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Giants Safety Antrel Rolle Named NFC Defensive Player Of The Week

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - Giants safety Antrel Rolle played brilliantly in New York's 26-3 victory over the San Francisco 49ers this past Sunday.

And now he's been rewarded for his efforts.

The two-time Pro Bowler has been named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week after recording six tackles, deflecting two passes and picking off two balls thrown by 49ers quarterback Alex Smith.

Both of Rolle's interceptions at Candlestick Park came in the third quarter, and the first was in front of ex-Giant and former teammate Mario Manningham.

"I think what made that interception happen was definitely Corey Webster," the former first-round pick told WFAN co-hosts Evan Roberts and Joe Benigno in his weekly spot on Tuesday. "I think he did a phenomenal job of staying patient and squaring up the receiver. And once the receiver broke on the slant route, he undercut the route so well that Alex Smith had to put air on the ball. I was fortunate enough to get a good break out of my Cover 3 zone and was able to hold onto the ball."

Rolle is the first Giants player to take home the NFC Defensive Player of the Week award since defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul was awarded in Weeks 14 and 16 of the 2011 season.

The award isn't a first for the six-foot-0, 206-pounder, though he's never won it with the Giants. He's won it three times before -- in Weeks 11 and 17 of the 2007 season and Week 9 of the 2009 season -- when he was a member of the Arizona Cardinals.

Rolle has played in all six games for Big Blue this season, recording 35 tackles in addition to the two interceptions.

What a performance by Rolle on Sunday. Was he deserving of the award? Offer your thoughts and comments in the section below...

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