals and the next five with the Giants, winning a Super Bowl after the 2011 season. He spent last season with the Bears and is gearing up for another year in Chicago.

On Thursday, Vernon signed a five-year, $US85 million ($AUD112 million) contract to play for the Giants that includes $US52.5 million in guaranteed money, the most for a defensive end in NFL history.

“I couldn’t have been more excited for him: One, he signed for the huge deal that he did, and two, he ended up with the New York Giants,’’ Rolle said. “I felt he won, I won.’’

Vernon said he reached out to Jason Pierre-Paul and Rolle before coming to terms with the Giants to seek their advice.

“He told me about the organisation, how it’s first-class all the way and how they take care of their players,’’ Vernon said of Rolle’s guidance.

“He loved every last bit of it when he was here and played for the Giants. He just kept saying good things, great things all the time.’’

Rolle said he had no problem pushing the Giants even though his head coach, Tom Coughlin, is no longer there.

Rolle had Vernon’s best interests at heart.

“Obviously coach Coughlin was a huge part of the Giants, their way,’’ Rolle said. “I think no matter which coach you bring in, the Giants are going to be the Giants. It’s sad to see that coach is not there, but this is the NFL, nothing lasts forever.’’

Rolle sees similarities between himself and the newest richest Giants player, a low-key personality who will fit well in New York.

“He’s a guy a lot like myself, he has an off and on switch,’’ Rolle said. “Off the field he’s a mellow guy, very chill, very calm and relaxed, extremely hard worker. You really don’t see the dog in him off the field. But once game time comes, he has a different light switch. I think he’ll fit in fine with New York. He has thick skin, he’s been down in Miami long enough. He understands how it works, he’s going to be a guy who’s not going to say a whole lot of much, but go out there and just produce and give it all he’s got.

“He’s a direct fit for the type of calibre player and person the New York Giants are looking for. You’re never going to have to worry about any off-the-field issues.

“I told him based on my experience, I had a hell of a time in New York and I wouldn’t change it if the world depended on it. I’m sure his experience will be just as good, if not better than mine.’’

Originally published as Antrel Rolle’s advice helped push Olivier Vernon to the NY Giants