Speed demon DRC haunting quarterbacks
Age just a number to 30-year-old corner.
The Giants would not be here without Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who, technically, is not a starting cornerback and yet Wednesday was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his two-interception, one-sack performance in the 19-10 victory over the Redskins.
Rodgers-Cromartie is in his ninth NFL season and is not thinking about leaving anytime soon.
“I just play until I can’t play anymore,’’ he said.
Rodgers-Cromartie is 30, an age at which cornerbacks who rely on their legs are often pushed aside. The player the Giants call DRC is not thinking that way.
“Oh no, not when you can still run with anybody,’’ he said.
This is not false bravado. If speed kills, then Rodgers-Cromartie should be arrested.
“You line any one of them up,’’ he said. “Get in the weight room, any one of ’em, take ’ em on.’’
His five fastest Giants: Odell Beckham Jr., Tavarres King, Janoris “Jackrabbit’’ Jenkins “and young Eli. And I ain’t talking about the quarterback,’’ Rodgers-Cromartie said, referring to Eli Apple, not Eli Manning. The results of the race? “Oh me, one,’’ Rodgers-Cromartie said. Second, he put Jenkins, followed by either King or Beckham.
Rodgers-Cromartie is certain he would beat Beckham. “Easy, go ask him,’’ he said. “I got one good race, I’m waiting for anybody to challenge me. I got one good race in me, after that I’m done.’’
Apple described DRC as having “good confidence’’ and offered no guarantees who would win a race. “He’s a freak,’’ Apple said. “Not everybody at 30 can keep their speed like that.’’
Jenkins and Apple line up as the starting corners on the outside. The coaching staff asked Rodgers-Cromartie to move inside to the slot corner spot and he has thrived there.
“I think DRC is playing tremendous football for us,’’ coach Ben McAdoo said. “I think he’s developed into a leader in the locker room. He’s playing fast and he’s playing aggressive. His ball skills showed up last week again.’’